It is Monday evening, Courtney is hard at work on lesson plans for the week, and I am killing some time and updating the Lowe Down. I know, I know ... three times in one month?!? Has this ever been done? To answer your question, not in a long damn time. So I figured I'd go ahead and start babbling again.

After mulling through Monday it was really hard to focus. We just had an awesome weekend here in Athens and while I didn't get drunk, I think I had a "fun hangover" all day today. We enjoyed some dinner with friends Friday night, I sat and watched football almost all day Saturday with those same friends and then some of us ventured to Decatur to check out an acoustic Jackopierce show. Sunday, we had a little breakfast at my favorite spot in Athens, Momma's Boy and then were as lazy as can be Sunday afternoon. Aside from Georgia barely escaping Lexington with a win, the weekend was pretty much flawless. The weather was great and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Speaking of the Jackopierce show, I can't help but think of all of my great Winston-Salem friends when I see a JP, Vertical Horizon or Edwin McCain show. The tunes they sing obviously tell the stories of their lives or people they've know, but to some extent I feel like that music tells the story of my life, of the lives of that great group of friends from "The Dash." I found myself thinking of the entire crew during the first few songs. It probably seemed to my friends at the show I was a little spacey, but I quickly found myself back in the moment and enjoying some great tunes. I just hope I don't have to wait another six years to hear them live again.

I was tempted to head to Auburn this coming weekend, but a large part of me really wants to try and enjoy some time with the wifey and maybe knock out some things in the yard that have been left undone all Fall. I am the king of putting things off. I think I've always been this way. Probably a trait I've stolen from Dad. I always find a way to get things done, I just like to do them at my pace. This is often that of a snail. So the back yard needs a lot of work, and I think Doug has volunteered to give me a hand. We'll see how this goes. Two dudes and power tools. Look out!

With the holiday season fast approaching, it looks like we are starting to make our plans. Thanksgiving will be in Duluth at Courtney's father's house, along with his wife Joan. We originally wanted to do turkey day at our home but Claire, Courtney's sister, has to do her traveling with Chance, our nephew, and Duluth is a hell of a lot closer to her apartment than Athens. So we'll make the trip over there making it easy on her. I am very excited because Courtney's Mom and step-father Phil will be joining us as well. Divorced families typically never want to spend actual time or holidays together. I am thrilled everyone wants to come together this year, as I think it is so important to Chance we all make holidays memorable. It is so very positive to think if and when we bring children into this world, they will be surrounded by three wonderful sets of grandparents. Hell that just means more babysitting options! WOOO!

The lesson plans are done, and it is time for me to wrap this up. I might start posting some lyrics on the site. I've been toying with that for awhile, not to mention I've been writing more lately. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration.

Tuesday evening, around 11:45am, I sat in front of my lovely television and wept. It wasn't so much a sobbing as it was tears slowly escaping my eyelids. Listening to Barack Obama address the nation he will be leading the next four years was moving. Yes he is a great orator. Yes he has the charisma. Yes, I believe he has the ability to lead out country for the next eight years.

Aside from the political hullabaloo surrounding the 2008 presidential election, we all were able to witness America elect a black president. Many thought they would never see it in their lifetime. Others perished at the thought. Some prayed, wished and hoped it would happen. Yet low and behold it has happened 138 years after black men were given the right to vote and 92 years after women were given the same right. It wasn't that long ago segregation was in place. In some ways it took so long. In other ways many of those scars are still very fresh.

However, this campaign was not about race. Far from it. Actually, John McCain made a wonderful concession speech Tuesday evening as well. He knew he was up against a formidable opponent and was obviously aware of the hit the GOP had taken from the current president. It was an uphill battle for McCain from the start, and there are many other people who will dissect his campaign decisions. You could see the pain in his eyes. Being so close to something he wanted for so long only to lose. If you didn't feel disappointed for the man, regardless your political affiliation, something is wrong.

Then you witnessed the faces, of all races, cheering Obama in Chicago. You saw Dr. Martin Luther King's church in Atlanta and the joy over their faces. The next day you read or watched the emotional outpouring from the entire world. Watching all of this, you realized how monumental this was for our country. Not just because Barack Obama became our president, but because of the strides blacks have taken in this country, this long journey which just took its next huge leap.

I did not vote for Barack Obama because he is black. I did not vote for Barack Obama because he is democrat. I voted for Obama because I believe in his ideals for this country and he is the best man for this job and our future.

I was emotionally moved because since I can remember I have been very cognizant of bigotry, of racism, or sexism. I am not sure what shaped this. Perhaps it has been friendships I have had over the years. Perhaps it was my upbringing. Maybe it was people who were unlike me, accepting me. I believe in people and have faith in our country. More so now than ever. We still have racists and bigots in all forms. There are still people who voted for McCain strictly because he was white and there are people who strictly voted for Obama because he was black. This line of thinking will unfortunately always be with us, but I believe we are making tremendous strides as a country.

Whatever Barack Obama does in office may not have immediate impact. If he is fortunate enough to earn a second term, maybe we still won't totally feel his impact. The educated guess is the positive effects of this election will be felt years and years to come.

