All of the presents have been unwrapped. Most of the Christmas trees are turning into mulch. The New Year has popped its proverbial cork, and now all of you internet lovers are looking for the one thing you've been dying for since January of last year. It is time for the prestigious jaylowe.com Awards to be presented to the 2005 winners. As in every year past, the competition was stiff. Each year, the nominees become more of an elite group and the winners will relish in 2005 being their year.
Please save your applause until all awards have been handed out. Now, without further adieu, here are the winners of the 2005 jaylowe.com awards:
Jackass of the year
Probably the second most prestigious award on this list, the 2005 Jackass of the Year is awarded to THE Horsemen. Unbeknownst to THE Horsemen themselves, 2005 paved the way for what we be the culmination of four great minds, great talents and great skirt chasers. Brandon, Rob and Homeboy, become true Jackasses by combining their skills and efforts with me, Jay Lowe. While I cannot accept any award on this list, these three men are most certainly deserving. THE Horsemen idea was born out of a common desire to have a great time, meet women and just plain kick ass. We've had an amazing time and really have jelled well as a group of damn good friends. THE Horsemen are known for keepin each other grounded, that is for certain. But they have also filled each other will positivist and believe. They are good damn friends, and they are now awards winners.
Greatest "Night out on the Town" of the year
There are typically too many of these to count, but this year the award goes to the evening of my 28th Birthday. There were many friends who receive a part of this award, as I celebrated my birthday in Nashville for the first time. It started out with a solid group of work friends at Sam's, the sports bar in Hillsboro Village. It ended with all of us dancing at Bar Nashville. Yes the place is 18 and up, but it was the only place we could find with good music and a dance floor on a Tuesday night. I love to shake my ass from time to time, and everyone humored me. It was a great night out on the town.
Movie of the year
If you know me, you don't even really have to read this one. Star Wars, Episode III is the winner. Nostalgia is a funny thing. Whenever I watch this film, it reminds me of my childhood. I was able to see how those movies in 1977, 1980 and 1982 began. George Lucas is one of my hero's, and I love the Star Wars story. I hope to pass it along to my kids someday.
Karaoke Song of the year
SWEEEEET Caroline ... da da da ... Is there any better song to sing at Lonnie's with a packed house? I think not.
Road Trip of the year
A second trip to Memphis receives honorable mention this year. It was THE Horsemen before we even knew what we were. It was four drunken asses harassing as many Memphis Tiger fans as possible, while trying to support our Dores in the NIT. Too bad it didn't help.
This year's award has to go to the Michael Ward and Steve Flippen for the road trip to Illinois. I flew to Raleigh, went to the beach with Ward and his family for about 24 hours, then we drove to Charlottesville the next day. After picking up Flippen, we finally end up with Ekhoff in Bloomington-Normal. A gambling boat, a few gentlemen's clubs and many drinks later, we end up back in DeKalb. The three idiots from North Carolina actually took their vacation BACK to DeKalb! Honestly, it was worth it. Being able to see old friends, play a little golf and enjoy drinks at Fatty's again was totally worth it. Even if we did oversleep for the Cubs game on Friday.
Best Moment of the year
My sister is awesome. She impresses me more and more as she grows into this great little woman. She was awarded an internship at Dook Children's Hospital late in the fall, which will help her complete her master's degree. When she called me to tell me the good news, I was so happy for her and proud of her. She deserves all life will bring her, and I believe it will be a very fruitful life.
Most Touching Moment of the year
Surgery is not a fun thing. My Dad had his hip replaced in October. Mom, sis and I spent a couple of days with Dad in the hospital. Dad is recovering very well from the surgery, but it is a tough thing for a family to watch one of their own have to undergo any procedure. I was touched, because of how much we all really do care about each other. Yes, mean words sometimes fly around in our house as they do in most, but We all do care about each other. Being there for Dad was important to him, and I'm thrilled he is doing so well.
Wrestler of the year
I can see Randy Orton winning this award in the years to come, but the most impressive wrestler this year has been John Cena. The white rapper has been, by far, the most charismatic personality on WWE programming. He's held the WWE Championship for several months now, and will probably continue to hold it for awhile. His actual wrestling skills are improving, but he brings the crowds to their feet every time he walks through the curtain. He's not my favorite, but I think he deserves of the award this year.
