A buddy at work once accused me of being the world's worst listener.  He offered some examples and other reasons that I don't really remember.  Former WILX anchor Nick LaFave once accused me of walking away from him in mid-conversation.  I'm quite sure that didn't happen, but if you knew LaFave you'd know it's possible.

That said, my wife is re-painting and designing our youngest's bedroom.  Of course, it involves painting and this morning she told me she'd given everything a second coat except the peaks - which I needed to finish up.  That's what I heard.  Apparently what was actually said (and mind you I haven't seen a transcript) was, "I finished the purple wall, if you can put a second coat on all the pink walls and the purple peak that'd be great."  Needless to say, when our paths crossed again by phone the conversation went something like this:

Me: So, I took care of the peaks... the rest looks fantastic.

Julie: You only did the peaks?

Me: That's what you told me to do.

Julie: No, I told you to finish all the pink walls and the peaks... are you telling me I HAVE TO COME HOME AND DO MORE PAINTING???  IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DRY WHEN I GOT THERE SO--

Me: Sorry... I thought you said--

Julie: ...I COULD GET THE REST OF IT DONE AND I WOULD HAVE TIME TO...

I can't really remember the rest.  I either wasn't listening or it got so loud it just became inaudible.  Either way, I've really got to work on that.