Today is Election Day! While we may or may not agree on our party affiliation, I hope each of you took the time to be a part of the best democratic process in the world. Or, at least, that is what I am calling it for now. I spent the last two months really comparing the two presidential candidates and trying to determine a side. After waaaaaaaaay too much political reading and after watching all of the debates, I came to my own conclusion. Courtney and I spent a good bit of time debating things in the house, and I certainly had my share of heated debates with family and friends. When that was over, I made a decision to vote for the man I think is best suited to be our next president. I will say this ... I am not a firm 100% believer in either of the candidates, but I made up my mind. I hope you did.

Before I wrap up this past weekend, I would like to congratulate Marian and Darryl Kennedy on their nuptials October 25. Marian is my beloved sister, and they had a beautiful wedding in our home town of Winston-Salem. Mom and Dad provide a great day of events from the wedding to the reception. I probably imbibed a little too much, but it is not very often your parent's open up the bar for you! Take advantage! It was great, and I spent last night checking out the honeymoon photos. As I have stated on here many, many times I am extremely proud of my sister. We have a very close bond which I hope never breaks. While the years have made us older and more opinionated, we still have a great ability to have a discussion and respect what the other is saying. We may not always agree, well lots of times we don't, but we respect each other. I have always been very proud of the decisions she has made in her life, and this is no exception. She made a decision to marry a guy who is great for her. Isn't this what we all want for our siblings? I love them both, and I wish them a lifetime of happiness and joy.

Sunday afternoon we returned from Saint Simons. This wasn't just a quick trip to the beach, as this entire weekend was centered around what typically is the biggest game of the year for the Dogs ... the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party," also known as the Georgia/Florida game. While this year's installment of the game was completely forgettable for Bulldog fans, the atmosphere surrounding this game continues to amaze me. Jacksonville, FL, is a tremendous host to the game, and I hope we can keep this rivalry in Jacksonville for years to come.

Last Wednesday, my buddy Matt and I headed to Savannah for a cocktail reception. Even though I was the lead singer for one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century, I am not the biggest public speaker. This was my first event where I was able to address a crowd, talk to them about the season and then introduce our biggest and most important facility project we have on the docket right now. There is only one Vince Dooley, one Mark Richt, one Damon Evans, and one Herschel Walker. I could not compete with the likes of those stars, but I did my best. The crowd was smaller than anticipated, but this is an event Savannah would host prior to Georgia/Florida years ago. Somewhere along the way it stopped, so some of the donors in the area wanted to start it back up again as a kick-off to the weekend. It was an honor to be down there, and I met some great people. Hopefully they learned a little about our latest project.

Later that evening, Matt and I headed down to Saint Simons Island, GA. If you have never been, it is such a peaceful and amazing place. Well, peaceful until GA/FL. As the locals know it, SSI is located about an hour north of Jacksonville. It makes for the perfect location as it is on the water, not too far from the stadium and is overrun with Georgia fans. Having been down to SSI for the game two previous times, I think I have seen one Florida fan on the island over these three trips. One. I am not even kidding. I know there are other great locations for the game, but SSI just has a great charm about it, and I hope we have the ability to stay down there for years to come. We are very fortunate for Courtney's mom and step dad allow us to take over their condo, but we always take care of it. I want to be invited back!

Courtney and Matt's wife came down late Friday afternoon. We had dinner going for the ladies and we all hung out around the condo that evening. Saturday, we were in Jacksonville around 8:30 for a 3:30 kickoff. Matt had prepared a breakfast and lunch menu. So yes, while you are looking at the link to the Jacksonville photos over there on the left hand side of the screen, you might notice my huge belly in a few pictures. That is on a full stomach people! But yeah, the gym is calling my name as well. Anyway, we cooked up some great food and had a few beverages. We also took some time to play corn hole and visit with friends tailgating around us. While I have attended less than 10 bowl games in my life, the atmosphere surrounding GA/FL is close if not better than the atmosphere you get at most games. We hate Florida, they think we are annoying. They've owned us the past 17 years, we really pissed them off last year with the endzone dance. They crushed us this year, we still hate them. There is a book about the Georgia/Georgia Tech rivalry entitled, "Clean, Good Old Fashioned Hate." I dare say you could use the title for the Georgia/Florida rivalry as well. People flock to Jacksonville, fill up one side of the stadium with blue and orange, the other red and black. There is always lots of trash talk prior to the game and one half of the stadium leaves with long faces at the end. While grilling burgers at your car, you hear the bands warming up in the parking lots. Sitting in your tailgating chair, Georgia fans bark at you while they ride by and Gator fans give you the Gator chomp. It really is an impressive and electric atmosphere. I'm just thrilled we were able to enjoy it another year ... well, minus the actual game. There is always next year!

The next three weeks are a little more calm. Football is on the road at Kentucky, at Auburn and then an off week leading us up to Thanksgiving. Oh, and in case you've been sleeping through football season ... basketball season is here! Yes, we have our first scrimmage this weekend. Wild to believe it is already here, but I do love me some college hoops.

Off to bed. Be sure to flip through the photo link on the left. We've recently updated our pictures, so all the debauchery is available to you.