Today’s one of those days that starts off with a cool breeze and ends in a drizzle or weak rain showers. And in between those weather changes is a series of somewhat boring events or routine. Perhaps my current location for school is of no help. Rochester, New York is one of the cloudiest cities in the country. There’s even a scientifically recognized disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder which effects millions of people each year between the months of September and April, but mainly in the winter months. The depressing weather effects normal routine and keeps one in doors more often.

I thought I’d offer some good suggestions or at least what I try to do on days when I just want to break stuff… or sit around and do nothing.

 Try going to the gym and exercise. Hey the gym is indoors, so if you want to be active this the place to be. Not only that you can even get some television viewing done as you jog on the treadmill or pedal on the stationary bikes.

Keep your ears occupied with music whenever you can. Listening to your alltime favorite tunes always helps. I mean, try to avoid the sappy sad things. Either switch up the genres or pick a genre of music that definitely picks up your day and makes you wanna dance, mosh, or whatever it is you do.

Movies. Have a discount theater or extensive movie collection? My favorite TV shows always get me back into a normal mood. Comedy is always great, but sometimes a mix of both comedy and drama can make you laugh and make you think at the same time.

Splurge. If you have the cash, go treat yourself to something. Ice cream, expensive dinner at a restaurant, fatty/junk foods, or even buy yourself a car. Depending on how much you got, find ways to make yourself happy with the good ‘ol dollar.

Clean up and organize. This is perhaps the best thing you can do. Save the nice days for fun things to do. Perhaps shitty days were created just to allow us sometime to pick up last weeks old plate of food sitting by your desk. Organize your desk, closet space, or anything thats just thrown around. Having things nice and organized will help clear your mind.

Friends. I’m sure there’s at least one other person having a crumby day due to the weather. Call up some people and see who’s willing to hang out and kill some time.

I sound like one of those terrible self-help books, which in reality are help books! But its true, there are days where things are just going, blah and you need to do something…. or you’ll just wish you were never born.

Perhaps today is dim and dreary for a reason…. entering the 6th year of the war in Iraq, just a dozen away of 4,000 US troops dying, 1.2 million Iraqis dead, and there’s no end in sight. Here’s another rainy day tip, get out and organize against the war.