1. Genuine sick days I take when I am genuinely sick - once or twice a year. Mental health sick days I take maybe twice a year.

2. Yes, the stunted tree is up. The rest of the house will be decorated this weekend.

3. (Answer totally stolen from dances_withcats):

Bagpipes. Highland pipes, small pipes, Union pipes, uilleann pipes, you name it: if it's got a bag and a chanter and a bunch of drones sticking out of it, I'm all over it. I shamelessly cry when I hear "Amazing Grace" played by a pipe and drum band. Maybe it's the Celt in me.