I hate colds. They last forever and I never think I feel bad enough to stay home. I hate taking sick days. It is not that I think I am invaluable or irreplaceable, because I am not. It is just that my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me and staying home when I know there is work to be done is not easy for me.

Thank goodness the Daily News has a laptop enabling me to work from home, whic...