And my innocence was lost.

Sad to say, but my last connection to my first days of college is now gone. I found out this past Tuesday. I had hoped it would remain with me forever. Deep down, I know it couldn't. It was something that saw me through the good times, the bad times, the confusing times and the interesting times. When I stepped on to the University of Georgia Campus with me for the first time as a student, it was there. When no one was around, it was there trying to reconnect me with the world. When Vertical Horizon played my sophomore year formal and I got to sing with them, it was there. When I met Michael Stipe at Blue Sky coffee in Athens, it was there. When I broke off relationships and when they were broken off with me, it was there. When I got my acceptance to grad school and could find no one around to tell, it was there.

Yes, sadly enough blujay@arches.uga.edu is no longer one of my email addresses. I suppose the IT people at UGA decided to play God. I suppose they were just willing to throw away 7 years of life. Who in the HELL do they think they are? Well, I suppose it's there job. We had some good times together though. I remember when it was blujay@music.cc.uga.edu. My first ever email address. As it evolved, so did I. I suppose that is what life is all about. Evolving and moving on. We will miss you blujay@arches.uga.edu. At least, I will.

So i hop on a plane in Chicago tomorrow for my trip home for the holidays. What does that mean? Two things.

1) My flight will be late leaving. Not once have I flown out of O'Hare and my flight been on time. Granted, I've only flown out of there twice, but I know how things work.
2)I get to see my family, all my Winston friends and I will head down to Athens and Atlanta next weekend to visit with my peeps down there.

Needless to say, I'm really excited. I've got so many stories to share, so many stories to hear. It will be so good to see so many good friends and be around my family for the holidays. Sometimes writing on here doesn't get across the point I try to make, but I'm PUMPED about heading home.

DeKalb has been great though. No, it isn't New York, but it ain't bad either. I'm capping off my last two nights here with parties. Last night, hung out at our head volleyball coach's house. Did a little pre-parting at Ward's house. See, there's not only one North Carolina kid here ... not just two ... not just three or four ... but five. There are FIVE people living here that are from North Carolina. Ward and his lovely fiance try and take care of the NC crew. Even had Thanksgiving dinner at their place. Met another one at the party last night. So people back home, don't worry. I'm surrounded by good folk.

My boss, who I currently live with, is throwing a party tonight. Man, the idea of coming home from work yesterday and cleaning my room was not appealing. It's done though. Should be a good time.

Well, this is it for 2002. I won't be able to update while I'm at home. So let's re cap quickly:

2002 was a great year for Jay Lowe. It was a year where hearts were broken, tears were shed, life was confusing, his crushes were crushed and his life totally changed. But with new scenary around him, Lowe took his first major step to his goal of becoming an athletics director. Leaving the homeland might seem to have been his largest challenge, but finding the opportunity was more difficult. In a summer that should have been filled with smiles as he watched friends marry off, Lowe was challenged more so than ever before in his life. Everything that he thought he had become was in question. Over a two month span, he questioned everything about himself. His goals, his abilities, his intelligence, his being. Overcoming his greatest obstacle, Lowe fought through the tears, through the questioning, through the doubt to land on his feet. With those firmly planted in a new state, Lowe is embracing all other challenges in his life. Admittingly, Lowe realizes there will be greater challenges in life. With this one past him, he is ready for the next day.

Yeah, 2002 had its ups and downs. Losing Granny was easily the saddest moment. But as she would want us all to carry on with a smile, I will. I hope you all will.

I wish you all the most wonderful of Holidays and may 2003 be greater than the last.

See you next year.

How 'bout them Dawgs?!?!? Georgia is the 2002 SEC Football champion. Pour some Suga'on me.

For those of you that don't know, Vertical Horizon is my favorite band out there today. Been a big fan since I first saw them in 1995. Anyway, they have a new album coming out in early 2003 ... February maybe ... but they have a song on a Christmas compilation CD. The song is called, "I believe in Father Christmas," and the CD can only be bought in Target stores. So for a grand total of $4.99, you can pick up a copy of "Sounds of the Season 2002." It's a great Christmas CD with several different artists, including Dave Matthews, Elvis and Toni Braxton. Go to Target. Buy it.

Congratulations to the Demon Deacon Football team. They head to the Seattle Bowl at the end of this month. Normally I would be pissed since a 6-6 Deac team is heading to a bowl and NIU is sitting at home, but it is hard to be pissed off at a team where I have so much respect for the coaches and staff. They are playing those Oregon Ducks though ... kinda partial to them too. It'll be a great game, I'm sure.

I highly encourage all of you to pick up a CD from the band Rockwell Church. No, it's not religious music. It is great guitar music with excellent lyrics. I'm listening to "superego" right now. Actually, it's been in my CD player at work for about two weeks now.

So I am sending out holiday cards this year, but I'm only sending out cards to business contacts. A little shameless self-promotion? Yes. Am I being an ass for not sending them out to my friends? Probably. But hey, I'm trying to save a little money this holiday season. So I wish ALL of you a WONDERFUL holiday season. And if you don't get a card from me, know that I'm thinking of you. And really, if you are sending out cards, just leave me off the list this year. I'll be back in NC for so long over the holiday, then I return to DeKalb and move 5 days later. It would probably get lost in the move.

One week until I'm home.

Well, I'm heading home for the holidays. Yeap, the Huskies did not advance to the MAC Championship game. It's unfortunate too. They finish the season 8-4 and with no opportunity to go to a bowl. Ah yes, life at a mid-major.

Took a journey to the University of Illinois last night for the men's hoops game vs. UNC. Talk about a whoopin' ... man, that young Carolina team struggled in its first game under real pressure. The crowd was great, aside from a few of the fans around us that didn't take too kindly to us rooting for the ACC the entire night.

So I'm home on the 15th. I'll make a small trip to Athens/Atlanta. I never did get down there before I moved, so it'll be good to see all of the fools down there. And of course the New Year's plans are already determined ... Sugar Mountain baby! We usually get a small group together, and Erich's family allows us to take over their mountain condo. It always starts with a dressed up dinner at some rockin' steak house, then we follow it with lots of cheap champaign (the best kind). They always shoot off fireworks from the bottom of the mountain as well. It's very picturesque and romantic ... if you like that sort of thing:)

Ok everyone, gotta root for Virginia Tech to beat Miami and Georgia to win the SEC Championship. If the stars align correctly and both of those things happen, Georgia would slide into the National Championship game. I can tell you Hokie fans one thing, you have more fans this weekend than you've probably ever had.

The snow flakes are big here. You can actually see the individual flake designs. Pretty crazy. We haven't had a lot of snow yet ... yet ... but we had a couple of dustings the last few weeks, and got hit with probably 2 inches Sunday. I will give this town one thing though ... they LOVE their holidays. Every house in the neighborhood I'm currently living in is decorated with tons of lights. But it's not like it is just our neighborhood ... it is practically every freakin' house in town.

Ok, back to real life.