I don’t mind Mondays
Francis Sedgemore, Monday 18 January 2010
Today is supposed to be the most depressing of the year. What’s this all about then? True, late winter can be a bit gloomy, weather-wise, and in the south east of England today has been one of heavy grey skies. Now I’m not known for being a particularly cheerful soul, but for me today was perfectly pleasant, with a 60-kilometre cycle ride on the North Downs in the afternoon, following a few hours of productive work in the morning.
As for the most depressing stuff, pop psychologist Oliver James says that it’s down to our “toxic society”. What a miserable old bugger he is.
Feed the writer! 
Monday 18 January 2010 at 20:12 UTC
Yeah, he used to tell me how he hated that Clippy thing too. All the time. Apart from when he was on about Affluenza. And going to the bank to pay in the cash from his royalties on Affluenza. Wasn’t too miserable then.
Monday 18 January 2010 at 20:59 UTC
But money can’t buy you love, and what James needs is a really good shag.
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 09:18 UTC
Dr. Boynton flenses this Blue Monday twaddle rather well:
http://www.drpetra.co.uk/blog/whether-tomorrows-a-blue-monday-or-a-happy-monday-its-still-only-all-about-pr/
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 09:48 UTC
I was aware of the PR origins of Blue Monday, and also that its creator is now attempting to kill off his bastard child. But I don’t think it matters how or why this myth came about. Those who criticise Blue Monday in serious tones are rather missing the point.
The main reason why the myth has been so successful has nothing to do with the supposed laziness of journalists who fail to question the origins of Blue Monday. PR or no, it is a good story to run at this time of year, and fills column inches with human interest stuff at a time when many people are feeling a little under the weather.
Of course Blue Monday is bollocks, but at the same time it’s churlish to damn Cliff Arnall for inventing it. For one thing it gives me an excuse to take the piss out of Oliver James, and this cheers me up no end.
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 10:03 UTC
“Blue Monday is bollocks”? Fats Domino’s version wasn’t. Not as good as The Fat Man, I’ll grant you, but pretty good nonetheless.
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 10:07 UTC
Francis hates jazz. Mostly.
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 12:04 UTC
Fats Domino jazz? Cue earnest discussion on Shiraz Socialist….. New Orleans R&B I would have thought. Whatever, he’s a damned sight more useful and prfound than Oliver James.
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 12:05 UTC
Indeed, The Fat Man is sometimes called the first ever Rock and Roll record because of drummer Earl Palmer’s use of backbeat for -allegedly – the first time in recorded musical history.
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 13:54 UTC
Francis hates rock and roll too. :-)
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 16:00 UTC
Well would a touch of R&B (and I don’t mean Beyonce Knowles) do you, Mr Picky? (Actually I hate Rock too.)
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 23:01 UTC
I don’t mind a bit of B, but the R I can do without. Therein lies total degeneracy.
Saturday 23 January 2010 at 16:25 UTC
“but for me today was perfectly pleasant, with a 60-kilometre cycle ride”
Oh boy… I can’t even start measuring the depth of horror this statement holds for me. I was dragged out for a 5 km stroll today, screaming and kicking, but this…
Saturday 23 January 2010 at 18:12 UTC
I’ve just come in from a 55-km ride around the hilliest bits of the North Downs, with the air temperature around 2 degrees, and damp. How are you feeling now, Snoopy?
Sunday 24 January 2010 at 17:27 UTC
Going for another dram.