Friday, January 23, 2009

Happy Friday!


According to a group of scientists at Cardiff University, last Monday was officially the most miserable day of the year. They've come up with a formula that takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year's resolutions, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take action - and it turns out the Monday of the last full week in January pretty much fits the bill. However, when I opened my eyes this morning to the dark grey January light and the sound of rain beating against the windows, I thought today had to come at least a close second.

On the plus side, I didn't have to go to work this morning, so I counted my blessings and decided to stay in bed with my book. I was desperately close to the end and would have finished it last night if I could have kept my eyes open another 45 minutes or so (easier said than done when it's already gone 1 AM). Only after I finished it, and had a breakfast of Coco Pops with Devonshire Fudge Yogurt (well, Devonshire-style, but it tasted pretty good anyway) and a cup of strong Assam tea, did I feel ready to face the world.

I only hope the weather improves by the time I have to go to work this afternoon, but I don't care if it doesn't - I'm going out this evening to celebrate my friend Ginny's birthday at the local Mexican, and I intend to have a good time whatever a group of Welsh scientists might think. After all, it's Friday and that makes it sooooo much better :-)

In case you're interested, the formula for the day of misery is:

1/8W+(D-d) 3/8xTQ MxNA

I was never good at formulas, but apparently W is weather, D is debt - minus the money (d) due on January's pay day - and T is the time since Christmas. Q is the period since the failure to quit a bad habit, M stands for general motivational levels and NA is the need to take action and do something about it.

I *knew* there was a good reason for not making New Year's resolutions, and now I have scientific proof. Hehe.

10 comments:

Maria Verivaki said...

this has to be about the most scientific way i have ever come across to measure misery - thanks for providing us with this most useful reference tool, you've made me smile

Maria Verivaki said...

if i were you, i wouldn't check out my most recent post (on organicallycooked.blogspot.com), because it might have detrimental effects on your sanity...

Tinsie said...

@ Medirerranean Kiwi: Never let it be said that science can't put a smile on your face, one way or another ;-)

As for the post, I will have to look now, won't I? Urghhhh!

Unknown said...

It is not scientific at all. For example what do you mean by weather? Pressure? Temperature is "subjugated" to weather as well? What are the units? I am keen on formuli.

Karen said...

I am SO stealing this for my Friday article. I'll give you the link when it published!

Karen said...

http://www.examiner.com/x-1117-DC-Military-Families-Examiner~y2009m1d23-Scientific-formula-proves-that-worst-of-year-has-passed

Please forgive the teeny-tiny bit of plagiarism, Tinsie. Hope your Mexican feast is great (and photographed for us)!

GMG said...

Hi Tinsie! TGIF!! ;)
Ah science... Thought it ws Tarot!!
Have a gret weekend!
Blogtrotter

Tinsie said...

@ Ropi: I said that tongue-in-cheek. I really have no idea if there's any science in it (but I have to admit, last Monday did feel particularly miserable).

@ Karen: Hey, I'm a published writer by proxy! If you ever write a book I shall demand my dues ;-)

The Mexican feast was good. Far too much food for me though. Photos will follow (and I don't care that *everyone* thought I was weird for taking pictures of my food).

@ GMG: Science, tarot, let's not dwell on the detail ;-)

Tinsie said...

@ Karen: Forgot to say, I like the positive spin on the misery news, it really works :-)

Karen said...

Tinsie--WHEN I write a book, I will include you in the acknowledgments as one of my "bloggirls."

:-)

That was brilliant, as I'm supposed to publish 4 articles per week and my brain was completely fried.