So we have had our first three basketball exhibitions, and I'm thrilled to say there are some changes to be made. Why am I thrilled? Because I get to make the changes. I'm now able to come in here and put my spin on things. That is what I look forward to in this job. I had a great talk with Davis about my transition. Davis, or DW, was my boss for two years at Wake. He taught me a great deal, and while I didn't always agree with him, I respected him. He was in a similar position when he started his first job at Campbell. He was young and full of ideas but had to be careful about how he handled himself about the people who had been there for ages. I love the challenges I'm facing now. There are some great things I can do here, and I plan on making it happen.

As many of you know, my eventual career goal is to become an athletics director and a major Division I university. I know that will take years of hard work and dedication, all of which I'm willing to give. However, I hope I never lose sight of people along the way. One thing I have quickly learned in college athletics is that no place is without problems. Georgia, Wake, NIU and Vanderbilt; they all have different problems. Some great, some small. One common problem among all of the places I've been is something so simple, even children can do it. Hell, even babies attempt to communicate with the world. It is something so simple, yet it seems increasingly difficult for adults to do as they grow older. Of course, this problem isn't limited to work ... relationships, friendships, etc. Maybe it is my personality, but I do try and listen to everyone I work with. Janitors, maintenance personnel, ADs, coaches, student-athletes and now chancellors. Yes, there is a food chain in the work place, as well as life, but I'm of the impression that no one person is more important than any other. Maybe that is foolish, but everyone plays a role. No matter the size of that role, it is important. We have a gentleman here at Vandy that handles the mail and "fix-it" projects within the building. I spoke with him earlier today, and I don't believe some of the other administrators actually know what he does. And he does a LOT. I think it makes an impression on people when you listen to them with open ears. I try and do that with everyone. I just hope that as I travel down this road to my career goal, I never lose sight of the importance of everyone on staff. You simply can't take anyone for granted.

Ok, I'll get off my soap box.

So should I go to a concert tomorrow night by myself? Badly Drawn Boy is playing here, and I'd love to see him play. The guy is from London and plays with 2 or 3 other guys typically. Kinda folky/rock stuff. He scored the movie, "About a Boy," which is one of my favorite chick flicks. Yes, I like a few chick flicks. Don't rub it in. Tickets are like $15, and I think it would be cool to see him live. I just can't decide if I want to go alone.

So here is a little something that made my day ... on the Japanese release of "Go," Vertical Horizon's new cd, there is a bonus track. Well, I don't live in Japan. I suppose I could purchase it off of amazon, but I have found a way to at least listen to the track. I'll share it with you all, but don't go copying this song and burning it on to a disc. So here ya' go:

1) click here
2) the username: vh; password: secret
3) click on the link that reads, "One time around.mp3"; wait for download and enjoy


It's a very catchy song, and I really wish it was on the American release of the cd. At least I can listen to it whenever I want now.

Ok, back to work. Thank goodness for a lunch break, or this page would never get updated!

I'll be damned, look who has wandered back onto the internet. Yes, after my move and the start of my new gig, I've finally found a few moments to sit and type. I would have done this over the weekend, but Comcast, being the evil bastards they are, won't allow me to access the internet for some reason. They are supposedly sending someone out to fix the problem, but when do I really have time to haul my butt out there and meet them? Not any time soon.

Things are good though. Nashville seems like a great city. Not too big, not too small. The only downside I can find is that the closest Best Buy is about 25 minutes away. I suppose I can survive.

The new apartment is pretty cool. It's a little older, but still very functional. Plenty of space for me and all of my junk ... and I do have a lot of junk. The movers were pretty surprised with the amount of crap I have amassed. I swear, it's all important. And the movers ... they left a few things back in DeKalb, but nothing I can't get from Flippen over Thanksgiving. But having movers is essential. I'd like to say I'd never move myself again, but I'm not that big time.

The new job is great. Everyone here is extremely nice and seems to be very organized. Not having someone in my position ... Director of Events/Facilities ... has allowed a few little things to slip through the cracks, but that gives me an opportunity to pick up the ball and run with it. I feel like I can really do some great things here, I just need to get through the adjustment period.

So in my boredom, which is my life, I watched the move "About Schmidt," last night. The movie is a bit dark, yet I did find myself laughing a good bit. The move is centered on a man who loses his job to retirement, his wife to death and his daughter to marriage, all within a short time frame. He spends the rest of the movie looking for some validation that his life was meaningful. I think there are so many people who hit that age and do the same thing. They want to know that their life made a difference for someone or something. As far as generation gaps go, I think my generation will have less of the worrying, less of the questioning of validation. Not to say we have become a selfish society, but I think we have become a more cautious society. We do not rush into things, like marriage or jobs, without making conscious decisions. Sure, there are times when I wonder if what I am doing is making a difference, but then I realize what I do makes me happy. Sad to say it people, but that is the most important thing. If I can be happy, and then make some differences here and there, then I will be validated. I will realize that I lived a full life. Making well thought out decisions is the key to happiness in life, isn't it?

Ah, what do I know. Anyway, it's good to be back updating this lovely web page. Hopefully I'll have my internet situation at home fixed, and I won't have to spend my lunch break typing.

Regardless, any and all of you now have a free place to crash in Nashville.