Jenn from Free and Flawed (and also Must Love Geek) is an extremely talented, funny, and open writer. She’s currently going to school to eventually become a medical examiner. Meanwhile, she’s a Licensed Massage Therapist, aspiring author, and the latest Daddy Dan interviewee…
Daddy Dan: Tell me a little about yourself.
Jenn: I’m part ninja, part trapeze artist. Or I’m a 24-year-old Chicagoan who does a little bit of this (freelance writing) and a little bit of that (assisting) while going to school and maintaining a pretty high level of awesomeness.
DD: How long have you been blogging?
Jenn: I’ve had a LiveJournal since 2002-ish. I’ve been at Wordpress for maybe a year and a half.
DD: What got you started?
Jenn: My then boyfriend got me hooked on LiveJournal. When it came time to grow up and graduate to an adult platform, I chose to move to Wordpress.
DD: Why do you continue blogging? What do you get out of it? How long do you think you’ll continue?
Jenn: I love writing. I write for myself. I write like I talk. I don’t pay much attention to the rules of writing. For me, it’s a fun way to get a lot of the thoughts swimming around my head, out. What do I get out of it? A lot! This past year has been full incredible experiences for me and I owe it all to blogging. I was invited to BlogHer as a live-blogger, I met some amazing people who are now some of my best friends. I’m able to review awesome new cell phones and I finally found a job doing something I love. I owe all of that to blogging. I feel rewarded every time someone comments or sends me an email thanking me for being so open or telling me how they relate to what I’m going through. Making these connections and developing relationships is the best part. I hope to continue this as long as my fingers allow!
DD: Tell me a little about your blog.
Jenn: Freeandflawed started as a place for me to talk about Chicago-related news. It’s slowly evolved into what it is today. I’m very honest in my blog about many aspects of my life. I enjoy putting a humorous spin on not-so-funny situations and poking fun at myself. I also use Freeandflawed as a tool to recommend other bloggers and send them more traffic. Mustlovegeek is where I let my geeky side go wild. It’s probably the only themed blog I’ll ever have!
DD: Why should people read your blog?
Jenn: Why not?! 
I think this is something my readers would have to answer. I’m still blown away by how many people do read it as well as comment. I am incredibly humbled by their responses and feedback.
DD: You posted a picture of your grandma drinking wine out of a sippy cup, what’s that all about? Is it a normal family thing?
Jenn: Oh yeah, we’re all a bunch of sippy-cupped drunks. That picture was taken the night my grandpa was admitted to the hospital. My grandma spent all day in the ER with him. She was pretty stressed. In hopes to relax her we gave her some wine. Because I’m oh so classy (or 11 years old) I thought it would be great to put it in a sippy cup and document the event for my blog.
DD: What types of blogs do you enjoy reading? Can you provide a list of your five favorite blogs?
Jenn: I enjoy many different types of blogs, but I tend to gravitate toward those that I can relate to or learn something from. You probably won’t catch me reading about fishing or fashion (I can’t even dress myself!)
Some of my favorites include:
DD: Why do you like these five?
Jenn: Those five are just a handful of my favorites. I enjoy them so much because they are written by such talented, witty and creative people. Their posts are always engaging, entertaining and often times thought provoking. Quirkology is my guilty pleasure. She posts a lot of items I want to buy. She’s bad for my checking account!
DD: What are your favorite “non-blogging” activities?
Jenn: I love to paint, whether it be walls, a dresser or on canvas. I haven’t picked up in a brush in a while. I just haven’t found the time. I’m also a bookworm. I’m usually reading three or four books at a time.
DD: The cartoons you feature on your blog are pretty cool and unique. Do you draw them yourself? If so, where’d you learn to do that?
Jenn: Thank you! And yes, I do draw them myself. I’ve always enjoyed art, but I’m not sure that has anything to do with it. It has a lot to do with the manipulation of the line features in MS paint and how much patience one has.
DD: What is the secret to happiness?
Jenn: IKEA or self-acceptance. Being able to say “I’m okay with me” is a big deal. So many of us spend our time breaking ourselves down, criticizing our looks, actions and failures. Too often we
want to be more like her or him and less like ourselves. I think it’s important to recognize ourselves as just human. We’re supposed to make mistakes. Be happy with you! I think IKEA may be the easier of the two. :)
DD: What is your favorite quote?
Jenn: “Anatomy is destiny.” – Sigmund Freud
DD: What, so far, has been the happiness moment of your life?
Jenn: I think I’m experiencing the happiest period of my life right now.
