Packing, Packaging and Panicing

In olden days, I would have packed a steamer trunk for a trip like this one ahead of us.  It would hold a variety of gowns and dresses for specific occasions, dainty gloves, linens and maybe a weighty book. Interesting compartments would hold pen and paper.  Today, I travel with a soft-sided pack.  I have found a pair of walking poles that collapse to 26 inches, easily contained in my bag.  I've down-loaded a number of books onto my e-reader.  Gortex will keep me warm; Gravol will make me sleep; and gusto will keep me going.  I am taking an embarrassment of gadgets - digital camera, bed light, recharger, netbook and a snakepit of cables. (I have no idea to which device each one belongs!) Am I really a steamer trunk sort of girl?