So much to update ...

Last weekend's trip to Alabama was great. I wish i had been able to spend more time with Marc and the ephus, but it was great to see them. Had dinner with the ephus and his lady friend. For about the 7th consecutive year, we've planned a trip to SkyDome. This trip keeps getting planned but just never pans out. I'm hoping next year we can get up there for a Jays/Royals game. I hardly got to see Marc, due to the time constraints of the job, but it was great catching up with him. They are both very important friends of mine, and it was splendid being around them again.

And the game ... I haven't even talked about the game yet. How great is it that NIU has taken out a top 25 team from both the ACC and the SEC in the same year? Without trying to sound too corny, this really is a special team. The kids are great, the coaching staff is superb. I'm honestly honored to be apart of something that is this special. The Huskies still have a lot of hurdles to climb, but at least the first few have been very enjoyable. Iowa State this weekend at home, so no time for a let down.

The new Vertical Horizon album came out Tuesday. Of course I'm a huge fan of the band. It's nice to finally have their new CD, as it was supposed to be released almost a year ago. It's worth the wait, for someone like me. My friend Kristen listened to it with me the other day, and she pointed out that the songs sounded the same. I can see where she's coming from with that, and some of them do sound similar. However, the writing is, once again, great. The lyrics and catchy, especially a few of the choruses. I've been listening to it non-stop all week, trying to pick it apart piece by piece. I think my favorite songs are:

"Forever"
"Sunshine"
"Underwater"
"It's Over"


Those are initial favorites.

So the big news this week is I now have an interview set up with Vanderbilt. I'm very excited about the opportunity. I've been very fortunate here at Northern to be presented with lots of opportunities, and I think I've put myself in a position where I can move on. I am in no rush to leave this place, but the Vandy job is a great opportunity that I just cannot afford to pass up. So the interview is Monday. I fly into Nashville Sunday night. I've got lots to prepare. I'm actually stealing a page out of Ward's notebook and creating some small folders of information on myself that I can hand to the staff members with whom I interview. I'll be sure to keep you all posted on this saga.

So that's about it. New VH CD. New interview. Another Huskie victory, and another big time opponent on the horizon. Makes for a full week, huh? Tell me about it.

I leave for Alabama this morning. It'll be nice to head back down south. Especially since I'll get to visit with two of my very good friends, Marc and the ephus. I've got everything packed ... portable dvd player, huskie gear and even a victory cigar. I enjoyed a nice one following the Maryland win, so I'm hoping I'll be able to do the same for our win over Bama. That's right, a WIN over Bama.

I've yet to hear anything from Vandy. I'm hoping they've just been caught up with the department transition. I'm not loosing sleep over this, which is a good thing, but I would like to be considered. I suppose I'm just at the point where I haven't heard anything, so I'm second guessing myself. It is such a dumb thing to do. I actually got a call from a buddy of mine on Tuesday, who told me he heard I was one of their top candidates. Granted, this particular buddy of mine works at a different school, but I'm hoping he wasn't misinformed. We'll see, and I'll, of course, keep you all posted.

The new Vertical Horizon album comes out this coming Tuesday, September 23. I cannot WAIT! For those readers who happen to live under rocks, these guys are probably my favorite band on the planet. No, they are. I've actually been listening to their new album in my office all week. How am I doing that, you might ask? Simple. VH1.com has been kind enough to preview the entire album, free of charge. So it's been playing non-stop both at work and at home. Hey, I gotta try and learn as many of the songs as soon as I can. Why? Because I'm a big dork. Eh, it happens. But check out the free preview. It's worth it. You can't beat free.

So Erich was kind enough to capture, on film, my moment in the sun two weeks ago at Fatty's. Yes, my triumphant debut on guitar has been forever immortalized on digital camera. Without further adieu, here it is ... Needless to say, I feel pretty cool. That was easily one of the biggest thrills I've ever had. I could've been playing in front of one person and it would've been worth it. So thanks to G, E, Michael and Ek for encouraging me. ARGUS is an important part of my life, and I thank all of you who've allowed us to play for you over the years. The only question I have is ... When's the next tour?

