I want to wish my Dad a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! His birthday was yesterday, the 29th. I wish I could've been there to celebrate with him, but I had to settle for a few phone calls instead. Love you, Dad. Hope you enjoyed your birthday dinner!

Man, my body is worn out.

This past weekend's The MAC Men's Tennis Championship was almost a total success. Operationally, everything ran smoothly. We received a great deal of positive feedback from coaches and several administrators on site. I tell you, I really love doing that stuff. Putting on those championship events and "trying" to make everyone feel like it is being as run professionally as possible. It's a great feeling when you return to your office and have to go through emails from coaches thanking you for your efforts. Even our tennis team was very gracious. I should've figured they would be though. Coach Rodecap is very professional and is a great coach to work with. He took it kinda hard when they lost in the championship match to his alma mater, Ball State. He'll have his day though. He'll be big time before we know it.

I was fortunate enough to see my favorite band last night, Vertical Horizon. They played to a medium sized crowd in Milwaukee. It was great seeing those guys back on stage, enjoying what they LOVE to do. I took my good friend Kristie, who happened to be a "VH Live" virgin. If there has been one thing I've enjoyed about my love affair with Vertical's music, it has been the willingness I've had to pass it along. Kristie owns "Everything You Want," but there is nothing like seeing those guys live. They put on a great show last night, playing some classics such as "Santa," "Fragments," "Wash Away," and the song that probably made me a VH fan back in 1994, "On the Sea." That one song alone is SO powerful. I love it. It was actually the song that got ARGUS our first gig. Anyway, the fellas threw in three new tunes, from their upcoming album, "Go," which should be released sometime mid to late summer. Needless to say, I can't wait.

Kristie and I hung out with the guys after the show. I keep in touch with Ed, the drummer, a good bit. One of the many things I love about these guys is there ability to not let things get to their heads. They were all very kind and gracious for us making the trip from DeKalb. They even remarked that it was odd seeing me at a show that wasn't in North Carolina. They'll be ROCKIN' Ziggy's in Winston-Salem May 5 & 6. I SOOOOOOOO wish I could be there. You haven't seen these guys live until you've seen them play Ziggy's. It is just electric. So if you are in the area, I HIGHLY recommend you make the show. If you don't, you are a fool. Without question.

So I took today off of work. After just finishing up with tennis, going to the show last night and hosting MAC Men's Golf this weekend, my body told me I should go ahead and rest now. It was a great day. I still got up early ... 7:30 ... to send out some emails. Hey, work is never over. But I did take a GREAT nap today. Man, I miss naps.

Well, the head count for the ARGUS reunion continues to grow. I hope you all can make it, especially my good friends in the Atlanta/Athens area. I can't wait to get back there and see all of you wonderful people. Having the opportunity to play again is probably more exciting. Out of all the things in my life over the past 5 years, I probably miss that the most. Not that we ever did it that regularly, but when we did, I loved it. I hope to see you all there, bobbin' your heads to the ARGUS jive.

Before I go any further, here is the news I've been meaning to share with you all - ARGUS is returning, in Athens, GA!

So Happy Easter everyone! The rain clouds are still looming, but it's a nice day in DeKalb. So nice, in fact, that I went to church today for the first time in three years. I know, I know ... I had to pick Easter, right? Well, I did. I've been meaning to go for a month or so now, but I just wasn't mentally prepared. I was today though. It was a nice service, and I will probably go again. I just hope next time, I do a better job of remembering all of the things you do while in church. I felt a little out of place today, but I survived.

Well, I have a busy week ahead. We host the MAC Men's Tennis championships Thursday-Saturday. It will be good to be around a championship atmosphere again. I love putting on these types of events, and with this being one of my projects, I'm excited for everyone to see more of my hard work.

Next Tuesday night I'll be heading up to Milwaukee to see my boys Vertical Horizon. I haven't seen these guys play in a long time, so it will be nice. My boy Ed is hooking me up with the backstage pass. Ed is a great fuckin' guy. He's the drummer, if you didn't know. He's just always been a good friend to me. When his daughter was born in January, I sent her a little stuffed Huskie. He got a huge kick out of it. It just amazes me that people as successful as Ed, and hell the rest of the guys for that matter, are still very much grounded. They don't let things get to their heads, which is a nice relief. Can't wait to rock out to VH and hear the new songs.

