Work meeting ended early and several of us were catching up on other topics, including me texting a lady regarding a future date. In the middle of this one of the guys called across the table: "Hey, who's your provider?"
I'd love to have seen my "fish on the riverbank" look of confusion! Far as I know these guys are unaware of the hobby, and certainly wouldn't ask such a question in public if they were.
"Provider?" I asked, desperate for some context.
"Yeah, who is your favorite provider. I know you've tried a fair number."
Being the consummate master of witty comebacks I went with "provider?" yet again, this time with an arched eyebrow. And for good measure I blushed. Meanwhile the only provider name I can think of is the one on my screen, and she's in another country.
He clarified finally "Verizon, Sprint or someone else?" Turns out they were talking about mobile phone carriers!
Once again, the hobby has a way of turning benign questions into adrenaline filled mental gymnastics. It was like my brain's bicycle chain came off but it was still peddling away like mad.
Any one else ever caught up in such a surprise scenario?