Health too soon

I got a call today at 10 a.m. from a woman who identified herself as Susan Cooper -- and then didn't say anything, as if she were waiting for me to say something. I was somewhat taken aback. We were on the phone in silence for a few seconds.

"I guess you're getting your notes together," she said, finally.

I finally asked if I could help her and she said, "I thought I was supposed to call you at 10 today."

It was at this point that I realized I was speaking with Tennessee Commissioner of Health and Environment Susan Cooper, whom I had on my calendar as scheduled to call me Tuesday at 10 a.m. The media spokeswoman for the department called me last week to set up the appointment, and asked if I preferred Monday or Tuesday, and I specifically remember asking for Tuesday because I knew today would be kind of hectic. But wires got crossed somehow, and the commissioner called me today. I hadn't yet had a chance to review the background information on the anti-smoking initiatives the commissioner wants to discuss, so the interview has been rescheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

So now, a cabinet-level state official believes me to be a complete idiot.