We do this every year. Frank, R-rated discussion of friends, drinking, sex, music, money, illness, politics, and many other subjects follow. If you are a sensitive, delicate flower, I suggest you go elsewhere. Particularly if you are over 50 (if you baby boomers proceed anyway, I'll bear no responsibility for possible heart attacks).
- What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
I started my own full time business, and learned what it's like to be poor. And not what I thought poor was before, the "I can't go out to dinner or buy that shiny thing because of my tight budget" poor. I'm talking about "I haven't eaten in 4 days and I'm behind on most of my bills" poor. "I have bill collectors on my ass" poor. "My rent is due tomorrow and I don't have it" poor. I can't say it's been fun, but it has been a valuable life lesson. When I get back on my feet I won't take what I have for granted, as I have in the past.
Oh, and I also had sex for the first time. While a good story, it was sort of a non-event in the grand scheme (as most of my truly good stories tend to be, I think). Someday I'll probably tell you all about it.
- Did anyone close to you give birth?
My dear friend Sam is now a father, which totally flips me out. His daughter is beautiful and looks so much like him (no, those aren't mutually exclusive).
- Did anyone close to you die?
No. Thank goodness.
- What countries did you visit?
You could say I took a walk on the wild side.
In all seriousness, I have no idea if I'll ever have a real answer to this question.
- What would you like to have in 2007 that you didn't have in 2006?
A steadier income. A little less panic about how my rent and power are going to be paid. I would also like to have no debt, which isn't really something so much as a lack of something. I would also like someone who wants to sleep with me more because of how awesome I am and less because I am a convenient body.
- What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
There are so many!
- The day I got fired is probably the first. I didn't eat all day, mainly because I didn't even think about it. Turns out this was good practice for the future. I spent the first half of the day sobbing uncontrollably, then I laid in bed and stared at the ceiling and chain smoked for a few hours. Then I started surfing the Internet for job opportunities. By the end of the day I had an interview lined up. It was kind of a whirlwind.
- The day I got my first freelance job is the next, and that was only a few days after. I will never forget sitting in my pajamas, blasting music, and this feeling washing over me where I realized that this was what I wanted to do.
- Halloween, for so many reasons. It was pretty wild, as Halloweens in Athens tend to be.
- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Starting my own business and making enough money to not be evicted from my apartment.
- What was your biggest failure?
Not even making a dent in my debt, in fact, in some cases, making it worse.
- Did you suffer illness or injury?
I caught the flu, and I genuinely thought this was it for me, that I was going to die. I told my mother that I didn't think I was ever going to get better. Luckily I was wrong. Running a fever for a few days makes you a little delirious, you know.
- What was the best thing you bought?
Business cards. Which I quickly ran out of, of course. I need more.
- Whose behaviour merited celebration?
- There's Maggie. She is strong in a beautiful and amazing way that I admire, and I've tended to take advantage of our 12 year long friendship by leaning on her a lot this year, in more ways than one.
- There's Chris Brown, who came over to my house during his work day just to be with me for a few minutes while I cried over losing my job. He's supplied me with food and drink, and frequently calls to invite me to the bar just make sure I leave my house every once in awhile.
- There's my sister Sarah, who began attending Berklee College of Music and following her dream.
- There's Jackie, who is brave.
Other than those, there are really far too many to name. The people in my life have more or less consistently blown me away with how daring, smart, funny, and (most of all) kind they are. Especially when I have been in need of some extra support.
- Whose behavious made you appalled and depressed?
Anyone who got drunk and had to be babysat (jn the sense that you had to keep them from getting into fights or running into traffic. Getting sick, while unseemly, is acceptable). People who deliberately pulled me into bad situations in the name of fun. Finally, I was often disappointed in myself.
- Where did most of your money go?
Outside of bills and groceries, probably cigarettes. Stress makes one smoke like a chimney. If I had the money for booze anymore I would drink like a fish too.
- What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The thought of working for myself and never having to report to a manager again.
