I'll be honest. Last year when the swine flu "pandemic" was going around, the paranoid conspiracy nut in me was a little wary of the vaccine that they whipped up so quickly. I've always been a little skeptical of shots and vaccines, so last year was the first year I intentionally skipped it. I've passed on it before, but usually out of a) laziness, or b) because of a shortage. In general, my immune system is pretty solid -- I get sick maybe twice a year -- so I don't feel like skipping the flu vaccine really puts me at too much risk.

This year I'm paying the price; As I drifted off to sleep last night, I could feel my throat getting tighter and tighter, dryer and dryer. By morning I was full-on miserable. I tried to make it through the work day, but by noon I was down for the count. I fixed myself up some soup, crawled into bed, and proceeded to watch some truly awful romantic comedies on Netflix. You know, something to put me to sleep.

So I wanted to take a minute to make a public service announcement: If you haven't already gotten your flu shot and you don't want to ruin the holidays for yourself this year, go out and get one. I know in years past they've been in short supply, but it doesn't sound like that's at all the case this year. They're performing them at pretty much every pharmacy and grocery store you can think of, so take half of your lunch break tomorrow and just do it.

And in case you were concerned, January did get her vaccination several months ago. So while she's certainly got her own ordeal to go through, fever, dizziness, and sore throat won't be part of it.