Forgive me if I sound a tad emotional, or out of it, or… well, high.  I’m not.  But when you’ve been awake for 36 hours and, within that, have experienced a range of emotion that touched on everything from intense optimism & happiness to abject horror & sadness and then back all over again, a few times… it makes for a moment.  A moment like this one.  Punch drunk on adrenaline, frantic for sleep, and feeling like the world outside flipped its axis… only the walls of my quiet living room feel, and look, the same.

I don’t have much to say tonight.  I’m highly improbable and toxically emotional.  I cried when my friend Drew, over instant messenger, insisted that the same 4 boys who shot and killed a 27 year old Atlanta man 2 nights ago were the same ones who held me up and probably wanted to do the same.  ”Who goes around en masse wanting to shoot people in the leg?  IT’S THEM DUDE.”  Only in John’s case they went for the head once they covered the legs.  Just how close was I?

My world changed tonight – as it did then – when a group of Atlantans made a series of clicks and then pointed in my direction.  That night at Pizza Hut it was 5 guys with guns.  Tonight, it was 2000 people with laptops and home computers.  I put it out there that I wanted to help, that I wanted to organize, and lobby, and effect change in this godforsaken city that I ADORE.  I put it out there and people, quite simply, said “yes.”

“Do it.”

And so 36 hours later, here I sit.

The thought of it all is daunting.  Daunting and amazing.  Daunting and exhilarating.  Daunting and “damn it I can’t wait to get out there and get people together in a way this city needs and so desperately desires.” I know we will succeed. 

I look forward to the task before me/us and I have some amazing help.  Between neighborhood associations already ahead of the curve, to those behind it, and those who aren’t even on the road yet… change is coming to Atlanta.  The appetite for it is apparent.  The time for it is now more than ever.  And between myself, my friends Tessa, Angel, Rob, and countless others… we’re about to reclaim this city. We’re Atlantans coming together against heightened crime and increased cuts in public safety. We’re all here to say this shit isn’t going to fly anymore.  And, my friends, we’re here to lead that effort.

I look forward to working with everyone of you.  Please sign up.  Meanwhile, I’m going to get some sleep.