Have A … Day

If the weather, your failed New Year's resolutions, and the post-Christmas blues have you feeling lousy today, take heart. Professor Cliff Arnall, a specialist in seasonal disorders at the University of Cardiff, Wales, has proven with science that January 24 is the most depressing day of the year. Here's the formula:

[W + (D-d)] x TQ
 M x NA

The equation is broken down into seven variables: (W) weather, (D) debt, (d) monthly salary, (T) time since Christmas, (Q) time since failed quit attempt, (M) low motivational levels and (NA) the need to take action.

According to the History Channel, on this day in history Mafeking hero Robert Baden-Powell, a man who would have recognized seasonal disorders as ailments afflicting only degenerates and the Irish, began the Boy Scout movement with the publication of his Scouting For Boys.

Today's birthdays include "I'm A Believer" composer Neil Diamond, body language impresario Desmond Morris, no-longer-living celebrities Warren Zevon, John Belushi, and Sharon Tate, hated novelty singer Ray Stevens, and many others.

More on-topic, people apparently conceived today include Seahawks safety T.J. Cunningham, Rolling Stones drummer bassist Bill Wyman, Congressman and NAACP chief Kweisi Mfume, Oscar-winning actors Kevin Kline and F. Murray Abraham.

Best wishes to all.

Comments

[Aaron]

hi. Wyman was the bassist. Charlie Watts is the drummer. i know, it's only being picky, but i like the stones.

[Tim Cavanaugh]

Doh! Fixed.

[Cridland]

And while generally a loathsome performer, Ray Stevens' version of "Misty" wasn't the worst thing to happen to FM in '74.

[marc w.]

How the hell did TJ Cunningham get on a list of famous people? Drafted in 6th round, 1996. Placed on physically unable to perform list, waived in 1997, released outright in 1998. I don't know that he ever set foot on an NFL field.

[linguist]

Weather: I'll give it a 10, since I can't dig out my car
Debt: $1000 and growing
Income: $0
Days since Christmas: 30
Time since failed quit attempt: 400 days
Motivational level: 3 (high for the month)
Need to take action: arbitrarily set at 100

My depression quotient is therefore 4040.

Crap, I'm going back to bed.

[cb]

Today is the 18 year anniversary of the first time I got laid. It was a celebration day for me until after the 10 year anniversary. Since then, it just makes me feel old (I'm 32). It could explain how I got some in the first place though - we were just a couple of teenagers depressed by the weather, we needed to do ~something~ to break the spell!

[Douglas Fletcher]

Maybe you need a new mattress, Tim -- the "hated" Ray Stevens? Isn't this like getting mad at a marshmallow?

[smacky]

ROTFL - marshmallow!

[Rick Barton]

Equations-I want more equations in the blogging here. Let's get quantitative! 🙂 Sounds like a song title, huh?

[speedwell]

One of the gals in the office noticed yesterday that all the gals in the office were wearing black. That's 25, maybe 30 chicks, all wearing at least one black article of clothing (blouse, pants, dress). Maybe there's something to this depression day bit after all.

[anonymous]

Tim,

I hate to burst your bubble, but the post would have been more effective if you had used a conception date from 9 months before the births rather than 9 months after... (you were just testing us, right?)

[anonymous]

Sorry, I'm an idiot - you did do it right. I'll shut up now...