My Entire Life

Jacob contemplates life in full view of a burning Volkswagen Bug.

The most ferocious year yet. Having a baby, losing two jobs in the same month, and trying to steal a television, but somehow still ending up hopeful.

Graduation denied, buying a house, traveling to Italy, changing jobs, and working life away at a desk. In an office. Every day.

A quick trip to Mexico, a new job, a new normal, and a new dream.

Smoking weed for the first time, hitching a ride on a homeless guy's lawnmower, rock climbing every weekend, and coming face to face with the living, breathing spirit of the Living God at the Buffalo National River.

Driving home from Guatemala, getting married, and taking two heavily counteracting narcotics at the worst possible time.

Jacob's biggest year yet. Getting arrested, meeting a girl, and moving to Guatemala on a whim.

Running deliveries for a pharmacy, sneaking into music festivals, and trying to hide a mountain of marijuana. This is 2002.

Cancer. Sadness. 9/11. 2001 sucked almost relentlessly from start to finish. We did somehow manage to have a party with an entire sorority, but other than that, this year can go right to hell.

Jacob graduates from high school and embarks on a trip to Europe where he meets a girl, runs with the bulls, and loses his backpack.