I've gotta give a shout out to the Ward family. Michael is the poor, dumb bastard whose wedding I attended back in June. Actually, Allison, his lovely wife, is the poor dumb bastard. But I digress ... his brother, Matt, really took care of us when we came down to Raleigh for the wedding. The entire Ward family was good to us. They are great folk, and I want to give Matt and the rest of the family a big jaylowe.com HELLO.

Ok kids. Enjoy the weekend, and pull for the Huskies. We'll need some help.

So my boy Marc gave me a really nice shout out on his web page Saturday. And except for that stupid play at the end of the Wake/Purdue game, he's got a point. I'm a GREAT fit for ANY athletic department. Success is found where ever I land. Come on people, you HAVE to realize this.

With that said, I had my phone interview with Vanderbilt Friday morning. I felt like it went very well. I asked a lot of good questions, to which they seemed impressed. We did spend a lot of time talking about the overhaul Vandy's athletic department is going under. Basically, things will run as usual, but the high athletics administrators will now report to a university vice president instead of an AD. Obviously there is some apprehension with that, as I'm striving to be an AD. Now I'm interested in working for a school that won't even have one. Regardless, Vanderbilt is a solid place. Nashville is a great city, and the department really sounds like they have everything together. I think it would be a great step for me. However, if that doesn't happen, I'm fine here. I've made a lot of great friends here, and I don't want to just cast that aside. As corny as it sounds, people make the place. So I should hear either Monday or Tuesday if I'm getting a personal interview. Of course I'll keep you all posted.

So speaking of my buddy Marc, I will be privileged enough to be hanging out with him and our good friend, the ephus, this coming week in Tuscaloosa, AL. I head down Thursday, as the Huskies take to the gridiron Saturday vs. the Tide. After watching Bama's lackluster performance vs. Kentucky this past Saturday, I honestly believe we have a good chance to beat them. Of course they are in the SEC. Of course they have all of that history. But who gives a damn?!?! Not the Huskies. I'm looking forward to the game, but even more so looking forwarding to hanging out with the ephus and Marc. They are some cool ass mo' fos. They've always been good friends ... and because of that, I will shower them with Huskie gear, and maybe even some Turner the Burner hot sauce.

I've been catching up with a lot of good friends this weekend. Spoke with Amy D. the other night. She seems to be enjoying Florida. And I'm very jealous that she's already booked her room for Georgia/Florida. I should be there. Oh well. My girl Jessica at FSU keeps calling the upsets. She called the NIU upset win over Maryland at the beginning of the season, and she called Arkansas over Texas this past weekend. She knows here football. Also chatted briefly with my buddy Smoose, also at FSU. He seems to be enjoying things down there. Who wouldn't? With all of those beautiful women down there, he BEST be enjoying things. Doug called me before the UGA/USC game Saturday. Of course they were all enjoying the joys of tailgating. I was considering going down there this past weekend, and as much as I would've loved to have seen all my UGA peeps, it was nice to just relax and chill on the couch.

And ESPN GamePlan is the best thing since wonderbread. Flip talked me into ordering it, and it is so worth it. Even though I won't be able to enjoy it that much over the fall, I'll enjoy it when I can. My head was about to explode, as I was flipping between Vandy/Auburn, NC State/Ohio State, Wake/Purdue, UGA/USC, Iowa/Iowa State ... so many great games. I LOVE da' GamePlan.

Hopefully I'll be able to update one last time before I head down south. If not, enjoy your week. I know I will.

It was a great weekend, filled with laughs, music, football and drinking. Lots of drinking, if you are Michael Ward. The same Michael Ward who was supposed to be the ARGUS manager for the weekend. By the time we made it to the bar for load-in, that bum was 3-sheets. But I digress ... It indeed was a great weekend. It was a thrill having Greg, Erich and Michael Newport up here, not to mention having Steve Ekhoff on drums. For someone who has never played with a band before, Ek did a hell of a job. Both the early morning show and the evening show were a blast. And yes, the rumors are true. After two years of owning the guitar, I finally made my "live performance" debut. I started off the Jackopierce song, "Free," and didn't stop jammin' with the guys until we were about 6 minutes into the song. I really didn't think I should've played the guitar Saturday, but the fellas talked me into it. Easily one of the coolest things I've ever done. We never know when ARGUS has played its last gig ... cause we won't let it die ... but if Saturday was it, then I feel honored to have played on the last song. Again, you can never really tell when ARGUS ends. I hope it never does.

