Its the first Thursday in September - the first Thursday after the long summer holiday so the bars in the City of London are bound to be full tonight. Lots to catch up on, everybody is back from their hols, the kids are back at school and the family holiday is over for another year.
Except the City workers are feeling a bit sorry for themselves right now. Those who ventured abroad, especially to Europe are still recoiling from the unfavourable exchange rate and the fact that 5 euros no longer buys a bottle of honest red from the little place on the square. Those who decided not to become victims of fluctuating money markets and energy prices and chose a 'staycation' are almost grey from the lack of sun. And to cap it all the axe is above many heads, hundreds of redundancies took place this week alone.
The mood is contagious.
I'm running a charity event in the City this evening - it takes place out of doors and the weather looks like, well, like it has all summer. "I've got my canoe ready" one die hard competitor emailed this morning. Entries for the event are well down on previous years, despite the relatively small price tag attached to joining in the fun.
What has struck me is that it almost seems that people can't be bothered to come along. They can't muster the enthusiasum to take part in what is effectively, a glorified pub crawl. "Maybe I'll have a go next year" one friend told me. "I can't generate any interest" another said, and yet another asked "can I still come along, even if all seven of my team mates have dropped out? "
This event is being held to raise funds for research into a particularly nasty disease - the sort that, if you are ever unlucky enough to be diagnosed with, puts "everything into perspective". The sort that puts a rainy summer and a rampant euro particually well into perspective. The sort of illness that makes you live for today rather than worry about where you may - or may not be working tomorrow.
So live a little, go for that drink tonight. And on the way out, drop any change you might have into the charity box on the end of the bar. And thank your lucky stars ...
