My workplace gives free flu shots, and so does mr. flea's school. We both get them, what with the having tiny kids, who are at special risk (the kids get them too, obviously). I don't know that I've ever had The Flu - I get colds sometimes, but I've never had something that knocked me on my ass for 2 weeks. I've been getting the shots every year since 2004, though.

I've never been inoculated. It seems unwise for me to add stuff to the chemical soup that is my blood, but on the other hand, migraines make even a cold so much worse--I'd be a puling mess if I caught the flu.

I get colds sometimes, but I've never had something that knocked me on my ass for 2 weeks.

Yeah, the year I got the flu, it was a revelation. I'm sure I had the flu as a kid, but it kicked my ass as an adult. I was at work, standing up and talking to my bosses, and then I realized that I needed to lean against a wall *right now* if I wanted to keep standing.

And then I was miserable and weak for like ten days. My husband had to prod me to eat.

How many of you get flu shots?

Uh, never? I don't think I have, anyway. I get the flu every three years or so. I'm not at high risk, and I don't know if getting the shot would really improve my odds.

is that one of the roommates I met? If so say hello.

Yup, you did, and I absolutely will! She was thrilled to know it was from you, because she remembered you, as well (and then I updated her regarding mac).

I never got a flu shot, and I think that, thankfully, I never got The Flu. Many people here get the shots. Some of them, then, just get a different kind of flu than that (or those?) they were immunized against, so the whole thing turns out to be more bother than help for them.

Man. All you people who've never had the flu. Maybe I should be getting a shot.

I always forget how bad it is until I'm begging people to let me die.

Hey Nilly - anyone at your university talking like a pirate?

Okay! Local chabad is a mile away from the symposium site, and our people are welcome to attend services. Hotel provides wrapped kosher meals for the observant, and either milk or meat faux kosher for the sort of kind of observant.

Hopefully, I am not doomed.

paperdol, I think that the efforts you're going to to mitigate things will work out, and you're not going to be doomed at all.

Nilly, you're awesome. I can't think of anyone less likely to offend me.

anyone at your university talking like a pirate?

Nope. But it doesn't ring as well in Hebrew as it does in English, seeing as we pronounce the "r"s so differently.

Also, best wishes for your mom, and you, as well.

Local chabad is a mile away from the symposium site, and our people are welcome to attend services. Hotel provides wrapped kosher meals for the observant, and either milk or meat faux kosher for the sort of kind of observant.

That reads perfect. The one thing you'll have to remember to work around is scheduling their lectures and talks, if they give any. But other than that, it may turn out to be a very interesting and even unique experience, spending this holiday in a different place than your "regular" community. And of all the Jewish holidays, this one involves family in smallest amount, so people may be OK in spending it away from their loved ones (unlike, say, Rosh Hashana or Sukkot, or definitely Pessakh).

paperdol, you're good. *I* may consider attending a conference which provides all that (and I'm terrible at fasting).

[Edited because verbs.]