Man, what a crazy month it has been so far. I did have a great New Year's Eve, spending it with some new friends here in Nashville. I also had the opportunity to play host to my friend's Bob and Caroline. They were gracious enough to take care of my intoxicated butt one night in South Bend, IN, so i felt it was time to return the favor. Little did I know 2004 would have such a great start, but Bob and Caroline asked me to be in their wedding, which is this coming August in Winston-Salem. I was flattered and surprised all at the same time, but I of course said YES. It is an excuse to get back home right before football begins, and it is also a damn good reason to support two good friends whom I know will build a wonderful life with each other.

I had a couple of visitors just a week later, when the NCAA had a convention here in Nashville. I was lucky enough to have a dinner with Cary and Stay from NIU, as well as my old friend Jody, who is now at Arizona State. Cary was always very good to me while I was at Northern, and in a way, I felt like i turned my back on her a bit when I left for Vanderbilt. Luckily she didn't feel that way, and we had an enjoyable dinner. I was actually able to convince Stacy and Jody to hit the town with me after dinner. Stacy did owe me, as the "younger" group in DeKalb always tried to get her to do something with us. In her defense, she does live about 30 minutes away from DeKalb. Regardless, I took the two ladies out to a couple of honky tonk bars here in town. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy those places. Yes, I am not a fan of country music. However, I do enjoy live music. Give me a beer, a bar, some ladies in the crowd and someone crooning in the background, and I'm happy. I just hope they had fun. It was great to visit with them, and I was fortunate enough to spend more time with Jody that weekend. She also knows Scott, who is my Nashville Social Coordinator, from when he worked at Wake, so we were all able to visit. It's always nice to have friends around you, especially when you have a lot of respect for them.

Other than that, I have been swamped with work. To be honest, coming into this job in the middle of the year is not ideal. It is difficult because there is so much to learn about a school, but on top of that you have to run the events that are going on right now. You have to prepare for events later in the year. You have to deal with all aspects of facilities and game management, not always knowing your resources. It has been challenging, and I believe the summer will present me with a little more time to catch my breath and get organized. But I love it here. I do. That was reinforced this past weekend, as our men played host to #10 Florida, whom we smacked around by 14 points. Yes, we had some situations to deal with, but we had a sell out. The crowd was great. The teams were great. Being in an atmosphere like that will quickly remind me of why I love what I do.

I'm sure that now I've said it, the world will come crashing down, but ... speaking of work, I'll have you know that since I stepped foot on this campus, we have not lost a home event in anything ... football, men's hoops, women's hoops and women's tennis. No, it can't last forever, but it has been an exciting two and a half months.

In a few weeks I am taking a weekend away from work to visit my friends Jessica and Smoose at FSU. Smoose worked with me at NIU and is working in media relations while working on a grad degree. Jessica is in a similar position, working in the ticket office while trying to complete a degree. I'm excited to get down there for numerous reasons. The first would have to be that I will get to spend some quality time with two people whom I enjoy being around. Jessica and I have grown close as friends over the past year and a half, and Smoose ... well, he's like me. He is a clown in regular clothing. I'm also trying to set up a meeting with the head of the sport management program at FSU. I am interested in possibly pursuing a doctorate at some point, and that is a program that sparks my interest. It will also be nice to just be away from events for a weekend. Breaks are always helpful.

For all of you ARGUS fans out there, and I know there are thousands, we will be playing here in Nashville in March. It looks like the weekend of March 26-28 will be our time to Jam. Erich is here for a convention, and somehow I've convinced Donovan, Greg and Michael to head out here as well. Needless to say, I'm pretty damn pumped. Every time I mention ARGUS, I'm sure I say this, but ... I know we didn't play very regularly, but I loved when we did. I miss it. So pack your bags, and come spend a weekend with the ARGUS boys.

I'm going to try and update more regularly. I've been a slackass, there is no doubt. I just hope I can unveil my new jaylowe.com design here in the next few weeks.

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at home and New Year's here in Nashville, all of which I will recap next week. But for now … I made a promise, and I will keep it.

The 2003 installment of the jaylowe.com awards is finally here. Each category was taken from last year's edition, however this year's choices were more difficult. After countless hours (ok, 4 hours on the plane to and from Raleigh) and numerous submissions, the awards committee (me) is prepared to announce the winners of this year's jaylowe.com awards.

So without further adieu, I present to the internet world, the 2003 jaylowe.com Awards:

Jackass of the Year: This was a tough one. There were several jackasses this year that really made the decision very difficult. In fact, the award this year will be split amongst six Jackasses: Flippen, Ward, Ekhoff, Raphael, True and Stedman. These were the guys that kept the beer flowing and the good times rolling in DeKalb. Yeap, had it not been for these fools, I'm not sure I would've survived my year at NIU. You all truly are Jackasses of the Year.

Crush of the year: The NIU women's track team. All of these ladies are adorable and wonderful. Having them walk by my office, stopping in to say hello, made my day. The summer without them was difficult, but I found ways to survive. They easily take the award with their charm and beauty.

Greatest "I Don't Remember Doing This but Have Heard All About it" Drunken Moment of the year: My third Cubs game. Ekhoff and I hit Wrigley, and I loose my mind. I end up the next morning, passed out on his couch … late for a meeting … minus my cubs hat and my jacket. I hope somebody is enjoying those. And apparently I shook my tail feather at the Cubbie Bear, post game.

