I started smiling at people on the streets of my neighborhood today

Most of them smiled back! Some of them said, "Hello!" or "Hi, Baby" or "Hey, Baby" very casually. The rest of them seemed unfazed. There was really nothing to lose. That's how it is in the company of strangers, which is great during the day.

Alone and unemployed

When you're on your own with a lot of time to be introspective and no real way around it, you'll eventually become productive. You think you're lazy and unmotivated, but you'll impress yourself. You'll start to wake up earlier, learn how to be thriftier, hate being at home, love talking to strangers, feel more comfortable going places alone. It's a gradual process, give it time. Autumn will always be the New Year for me, and so many others. It might be a product of a small lifetime filled with school, or just whatever it is about the crispness of fall competing with the warmth of 'Indian summer,' but we Jews and our lunar calendar have gotten something right. Fall is the best time to start a new life.