- What song will always remind you of 2006?
“Beating Heart Baby” by Head Automatica
- Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
This is always such a terrible question to ask at Christmas, because I'm always sad at Christmas. The whole season is like this reminder that yet another year has gone by and you didn't do anything with it. Overall, though, the one thing I know is that at this point, things can only get better.
ii. Thinner or fatter?
Thinner, I think. I do know that I've lost a ton of weight since I lost my job.
iii. Richer or poorer?
Poorer. So much poorer.
- What do you wish you'd done more of?
Honestly, I wish I had been drunk more often. So sad, but true.
- What do you wish you'd done less of?
Lying in bed wanting my life to be over.
- How will you be spending Christmas?
With my family.
- Did you fall in love in 2006?
Nope.
- How many one night stands?
One, almost two. You know, close, but no cigar. (Rim shot!)
- What was your favorite TV programme?
I watched the entire 5 years worth of Six Feet Under DVDs over and over again. Other than DVDs, I don't watch television. Although I did catch an episode of America's Next Top Model once when I was at my parents and found it captivating for some odd reason.
- What was the best book you read?
Graham Greene's Complete Short Stories, which I have't actually finished. I started three books this year but haven't finished any. I'm terrible. Soon I'll probably turn illiterate.
- What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Dears, Head Automatica, and the Zoo Human Project are probably at the top.
- What did you want and get?
Laid.
- What did you want and not get?
Sometimes, I really wish I had managed to keep my old corporate job, even though I was so unhappy there. Having a steady paycheck is a really nice thing.
- What was your favourite film of this year?
I can't recall seeing a single movie that was actually released this year.
- What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I got smashed at Barcode. SA-MASHED. I fell half-asleep in the Grill but kept eating my fries. Then I had to be escorted home because even though I could more or less walk I couldn't keep my eyes open.
I know I'll get flack for saying it but it was probably my best birthday ever.
- What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Staying current on all my bills.
- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
T-shirts. Laziness. Frequently working without wearing pants. That would be the nicest thing about working from home: you rarely have to wear pants.
- What kept you sane?
I didn't stay sane. I'm pretty sure I went crazy this year. I am so not kidding.
- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I still really love movies with Sam Rockwell in them. I have no idea what he's done lately, though.
- What political issue stirred you the most?
Mostly, just wondering if we'll even get anyone in federal government again who isn't such a goddamn pansy.
- Who did you miss?
- Neil. I miss that fucker.
- The Indian. I got to see him more that I thought I would but still not as much as I used to.
- Sarah, who spent large chunks of the year a thousand miles away.
- Who was the best new person you met?
- There's Drew, who always makes it a point lately to tell me he's overcome by my beauty. When I'm feeling down, he tells me stories about the clone he will create at my death, "Little Jenna". She's only one eighth my size.
- There's Sarah P, (not to be confused with sister Sarah, whom I've known for 21+ years) who came into my life like a whirlwind, and immediately crafted a long repertoire of inside jokes that months later we still laugh hysterically at. She's acted as my wingman. I've cried to her on the phone. And, she knows many of my deepest darkest secrets.
- There's Alex, who is always happy to see me and always in a good mood. Although many people at Barcode grope me, spank me, and kiss me, Alex is the only one to hump me pretty much every time I see him. Usually he tells me I'm beautiful first. Usually.
- And finally, there is Jackie. Jackie dances, and can be silly, and is kind to just about everyone. More than anything, I just feel a very strong kinship with her, like I've known her forever. And that's a nice feeling to have with a relatively new friend.
- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
When you're aroused and three orgasms in your reasoning skills suffer severely. Seriously, you might as well be really drunk or really high, because you're just about as cautious and logical.
Come to think of it, drunk/high logic is actually a step up.
- Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“To you the next best thing / To playing and winning is playing and losing”
The Lucky One, Alison Krauss & Union Station
You are reading the life, times, and general musings of Jenna Tollerson. I am an independent web developer living in and around Athens, Georgia, USA. [read more]
