After talking for six straight hours in a Rome conference room, I’ve lost my voice. Again. As someone who does a lot of public speaking (AND who used to be a cheerleader), you’d think I’d have the mechanics of this thing down, but you’d be wrong. I always strain to project, and I sound like I’m straining, too. My voice is a distinctly unlovely thing.

Unfortunately, elocution lessons were not offered at my finishing school.

Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Lend me your microphone.