First of all, that's bullshit …

The Counting Crows show the other night was pretty damn good. I missed the first few songs due to watching our volleyball team lose a match they should have won. Regardless, the Crows rock. Good crowd, good music ... I really give those guys credit. They are big enough that people know who they are, but they aren't so big that music (asshole) critics call them "sell outs." They are the type of band that will be making music as long as they want, because the music they make is the type that people connect with. Good show.

Gearing up for another weekend here in DeKalb. We've got football at home vs. Kent State. This is a big game for our kids. After a really up and down non-conference schedule and ending it 1-3, the guys have a chance now to run off a good season. It'll be tough. There are a lot of injuries for us on both sides of the ball, but if they play as hard and as good as they did against Wisconsin, this team could win the MAC. Sadly enough, that is our only hope of making a bowl game.

So for those of you not living in DeKalb, i'll give you a run down of the social life here. There is a cool bar here where our athletic department social group hangs out. Fatty's is along the same lines at Burke Street in Winston. Fatty's is our standard place. There's also Star Busters, which is a good sports bar for games, playing pool, listening to the occasional cover band or even taking in some jell-o wrestling, which I highly recommend. If for nothing else, for the high comedy value of it all. And hey, it was the girls suggestion that we go, an even BETTER reason to go. We've also got Molly's, which is a good place to catch NFL Sunday football, but is supposedly a big student hang out. Right next door is Amnesia, a dance club. As far as I know, that's the only dance club here in town. I'll have to check that out at some point, as you all know I love an excuse to shake my ass with the ladies. There are a few "townie" bars I've yet to hit, more in the downtown strip. I'm not afraid to hit those, just been probably too busy.

All in all, I'm finding fun here and there. After driving around in Chicago Sunday, I realized I need to get over there more. I won't have many free weekends until the winter though. My one free weekend this fall is the first weekend of November ... which i will spend in Atlanta and then onwards to Jacksonville for the Georgia/Florida game. I've attended this game twice in my life. Once in Athens, and once in Jacksonville. The game has been played in Jacksonville every year except two in the last 30+ years (the two years due to upgrades being made for the Jaguars). It is slated as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party," and it is just that. It is such an experience, and I'll be sure to write about it after i make the trip. So if anyone else is going that reads this, just shoot me an email and we'll party on the Landing.

Ok kids, hope everyone has a great weekend. Good Luck to the Deacs against UVA this weekend ... and I'd also like to send a "shout out" to the WFU men's and women's soccer programs ... they are both in the top 10 and playing excellent soccer. Good job Vido and Daluz! Keep it up.

First of all, that's bullshit …

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! Jay Lowe is back on the mutha' flippin' internet! That's right kids, your FAVORITE web blog is back in business ... "baaaaaaaaaack in the saddle again..." So yes, it's good to be back, and I have a LOT to update you on, so here it ... comes.

I've been living in DeKalb, IL for a little over a month now. The entire process of accepting the job and getting up here happened so fast, i've had very little time to sit back and reflect. I'm enjoying the job. It is a little different than what i had expected, but I think that is ok. It is giving me different responsibilities, ones that I feel will propel me to my next step in college athletics. As everyone had to remind me in the months of June and July, things happen for a reason. They do, and I am here now.

Socially it isn't bad at all. DeKalb is a small town, more so than Winston even. Hell, I'm going to see Counting Crows tonight in my office building. I don't know about you, but I think that is pretty fuckin' cool. You guys know me though, i'm pretty agreeable. I feel like I'm the type of person who can get along just about anywhere.

Yes, I do miss everyone. Leaving Winston was very much like leaving Athens back in '00. I've reflected on the last two years over the past month, and I feel I've left Winston a better person. I made more great friends and feel I made my mark (maybe not always the best one) on the Wake Forest Athletic Department. But for me, it is about progress. YES I miss my family. YES i miss my friends. But i've really been focused on my job and trying to keep my head above water. This will lead me to great things, just as my friends lead me to becoming a better person.

All in all, things are good for jaylowe right now. It sucks that i haven't had access to my web page until today. I've had some great stories to write about ... all the funny things I saw on my trip up to DeKalb the first time, jello wrestling, my first jaunt into Chicago, traveling with the football team to Tampa (the trip from hell) and Madison, Wisconsin (a GREAT city). I'll spare you of all that and just PROMISE to keep updating more and more over the next few weeks.

So HELLO from the great white north. I miss you all and hope life is treating you kindly.