Oh, and for those interested, we still have shirts available. If you'd like to own one, just drop me an email.

There is one thing I regret about this last ARGUS show. In my haste to get the show lined up, I neglected to ask Newpy if he would be interested in playing. It's one of those things where I thought Newp had no interest in playing, so I didn't even bother him with it. Looking back on the situation, I realize I should've asked. Newp, if you read, I am sorry. Never did I mean to disrespect you. I've been under the impression the last couple of years that you were done with live performances. Regardless, I should've offered you the courtesy and I didn't. I'm sorry.

Speaking of Newp, for the second year in a row he's talked me into a fantasy football league. Last season, the Vegas Hookers finished in dead last. As an owner, I was considering folding the team, but when the moans of the women in the league started drowning out my rational thoughts, I decided to give it another season. Basically I never keep up with it. I should try more often, but I just don't have the desire. Big Red tried to talk me into joining another league as well. Um, no thanks. One is more than enough for me. All of the fellas in the league are good guys. We give each other a lot of shit, and I enjoy that aspect of it. I just don't get as serious as some of them do. I don't make many changes to my team. I don't look for the surprise free agents. Hell, last year I left Jevon Kearse on my starting team for two weeks without knowing he was injured. I suppose what I'm getting at with this is I kinda wish I hadn't signed up again. It's nothing against the people in the league, it's just not something that excites me. Now, instead of scoring my team b/c I enjoy it, I am waiting until the last minute to score my team because I dread it. Maybe I'll change my mind later. Who knows?

I have a phone interview with Vanderbilt later this afternoon. I'm excited. And nervous. Director of Event Operations is the job title. I totally know I can handle anything they need me to do. I just haven't had a phone interview in over a year ... and this would be a great step for me. It is also in a pretty damn cool place. If I don't get it, the world certainly will not end. I have a solid job here at NIU. However, the opportunity to get back to the southeast, and back into the SEC is something I'm very excited about. I'll keep you all posted.

OH, if there is anyone that has written me an email in the past few months and hasn't heard back from me, then you need to drop me another line. In some freak computer accident, I opened my email Friday and my inbox was totally empty. I had emails in there from May that I haven't returned yet. I suppose this is what I get for being such a horrible friend. So if you can find it in yourself to forgive me, drop a note and I promise I'll get back in touch with you.

Well, this is an interesting twist.

I received a call around 2 telling me that my interview had been post-poned. I was surprised at first, but figured their must be something going on. I heard the news around 3. I'm not really sure what that means. I don't know if the position I applied for will still be available, or if it will be totally different. I was told to sit tight until the end of this week, so we shall see.

I picked up John Mayer's new CD this afternoon. I dig it. Of course, I've been a fan of all of this earlier stuff. It's a solid rock CD. I'm jealous. I need to be this kid. He's so damn talented.

One day away. Just one more day, and ARGUS will be taking the stage here in DeKalb, IL. I honestly can't believe this is happening. I have only one person to thank, and that is NIU athletics director Cary Groth. She was gracious enough to watch us perform our May show in Athens, GA. I would never have guessed that she would've enjoyed it enough to bring the guys up. It should be a GRAND time.

To commemorate this wonderful weekend, we've created some t-shirts that will be available at our show. If you have adobe acrobat reader, you can view the shirts now. Hopefully we will have some left over, and I can offer them for sale on jaylowe.com. If you just can't wait to have some ARGUS merchandise, please visit our Cafe Press store.

