Okay, I’m not going to lie: living in New York City is not always sunshine and rainbows. Winter, especially, is difficult. It’s gloomy, it’s cold, and it often feels really hopeless to try and carve out a life here that isn’t caught up in financial worries and job stress. Waking up today was a chore. Getting through each hour? Excruciating.

So, here are a few pleasant things that I’m thinking about to ward off the effects of the most depressing day of the year:

-The barbecue wings at Wharf Bar & Grill.

–A good, stiff, Irish carbomb pounded down quickly.

–Dunkin Donuts White Hot Chocolate.

-Spending my birthday weekend with Tiff and Ty in Atlantic City at The Tropicana.

–The second season of Torchwood premiering on Jan. 26 on BBC America.

And this:

It’s a seriously hysterical version of “Baby Got Back” set to a production of Pirates of Penzance. I defy you to be depressed after watching it.