Speaking of customer calls, I have this embarrassing habit of completely blanking on customer names almost immediately after they tell me who they are. I have to write it down if I want to avoid the embarrassing, "And, uh... what name is your account under, again?"

Me: Brain, I know you don't give a shit about these people, but could you hold onto the info for at least two minutes before trashing it?
Brain: And overwrite all those Journey lyrics? NEVER.
Me: Fantastic. I'd be golden if only these people were named Wheelinthesky Keepsonturnin.

Yeah, I totally had that thing too. And then came the terriblehorriblenogood stretch where I was a temp secretary. To, like, the second biggest dude at a university. You better believe I learned how to remember names in a flash. And it's evidently a skill I've retained, even though I only now use it to startle customer service people I'm on hold for.

I love the fact that my work phone has caller ID, I tell you what.

Learned from today's QI:

Hoover the Talking Seal. There's a sound clip and everything.

When I was a temp receptionist, I started out asking people how to spell their names and stuff before I'd announce a call, but eventually, I just went with the feeling, and it still worked out. "Um... Snarflebug Cattywampus is on for you?" "Great! Put her through!"

I am now looking for a document that seems to have completely disappeared out of my files, and I can't figure out why or how, but I NEED IT BACK.

I tend to ask people to spell, but then they're like, "Um, T O M J O N E S" and I'm like, "Um, duh."

Connie, where do you work? I could do customer service if it was chat. I HATE the phones.

I work for a software company that makes programs for insurance adjusters and contractors. Occasionally I work with techies, but mostly I work with folks who probably went into their line of work--repairing houses--to avoid all that officey stuff.

I've done the Microsoft tech support, though. This impresses by fellow techies.

I tend to ask people to spell, but then they're like, "Um, T O M J O N E S" and I'm like, "Um, duh."

A big part of why I stopped, when it was just to announce a call. It doesn't really matter if I think the guy's name is Tomjo Ns, you know?

Ow! I just did something really weird to my neck and shoulder.

I hate this week.

Like I'm supposed to know who the fuck "Marcia" is or something. "Oh, hi Marcia, I received your psychic plea for help through the aether and I'm not only looking up your PO right now, but I'm also arranging for you to finally experience a satisfying orgasm with your husband. Be just a sec."

HA! And, also, "I need some information." is not a specific enough request. I need to know the nature of the information. Also, "About your program." is not a good follow up.

all I really want to do is blurt out what I need and have you do it!

And we would be singing your praises. Seriously, we'd be all "One time...this lady called...and she just asked for what she needed."

Now I wanna see a Tom Jones / Snarflebug Cattywampus smackdown....