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....

From what Connie says, it's not embarassing for him. From his delivery it didn't seem so to me. He seemed quite matter of fact, not as if he had to muster his bravery, or god forbid, was having an Oprah moment.

It may not be embarrassing to talk about under those circumstances, when he's trying to explain he change in tone; and it may not be embarrassing to talk about one's alcoholic exploits. But check the video-- at about 10:30-11:00 he says "it's embarrassing to admit that you're an alcoholic." If he can talk about it now, I still don't think it's tantamount to boasting.

Him not thinking ahead to meeting the people he gets laughs off of is just plain weird. It's not even like you should need to think ahead to meeting them. It's not about meeting them. It's about them existing and having feelings that may be affected by your work.

I think it's hard to be in his position and make a fundamental change to his habits, even if he could always foresee the consequences. For me it's like gossiping: I KNOW it can hurt other people if they find out about it. I KNOW I get hurt when I hear that people are gossiping about me, and I wish they wouldn't do it. But man, it's hard to stop. I am doing my best, though. But it takes time to really get out of that mode.