DD: What has been your biggest regret?
Jenn: I prefer to not have regrets. I think every decision, good or bad, has gotten me to where I am today. Every mistake has been followed up with a lesson learned. With every bruise, tear or cut I grew a bit stronger. I think I owe a lot of who I am to those things that would normally be considered regrets.
DD: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Jenn: Ideally I would like to be in medical school on my way to becoming a medical examiner. Realistically I will probably be finished with school. I’m not sure if I see myself getting that far. Writing would still be a big part of my life – both blogging and books. I’d hopefully be married and toying with the idea of kids if I didn’t have them already.
DD: Do you monitor your blog stats?
Jenn: I sure do. I use various sites to do the dirty work for me. I’m curious who’s coming to check up on things. It also helps me block inappropriate comments, content thieves and watch ex-boyfriends. :P
DD: What are your five favorite places in the world?
Jenn: Chicago, any office supply store, Salem, MA, used bookstores and any ocean.
DD: Since you live in Chicago: Are you a Cubs fan? If so, sorry about that 100 year streak thing. There’s always next year, right?
Jenn: I am a Cubs fan, which apparently makes me a masochist as well. Every time they’re doing well and end up getting into the Playoffs they all of a sudden start playing like shit. It’s an eff’in conspiracy I tell you!
DD: What’s it like going to a game at Wrigley Field?
Jenn: I haven’t been to Wrigley Field in 40 years! Or more like 17ish. It’s one thing to watch the games on TV in the comfort of your own home, naked and eating frosting out of a can. It’s another to put up with drunks, spilled beer and peanut shells getting wedged between your flip flop and foot.
DD: Are the Bears ever going to have an offense to go with that defense?
Jenn: One can dream!! I think our offense is better this year compared to last year. Sorry Rex! I’m not completely happy with the team though. Orton is doing a great job, but he’s not throwing down field enough. He really needs to hone those skills. If we can get some amazing passes and less flags, I’d be a happy camper. But if another game is lost with 11 seconds to spare, I might die.
DD: What are five things you want to do before you die?
Jenn: Write a book and have it published, sky dive, learn another language, get married, travel to Italy.
DD: Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
Jenn: I spend a lot of my time being afraid that I’m not good enough.
DD: You’ve written about your great fear of toilets. Where do you think that all started, and have you sought help?
Jenn: Okay, this is all my mom’s fault. She always insisted I cover the toilet seat with toilet paper. (She’ll deny that, but this is my interview – get your own Mom.) As I got older she began telling me about her nightmares all involving toilets. I’ve seen my fair share of disgusting bathrooms. People are gross. Flushing must require a certain skill many don’t have. I know that the chances of me catching anything from them is rare, but that doesn’t make me any less afraid. It’s not so much the seat, but that small piece left uncovered where the seat splits. You know, the part where all the pubes and pee drops rest. I don’t want to see that. I also blame Candyman. Who puts bees in a toilet?!
DD: Every week you post your favorite ‘Post Secret’ postcards. Have a secret you’d like to share here? Have you sent in a postcard?
Jenn: I’m sorry to say I don’t have a secret worth sharing at the moment! I did send in a secret once. I don’t think it was interesting enough because I never saw it online or in one of their books.
DD: What Disney songs do you sing in the shower?
Jenn: I tend to stick to Little Mermaid songs. Particularly “Part of Your World.”
DD: Favorite Disney movie?
Jenn: The Little Mermaid, hands down.
DD: What Disney character best describes you?
Jenn: Pocahantas. What? I could be an Indian girl who sings to trees with her best friend, a raccoon. I could be in love with a John Smith. You don’t know me!!!
DD: What made you want to be a Licensed Massage Therapist? Do your hands hurt at the end of the day? Do you have incredibly strong Hulk-like hands now?
Jenn: Honestly, I began massage therapy school because I was bored. I dropped out of college because I felt I was wasting money while I tried to figure out what I was interested in. I eventually realized that I was utterly amazed by the human body and am now pursuing a degree in kinesiology. If I give too many massages or don’t stretch my arms, wrists and fingers beforehand, I tend to experience a little pain in those areas. I don’t think my hands are at the Hulk level just yet.
DD: Last question: Have you had the opportunity to utter “What a crazy, random happenstance” yet? If so, what happened?
Jenn: I did and that person just laughed. They had no idea where it was from. At first I thought, “Sweet, this person thinks I made that up. I must be awesome.” But Dr. Horrible is too good a series to pass up. Seriously, if you haven’t watched it yet, go do it. Now.
