In case you haven't been paying attention all week, the sun has abandoned us. After a long summer filled with Vitamin D and good times, the sun decided enough was enough and said "maybe I'll see you around some time." Fine, whatever. There's plenty of other things to do without the sun. Let's go over them.

 

Explore A Cave

Flickr: Thomas Shahan

The sun never makes it way down to the caverns below the earth. The result? Beauty.

 

Go dancing 

Flickr: Fitsum Belay

Dancing in the light of day is something people do, but really, who are those people?

 

See a movie

Flickr: Torbakhopper

Like a falling movie star, the sun is a nightmare to work with. Just ask any filmmaker. It creates shadows that are always moving, it comes and goes behind clouds, and removes all the interesting subtleties of a frame. That's why they always block the sun out in movies, and that's why movies are awesome. Also, no one watches movies in the harsh light of day. Sorry sun, go find another shot to ruin.

 

Take in a show

Flickr: Martin Fisch

Most shows would never work outside. It might rain, the wind could knock the props over, or it might just be way too hot for people to sit around outside. Fortunately, partly because the sun eventually goes away, humans needed to create a way to shelter themselves from the elements (including the sun). They then invented comedy, music, theatre, and everything good about the world. There are no coincidences.

Go to a sporting event

Flickr: Dickson Phua

For a while, sports were subject to the sun’s will as well. Then primetime television and millions of dollars in advertising came along. Now, everyone - player, fans, owners - are much happier because they don’t have to wait around for the sun. As a preview, look for a post going over live sports in Central America soon!

 

Stay in and read

Flickr: Deveion Acker

Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, Don Quixote. You think these books were written because their authors were outside frolicking in the sun? No way. These authors locked themselves in cold, windowless rooms, lit a candle, and went to work. So as the darkness of winter envelopes you, flip open a good book and remember - the sun hasn’t done anything for great art.

 

Stargazing

Flickr: Carla Wosniak

Maybe it’s just our sun that is a bummer. When you sit on the grass underneath the other stars that share the universe with us it’s awe inspiring. You could never just sit on the grass and stare up at our sun. You’d go blind.

 

Likewise, see the Aurora Borealis

Flickr: Billy Idle

If the Aurora Borealis happened during the day, the reactions would be vastly different. People would look up and see a bunch of floating green gas and their first impression wouldn’t be “Oh, that’s amazing.” It’d be, “Run away.” Luckily the Aurora Borealis happens in some of the darkest places on Earth. I really wished I lived in those places.

 

Night Snorkeling

Flickr: Sylke Rohrlach

Everyone knows all the cool stuff happens at night when all the lame fish are sleeping. 

 

See, the sun is the worst. It's oppressive. It tells us when to get up, and when to go to bed. It makes us feel good all summer, and then it makes us feel bad when it goes away for the winter. Who needs it? There's so much to do without it! Feel free to add more ideas in the comments.

 

Yeah, I’m totally lost without it too.

 

Title photo - Flickr: James Loesch