A moment in the life of LYDLT:

Set the scene: LYDLT chatting happily with friends

LYDLT: (Typical lame joke)

Friend: Eh? What’d you say? That’s my bad side.

LYDLT: (bursts out in laughter at the hilarity of her statement, thinks, what comic potential in that one statement)

*silence—the kind where there’s crickets chirping because all other conversation/noise has died*

Friend: No, I’m really 80 percent deaf in my left ear.

LYDLT: (Uh) Oh…

(I attempt to tactfully and compassionately inquire further, all the while silently cursing my social awkwardness.) …

Oops…