What does this mean??

Sure it isn't:
This time last year things were different.

I disagree "This time last year things were different" by Punk. In the first place, Punk, Jaz is asking what's meant by only the first four words and in the second place, your meaning might be just the opposite

Anyhow Jaz, your version could mean this time by the calendar, on Aug 10, 2015. "things," that is certain happenings not specified were unnecessary, with the implication that you wish they hadn't; today's occufrrences beside the point

....unless Punk's incorrectly assuming "different" means "than today"

...or at 85 am I again somehow totally outa it

I retract. The "so" implies a feeling, which could have been pos not neg

'This time last year' might mean "exactly one year ago" or it might mean "approximately one year ago", or "during this season last year" depending on context. In general, it is used to indicate approximately one year ago, e.g. August last year, or the second week of August last year.