Yesterday, I returned home from the wedding of Michael and Allison Ward. Much fun was had down in the home state of North Carolina. The wedding was in Raleigh, and I'll pretty much take any opportunity I can to get back to NC. Met some great people down there. Ward's family really took care of the 4 "out of towners," as Flippen and Steve and Kim Ekhoff joined us in the celebration. I also was fortunate enough to see my sister on Friday. Flip was jonesin' to get back to Chapel Hill, so we met Sissy for some lunch.

The wedding itself was a blast. I enjoyed meeting all of the wonderful people. I won't go into details about the bachelor party Thursday night, but rest assured no one was out of control. I did retain one of my wedding "streaks," as the other finally ended. Allison did save me a dance, so my "dances with the bride" streak remains. Actually, she was gracious enough to share of couple of dances with me. Aren't I the lucky one? The other streak was my "meet or hook up with some at the wedding" streak. Sadly enough, there weren't many options. Unless the count the big smooch I put on Kim's cheek. She and her insane husband are great. They know how to have a great time.

Came home to some rather disturbing news. I'm not sure if any of you have heard about the tragedy that took place early Sunday morning in Chicago, but NIU has lost one of it's football players. Shea Fitzgerald, a redshirt freshman for the Huskies, lost his life in the balcony collapse. Rumor has it, we have two other football players that are listed in critical condition. It's just a very sad and moving story. I knew Shea, not well enough to have a conversation with him, but I knew the kid. And that's just it. He was a kid. This shouldn't happen to kids. It just really makes you put things into perspective. I don't think I'll be complaining about anything for quite some time.

On a less somber note, Flip has an interview with Georgia Tech tomorrow. It is a great opportunity for him, one which I hope falls into his lap.

Back to work today. I've got a ton of facility and camp issues to handle before Friday rolls around. For the Fourth of July, I'll be headed into the city to hang with Kahlgirl and Big Red. Can't wait to see those clowns. We are going to attempt to find tickets to Saturday's Cards, Cubs game. Doubt we will be fortunate enough for that to happen, but we can hope.

I'm pretty bummed today. I'll catch up with you kids later this week.

Two years ago, on this very day, my dear friends Erich and Jennifer joined hands in marriage. It was a beautiful mid-summer eve, as I stood there beside Erich. His palms were a little clammy, his face tense. One by one, the wonderful bridesmaids waltzed down the isle. As I noticed Erich's slight nervousness, he leaned over to me and asked me to say something funny.

I said asparagus. He started to chuckle.

It wasn't enough though. E needed something else to loosen him up. The quickest thing that came to my mind was the tear Barry Bonds was on at the time. I lean over and tell E that Barry Bonds had 39 home runs, and it wasn't even the All-Star break yet. To this, he was shocked, and we started a mini conversation about the man, Barry Bonds. All of this led up to the time when the lovely Jennifer walked down the isle. From there on, it was all E.

I only babble about this because I love both E and Jennifer like they are family. They have been there for me through tears, joy, pain, and laughter … LOTS of laughter and just some damn good times. Happy anniversary, kids. I miss you.

Had a busy day with work today. Had to sure up some camp and facility issues. I also turned in an article to our Alumni newsletter. I really miss writing, in a journalistic sense. I was never that good at it, but it was something I did enjoy doing. So I had the pleasure of interviewing Vicki Phillips, who was a former NIU gymnast. Something about those gymnasts, I tell ya. Anyway, she's now a Hollywood stunt double, living in Orlando. It was a great interview, and I think the article turned out quite nicely. We shall see. If I'm invited back to do some articles in the future, I suppose that will be a good sign.

So my good buddy Brian Newport is in town. I typically refer to him as jackass, slappy, bunghole or assmonkey, but for now I'll just refer to him as Newpy. I'm taking Tuesday off, and we are going into the city to pick up his brother from the airport. Then it is "Terror in Chicago," as the Newport brothers and I will have free reign of the city, and then wind the day down inside the greatest ballpark in America.

Wednesday night, I'll take these bums out in DeKalb. Should be a good time. Not very often that I get to show off this wonderful town. Ok I lied, this decent town. It's just nice to have some familiar faces in town. So anyone else that is interested, come on up!

