The Most Depressing Day of the Year...

Hope everyone is coping alright with "Blue Monday", the most depressing day of the year, at least according to one British psychologist. The publicity surrounding his formula and conclusion that January 22nd is the saddest day of the year contributed to nonstop calls at the Bradford Samaritans phone line today. The Samaritans also say more people have called because they've just learned of the help available to them.

Depressing days aside, 85% of respondents in a U.K. poll say they are optimists. Scots ranked themselves the cheeriest, and the Irish came in second. Hmm... did the poll include a disproportionate number of people from those regions, and a smaller number of people from comparatively-gloomy England?

Why are people from Scotland and Ireland happier? Do they purchase more of those charming "Hang in there baby" posters with a kitten on them? Are they just glad they don't live in England so no one will call them "Guv'nor" or in Los Angeles so Britney Spears won't throw up on them? Ah, well, past January 22nd things can only get better, so do hang in there, baby. And talk to a Scot or someone from Ireland if you know one.

Gregorian - Blue Monday (available on Masters of Chant Chapter III)

The Fleetwoods - Mr Blue (available on Teenage Crush, Vol. 4)

Billie Holiday - Am I Blue (available on Lady Day - The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia (1933-1944))