Like clock work my monthly Texas cold has crept on in. Only this time, the pressure in my head is so strong it's making my eyes water. I'm downing Robutussin/Nyquil cocktails with cough drop chasers hoping that it will go away as quickly as it appeared.

On the other end of the coin, working in academia means I get a very substantial winter break while all of the students are away. I shot out of the office at noon yesterday with no intentions of returning until after the new year. I have big plans to sit on my couch and watch horrible daytime programming. I also have plans to see lots of old friends. Once this cold wears off, the next week and a half is going to be great. Until then, it's back under the covers for me.