The rest of this week is a slack one for me at work. Thursday, Flip and I leave for Raleigh and our buddy Michael Ward's wedding. To those of you in and around the Raleigh area, I apologize ahead of time for not getting up with you, but we are on a pretty tight schedule while we are there. Should be a great time though. It's always nice to get back to the mutha' land, North Carolina.

So if I don't update for a few days, don't cry … Kristen. I know some of you live and breath each word that is typed on this page, but please find a way to survive.

Before I ramble on in a drunken state, like I normally would ... I've got two very important women to mention.

Jessica K is one of my Wake girls. She currently is a ticket office intern at FSU. Jessica is one of my many good friends from the time I spent at Wake. Oddly enough, we got to know each other after I left. She came in well after I did, and was there last year while I was kickin' ass up here at Northern. But there is something I've come to learn ... she's a really great person. I don't judge very often ... some people do ... I give the benefit o the doubt a great deal. Some people do not. Regardless, Jessica is a dear friend of mine and I hope she knows that. Who knows ... maybe I'll get the urge to fly to Florida and visit. Poor kid.

So I made an error in the last Lowe Down. kristEn Brown is the KB I spoke of. And yes, I misspelled her name. I ... E .. really, does it matter? For this fine young lady, YES it does. kristEn has put up with my crap the past few months, working in the office when we needed her. I've told her from day one, I would be there for her recommendation anytime. She deserves it. Not only does she work hard for me, but she's a really incredible person at that. I suckered her in to hanging out tonight with me and my drunk friends. I swear we are not always like that ... drunk, silly ,and really loud ... but hey, sometimes you just have to be vocal. I had a great time. Hope kristEn did as well.

My Blue Jays are on a tear, winning the first game of the Pearson Cup. All I have to say is screw the Expos. As much as I don't enjoy interleague play, it's nice to have the Jays and Expos battling it out.

You know what? Bid Red just gave me a pep talk ... I'm mutha' fuckin' jaylowe. I am that damn good. People know this. Yes, even people in DeKalb are starting to notice this. I'm just fortunate enough to be surrounded by people I enjoy. Not everyone can say that.

Ok, a short one tonight ... but it is bedtime for me. Goodnight my lady.

Ok, don't be alarmed. Everything has been fixed. Not sure why The Lowe Down was unavailable for most of today, but things are back to normal. Silly computers.

Speaking of The Lowe Down, today my friend Kristin told me I should change the name to, The Down Lowe. As much as I respect KB, I had to give her a quick lesson on marketing. When you create a brand, i.e. The Lowe Down, you can't just go changing it around. There have to be polls taken, opinions heard. I mean, some of you rabid fans might decided to turn your back on me completely if I change the name of this (sometimes) mindless bog. Ok, so it isn't that serious, but I don't see the name changing either.

Found out some great news Monday. My favorite band, Vertical Horizon, has set a release date for their latest album, "Go." Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled to hear the news. I've heard 5 of the songs off of the new album, and I can't wait to hear the rest. Although, I do wish I didn't have to wait until September 23rd.

Speaking of bands, I'm in some negotiations with the rest of the ARGUS members for a possible show here in DeKalb. Well, two shows actually, both of which would take place on the same day. We'd play the Alumni tent before NIU's home football game vs. Tennessee Tech, September 6. We'd then play a show at one of the local bars later that night. It would be a hell of a lot of fun, and I'm hoping the guys decided to do it. Who wouldn't want a free weekend trip?

So I found my new bedroom furniture. I've decided to go with the Caribbean Breeze package. I took a look at it Monday night and was pretty pleased. I head up to Rockford Saturday to purchase it, but I'll hold off on delivery until I move into my new apartment in August. It'll be nice to have drawers that actually slide in and out without completely falling out of the dresser.

So a buddy of mine, in an effort to retain his anonymity on the internet, has moved to a new page. He's a really good friend of mine, and one of the best damn writers I've ever known. Pay him a visit. Tell him who sent ya'.

