In honour of the return of the rainy season, our shared west coast winter experience, I thought instead of sinking into a wickedly deep, sun deprived depression, I’d focus on, and present to you, the upside of all this rain.

• It keeps all the green things, green. The city’s beauty is directly related to how good a job the sky does at watering it. I forget to water plants weekly; the clouds never forget. The rain is a reliable, efficient gardener and it saves us the hassle of having to get a hose out and do it ourselves
• I now feel confident I could survive water torture should the need arise
• Finally a good reason to crack out that kitty cat umbrella
• Everywhere else is Canada, people are buying parkas, snow pants and may very well have to wake up tomorrow and plug in their cars.
• I have a finer appreciation of architecture. Building with large awnings spanning half way into the sidewalk quickly become noticed, admired and respected.
• My hat began to smell, which sucked, because I love my hat, didn’t know how to clean it and didn’t want a new one. So, after much head scratching and consultation, I learned, after all these years, how to wash one. Thanks, rain! (Free Tip – soap and water in bucket)
• Significantly decreases the risks of getting sunburned. The money saved on sun tan lotion can then be applied to very bright indoor lighting.
• Dogs in rain jackets are funny
• Hot drinks in summer don’t go down as well as they do in the rain.
• Going out in a downpour to get bread transforms from monotonous to heroic
• Laughing at people with silly umbrellas is always good fun
• All this moisture is good for the skin. Not having to buy skin cream is another nice rain related savings.
• The extra weight of those wet shoes, socks and pant bottoms makes for extra walking resistance and thus, more exercise.
• Many cities these sizes often smell bad. The Pacific Rain is like a giant city air freshener.
• Prevents English Bay from drying up
• Great way to find out if your roof is working
• If it’s raining, it means it above freezing, and if it weren’t, it would be snowy and icy out there
• Puts the kibosh on forest fire season
• Increases odds of local evolutionary leaps featuring gills or fins
• All the inside time makes you creative

You see, there’s plenty to smile about during this rain season. If nothing else, it’s just refreshing the city for another gloriously beautiful summer. So, take the glum off your face, buy a hot drink, sit on a covered patio and have a good laugh at all the doggy raincoats.

- Brett Martin, a professional Stand up Comic who headlines Comedy Clubs across Canada and here in Vancouver. Brett also hosts Hurricane’s Comedy Night (999 Marine Dr, North Vancouver, Wednesday’s, 8:30), and can be seen at The Presentation House Theater on December 16th. He also likes hockey, rock and roll, the beach cats and pizza. You can reach him at brettmartinlive@gmail.com.