Yesterday I was sitting in my office watching our IT guy install software on my new work computer. While chatting with him about the lack of software support for Windows 7, I found myself digging through a box of old credentials and tickets. As Courtney can attest, I keep all of that stuff. Most likely I have every credential or event ticket from the past 10 years. I hope to do something neat with those someday, and I'm sure she is ready for me to get them all in one place.

Anyway, as I am going through the box I start having flashbacks to my time in Nashville. Most of the credentials and tickets were from my time there. Everything from the football credentials, SEC Championship Game credentials, tickets to away games and even the ticket for the General Jackson which was the first real date with Courtney. It is easy to reminisce when you have so many fond memories and pieces to remind you of those memories.

Low and behold, around lunch I received a text asking me if I'd heard the rumors out of Nashville. Considering what all has happened here the past few weeks, nothing would surprise me. So I turned on ESPN Radio and find out Vanderbilt football coach Bobby Johnson is retiring. I texted a few people, called a few others. I also just found it odd today was the day where I looked at all those old credentials.

Bobby and Vanderbilt football was a huge part of my time there. I ran events and dealt with facilities, and football was my biggest task. While I started there in 2003, '04 was my first season in charge of football. Hopefully the memory of being at the stadium before anyone else on that first gameday will be with me forever.

And Bobby was someone who always made the job fun and enjoyable. Coaches are interesting creatures. You have to respect their desire to lead young people and win. At the same time they can be very demanding. Bobby was one of those coaches who you immediately respected not because he demanded it, but because he treated others with respect. He was a fine leader and a really great fit for the Vanderbilt model.

I was disappointed and a bit shocked to hear his announcement. My immediate thought was concern for his health and his family. He stated there were no health issues which caused this decision. Whatever the reason, you have to respect a man for making a very difficult decision.

No the timing is not perfect. It isn't even good. Make no mistake about it; Bobby is leaving Vanderbilt football in a better situation. He brought a true competitive spirit to Vandy that had been missing for years. His tenure should not be measured by the wins and losses. It should be measured by the success the program reached under his tenure. The first bowl appearance since 1982. The first bowl win since 1955. Victories over ranked opponents. Wins on the road at Georgia and hated rival UT. The SHOULD HAVE BEEN win at Florida (the mysterious "celebration" penalty - see below). Several NFL players. He did the right things to make Vandy as competitive as possible. It is a difficult place to win, yet Bobby made it work and made people respect Vanderbilt football.

If there is one thing I learned about working at Vanderbilt while Bobby was there, you always had a chance. Bobby now has his chance to have his life back. He made a nice living at Vanderbilt and left it better than he found it. I commend him for knowing when to walk away, even if the timing seems strange to everyone else. We all have our reasons. We all should be this brave to walk away when we know the time is right.

The winds of change have made things quite interesting in Athens, GA. Before the normal routine of babbling on about happenings in the personal world it is only fitting to make a first and last comment about what has transpired here at UGA.

The most unfortunate side of the arrest of former UGA director of athletics, Damon Evans, is not the impact it had on him personally but the impact felt by others. First and foremost his family has to deal with the confusion, frustration and anger they felt and probably still feel. He has to answer to his family before anyone else. Any time you see a situation like this the hope is that a family can find a way to get through and remain intact. He has explanations to give them.

With the hiring of a new AD we see the possibility of Evans personal actions impacting the lives of others within the Athletic Association. Much like leaders in any walk of life they tend to surround themselves with their closest associates. Does this mean there are further impending changes within the department? No one knows at this point, but the realization decisions can effect others quickly becomes a reality.

Damon is a good man. He is a great leader. He will have more than his fair share of job offers in the future. He sadly made a series of really bad choices all in one night. We all make mistakes, and hopefully gain the forgiveness of those we hurt. Right now he owes no one else that apology more than his family. He will land on his feet and hopefully his family will be with him.

Another birthday, a really fun acoustic ARGUS show, a trip to California, a couple of visits to the lake, tons of yard work ... the summer is almost gone, but it has been a thoroughly enjoyable. The best part is there have been no vacations ... yet. This weekend brings a five night trip to Saint Simons Island. We are fortunate to have family who not only likes us but provides us with some fun opportunities. Courtney's mom and step dad have a nice condo down there, so we have a great play to get away. This is our first real vacation on our own since our honeymoon.

We'll take a second real vacation in August as we'll travel north of the border. Flying into Buffalo, NY, we will rent a car and drive into Toronto. We'll do a little backtracking to hit Niagara Falls then spend the rest of the trip in the Toronto area. For those of you unaware, this will be my first trip to Toronto. Why is that important? The Blue Jays have been my favorite baseball team for as long as I can remember. Over 25 years of following this team with never a foot step in their home city or stadium. The time has come, and who better to share that experience with than my wife.

I'm sure this is not her ideal vacation, but we are told Toronto is a beautiful city with much to offer. We'll be documenting the trip and updating the Lowe Down with pictures and video. She has already been warned this could be an emotional trip for me. Over 25 years this team has been a part of my life. Granted they have fallen from grace the past 17 years, but they are still my team. Should be a great time.

The acoustic ARGUS show in NC was much fun. Without the services of outstanding drummer Donovan Babb, we had a set list full of old classics. While rocking out and playing a full band show is more ideal for me, there is something to be said for a solid acoustic show. We also had the distinct pleasure of Dr. Sarah Lee joining us on stage for a Vertical Horizon cover, "On The Sea." As always, our family and friends where there to support and cheer us on. When you have family and friends who allow you to do something you truly enjoy, it is a special feeling. Thanks everyone for allowing us to entertain yet again.

There are times where I wish I could live in a different city every 3-5 years. While the career has allowed for that so far, it has yet to take me west. San Diego may be one of the most relaxing, beautiful and fun places I've ever been. The trip to California was centered on the annual athletic administrators’ conference. The plan was to go out a few days early, see some donors and then make my way to the conference.

I also have two couples out there who were kind enough to show me a darn good time. Eric and Janice did the unthinkable and actually allowed me to crash with them for a couple of nights in SD. They were great hosts and took as much time as they could to show me around. Raphael and Amy took care of me while in Anaheim, taking me to dinner in Hermosa Beach. The landscape and weather were fantastic, but the company made the trip worth it.

So one more mention ... for the past three years Courtney has wanted to start graduate school. She had yet to find the program for her until this past spring when she applied for a spot in UGA's Instructional Design and Technology program. As of Friday she has already completed the first two classes with nine more to go.

I'm proud of her for numerous reasons, but mostly because she wanted to do something and did it. She wanted to obtain a master's degree, took the time to evaluate programs and picked one. I would be terrified to take the GRE and apply to a graduate program today. Sure there will be some stress once she is teaching again this fall, but knowing she can take this one at this stage in her life should allow her the confidence to attack the rest of her classes.