It's been a hectic week. With my boss taking the most of the week off, I've been bombarded with work. Facility issues, camp issues, football travel issues, interviewing new ticket manager candidates ... I found time to work out last night, thank the Lord. That is one thing I'm trying to stick with. Tonight was a different story. Got home around 7 and proceeded to crash for 2 and a half hours. Of course now I'll stay up until all ends of the night, and I have to take one of the candidates to breakfast at 7 AM, but I'm a trooper. The nap was kick ass though. I woke up to the sound of rain, and I was hoping it would be somewhere around 4 in the morning. No luck. Oh well, at least it gives me time to update this silly babble.

Well, Monday I saw the girl I rambled on about a few weeks ago, although she didn't see me. I was headed to the airport to pick up Flip, and as I drive down Annie Glidden, there she is walking with some guy. Hand in hand. I can honestly say it hurt. We've spoken via email and phone a couple of times since we decided not to see each other. And we aren't dating each other, so I can't be upset with her. The entire "drive by-is that her-I think it is-is she holding that guy's hand-I think she is" thing was just kinda surreal. It's funny, I'm sitting here trying to decide if I post this portion of The Lowe Down or not. I don't want to come across as whiney or bitchy, but as my friend Alex says, this is my space. I can say and do as I please here. I said it hurt, and it did. I'm sure most of you would feel the same way. I'm not going to justify this any further, but I will say this: I hope the other hand treats her with all the respect and dignity she deserves.

That 7 AM breakfast will be here before I know it. Off to slumberland.

Happy Father's Day to all the proud pappas out there, but especially to my Dad. He's been overly supportive of me over the past year. That support has helped me find a good job and move on with my career. Thanks Dad. I love you.

Had three more camp check-ins today. We had our first problems of the camp season. Now, I don't point fingers, so I will say that our office screwed up a few things, as did the housing office. The most important thing is, we worked through it and we all learned from it. Softball check-in tomorrow morning, so hopefully we'll get back on the smooth track.

Hung out with my friend Courtney last night. Her boy was working late, so we decided to grab some dinner and drinks. Court's a lot of fun to pal around with, and I'll miss seeing her in the softball office. Yes, Courtney has left collegiate athletics for the "real world." What a sucker! I'm happy for her though. We had some great talks last night, and she seems like she is really enjoying her new job. Makes me think though ... if I wasn't working in athletics, what would I be doing? I really have no idea. Thank the Lord for collegiate sports.

Earlier today my Blue Jays took the final game in their series with the Cubs. That's right folks, the Jays are 2-1 versus the Cubs. I now have bragging rights not only over Newport, but all these Cubbie lovers up here in Illinois. Granted, the Cubs have become my favorite National League team, but it's sweet to have the Jays win that series. It just means I can wear my Jays cap with a little more pride around here.

So there is a slight possibility that this fall, ARGUS could be play it's first show up north. Yes my good friends in DeKalb could get a glimmer of what the "rock star" version of Jay Lowe is actually like ... well, ok it's not that exciting. But have the possible opportunity to play music up here in front of all my new friends is VERY appealing to me. I'll keep you all posted.

I'm on the hunt for new bedroom furniture. I've decided I need to grow up a bit and have some more adult furniture. So if anyone has any suggestions on bedroom suites, let me know. I've been hunting non-stop all week. Thank God for the internet. We have two furniture stores here in DeKalb, and they leave a lot to be desired.

It's only 9:20 pm, and I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks. As lame as this sounds, I'm heading to bed. Early start tomorrow.

I think the purest moments in my life occur when I'm at the bar surrounded by a group of friends. You'd think it would be those times hanging with the friends that I would remember most. Of course I appreciate all the time spent with close friends. But the purest moment for me lies in the times where I am surrounded by friends, yet am by myself.

You sit at the bar for a few hours, talking with friends. Trying to catch up on things or bitch about the latest work hassle. But then that time comes where everyone is talking to everyone else, and you are sitting there, cold beer in hand, contemplating life.

Everything flows through my mind at those moments. Where will I be in 5 years? Hell, where will I be in 2 years? Am I am suitable man? Do I present all the qualities necessary to make for a fine family man?

