With summer coming to a close, everyone is walking around like depressed Charlie Browns and lamenting the end of the “greatest” season. Well suck it up, buttercup. Fall is so much better than the humid stank-box we call summer for a million reasons. It’s basically just summer with sweaters and a side of ennui. Unless you’re going back to school, in which case I can’t really help you there.
Here are the top 5 reasons why Autumn is awesome.
1. The best TV shows return in the Fall
Autumn is a time for new TV shows and if you’re a lame old man like me, you get excited to watch your “stories”. We live in a golden era for TV, where TV shows have production values matching the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. So curl up on that couch and battle the S.A.D. with shows like Boardwalk Empire, The Knick (highly recommended, above), and Homeland, all airing new episodes.
2. The best music comes out in the Fall
The record industry reeeeally wants you to buy lots of music as Christmas presents, so they schedule the best releases to come out in the Fall. It’s a brilliant plan and it works like a charm every year. iTunes gift cards start flowing, making it the perfect time to check out some new music. Some highly anticipated releases include Death from Above 1979‘s The Physical World on September 9, Stars‘ No One is Lost on October 14 and the new Caribou album Our Love on November 7.
3. Weird Beers
I love when the beers start getting freaky, dark, and full of spices in the fall. Guinness, hoppy IPAs, and Pumpkin Ales are perfect stick-to-your-ribs beers that wouldn’t make much sense in a heatwave. Check out Great Lakes Brewery’s Pumpkin Ale – not too overpowering but perfect on a porch when there’s a chill in the air.
4. Sweater Weather
Dig out your sweaters and let your inner Bill Cosby run wild. There is nothing like getting all comfers-cozers with a sweater and doing something autumnal and old-timey like apple picking or hiking (pro-tip: flask with Brandy). Who doesn’t like a good sweater?
5. Thanksgiving
An actual holiday devoted to gluttony. Like, they give you the day off to be gross. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy…that’s the shit. I love going home for Thanksgiving and eating and drinking too much with my brothers – it’s an excellent trial run for the over-indulgences of Christmas, which is coming up fast.
(Main image: Dmitri Popov)