Listen to this articleWinter is but a memory, yet we’re not quite into that sweet spot of spring. First we have to brave all those April showers that bring May flowers. To pass the time more gaily, here are 10 wet-weather activities you can add to your schedule when the clouds come rolling in.
1. Catch an LGBT Film at Your Local Indie Joint
Now that the Oscars are over, there are limited LGBT-centric releases – but that doesn’t mean they’re altogether nonexistent; you likely can find stragglers throughout the year at your local independent theater. Tickets may be a touch pricier than the blockbuster megaplex in town (though that’s even a stretch these days), but the pros far outweigh the cons: The setting is cozier, the popcorn tastes better, and there won’t be any obnoxious 15-year-olds kicking the back of your seat.
2. Invite the Boys Over for a Golden Girls-athon
When the skies are gloomy and grey, break out the cheesecake. Invite over your other _Golden Girls_-loving friends – which is, like, all of them – and settle in for an afternoon marathon with Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia. If you have a box set of the DVDs, take your pick from your favorite episodes. Otherwise, DVR a few hours’ worth of eps from the Hallmark Channel or TVLand before the screening begins.
3. Reorganize, Rearrange and Redecorate
If it’s coming down outside so hard that you can’t bring yourself to leave the house, lock yourself in and stay productive instead. Attack some of the projects that you’ve been meaning to finish, clean your office space, give a room or two a new look, and hit the attic or basement to search for a few long-hidden treasures that you might like to see around the house again.
4. Compile a Romantic Mix Tape for Your Bae
All our lust and love was perfectly expressed in eight tracks or less back in the day when we used to compile cassette mixes for our baes, but the art of playing home DJ has sadly lost its relevance. Nowadays, most computers lack CD drives too, so even burned discs are becoming relics. I recently was introduced to Sharetapes, however, which offers an ideal blast-from-the-past solution for our Jetsons-esque age. A digital code is embedded on each card after you complete your mix tape and all the recipient has to do is scan the QR code to access it. It’s easy, fun, and a great way to tell somebody you like ’em like you liked 1985.
5. Visit an Art Exhibit That Supports a Community Cause
You’re bound to find an LGBT-associated art exhibition on any given day in a big city, but the prospects get thinner the farther out you go. If you live in a small(ish) town, consult your local LGBT community center to find an exhibit that piques your interest. If luck is in your favor, you could discover it before it debuts – and in that case, take advantage of the free wine and interesting conversation at the opening reception if there’s one scheduled.
6. Schedule a Happy Massage at Your Place
You don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy the effects of a professional masseur. Sites like Masseurfinder and MassageM4M.com help you locate the right candidate via location or massage style, and some will arrive on your doorstep the very same day. Who couldn’t use a little R&R on a rainy day, right?
7. Pal Around at Your Favorite Watering Hole
Everybody flocks to the local gay bar on a snow day, so why should a torrential downpour be any different? Get the group together and meet for an afternoon of pub games, good old-fashioned gossip, or to check out the neighborhood hotties. Just remember to look, not touch.
8. Hit the Shops to Find the Perfect Pride Outfit
Pride month will be here before you know it – do you know what you’re wearing yet? Use the downtime of a damp day to browse your favorite stores to find the perfect out-and-proud outfit to celebrate who you are. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little, either; you’re fucking fabulous.
9. Bake a Few Sweet Treats For Your Neighbors
You know what people really love on a miserable day? Junk food! Secure your status as the baddest bitch on the block – at least for 24 hours – by baking up a few of your signature sweet treats. Package them nicely with a kind note for best wishes this spring and you’ll have your neighbors eating out of your hands.
10. Cruise, Rinse, Repeat at the Gym
If a rainy day is good for anything, it’s getting all those hard bodies into the gym at the same time. Set your workout to “light” and enjoy the scenery on these perfect days that make life worth living. Flash a smile, send a wink and give a nod in the sauna to get his attention, and you might see sunnier skies on the horizon.
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and blogger whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.