Best Set of "Eyes" Seen of the Year: This category could really get me in some trouble, so I'm going to go with … the stripper who worked the shower scene at Ward's bachelor party. Hey, at least this only gets Ward in trouble and not me. Ok, there are a couple of names I could mention here, but I'll save myself the grief.

Best Moment of the Year: Accepting my current position, Director of Events and Operations, at Vanderbilt University. This really was a difficult choice. Having so many good friends at NIU made this decision more difficult than I would have imagined, but I am where I need to be.

Best Road Trip of the Year: Bowling Green, OH. This was my final road trip as Event Manager/Football Travel Coordinator at NIU. Luckily, I had my great friend Flip make the trip with me. Once there, the atmosphere made the trip. ESPN Game Day in the house, the student-athletes all wishing me well in my new job, the coaches doing the same, witnessing Lee Corso run up and down the sideline like a jackass … despite the loss, it was great having my last official day on the job with that football team.

Most Touching Moment of the Year: Having ARGUS with me in DeKalb. For one weekend, ARGUS took over DeKalb. We were fortunate enough to play in the alumni tent before the Huskies game vs. Tennessee Tech, and then at Fatty's that night. We may not have had the largest crowd, but it meant the world to me to have a weekend with people I certainly don't see enough.

Wrestler of the Year: Oh yeah, I still watch wrestling. I didn't watch as much this year as last year, but it is easy to determine this year's wrestler of the year: Ric Flair. Yes, he is a gazillion years old, but he still entertains. He is the kiss stealin', wheelin' and dealin' limousine ridin', jet flyin', son of gun that all guys wish they were.

CD of the Year: Vertical Horizon, "GO". Without a doubt, this was the most anticipated CD of 2003 for me, and it delivered. Engineered with more power-chord pop songs, and a couple of oddities, this CD made for a great listen. It's nice to have the boys makin' music again.

Biggest Ego Boost of the Year: This one comes from Michelle Kennedy, who is my boss at Vanderbilt. During my phone interview Michelle said to me, "Jay, I think you have more fans than anyone we have ever interviewed." Countless friends and colleagues called Michelle and others at Vanderbilt to express their belief that I was ready for this step. It meant a great deal to me and won't soon be forgotten.

Team of the Year: The Northern Illinois University Huskies football program. Not only did the Huskies have a tremendous year finishing 10-2, but then won with class. The entire coaching staff and team are class acts. It was an honor working with Coach Novak and the rest of the Huskies. It certainly made me realize why coaches love what they do.

Game of the Year: This one is a tie. August 28, 2003, NIU 20, Maryland 13 (OT) and September 20, NIU 19, Alabama 16. I've never been involved in sporting events that meant so much to a program. NIU was a football team on the rise this year. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, USA Today ... they all documented the success of the Huskies, and that recognition mostly came from two very impressive wins early in the season.

Dumbest Moment of the Year: This one sort of falls under the drunk category … 2003 Super Bowl Party at Eks. I proceed to drink so much that I allow Ward to puncturing my left eyebrow and dislocate my left shoulder. I also fell flat on my face in Eks yard while trying to wait on Flip to drive us home … ahhhh, the snow … it is so soft.

Best Acquisition of the Year: I grew up a little this year. Purchased some bedroom furniture and a new couch and chair, but the best acquisition this year has to be … the Big Screen TV. I've been fairly quiet about this since I purchased it in July, mainly because my parents don't know about it, but I had to give this TV an award. I love you big screen.

Coolest Moment of the Year: My first Cubs game. The entire day was an experience. I may not have been born a Cubs fan, but Wrigley will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Video Game of the Year: Smackdown: Bring the Pain. Yes, for the second year in a row, a wrestling game steals the award. We were able to get a few matches under our belts in DeKalb, but the game also gave me something to do those first few weeks in Nashville. At least I have friends now.

Best Concert in 2003: I was fortunate enough to see my favorite band, Vertical Horizon, three times this year: Milwaukee, Chicago and Nashville. They did not disappoint. The Jackopierce show in January was a blast as well.

Dream of the Year: Being named the AD at UGA. I think about it so much, I DREAM about it. Maybe one day.

Best Song to Sing in a British Voice: "I'm still here," Vertical Horizon. I don't even know if Big Red has heard this song, but if he has … I bet he's sung it in a British Voice.

Over Used Joke of the Year: And for the second year in a row … "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: Michael and Allison Ward. I was fortunate enough to be invited to this shin-dig in Raleigh. Aside from Michael being a jackass, they both were able to start a wonderful life together and put on a fun wedding. Yes, the AC not working at the reception was a bit of a drag, but they got me back to NC, if only for a weekend.

And finally ...

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mom and Dad. Oh, they are still going strong in their mid-50s. More importantly, they have been wonderful parents, friends and supporters over the past year. Struggling with the loss of their collective last surviving parent, mom and dad have really focused a lot of energy and time on the happiness of me and Marian. I'm fortunate they have given so much to me over the years. Hopefully one day I can repay the countless favors. Now they just need to visit me in Nashville.

That's it folks. I'd like to thank all of those persons who submitted entries (me) and the committee whom voted upon the winners (me). More importantly, I'd like to thank all the people who made these awards possible. I am continually surrounded by wonderful and amazing people. I'm one lucky jackass.