Perhaps no one else thinks about these things. I do. When I sit at the bar and find my way out of conversations, I really begin to think. It hits me like a brick … are you doing something you enjoy? Are the people you are surrounding yourself worth the time? Are you really bettering yourself? While the answers for all of those questions tend to be yes, I still find time to ask myself more questions.

And maybe it's because I just think too much. A lot of people think too much. But I feel like it's a curse. I do feel that sometimes my mind impedes the process of real life. I think about my job too much. I think about women too much. Is it a curse? Do all persons my age think about this shit? Or is it just me? Am I the only DUMBASS who allows this crap to take over their brain?

Sometimes … no, most of the times I babble. I do. I can't just spit out things that make sense. Oh hell, I can write up a storm, but talking about things is a different process. It's not like I need help in any way … I just wish I had some guidance. But I suppose that is what makes life enjoyable.

All I know is that I'll be home for a week in late July, and I cannot wait. I really plan on taking a couple of days and heading myself to the beach. I love my family dearly and would do anything for them, but I think I just need a few days to collect myself. Sitting on the beach, drinking some Coronas … not worrying about a damn thing. Sounds like a good time, right?

Well, if you've read this whole thing, you've obviously been suckered into another jaylowe drunkin' ramble. You poor dumb bastard. Hey, sometimes we just all have to run our mouths. Fortunately for me, I've got this web page. I can say whatever I want, when I want. And you poor saps read it. God bless you all.

Time to pass out.

Well, yesterday was my first official camp check-in. Over an hour and a half, we checked in over 350 snot-nosed football players. Surprisingly enough, it went well. I wasn't sure what to expect with this camp stuff, but things were smooth.

Today we had the women's basketball camp check-in. This one was my baby, as my boss and I are splitting up the camp responsibilities. Aside from a few unsigned parental forms, it went well. Honestly, my boss is really helping me with all of this. She's pointing me in the right directions, as she has overseen camp for 5 years. It's nice to have that experience behind you, especially when I can be a slow learner from time to time.

Actually hit the town last night with my bud Smoose. Of course, we had to have a beer early in the night and watch "Old School". As dumb as that movie can be, it's frickin' hilarious. Will Ferrell has got to be one of the funniest people alive today. His delivery is impeccable.

Had some beers with Smoose, Raphael and Raph's lady. Had a good time with those clowns. Smoose is leaving in early July to become a Criminole. He'll be the graduate assistant in the sports info office, while studying for his MBA. The poor bastard thinks he's gonna hire me one day when he is an athletics director. Little does he know, my school will be kickin' his school's ass!

I'm just starting to get to know Raph and his lady. They both seem like cool people, despite the fact he is always giving me hell in the office. Freakin' wrestling coaches … what a bunch of punks.

Also ran into a good friend who I hadn't seen in some time. There's something to be said for peoples' eyes. You can get lost in them. They can tell you a lot. They can pierce right through you. But the eyes of this good friend always remain genuine and wonderful. It was a pleasant surprise seeing her again.

Aside from camps, I have a lot coming up in the next few weeks. Newp and his brother Michael and making there way up to Chi-town and DeKalb the week of the 23rd. Plans are to hit the Cubs game that Tuesday. Then those poor bastards will have to come back to DeKalb and hang with me for a couple of days. Who knows, maybe we'll put on an impromptu min-argus show.

Michael and Alison are getting married on June 28 in Raleigh. Of the 8 weddings I've been invited to since April, this is the only one I can actually attend. Should be good times, but I hear the "pickins is slim" at the wedding as far as single women go. Oh well. I suppose my streak of meeting women at weddings will come to an end. Had a pretty good running tally there for awhile.

I've also got my July 4th plans almost set. Big Red and Kahlgirl will be making there way up to Chicago for the extended weekend. The plans are to hang out in Chi-town Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th, and then head back to DeKalb Saturday. I'll have a camp check-in that Sunday. So I'll probably be the party pooper and have to come into the office that day, but I have to show Kahl and Red the bright lights of DeKalb. All three of them. I miss those clowns, so it'll be great to see them. Plus, I'll make some new friends in the city, which can't hurt.

