(this is) durkin.org

Just very, very busy. Lots going on right now, both at work and at home… one of these days I’ll have ten free minutes and the energy to post a bit about it all…

London was bombed today. I have a familiar disbelieveing, sinking feeling, and I really don’t know what to say… There are echoes of September 11th in the news, in the timing of the attacks, in the sheer terror they pushed into people.

Visit Democracy Arsenal for some initial thoughts, updates and more thoughts. Our thougths and prayers are with those killed or hurt, and those who love them.

As is our usual, we packed up and went East to Atlanta for the Fourth (over the hills and through the woods to Grandmamma and Granddaddy’s house we went). In years past, Luke, MR and I have always run the Peachtree on the Fourth; in fact, before he hurt his knee Luke put together a pretty impressive streak of runs. This year, however, we forgot to get entry forms submitted and so did not get into the group of 50,000 or so. It’s a great tradition, but one that I am not sad to have missed out on this year. Not a single part of me missed getting up at 5 a.m. to get downtown to run a long, hot and very humid race. One that I am usually not in shape for at all.

We more or less took it easy over the weekend; we braved the Atlanta IKEA store on opening weekend (not recommeded for those of you with a double-stroller, or an aversion to crowded places), went to The Varsity for the first time and caught up with some good friends. Reilly also tried chocolate milk for the first time; lets just say he’s not eager to try again.

Throughout the weekend, whenever we were in the car, we listened to sets from Live8 on my new favorite radio station, Atlanta’s Dave FM. 92.9 on the dial, for those of you in or around the ATL…give them a listen, you won’t be disappointed. You probably were disappointed by the televised coverage of Live8, though. I sure was. If you are looking, LHB is keeping a list of torrents from the event.

Back in Birmingham on Monday, we hit the Phillips’ BBQ for more good food and friends, and Reilly tried his hand at photography. Finally, while we have the second-ugliest house in Homewood, it is situated more or less perfectly, so we sat in our driveway and watched the “Thunder on the Mountain” fireworks display. I went in and woke Reilly so he could see them with us… he watched for a bit before asking me to take him back inside - “I see the fireworks, in the sky!”

Soooooo… Not a lot of activity here for the past bit, but there has been a lot going on. While I may or may not get around to actually saying something more about the following, I certainly want to note what’s been up. In no particular order:

• Adam updates with a bit more frequency than I do, and with nice photos to boot.
• Ryn got married.
• Reilly turned two, and loves his swingset.
• Dobbs is teething.
• I am addicted to Dime a Dozen.
• Summer is here and the time is right.
• I know I mentioned that Shea got heard, but here’s an update - he (and his pals) have a podcast up and running, go get a slice.

Happy Fourth of July Weekend.