Someone I know just recently lost his job (his extremely well-paid job) and since then things have gone downhill. The day he was let go was a gorgeous day here in NYC; sunny and bright with a little chill in the air. That night another deal fell though and then it started to rain. And it's been raining ever since. The weather service didn't predict it, so my friend has decided that the rain is all because of him and his recent failures. The universe is perhaps talking to him; he's cheating on his fiance, he's drinking and smoking too much, and every now and then he does something illegal.

But this guy is awesome. He's talented, handsome and funny, and he has a boat load of money saved up. I've told him to take these days of rain and either go on a vacation or have a staycation; whatever will give him perspective. He's got time to find another job in his field and I've no doubt he will.

Yet, he's depressed. He continues to spiral over to the dark side. I think he likes it there. He tells me that if it would only stop raining and he could just see the sun, he'd be capable of getting back on the horse at the first hit of Vitamin D. I try to perk him up, but it's no use. He's got SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) apparently, and this is just the way it is.

OK then, I have SAD too. Because as much as I try to help him, I'm lying. I'm in the same boat 

in a way. I mean, I've got a good job and things are good, but rainy days in New York City just seem to get people down. I suppose part of the reason is that I like to walk everywhere and when it rains, I take the train. When the sun shines, I walk the line. Sorry.

But rainy days also make people want to shack up, cuddle up, make love, go to bars and scam, make out with strangers, do drugs; be generally bad. And I think that's generally good. This city is so much about hedonism; don't deny it. We eat ourselves silly while paying out the rear, we party until the sun comes up, we stay in and coddle ourselves, we shop and shop and buy things we don't need, we want everything and we get everything (If we can afford it, and sometimes if we can't).

The sun will come out, my fellow New Yorkers, and my friend will get back on his horse, and I'll stop being sad, and people will be happy again. Well, as happy as New Yorkers allow themselves to be.

To end, here's one piece of advice I give everyone no matter what the weather. When you walk around this amazing city, look people in the eye and smile. It happens so rarely and when someone responds in kind, it changes both of your days. I sometimes go out of my way to say hello to the DOE Fund workers and the parking enforcers (you know they hate their job. Just be nice to them.) And I always try to smile at everyone I pass as long as I'm not deep in my head about one thing or other. Even then, I try. It feels good to be nice, even if you have to force it. After enough forcing, it will become a habit. And it will make you happy.

OK, I lied; one more piece of advice; go out. Go out to a coffee shop and work or play on your computer. Have lunch alone or not alone. Go to a bar and relax with a beer and look at the lonely and the not lonely people. Go see that other people are still functioning and doing their best when the weather sucks and when times are hard. If you stay home and cry in your coffee, or bourbon, or bong, you will only go deeper into despair. Pull yourself up by your Wellie straps, buy a cheap umbrella, and go somewhere. Eat some awesome food. Which, for the next round, will be my focus; the food that will come from the soil this rain is feeding come spring. And spring is so close, my friends. That's why it's raining.

Love,

Kendra