So a few Lowe Downs back, I mentioned something about not finding any good women here in DeKalb. If read in the context it was presented, it made perfect sense. I haven't found anyone worth the time to date. When I say worth the time, I mean someone who is interested in me, and I am interested in her. It's a two way street, right? I digress ... apparently my little blurb offended my good friend Kristen. She and I have become buds the past several months, and we have what I like to call a hate/adore relationship. We hate to adore each other, but we do. Why? Cause we both kick a lot of ass. So she took offense to my comment, and I had to explain to her the context of the statement. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to date Kristen. She's incredible, but she's also smart. She wants nothing to do with me! So I think she finally figured out what I meant in my previous Lowe Down. If not, there is no helping this poor girl.

I've started working out again. I needed it. I was on a great routine this summer, working out at least 3 times a week, sometimes more. Once August rolled around, I was worthless. So I've made a commitment to myself to continue with my program. It's one thing to work hard every day in the office. It's another thing to enjoy your free time. But I need to start taking care of myself ... I also wouldn't mind looking a little cuter. We'll see how it goes. Vanity is a beautiful thing.

I know I should write more in anticipation of this weekend ... the fellas flying in, another football game, two ARGUS shows ... but I'm just spent. It's been a long week already. I promise to recap the entire weekend, and next week I want to give you all a glimpse into the loser I've become in DeKalb.

ps - Don't forget about the ARGUS show September 6, at Fatty's here in DeKalb, IL ... that's right ... TOMORROW! .

If you haven't seen the damn commercials by now, you live under a rock.

I'm talking about those horrible Gatorade commercials. The ones that remind me constantly why I hate the University of Florida. Yeah, they also remind me that Gatorade was first concocted at UF. Big deal. Good for them. I'm just sick of hearing about it on commercials. It's bad enough that a good friend of mine is having to suffer through their graduate school down there. It's also just sad when you consider the many legions of fans Florida has tricked into thinking they are the only thing that matters in college athletics. So I've decided to make a real stance. I hate Florida. I'm sorry. I do. Actually, no I'm not sorry. If you like them, screw you! But from this day forward, the water and sugar nectar that is Gatorade will never pass through my lips. I am boycotting Gatorade.

Last week was insane. The field logo was finally put in place less than 24 hours before kick-off, and Thursday itself was a very long day. Low and behold though, my prediction was correct, as NIU defeated Maryland. It was a great game, with an even better atmosphere. The place was electric. I can honestly say that in my eight years being involved with college athletics, I've never been at an event that meant so much to one program. Yes, I've seen a lot of great sporting events at UGA and Wake, but none meant as much to their program and their university as this win did for Northern. National TV ... #13 Maryland ... an overtime victory ... it's just hard to beat that. It was, by far, the most exciting game of the first full weekend of college football. A weekend that included the butt whippin' my Dogs laid on Clemson. Even the Deacs snuck out of hostile territory to gain a big non-conference win over Boston College. It was a great weekend indeed.

So we did have some issues at the football game last Thursday. I felt pretty let down, as several people dropped the ball on several issues pertaining to event operations and the ticket office. It is just frustrating, as I feel we are past the point where we can just expect things to forgotten with a win. We should run every event like it is a national championship game. I strongly believe that. I don't care if I'm at UGA, NIU or Hofstra. Every event should be run as smoothly as possible. In order to resolve some of the problems, we had a meeting tonight. I'm going to pat myself on the back here, because so many of the things we discussed were things I attempted to bring up following last season. I knew what this crowd was going to be like for Maryland. The mentality around here is just dated. It is time for us to think BIG. To plan like every game, every event is just as important as any other. That is how things are run professionally, and I'll feel like I've really accomplished something when we get to that point. It's difficult though when your voice only reaches so many. I'm fortunate that my AD seems to value what I have to say. She knows I have some good ideas. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know I can lead some things in the right direction.

Well, we've got four days to get our act together. We host Tennessee Tech this coming Saturday. That also happens to be the day when ARGUS hits DeKalb. I can't wait. The ARGUS boys are flying into town Friday, as is my great friend Doug from Georgia. I think, for the night, I'll rename Fatty's, 40 watt North. It will certainly feel that way, with a few Georgia friends in the crowd. It should be a great weekend, and if you are anywhere close to DeKalb, get your ass in the car and get over here!

That is it for the night. Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend.

ps - Don't forget about the ARGUS show September 6, at Fatty's here in DeKalb, IL.