In the fall of 2008 I was a new Austinite riding the bus and trying to deal with a colder climate than I was used to, professors I didn't understand and a new life that not always made sense. As a result, I usually visited my good friend Bill Minutaglio's office. In there, I could complain all I wanted and feel that a great man with a pure soul understood me. On one of my trips to his office, a guy was occupying my space in front of Minutaglio's desk. Laughs could be heard all the way down the hall. I stepped in and Minutaglio introduced me to Jacob Payne. That day my outlook on life changed.

After an hour-long conversation, I knew that Jacob was a musician, a knowledgeable music critic, a journalism student, a writer, a crowd surfer and a very funny, bright guy. It's hard to come across individuals that can rock hard, party harder, crowd surf, have perfect timing for a joke, laugh in the face of adversity, fill a room with their energy, remain unscathed by academic bureaucracy and earn your respect almost immediately. Jacob did all of that and more from a wheelchair and scribbling on a little notebook on his lap.

I just learned that Jacob has passed away at the young age of 27. My condolences go out to his family, who according to Jacob "rocked," and his many, many friends. Austin has lost a great writer and a rock star in the making. Just like the space he left in the School of Journalism when he graduated last year, the hole he leaves in the music and writing world is too big to be filled by anyone. I could go on for hours about how great Jacob was, but those that know him understand that no words would ever suffice to describe his vitality, sense of humor and the way he changed people for the better and helped everyone around him put things into perspective.

Jacob had a ton of friends because he was the kind of guy you can't help but like, love and get along with instantly. All of his friends know that we have lost someone truly irreplaceable. I can't speak for everybody, but I can speak for myself and say this: when the world gets a bit too gray and the day turns a tad too cold, I'll always have Jacob's shining smile to keep me from getting lost in my own small problems and his incredible energy to keep me warm. For that, my friend, I'll be forever grateful. Rest in peace and keep rocking as hard as you always did.