The holidayseason is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. And yet, this seasonbrings me no happiness whatsoever.

InCalifornia, December has without a doubt the worst weather of the year. When itisn’t raining or clouding up incessantly, it’s unbearably cold. I don’t getsick too easily, but when I do, it’s always around December.

Despite thebad weather and the increased possibility of sickness, people somehow manage tobe happy.

Maybe it’sthe gifts. I hate gifts. I never accept any, even from my parents. It makes mefeel obliged to give stuff to family and friends I don’t even care about. Somedays, I feel Christmas would be more aptly named “National Mindless ConsumerismDay.”

Even thewhole family warmth angle is ridiculously overplayed considering thatThanksgiving was less than a month ago. We don’t have Halloween and then “ScaryCostume Day” 17 days later.

I’ve neverprepared Thanksgiving dinner before, but I’m told it’s a lot of work. I can’timagine Christmas celebration is much easier.

The New Yearis less celebrated, but just as ridiculous. Why does everyone insist that thebeginning of a new year is a new start? It isn’t. Everything from the yearbefore carries on to the new year just the way it was.

There are nofresh starts in life. It’s just a myth spread around by big companies that hasno basis in reality, but is lapped up by everyone anyway.

I suppose itcould be said that we all need a little illusion in our lives to make existencebearable.

But whychoose an entire month to force that illusion upon people who neither care fornor need it? Don’t people have enough distractions and entertainment in theirday-to-day lives?

People need tounderstand that the holidays are just another way to try to sugarcoat their sadlives.