Well, the Voorhis family was nice enough to have me over for a little Easter lunch today. Phil is our head trainer. He and his family always play host to the "orphans" on holidays. Phil and Janna are great, as are their kids. It's always a pleasure to go hang out over there, get some food and lose to both of the girls in some board game made for 8-year-olds. Yes, they always kick my butt. Oh well.

Our assistant volleyball coach, Chrissy, is having some people over for dinner tonight. I'll be heading over there shortly. I will say this for the athletic department: everyone takes you in. You automatically become part of the inner circle. It's nice to have good people around who want you to come to dinner or just hang out. All my experiences here so far haven't been that bad, but this is one that far outshines the rest. Good people make a world of difference.

For the first time in over a year, I wrote some lyrics Sunday night.

 I think my own heart is my muse. As it speaks to me, I am inspired. When it doesn't, my words remain bitter and dormant. It's not that I need constant heart-wrenching still pictures of life to keep the heart a flutter. I've seen a war and many changes in the world over the past year, yet it doesn't inspire me to write. I think those types of situation are too great for my comprehension. I think the level of importance on which life and death rest are sometimes out of my grasp. My muse, my heart needs but one thing. Love.

Yes. I've said it. My heart needs love. Within it, remains the love of family and friends. From time to precious time, that inspires me. But an emotion even greater than that pulls at my soul. It has come so close, so many times to grabbing on, only to lay a cold, hard stamp of "unapproved".

But these are the series of life that keep my muse alive. Thinking, but not knowing. Feeling, yet still unsure. Dreaming, but really only wishing. Just when my muse thinks she can't muster enough for game 7, she opens up once more. This is a process, one that perpetuates itself once every so often.

I lay down with a few, but every body that rests next to mine is just another failed attempt to subside the predilections of my muse. She seeks Love, knowing that not all who come before her will give it. Or are worthy to have it. Yes, my muse has an affinity for only the finest. Only the best for me, she claims. As the bodies that lay beside her attempt to grab hold of her, she dictates. She decides. She enables the welcome hand, or disperses it valiantly. She protects me. She allows me to feel only enough to learn. See, my muse knows better. She knows that when she does welcome that one hand, when she inspires me brilliantly, she knows that I will no longer want to learn. I will want to live. Live with her and that one hand.

My muse will then take on a new role. One of faith, trust, meaning. My muse, as I, will grow up. Our affair will be continued, but on a level higher than that of the highest cloud. A level, where that one hand and I will remain inseparable. My muse will indulge this. She'll see it as an opportunity for the boy, me, to grow into the person she's always wanted me to become. To her, I AM a mere boy. I have been since birth, and I remain that way until she feels it is time. I think I know the reasons why those other hands never grasp on, but it's not the case. My muse knows why. She hasn't prepared me fully. But she knows when the clock will strike. She knows when the hand will enter the heart. She knows. She doesn't let on, simply because she likes seeing the boy, me, think.

It entertains her. Occasionally, she let's someone in and then discards her abruptly. All the while, watching my every thought and every move. This rejuvenates her life, and her life inspires me. She loves it when I'm inspired. She loves to witness a finished product. One of letters, and words all jumbled together. Me, the boy, trying to make sense of what has just happened. This gives the muse much joy.

But as time passes, so does my inspiration. My muse knows what we both need. And there she was, recently at it again. Watching me write another finished product, a product of her real work. Her inspiration.

She takes pride in it, more so than I.

My gratification will come when my muse prepares me fully. My gratification will come when the clock strikes. My gratification will come when my muse allows that one hand to pass.

Until then, my muse remains my true inspiration.

Hello internet lovers! Life is going pretty well these days. As I write, I am jammin' to some old skool r&b. Does the name Tevin Campbell ring a bell? It should. Man, this old skool shit rules. I also currently have my apartment door and all windows open. Yes, we've finally gotten a spring like day here in DeKalb. It is LONG over due, trust me. I'm just hoping it continues.

So I was wrong about the national championship. On jaylowe.com, I predicted the Jayhawks would ride out of New Orleans as champions. The 'Cuse came in and took care of business though, having an UNBELIEVABLE first half. I had actually called my parents Monday telling them I thought Syracuse was going to win. Yes, I know. I had two different picks. But I changed my mind Monday afternoon. I was still rooting for Roy and the Jayhawks, but alas my rooting did nothing for their shooting ... percentage.

