I get phone calls all day, every day, from people all over the country.

Often I don’t understand what they’re saying because they’re from all over the country.

I don’t like to say I can’t understand you, so I say, “I’m sorry, I have a terrible head cold, I can’t hear a thing.”

Usually that makes them speak really loud and really slow.

Yesterday, though, a woman from Port Jefferson Station, NY called and was rattling along, and I finally just had to say it: I’m so sorry. I have a terrible head cold. I haven’t been able to hear a thing all day.

She burst out laughing and said, “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. It’s me. I’m so nasal nobody ever knows what I’m saying. It’s a wonder I have any friends.”

I love people.