The History of Jacke
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #20: The Sign
I was in my twenties and working yet another dead end job. You know how it is. Overworked. Overtired. Undervalued. I simply could not believe that this was all there was to life. And then what? Death. Oblivion. So it was this and then that. Wow. Or was there a Heaven to look forward to?… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #19: My Roommate’s Books
My roommate arrived before I did; I met his stuff before I met him. Meeting his stuff first was fine with me, because the truth was that I was a little afraid of him. Wilfred Carter Boiteaux III. From New Orleans. Or maybe of New Orleans? I had not known anyone with a name like… Continue reading
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Today’s Comment of the Week: Advice for the Study Abroad Student Headed to Bologna!
Wonderful Reader Corra22s, commenting on Object #12 – Tickets to the Premiere, writes: As a current twenty-year-old soon-to-be studying abroad in Bologna (a whole year early!), I really enjoyed your reflections and your hilariously illuminating recount of class relations. I was wondering if you could give me any advice or suggestions for doors I should… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #18 – The Monopoly Game Piece
When I was young, my class took a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. On the way back from Chicago we stopped at a McDonald’s, and along with the meal everyone received a Monopoly game piece. It was a small square piece of cardboard with the monocle man – Uncle Pennybags –… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #17 – The Shirts and Skins
In the stories so far I’ve talked a lot about death and fear and failure, and that makes sense because we spend our lives immersed in those qualities (or at least I have). But other aspects of life drive us just as hard: love, for example. And pride and desire and friendship. I grew up admiring… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #16 – The Laundry
In high school I worked for a man who had a business mind as sharp as any I encountered before or since, a brilliant schemer who had worked his way out of a factory job and now worked for no man but himself. When I started working for him and his wife he owned an… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #15 – The Coffepot
This is the story of a young man who was an excellent speller. He won seven spelling bees in a row, dominating the competition year after year after year. And then, in the eighth grade, with a trip to regionals (and state! and nationals!) on the line, this champion lost for the first time in his… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #14 – The Bass Guitar
Are you familiar with the Suzuki method? I wasn’t. Oh sure, I’d heard of it—all those cute little violin prodigies, and something about kindergarteners learning how to play by ear that sounded impressive—but I didn’t know many details until I signed my kid up for piano lessons with a Suzuki teacher. It turns out that Suzuki… Continue reading
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Happy Father’s Day! A Glimpse of What Dad Is Thinking…
As a tribute to fathers everywhere, we’re re-running one of our more popular posts from the History of Jacke in 100 Objects series. Yes, yes: it’s the “Dad orders burgers with a slice of Proust” one. Enjoy, fathers (and all who love them)! Home from traveling, I jump into the gray Corolla. I’ve been a… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #13 – The Monster
I was traveling through Scotland in the dead of winter. Most of my life was spent holed up in a guest house in Inverness, sitting by the fireplace and reading Ulysses. I was content, mostly, but every day I forced myself to get out and do at least one thing. Typically this meant I made… Continue reading
Jacke Wilson 