When Do You Make the Decision to Call Out Sick?

Just another work day facing the question as old as time, do I call out sick from work today?  Full disclosure, the man in the picture could be my identical twin (if I had comically sized hands), I've hacked up just about every major vital organ in the past week or so.  Probably  bronchitis, but I won't go to the docs to find out for sure.  Know why?  Because they can't do anything for bronchitis, just give you some cough syrup and say good luck.  People with the HIV have more options than I do with bronchitis.

But back to the original question.  How do you know when you should call out?  Personally I'm not one to call out under faking conditions.  This might surprise some of you given that I slack off all day and blog from work, but I'm old fashioned.  I tend to think if I'm healthy enough so browse the internet at home, I'm healthy enough to browse the internet at work.  That's usually my barometer. Trouble with this case is I don't feel sick. I just have this annoying as fuck cough that I have to release every 3.4 seconds or I feel like the world will end and my lungs will implode (think of it like that button that Desmond was pushing in Lost to keep the world safe).  I don't have a head cold, I'm not contagious, but I'm still not sure I should go in.  I don't want to be that person in the office just annoying the shit out of their co-workers with the incessant coughing.  I hate that person, I mutter shit under my breath all day when that person comes to work, and bad mouth them to co-workers, now I'm that person.  Not to mention that I took enough Nyquil last night that my bed (where I'm currently blogging) still feels like I'm lying in the clouds even after a gigantic cup of coffee.

But you know what? I'm still going in.  I'm not even friends with most of my co-workers and I openly loathe the person on the other side of my cube, this will be good punishment for all the times she's annoyed me (I live to stick it to people).  Besides, I find my best blog topics while at work.  Too many distractions at home, sleep, sportscenter repeats, Gilligans Island, paternity tests on Maury.  All things I'd rather do than entertain my readers.   So be thankful I'm working today, its for your benefit, maybe leave a comment on one of the blogs today, break the ice.