First of all, that's bullshit …

Damn.

I just run out of expressions some time. This has been a hellacious week. I return from a great weekend with some of my boys down in Biloxi, MS on a bachelor party trip, to what now has become an awkward week.

It all started late last week when my grandmother (granny) was rushed in to the hospital. She spent all weekend there, and wasn't released until Tuesday. The doctors say she is going to be ok, but I assure you that when anyone is rushed into the hospital at the age of 89, you tend to worry … a lot.

Monday I found out that my old college girlfriend, Meghan, got engaged over the weekend. Honestly, I was taken back at first. Not because I missed her but just because she was an important part of my life and now she is creating a family. If anyone doesn't know the story, I broke it off. I wasn't ready for the commitment that she craved. Meghan is a wonderful person, and I know she is happy now. I could not be more thrilled. I've always vowed to keep in touch with Exs, because they were important enough for me to date … why not be important enough for me to follow their life? All the same, Meghan becomes yet another ex of jaylowe's to get married. I won't tell you what the count is, cause you won't believe me!

So last night was a big "ugh" … someone once told me, "there are a lot of 'Oh wells' in life." The phone call from UGA telling me I didn't get the job I was seeking there has become an "oh well." I didn't let myself get excited about the position too much. I hate the feeling of being let down. So I didn't get too pumped up for this job, but could easily tell it was something that would be good. Something that would give me my next step.

It didn't work out. Sure, I was upset. But as the lovely Mrs. Jennifer Grant says, "it all happens for a reason."

Of course, I have no idea what that reason is. But it'll come. I swear I am a confident person … but geez … I should be next in line at Burger King for the 99-cent quarter-life crisis.

No fret. Jaylowe will land on his feet. Thank you EVERYONE for being supportive and a good friend. I'm sorry if I have seemed somewhat removed lately. I've really been trying to focus on my career. Maybe balance of the two is the key.

First of all, that's bullshit …

Happy father's day, Dad. On a day where I'm sure you'd rather watch the College World Series, you are going to hang with your family and let us celebrate a day for you. Thanks for everything you do for me. I don't forget.

There's always "that guy" in every situation.

So Erich calls me up Wednesday to go give Ultimate Frisbee a try. Well, neither Jennifer nor I had played before, but E assured us it would be a good time with his Physician Assistant school buddies. So Jennifer, being the wonderful wife she is, and I, being the good best friend I am, decided to give it a whirl.

So we venture over to the lovely fields at Salem College for a little outdoor exercise. When, out of know where, comes the 2002 US National Ultimate Frisbee team. These guys are decked out in their gear, they are running laps around the field to warm up, sporting headbands and talking in some Frisbee lingo. All the while, Jennifer and I are still trying to figure out the proper way to throw the damn thing.

So luckily, there were a ton of people and we weren't needed at the beginning of the game. The three of us sit on the sidelines and watch, as people are running all over the place shouting directions and some secret Frisbee code to their friends. Then, "that guy" shows up:


"Yeah, did you guys bring a dark shirt? No? Well, for your information, it's best to bring a light shirt and a dark shirt so you can play on either team."

So sounds like some useful information, right? This guy wasn't really offering the info to be helpful. It was more of that, "what in the hell is wrong with you? Why didn't you bring two shirts" tone. And of course immediately after this guy gets up to take some warm up laps, we all look at each other dumbfounded. But we let it slide.

E decides to be brave and play a little. I turned right to Jennifer and said, "I don't care what he does, I'm sitting here next to you as long as we are here." After about 10 minutes or so, e subs out and tries to convince me to play, assuring me that this game is easier than soccer … to which "that guy" takes just a little offense. I mean, you would have thought E just insulted his mother. Now, "that guy" wasn't really making the game enjoyable for anyone. He was taunting as if her were Dikembe Mutumbo waving off a blocked shot. After each score, he'd spike the Frisbee as if he were a wide receiver in the NFL … I was just waiting for him to break out the Icky Shuffle.

Needless to say, we didn't stay much longer. Instead we opted for a run over in Reynolda Gardens. Thank God too … I got no exercise sitting on the bleachers watching the Ultimate Frisbee tools.

First of all, that's bullshit …

Life changes.

I mean, the same old shit still stays important … job, paying bills, love, family, friends … but sometimes, there are things that just change your life.

May 30th is usually a special day reserved for the celebration of my sister's birth. In 1982, the same year Jordan hit the jumper against the Hoyas and Dean finally won his first NCAA championship, my lovely sister came into the world. I was five, so naturally I don't remember too much about it. I do remember telling my parents that if I got a brother, I was gonna throw it in the trash. I was determined to have a little sis, and God blessed me with her. Marian is one of the most important people in my life, and I try and tell her that all the time.

So May 30th, 2002 was reserved for Marian yet again. But someone crashed the party … his name? Jacob Christian Adams … the beautiful son of Christine and Steve Adams, two of my best friends here in Winston. Jacob was born at 9:35 pm, and luckily enough I was able to share that magical day with Steve and Chris.

They have to be the most prepared parents I've ever seen. They know what to do and have all the answers young parents should have. Everyone is now healthy and at home, and I love it. These are the first close friends of mine that have had children. It is an enlightening experience. I spent this past Wednesday night hanging out with the "fam." Whether they all know it or not, I have proclaimed myself an uncle for Jacob. I can see it now … not too long before I buy him some hair gel, leather pants and his first guitar.

So life has changed for Steve and Chris. All for the better. But they knew it was coming. Life changes for some people, and they don't even realize it. Over the next few weeks, life will change dramatically for a lot of people I know. My boss, Davis, is leaving Wake Forest for a job at the ACC office. This will create an opening that, if you ask me, Steve is well-deserved of.

So where does that leave me? Not really sure at this point. I found out today I have an interview at UGA, which I honestly am extremely excited about. The potential for my career growth there is huge. But I am really hoping for options. The opportunity to possibly work for Steve, if he is rightfully promoted, is also exciting.

I suppose what I'm saying, is that sometimes change occurs when are expecting and when you least expect it. It's being prepared for the change that is the true test of someone's character. Steve and Chris have prepared well for their newest addition to the family. It's my turn to prepare myself for my next step, for my next life change.

Stay tuned.