Straight from the "Tell-me-something-I-don't-know" files, this past week the American Medical Association announced that the fourth Monday of January is the most depressing day of the year.

When you think about it, why is anyone surprised at this finding? The fourth Monday of January is the coldest, dreariest, most rotten day no matter where you live.

The AMA determined that more people quit sticking to their New Year resolution this day than any other.

The good professionals at the organization also determined that the fourth Monday of January is also when snow is no longer fun, romantic, exciting or festive. Instead, it's merely a nuisance that delays schools, creates traffic jams and sticks to our boots just enough to make our carpets dirtier than they already are.

Besides, Monday has a reputation to begin with. Everyone who has any sense of responsibility looks forward to Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But how many people have you heard say "TGIM?" Probably the same number of people that would raise their hand if you asked "who still likes disco?"

On a more personal note, this past Monday was rotten, too, since the Steelers lost. Sticking with the sports theme, there are really no good sports to watch until late February when the Daytona 500 starts the NASCAR season. Until then, sports fans are stuck watching two football teams nobody cares about slug it out while Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunctions.

When you factor in the idea that you may have received a W2 this past Monday, it makes the day even worse! This little reminder from the government tells you two things. First, it's an indication that paying Uncle Sam is only three months away and you are reminded how much you've already paid in taxes.

Second, and just as important, this W2 reminds you of just how little money you made during the past year (complete with 52 Mondays), despite the long hours, weekends, early mornings and travel. It's enough to, well, depress you.

Another gentle reminder as to why the fourth Monday of January is always a downer exists in the work schedule itself. The previous Monday celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and many folks had the day off. Guess what? That was the last day off for the rest of your life (or at least until winter is long gone). And does the word "Memorial Day" ring a bell? That's in May, by the way, and it might be the next paid holiday many of us celebrate.

Television is about to hit the full-force rerun mode until sweeps in February, so be prepared to watch anything that is different; even if that means seeing William Huang belt out "She Bangs" by Ricky Martin or other American Idol wannabes try their best to stifle stuffy Simon.

Sure, the fourth Monday in January brings some good stuff, too. I guess on a positive note, when it's this cold and dreary outside, warm cocoa makes me smile, just as does the thought of spending extra time in front of the fire with family and friends. But all of those activities occur on the weekend, and according to my notes, Monday is still not part of the weekend!

I think the icicles, I mean icing, on the cake, came this past Monday when my parents called me to discuss the Steelers debacle. They called me from Hilton Head Island, by the way, where they were complaining about 50 degree temperatures and only being able to ride their bikes two miles before it got too cold.

I laughed, thinking that my bicycle would need chains on the wheels, a covered roof and a heated seat just to get out of my driveway, so digging up some sympathy for their plight was kind of like digging out after an arctic blast of winter, if you get my (snow) drift.

But when I started thinking about it, the fourth Monday in March is going to be their most depressing day of the year. That's the day they return home to our winter lifestyle.

Maybe the AMA needs to re-evaluate their data, because that little bit of information brought a wicked smile to my frozen face.