I felt just "Off" last week. By Friday I had a tickle in the back of my throat. Several people at work said, "You look sick." They were all over 35, so I don't think they meant "awesome." By Saturday morning, swallowing felt like a flaming golf ball was stuck in my throat.

Sorry folks at work: Saturday morning the doctor at the walk-in clinic took the little light, peered deep while I said awe and, recoiled on her armless three-legged stool. "Ten day course of antibiotics." Somethin' nasty's got me.

Two days later, my right ear is now plugged and humming, and I have an odd inflamed in-grown hair on the ring finger of my left hand. If there's a connection, I'm screwed.