Had a great vacation back in the southland over the holidays. I promise to offer up a full recap later this week. But before the week and new year move on any further, I wanted to waste some space by giving out my first ever awards ... the 2002 jaylowe.com Awards. it holds as much merit as the space guy trophy that MTV hands out, except I'm not giving out trophies. I think the acknowledgment is good enough. Don't you?
So without further adieu, I present to the internet world, the 2002 jaylowe.com Awards:
Jackass of the Year: Steve Flippen. Flip has been a constant source of jackassness since my move to DeKalb. I first met this guy down at UGA in grad school. Everyone there knew he was a jackass, and it's good to know everyone here in DeKalb is figuring that out too. Really though, Flip is a great friend and has made my transition here so much easier. But he's still a jackass.
Crush of the year: The Women of Wake Forest. It could've been a coach here, and intern there, and athlete here, another intern there ... seriously, in the past year I had a crush on three interns, a couple of assistant coaches, dance team members and countless athletes. Probably a good thing I'm outta there huh?
Greatest "I Don't Remember Doing This but Have Heard All About it" Drunken Moment of the year: Kiss Fest 2002. Following our big football win over Bowling Green, a large number of us from work bellied up to Fatty's, our bar, for a night of celebrating. On Monday, I find out that I kissed half of the women in the bar, including some of my friends' wives. And yes, they are still my friends.
Best Set of "Eyes" Seen of the Year: Our Old Friend Amy D. at Wake Forest. She's now down in grad school at evil Florida. Amy, Bless you. Despite the fact you go to Florida, I'm just honored to be able to add this category to the awards list.
Best Retaliatory Moment Against a Former Employer: NIU 42, Wake 41. 'Nuff said.
Best Moment of the Year: Being offered my first real job, here at NIU.
Best Road Trip of the Year: Charleston, SC. Aside from me feeling like I was slacking at work, I had a GREAT time with the media relations crew in McCoy's condo in Charleston. Fabulous time.
Most Touching Moment of the Year: The standing ovation we received as ARGUS played its last tune ... "Out of Tears," for those of you keeping score.
Wrestler of the Year: Did you think I was gonna get through a post without mentioning wrestling? fools! so the winner is Chris Jericho. In a year where so many big names were injured or off making movies, Jericho played a consistent role in the WWE and became the first Undisputed Champion.
CD of the Year: Sting, All This Time. If you Don't own it, go buy it. It is Sting with a few classic Police tunes ... but done in a very jazzy style. Worth every penny.
Biggest Ego Boost of the Year: The Women of Spring Street. For those of you who don't know, 619 Spring Street was the old home of Jaylowe and Big Red. When I think about all the women who stopped by to brighten our day ... it reminds me of a song ... "to all the girls, i've loved before ... who've traveled in and out my door ...
Team of the Year: The University of Georgia Football Team. After struggling through 8-4, 7-5 seasons while I was in school, the Dogs are finally back on the college football map. 13-1, an SEC Championship, a Sugar Bowl Championship and a final national ranking of #3 in the country. Not bad.
Game of the Year: 2002 Super Bowl. I should put this game here simply based on the fact that we had a kick-ass Super Bowl party at Spring Street with our very own 65 inch screen ... but the game itself was fantastic.
Dumbest Moment of the Year: Getting lost on 8 Mile Road, in Detroit. Yes, that is the road Eminem's movie is based on.
Best Acquisition of the Year: UGA Football Helmet. God, I love Ebay.
Coolest Moment of the Year: Holding 15-minute year old Jacob Adams. Steve and Chris, you've got a beautiful child in your hands ... Chris, just make sure he takes after you.
Video Game of the Year: Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth. This game has brought countless, COUNTLESS hours of screaming and joy to the lives of some of us here in DeKalb. With that, my greatest Rival has to be Michael Ward ... Ward, I OWN you in ladder matches!
Best Concert I Bought Tickets for in 2002 but Won't See Until 2003: JACKOPIERCE, the reunion. On January, 18, I'll get to see one the bands that had the biggest influence on my musical career. Cary and Jack are so much more talented than I could ever dream of being.
Dream of the Year: Marrying Gwyneth Paltrow. Dear Lord she is BEAUTIFUL.
Best Song to Sing in a British Voice: POD's "Alive." Big Red and I spent most of our time in the apartment mocking so many songs in a british voice. I don't think it was funny to anyone else, but damn I thought it was hilarious.
Over Used Joke of the Year: "Oh, you're Jay Lowe, like JLo? I bet you get that a lot!" Uhhhh, no shit. YES I get that a lot. So don't use the damn joke anymore!
Best Wedding of the Year: Keith and Allison Parkes. I was in two weddings last summer, and this was the one that was more like a party. I got to see old friends and party my ass of with them. I got to meet new people. All in all, just a lot of fun.
I've saved the best for last ...
Lifetime Achievement Award: Granny. Some know here as Mrs. Hinds, others as Ione, some as mother ... I knew her as Granny. She gave so much life and love to our family, and I am forever grateful. Today would have been her 90th birthday. Miss you like crazy Granny.
There you have it, the 2002 jaylowe.com Awards. Holiday wrap-up to come later this week.