And now the entire college basketball carousel begins. Coach Prosser almost left Wake last week for Pittsburgh. Who could blame him for entertaining the idea? It's home! However, I am thrilled that he remained a Deacon. Skip is a class act, and someone whom I admire. Any university would be LUCKY to have him and his staff. The Deacs remain the lucky suitors though.

The entire Roy/UNC/KU saga is running on far too long. I do believe Roy is going to become a Tar Heel this week. Should be interesting to see.

The past two weeks we have been entertaining head men's soccer coach candidates. It has been a great process, and we've brought in three quality coaches whom I believe could take us to the next level. Our assistant AD in charge of the hiring process has allowed me to spend more time with the three candidates than anyone else. I feel very fortunate for this, as she is counting on my input and ideas for the situation. It's been a lot of fun. I just hope I've been helpful to them.

So, since I last wrote I had a great date. Thursday, went to dinner with this great young lady here in DeKalb. I actually wrote a little "wrap up" of the date, but out of respect for her and ... well, me, I am not going to post it. My boy Trent gave me a hard time for not letting everyone know about it. So, if you are really dying to know what happened, email me. Honestly, it is pretty entertaining.

***EDITOR'S NOTE***: She actually called me tonight and gave me the, "I want us to hang out, but I'm just not wanting a relationship" talk. Which is fair and fine. I'll be a little sad. But I'll survive. I mean, who wouldn't want to hang out with me?

We have our spring football game this Thursday and MAC Men's Tennis championships next week. I'm pretty excited about both. I'm ready to kind of get them out of the way, but at the same time looking forward to running some events again. Both should be entertaining. We've got the senior banquet Tuesday night as well. I need to look my best for that. You know why.

So for those of you that don't know, I'll be making my way to Athens, May 15-20. I'll be in town for the 2003 NCAA Men's Tennis Championships. It is always a pleasure to be back in Athens and totally enjoyable to be back for one of the areas best events. They typically host the event, but haven't in two years. It will be great to get back, see some great friends and enjoy the atmosphere. OH, I will release some BIG NEWS this week regarding my trip to Athens. Be sure to check back HERE Wednesday evening.

I'm going to enjoy the rest of my Sunday afternoon before work comes calling again tomorrow. Oh, congratulations to my good friend Matt Brachowski for being named assistant AD at UGA. I'm thrilled for you Matt.

I HATE the feeling of nervousness you get when you call a girl for the first time. I just had it, lying on my couch, listening to Jeff Buckley. I mean, yeah the beginning of anything is always interesting. Of course, I don't know what this is, but damn I hate that feeling of calling for the first time. Oh, and she wasn't there. So I get to go through it ALL OVER again tomorrow. Oh well.

Since I last wrote, Matt Doherty has been fired from UNC, Kansas and Syracuse is in the national championship game and Georgia is STILL looking for a head coach. Honestly, I feel really bad for Doherty. Who wouldn't want to go back to their alma mater and do great things? I know that is one of my dreams. It is just unfortunate. He wasn't ready for the head-coaching job at UNC. So now he's out. Probably a little wiser, but his dream is gone all the same. The speculation has begun, of course, and I have a feeling Roy might be trading in his shade of blue for one a little lighter.

The sounds of Buckley are still pouring out of my speakers. I'll have to give Erich credit on this one. He turned me on to Buckley's music almost two years ago. I broke down and bought a couple of his cds this weekend. It's great stuff. The lyrics are deep and passionate, the guitar work is perfect. It's just impeccable and timeless music. I've turned into a big fan.

Back to work tomorrow. I've got a lot of things to sure up for the 2003 MAC men's tennis championship. As long as the weather cooperates, it should be a great event. Weather being the key issue. For instance, it is supposed to snow tonight ... SNOW!!! Dear lord. Isn't it April?

My pick ... Kansas 77, Syracuse 71. I think Syracuse could give the Jayhawks fits tomorrow night, but I see the hawks pulling it out. I'll be sporting my "Feel The Pride" Jayhawk t-shirt tomorrow night. Roy will walk out of New Orleans with another national championship ... and he'll return home to the place that got him his first.