Walking through the slush from the most recent snowfall makes it feel like it’s been winter forever. Hypothetically, North America has four seasons and all, but the fact that we still have to wear heavy jackets in the middle of March has me questioning whether that’s a complete myth. When was the last time it was sunny outside? I can’t even remember what grass looks like. I’ve heard people used to wear shorts, but I’m skeptical about that, too. All we have left of summer are memories and pictures; we are obviously forevermore doomed to this barren landscape with its freezing winds. Let us lament the death of summer and complain feverishly about the cold.

The first complaint is perpetually about the annoyance of snow. When we were children and still had the will to live, we’d get excited about snowballs fights and sledding outings. Now, snow just means walking to work through wet, slippery streets. Not only did you have to leave ten minutes earlier to get there on time, but your feet are wet and you’ve almost died twice because there’s black ice everywhere. The soaked cuffs of your jeans are going to press uncomfortably against your ankles for the entirety of your shift. Enjoy.

There’s just something depressing about the weather in general, which I’m sure is a shock to hear. I’m not a big believer in the idea that weather heavily affects your mood, but we’ve gotten to the point where the cold and sunless gloom outside is starting to get to the general atmosphere. That’s not to say I’m a ray of sunshine in the summer, but a little warmth is long overdue.

Until then, know that it’s perfectly excusable to blame any angry outbursts on the cold weather. It's a reasonable excuse at this point in any case, because the weather has so wonderfully timed the numbing conditions outside to midterms season. As though we couldn’t be any more stressed. Now, there’s the added pressure of trying to get to class on time when any and all transportation systems are trying their damned hardest to make you skip.

The combination of the miserable winter and the stress of school makes me miss summer more than ever. I’m not big on 90 degree days but for the past month, all I can think about is clear, blue water, tank tops and the way that the world cools down around sunset after a sweltering day. The summer heat melts away the stress of finals and although your entire graduating class wanders back into your nightmare of a town, so do the three or four people you actually care about. Summer calls for group beach trips and late night outings in shorts and open car windows... if summer ever actually comes around again.