This edition of the Watson Wire is simply too important for you to not pay attention.

Are you ready?

Here goes.

October 1, 2009 is the big shindig at Zilker Park with Patty Griffin performing.

That’s only 10 days away.

I’ve written about this before, and I know some of you have already signed up (in fact, this is shaping up to be one of our biggest crowds ever).  But, unbelievably, some of you haven’t acted to get your tickets.

This is going to be a wonderful event and lots of fun.  You’re going to be very upset if you wake up on October 2nd and everyone at the office is talking about the great night they had – but you weren’t there.

It would break my heart for you to be left out.  I’m only thinking of you.

So, here’s the link.  Click on it.  Now.

If I could do it for you, I would.

Seriously, what are you waiting for?  Click it for a ticket.

The other side of autumn

I’ve rhapsodized before about the autumn.  To seasons, it’s what Texas is to states, the U.S. is to countries, and Earth is to planets.

Then again, nothing (except my fall fundraiser at Zilker Park . . . this year with Patty Griffin) is perfect.

While we’re just on the cusp of fall, we’re well into flu season.  I know folks who’ve caught it – I imagine a lot of you do – and the immunizations that got going in the last several days should really be flowing this week.

Of course, this isn’t just any flu season.  This year, we’ll be fretting about H1N1, also known as swine flu.  I’ll let you figure out which of those names is worse.

If there’s any good news about swine flu, it’s that the rules of every flu season still apply – we just have to be a little more vigilant and a little more careful this year.

What your mother said

First, there’s the usual, obvious stuff your mother taught you, which is still important enough for little dots:

• Wash your hands all the time.
• Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
• Absolutely, positively stay home if you feel sick.

Beyond that, the very best thing you can do is to get a vaccine.  This year, it looks like, there will be two of them.

The regular seasonal flu vaccine is out now, as a shot and a nasal spray.  Even though it’s not required, you should get it – seriously.  You can learn more about it here and here.

Besides that, a second vaccine specifically protecting against the H1N1 virus is coming, probably around the middle of next month.  You should get that one too.  Like our Department of State Health Services director said, one vaccine isn’t a substitute for the other.

As we know – and we’re relieved to be reminded – health agencies at the federal, state, and local levels are working hard to make sure this flu season is as uneventful and safe as it possibly can be.

Help them out, and be smart.  And let’s all enjoy the fall.