Album of the year
If it was a category, and there is really no rhyme or reason why it is not, Kanye would win song of the year for "Gold digger." I love that song, I can admit it. However, this is Album of the Year, and this award is given to Coldplay for X&Y. I love the sound, and I love that I can intently listen to this disk and there are times I can just put it on as background music. I have just recently gotten into Coldplay over the past two years, and actually had tickets to their Nashville show this year ... didn't go, long story ... but I appreciate their music, and while they had stiff competition in my mind (Keb Mo - Keep it simple, Los Lonely Boys - Live at the Fillmore, Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous), this was my favorite album of 2005.
Team of the year
North Carolina men's basketball, with their remarkable run to the 2005 NCAA Championship certainly receives an honorable mention nod here. I was fortunate enough to be there for the game with my mom, and watching my childhood team win it all was awesome. Although, I have to give this year's nod to the Vanderbilt Football Team. No, they didn't make a bowl game this year, but they gave some hope and promise to many Vanderbilt fans. The frantic 4-0 start was huge for the program. Even bigger? The November win at Tennessee. An opening victory over Wake Forest certainly gave me some bragging rights if nothing else.
Wedding of the year
I was fortunate enough to attend two weddings this year, both filled with really great friends. Matt and Mel were kind enough to invite me to their rehearsal dinner as well as the wedding. It was a fun time, and I shook my ass a good bit. The winner, however, has to go to Heather and Michael. Their wedding was on the last night of the 2005 year, making it the most dramatic and latest nominee. Michael and Heather, like Matt and Mel, are beautiful people. It was a blessing to be there and see them exchange vows. And yes, I take a little bit of credit for giving them the idea of dating each other. I'm one hell of a match maker!
Dumbest Moment of the year
Easy. On our Illinois road trip, I may have gotten so drunk that I tried to really fight with Ward. It was embarrassing, and I felt terrible about it the next day. Ward is one of my great friends, and I acted like a complete ass. At least he hasn't thrown the towel in on me yet.
Best Acquisition of the year
No major purchases this year. I suppose you could say I was trying to save money. Or you could say I just spent money on stupid shit all year. For Christmas, I did receive a great new North Face fleece from Courtney. Colors? Red and Black of course. So the fleece, and my VERY comfy Vandy football sweat suit are tied for the award this year.
Best Concert of the year
James Taylor, whom I've always wanted to see perform live, certainly gets a mention. Actually, He was my original award winner until I was reminded of the Neil Diamond concert I attended in November. No, I'm not the biggest Neil fan, but the entire night was what made it the best concert. We took a huge group of about 20 people, with free tickets of course, to witness one of the world's greatest showmen take the stage. We drank, we sang and we all had a blast. We even hit Lonnie's to rip off several Neil tunes.
Video Game of the year
NCAA Football 2006. For a kid that grew up on ACC basketball, I've learn to love and really appreciate college football over the past 10 years. This game is as close as it gets to being the play caller for a college football team. The graphics improve a bit each year, and it also helps I've been kicking Mook's ass most of the time. And yes, I predicted Texas as the National Champion when I led the Longhorns to a victory Tuesday night over Mook's fighting Trojans.
Best song to sing in a British voice
Kelly Clarkson's, "Since You've Been Gone," takes the award this year. She really has come into her own as a powerful singer, and I'm not afraid to admit I have her latest album on my ipod. And hell, signing a chick song is always good for shits and giggles anyway. Now singing it in a British voice? Now that is talent!
And finally ...
The jaylowe.com 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award
Last year, I mentioned this award might go to Dad. He has an interesting year with his retirement then his surgery, but Dad is still kickin' and will be around for a long time, so I'm not going to give him this award just yet.
No, actually this award goes to Misty, our family dog who passes away in June. Yes, little old yappin' Misty provided years of laughter, screams and love to our family. The same dog that would spring around the entire inside of the house, non-stop, for about 15 minutes was the same dog who would inhale a hotdog in about 7.8 seconds flat. We loved Misty, and she was a great addition to our family when I was in the 7th grade. Misty just got too old. She was having more health issues, as everyone does when they grow older. She was a feisty little pup, and we were lucky to have her with our family for as long as we did. Misty, you will be missed! Thank you all for attending this year's installment of the jaylowe.com Awards. Have a great evening, drive safe and tell your family and friends you love them.
We now return you to your regular scheduled Lowe Down .