Damon is certainly deserved of the position. He has been well above average in his handling of the business affairs of the UGA Athletic Association. There is a reason he was Dooley's right hand man.
As much as I know Damon deserves this position, there is a part of me that is a little down. To be honest, I held a bit of a grudge towards Damon for over a year. It is a long story, and one I really shouldn't get into here ... but that isn't event the reason I'm down. I got over the grudge, and recently he and I exchanged emails. I wished him the best in the AD hiring process. I told him he deserved it. He didn't need to hear it from me, but I know it was time for me to end my silly grudge.
I am down about things simply because Damon is damn good at what he does and is only 34. That in itself, is amazing. The man, and still a young one, is 34 and will lead the UGA AA into a new history. There is no doubt in my mind Damon will do wonderful things. Unless something more magnificent than being the AD at your alma mater comes along, I believe Damon will be there for many, many years. So in essence, I feel like my dream of becoming the athletic director at Georgia is in jeopardy. I know, it is a bit dramatic, but I can't help but think about that a little.
It was slightly over a year ago when I decided what my ultimate goal would be in the world that is collegiate athletics. Now that vision becomes a little skewed. It is not to say that it couldn't still happen, but my chances of becoming athletic director at UGA have diminished somewhat.
I know some people will laugh and say, "Jay, you'll never get there anyway." I call bullshit on that. I'll get there. It may be the long road that I take, but I will be an athletic director someday. It is very possible now it may not be Georgia, but I will always love UGA. I'll also be so thankful for the wonderful friends I made there and the fond memories I have. It is a special place, and I know that Damon will make it an even more incredible athletic department.
So I've been bonding with my new couch and chair a bit this week (i.e., being a bum and watching lots of tv). I love them both. It is so nice to have grown up things ... being done with the futon and old crummy chair life. More importantly, my apartment is finally in order. No more boxes, no more mess. Everything has a place. I think a party will be in order once the new year arrives.
Speaking of the new year, the December holidays are here. I head home to Winston-Salem, NC, December 23. We have two basketball games in between now and then, and even though my flight leaves at 7:30 in the morning, it will be worth it. To sit on that plane, turn on my DVD player and watch the best of Ric Flair, and know that I will see my family and NC friends in a short time will be the best feeling I've had in a long time. I'm home for only six nights, but those will be a very enjoyable six nights. Winston isn't the greatest place in the world, but I do miss it from time to time. I of course miss my family and friends a great deal ... so the holidays are always a little more enjoyable for me.
OH! Here is some exciting news ... jaylowe.com will be totally revamped by the end of January. Yeap, my friend, and vucommodores.com guru, Eric Nichols, has been developing an all new look for jaylowe.com. I've seen some initial pages, and it is gonna be great. I really can't wait. How sad is that? Oh well. It is the little things in life.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. I'll give one last holiday shout before I head home.