2008 Theme: The Rejects

I’ve mentioned before that I tend to prefer establishing a theme for the new year as opposed to specific resolutions. An overarching theme gives me enough guidance to accomplish certain goals throughout the year, but enough flexibility to redefine those goals as the year progresses, ensuring maximum success, which is really what resolutions are all about anyway.
Over the past month or so, I’ve come up with a few of different options for my 2008 theme, and have amassed a list of the rejected ones. Feel free to co-opt any of these for your own theme:
1. The glamorous life – This actually might have been my theme for 2007, but since I can’t remember, and I do not yet own a feather boa or an ascot, I suspect that it was left unfulfilled.
2. Less blogging, more snogging – I rejected this one after realizing that these two activities need not be mutually exclusive. In fact, considering the unprecedented number of times I’ve hung out with bloggers this year, I should potentially consider a theme of “More snogging bloggers.” I’m keeping that one in my back pocket for the TequilaCon ’08 theme.
3. Finish what you start – This was a close contender for the 2008 theme, but it lost out due to its unfortunate quantifiability. I am very prone to fads, and start a lot of new activities throughout any given year. If I had to finish everything I started, I would either have to start a lot fewer things or need to find a bigger apartment to accommodate all the completed craft projects. Plus, this seems too much like the “clean plate club” of new year’s resolutions, and that’s just not my style.
4. 2008: Electric Boogaloo – Yet another solid possibility, but since I already failed at hip-hop/breakdance class, it seemed like I blew my chance for this to be an overriding life theme. It might still make a comeback as a mid-season replacement if I don’t like my final choice.
5. ‘08 is the new ‘98 – I’m not really sure where I was going with this one.
And the winner is:
6. Feelin’ great in ’08 – It’s catchy, easy to remember, has a folksy contraction that makes it both hip and approachable, and it rhymes. I’m considering this to be the ad campaign for my life next year. Hey! Did you see that billboard for the new Jenny they just came out with? It says she’s feelin’ great in ’08! I want to buy some of that! Sign me up! I may even try working on a jingle.
Besides, it really leaves a lot of room for interpretation, which is very important when selecting a theme. I could mean feeling great physically, emotionally, financially, romantically, intellectually, politically… any or all of the above.
So each choice I make throughout the year will be prefaced by this question: “Will this make me feel great, or if it doesn’t, will it eventually lead to something that may make me feel great?”
And the answer right now, as I look at this bottle of Macallan 10-year my brother bought me for xmas is, yes. Yes, this will indeed make me feel great. Happy new year, everyone!

12 Responses to “2008 Theme: The Rejects”

  1. Karen Says:

    Macallan 12 would make you feel even greater. More great. Whatever.

  2. Rhea Says:

    I support your pursuit of a meaningless goal: 08 is the new 98. Happy New Year!

  3. Hilly Says:

    I am all for everything that makes Jenny feel great. Hrm, maybe I should ask that question too.

  4. sizzle Says:

    i’m a theme girl myself. i like yours! happy new year, jenny. :)

  5. shari Says:

    I’m drinking scotch tonight too, given to me for the holidays by a friend who went to Scotland this Fall — AND DIDN’T TAKE ME — but who brought me back a bottle of Dalwhinnie 15. Sorta makes it tougher to be bitter about not going.
    Happy ’08 Jenny!

  6. nina Says:

    If you open the bottle in 07, how great will you really feel in 08? :)
    Still, I like your theme. I was going with “be chipper” myself but it isn’t neat and pretty and poetic like yours.

  7. Laurel Says:

    Your clever theme got me to thinking about making up my own. “In 2008 I’ll find a mate.” Or maybe “2007 plus one is made for fun.” Guess I better keep thinking… That scotch sounds tasty – enjoy it and the New Year!

  8. jenny Says:

    karen: it’s all good. great. whatever. :)
    rhea: thank you! if you figure out what i meant by that, let me know.
    hilly: i think we should all be asking ourselves that question this year!
    sizzle: indeed – i love your theme as well!
    shari: i would still be bitter. i mean really – you could have fit in their luggage!
    nina: i think “be chipper” is an incredibly difficult resolution to keep, especially if you ever take public transportation.
    laurel: finding a mate is, again, too quantifiable for me. i especially like the “2007 plus one” because it involves math, and that lends it credibility.

  9. Dustin Says:

    Okay, you’re gonna have to define “snogging” for me, because google makes me think I missed out a major part of those Portland adventures…

  10. vahid Says:

    I know I’m a little late to the party here, but after the last week I’ve decided that my theme for 2008 needs to be “Fewer Hangovers.”

  11. char Says:

    Hmm, sorry, but your theme sounds like a really lame campaign slogan, like something Mitt Romney would say. How about something a bit more existential, like, “2008, just another date.” Make it anarchic: “2008, a year to hate.”
    I think I need to lie down now.

  12. jenny Says:

    dustin: no, you’ve got the right definition. i’m just setting some goals for the new year.
    vahid: ouch! yeah, something tells me that tequila white russians are not what the doctor ordered.
    char: such harshness on january 3rd? i usually don’t get that jaded until at least march.

Leave a Reply