Whew... here I am, back in Conway.

A longer than expected stay in Malvern finally concluded just a couple hours ago when I rolled back into the apartment parking lot and started to unload the Christmas goodies.

But my trip was not complete before I watched a great set of BCS games this week. I had no idea all four of the games would actually be worth watching and I had no idea that I would watch so much of all the games.

I figured I would watch the Rose Bowl from beginning to end, but I figured I would tire of watching the other games and find some other way to occupy myself before tuning back in to see how it ends. But, with the exception of the Sugar Bowl I watched the other three BCS bowls in their entirety. And I was pleased.

I figure it'll be very rare to get another bowl season as good as this one. From the crazy last play of the Michigan-Nebraska game to Texas stunning the Trojans last night this was one of the best in history and probably the best collection of bowls I've seen in my life.

It was definitely the best BCS championship game ever. Ohio State-Miami was good a few years ago, but last night's game was much more exciting to me.

I didn't want to see Texas win, but the way in which they did was at least exciting. I wanted a game that was going to come down to the final seconds and it did.

Vince Young is good and he's going to be rich.

So after watching the game last night I started packing up my goods to head back to Conway this afternoon. I also tried to get to sleep a little earlier, because of my court date this morning at 9 a.m.

No, I didn't run a red light or have overdue parking tickets, nor did I drown my sorrows in booze and go out and set random fires. I was selected for jury duty in Hot Spring County, since that's where I'm a registered voter.

After a few phone calls I was still required to show up for the jury pool orientation at 9. So I did, and the plan was to find the judge prior and try to get excused since I'm a full-time student. But, that wasn't happening. The judge does the hour-long orientation before taking excuses.

My theory there is that he is trying to guilt people into staying that have poor excuses. But that sucks for those of us with legitimate reasons to bail.

And after the hour-long session I told him that I'm a full-time student and ta-da excused.

"Your education is more important that this. Good luck."

I agree. Although, I'm not oppossed to ever participating in some jury duty. I figure it would be pretty interesting and probably a welcome couple days away from work.

After packing up and driving here I am. But no time to rest for the weary traveler. Echo Sports is just about to roll out to UCA's GSC openers in Memphis.

The Bears and Sugar Bears take on Christian Brothers tonight. And, of course, for the third year in a row we will try to not miss a single GSC game. Best I can recall, we have only failed one trip. We've come oh so close several times, but have only missed one trip altogether and about three quarters of another game.

Not bad for a couple of college sportswriters.

Alright, we'll be back this weekend with CBU updates.