Well if the Gardisil shot was actually EFFECTIVE against cervical cancer, maybe that would be relevant. But it only covers four strains and the side effects make taking a chance worth it in my opinion. However, I’m not against an ADULT making the decision to take the shot. Forcing kids to do it without parent permission makes Merck’s motivations and intent very suspicious! home insurance quotes

@1989NikeMcfly Seriously?Vaccines have existed since the 1700s. They’ve been used as routine childhood vaccinations in industrialized countries since the 1950s.World Population (approx)1800- 1 billion1960- 3 billion2011- 7 billionIf vaccines are an attempt to reduce world population, it’s obviously a huge failure.Also, please go look up the definition of “eugenics” and come back and explain how that applies to something given to every race, sex, age, religion, etc… cheap life insurance 78542

Christine and Gee Bee - Thanks for your comments!

First of all - yeah!!!!  Love that you are blogging again!  I totally agree with you and find myself desperately in need of unplugging.  I'm looking for that balance.

Cara, Having worked in corporate America as well as corporations that operated as small businesses (<100 employees), I see both sides and it's not  what I'd have expected.   The small businesses are so pinched for people/time/$$, etc. that I was made to feel guilty for taking time off.    I the corporate world, I think that often times very high ambiguous expectations are made of me/you or "employee X" and so a generous allotment of PTO is given and it's encouraged to be taken.    My experience in these corporate situations has been positive in that my managers have encouraged the time off and frowned upon those who lose hours that cannot be carried over to next year.    Bottom line:   great managers manager their people properly and encourage time off and discourage this nonsense of being "super employee".   I've never been a more productive employee than the week before or the week after my vacation because it works for me just as it was intended;  a much deserved break and refresh.  

Jay Are - I agree with you on that.  There's so much competition, especially with the economy the way it is, that it's difficult to slow down without worrying about someone taking your job. 

Hope - great point about our health and balance.  Giving up our downtime often puts a strain on our health.  We need to learn to relax!

I think it's the remnants of the Puritan work-ethic upon which this country was built.  Americans do things, build things, make things, accomplish things.  It is in our nature!  We play hard when we vacation, but given the competition for jobs, security and making sure one's value to their boss is kept high, we work all the time.

Since becoming my own boss I've done MUCH better in taking time off which is somewhat ironic, but given that I'm "in" with the boss, I was able to schedule time off from the outset and I've stuck to it.  I think I am in the minority there, however.

Cool article and cool blog!  Keep it up!!

I agree, Cara; great blog! We definitely have it backwards in the US. Giving people ample time to relax and recharge actually increases their productivity, right?? It's so interesting that we become "part" of the system and find more and more ways not to do so, like not using up our paid vacation days. We need to reclaim our health with balance; at work and at home!