I may have passed this on in a previous post, but I just cannot seem to take Alice Peacock's album out of my car CD player. Her web page is amazing, but her music is pretty damn good as well. I really enjoy #8 on the CD, "Some things get lost." There are some songs that just move you, and for sure this is one of them. The first time I listened to it, I stopped everything I was doing. I immediately had to play it again. The words are tragic and beautiful. I actually sent her an email a few weeks ago letting her know how moved I was by the song, and she responded saying she cries every time she plays the song live. One listen, and you can understand why.

That's all for today kids.

Hello kids! I know it seems like I've fallen off the face of the earth. Well, last week was a short one for work, so I really had to clamp down and get some things done. Summer camps start in a week and a half, so we had a couple of late nights in the office. But it was well worth it, considering my Friday.

Ah yes, Friday I had my first Wrigley Field experience. What an amazing place. It was a great 24-hour trip to Chicago.

It actually started Thursday night, when Flippen, Ward, Ekhoff and I spent Thursday night in Aurora. You may have remembered my accounts of the Super Bowl party in Ek's basement . Well, this time it was a much smaller group of friends, but dear LORD we were gettin' silly. Somehow we were able to wake up around 8 Friday morning, in time to catch the 9:20 train into Chi-town. The clouds were looming, but we were not gonna let that stop us.

Once we got into Wrigley Ville, I had to buy a hat. Yes, it is now official. The Cubs are my NL team. Of course, they will never match up to my Blue Jays, but I feel like it's ok to cheer for them since I live up here.

Anyway, the next step was onto grab a few beers and some hotdogs. GOTTA have the hotdogs on game day. Great stuff. The bar we hit, was nestled right behind centerfield. It's amazing to me that Wrigley sits on one square block downtown, and there is SO much going on around it. A great atmosphere. I can't imagine what it is like when they make the playoffs. There is one thing for sure: these people LOVE their Cubs.

Once we got into the stadium, we grabbed the front row of left center field. We were loud. We were obnoxious. We were VERY drunk. But it was great to give some hell to the Astros during batting practice and once the game started. I've never been to a park where the players interact with the fans as much as they do at Wrigley. Well, except Craig Biggio. I don't think he liked us one bit. But who cares? Get a clue Astros! People will enjoy you a LOT more once you go back to the throw back uniforms with the mutli-colored orange around the middle of the chest. Until then, no one cares.

A cool day indeed. So I wore a UGA t-shirt and ran in to about 10 people who were UGA grads. There's always that instant bond with fellow Bulldogs, no matter the age. Also ran into my buddy Scott Evans, from Wake Forest. So there you have it, you never know WHO'LL you'll run into in the "Friendly Confines."

Speaking of baseball and my Blue Jays, the guys had a great month of May. Last weekend, they completed their first ever 4-game sweep of the Yanks, and just completed a 3-game sweep of the Red Sox today. The depth at pitching might come to haunt us later in the season, as the Jays are moving to a 4-man rotation, but it's a fun ride right now. Maybe a trade will bulk up that pitching staff.

We begin the 4-day workweeks here at NIU tomorrow. Yes, "everyone" is supposed to abide by the university president's decision to work longer hours Monday-Thursday and not work on Friday. Um, I don't see myself getting off on too many Fridays, but you never know. It would be nice to work on this golf game.

Since it is summer, and I'm finding a little more free time, I've decided to start working out in the weight room again. I need to. As I see it, I'm pretty damn irresistible as it is, but getting this body toned certainly can't hurt. I've hired our assistant track coach, Gretchen, to be my personal trainer. Ok, so I'm not paying her a dime, but since her boyfriend lives in Indiana, she was looking for a work out partner. And I was looking for some damn motivation. We've only had three sessions in the rec center, and she has kicked my ass. Yeah, there are some slight pains and stiff muscles here and there, but I KNOW it's gonna pay off. As long as I can get a good routine down before the Fall, I'll be much more prone to keep it up. Discipline. It's what I need.

Well kids, thanks for reading. Even though I really have no idea who reads this thing regularly, I do appreciate it.