The funniest interruptions I had were during a call with a radio & TV personality who is a balance of polished pro and longtime New Yorker. She was doing the call from home while they were having the kitchen redone. She had to take a couple questions from the carpenters, shout to her son not to walk on the floor that had just been finished (luckily she set the phone down before yelling), and tell her hungry son that they'd have to eat out since they can't get into the kitchen. Talk about humanizing!

I'm happy to interview somebody who says there may be a little background noise because then I've been able to build rapport by saying, "Great, because on my end, my dog's usually quiet as a church mouse but every once in a while, he'll start making noises."

Then we both laugh and there's a smidge of a bond there.

Glad it wasn't just me.

Gabriella, that's the same reaction I'd have, too! I get that kids are distractions, but how hard is it to say "Look, I work from home too, and right now I have my daughter. It may be a little noisy, but if you're okay with that…"

To that point, I interviewed a corporate exec last week, and damned if his kids weren't interrupting! I think it's more than acceptable and hey, it makes you that much more human.

Paula, point me at her. I need to have a little chat with that woman. She's out of her living mind if she thinks what we do isn't "real" enough. My guess is her reaction is defending her reasons for NOT charging more than a smear against our way of doing it. And I have a similar interpretation — she's not charging because she's letting fear get in the way. Or maybe she's the type who believes that charging now means it's serious and no longer fun?

Gabriella, sounds like the guy was also too lazy to transcribe or even play back and interview to find quotes.

So the guy used to be an in-house editor and then went freelance. So he emails me last week and asks if I can be a source for an article he's writing on how to work with the media. I say, sure, just tell me when you'd like to do a quick phone interview.

His response tells me he's not serious and that he's unlikely to be successful: "Part of my freelancing career also involves watching my daughter and she's a massive distraction. While I'd love to talk to you, would you mind providing a tip or two via email?"

First, we now know he's not serious about this career. And second, no, sorry, dude. I won't email you written tips so you can just copy and paste my writing into an article under your byline.

Lori, please tell me I'm not nuts here and that your reaction was similar to mine…