Drizzly day, yet again, dampening moods throughout North Dunedin (and beyond, no doubt). If only I had a bigger envelope, I'd be return-stamping the weather, and recommending its redelivery to Auckland. Yes, it's been one of those days.
Oh, how unoriginal, I know. Let's just say that cliche is further evoking a sense of monotony and despondency. OK, perhaps that's being a tad hyperbolic, but nothing feeds negativity as much as a bad mood.
Usually, my mornings consist of a slow and satisfying rise from slumber, followed by the ODT and a cup o' tea. Not today. From the reluctant (and belated) roll from bed, to misplacing keys, phone, books, then being late for this, and entirely forgetting about that ... by midday, my frown was so low and so deeply set that I'd developed a tension headache, and I had to tilt my chin to see beyond eyebrows. Full awareness of self-infliction wasn't helping, of course.
Preoccupied with grumpiness, all productivity plummeted. As outlined below, I made a mission of seeking self-remedies for this paralysing melancholy. (On second thought, maybe I've just been reading too much of Keats).
• The Someone, Somewhere, Solution: Knowing that only a cappuccino could save the afternoon, my woes were quickly belittled by the barista's: He'd recently lost $100. No, not through gambling, or a silly purchase; he'd lost the note at the whim of a windy day, an untrustworthy left pocket, and presumably a wee dose of misfortune. It's amazing what relativity can do for one's perspective (thank you, Einstein).
• The Olym(pic-me-ups): And then, while sipping comfort from a cardboard cup, images of the Olympics flashed across a nearby television screen. Through moodiness welled a familiar sense of national pride. It seems that, as a nation, we have disproportionate emotional investment in sport. Whether our athletes are winning or not winning, it's a pleasure to watch and marvel at their endeavours.
• The Distraction Technique: Through new experiences, or at least temporary fixation, your mind may momentarily forget that it's cranky. Having recently read The Larnachs, I scouted out their tourist attraction of a tomb in our Northern Cemetery. Designed by Robert Lawson as a miniature replica of First Church and beautifully restored last year, it's certainly an impressive structure, despite its sad story.
• Ice Cream: Some people claim money can't buy happiness, but that's not true, because $2.70 can buy two scoops at the Rob Roy Dairy. "Goody, goody gumdrops", aptly named after an expression of joy and delight, never fails to brighten even the dullest of days.
• People (or perhaps just Paora): On Tuesday, the department of media, film and communications hosted Paora Joseph, director and producer of Tatarakihi: The Children of Parihaka. With passion and eloquence, he conveyed the power of the art of storytelling in celebrating our history: "We're so rich as a nation, but we're so blind at the same time ..." The pounamu-adorned members of the audience were nodding throughout; it was clear he was already among believers. Everybody in Dunedin should have attended this seminar!
On that note, I'm actually on my way out to see his film (Tuesday night's screening was unsurprisingly sold out). Forget the aforementioned list - there needs to be some kind of disclaimer here - they're all just rainy-day activities and an excuse for mid-winter ice cream.
• Katie Kenny studies English at the University of Otago.
