"Our receptionist is on vacation this week. You'll be filling in for her."

Yipes. I used to be the same. I still don't like talking on the phone particularly (exceptions made for long distance friends and family) but the dread is gone.

Well, unless it is certain work people calling.

There are large men with drills and caulking guns suspended outside my window.

Oh yeah, I started doing chores around the farm when I was in second grade. After a few years, it was a couple of hours a day, seven days a week and (starting when I was about 13) every morning I didn't have school too.

Kristen, I have the same story. Phone fear. One of my first jobs was as a receptionist at an auto body place which I felt compelled to take because of nepotism. That's right, answering the phones from people where were 1, in a car accident; 2, missing their cars for an unknown amount of time for massive amounts of money, and 3, talking to someone who had NO IDEA what was going on with their car. It was psychologically scarring.

And then my next job: interviewing political candidates for a newspaper's election guide. All day spent on the phone.

When I was temping for a living, reception work was always my least favorite. It was always the lowest pay and the most work (and the most ANNOYING work, 'cause, phones.)

There are large men with drills and caulking guns suspended outside my window.

See what happens when drill operators play with caulking guns?

His mother is Gloria Vanderbilt and he couldn't get a job out of Yale?

This was a surprise to me. Not an unemployed Eli, but, his mom is Gloria Vanderbilt? WTF?

Next thing you know, all those little twidgets on The O.C. will turn out to be Tom Cruise's secret love children. Michael Caine had a secret affair and produced Owen Wilson. Cats and dogs, living together!

Any chance you could set up a webcam in advance?

Technically, that would violate another guideline about no streaming audio and video because it bogs down the T1, but hey, I'm already being a rebel by posting here and listening to iTunes without headphones.

t cranks "Lola"

Now I just have to steal a webcam from one of my coworkers.

Okay, I feel better than I am not alone in my phone fear. I always felt like a freak.

bon, did you have to use a PA system? I hated that even more than the phone.

The funny part is, after that, I ended up spending 10 years working at entertainment agencies where all I did all day long was be on the phone.

Okay, I feel better than I am not alone in my phone fear. I always felt like a freak.

God, no. I hate talking on the phone, especially for business purposes. I keep trying to give my work phone away, but no one will take it because it's the phone random people in Brazil call for miracles.

I stayed at that company for five years and before I left was one level down from the board of directors.

oooh, how very Melrose Place.