For some reason, people think that my name is Debbie over the phone.

I've gotten that before. Although it was from the mom of the kids I babysat when I was 13. The other couple they went out with one night offered to take me home, and the mom of "my" family introduced me as Steffie. Only she had a really nasally voice, and the couple driving me home called me Debbie the whole way home.

Being 13 and with strangers, I didn't bother to correct them.

L'Shana Tova to those who celebrate!

I've never had any of the "As in...?" last name issues. As far as I have ever been able to tell, every person in the world who shares my last name is related to me.

Apparently a lot of people hear "Tommy" over the phone when I say my name. This is probably contributing to the ongoing phenomenon of people thinking they're talking to a guy. I rarely correct them, because it's not worth flustering them.

L'shana tova!!

People frequently think my name is Sam on the phone, due to the elision of my first and last names.

I used to get a lot of "Karen?" "Anne?" but Erin is a heck of a lot more common than it used to be.

Happy National Coffee Day, people!

I am babysitting this morning! I have really missed G.

In "I don't have to make this stuff up," Exploding toilets injure 2 federal workers.

We're moving very close to that building next year. Our building has recently been remodeled. I think that's a good thing.

I'm occasionally mistaken for Frank on the phone, and very rarely Bret. Nothing wrong with either name, but I'm a Fred. You know, like the second or third male lead in every forgettable movie from the '30s, as well as some memorable ones.

My last name is unusual enough that I automatically go to the spelling. And if I had a dollar for every time someone pronounced it wrong at first reading (it's a long "e," not a short one), I could probably put a down payment on Buffista Island. At least a starter island.