That (AI as an election model) was the topic of our dinner discussion last night.  But it devolved into new and sometimes violent ways to eliminate American Idol contestants who get the lowest vote count.

Just before heading to bed, we turned on the TV and saw some of the early coverage of the tornado that hit downtown Atlanta last night.  The CNN Center and Olympic Park (two of my favorite tourist spots) are near the center of the damage.  It was eerie watching the scenes of buildings and streets that we know fairly well, and learning that such massive damage had occurred just 20 or so miles from our home without us even realizing it.

I was planning on being at a training/meeting in a building that overlooks Olympic Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, but right now I’m not entirely certain it will be happening.  I’ve gotten email and pictures from a few friends and co-workers who live near downtown, letting us know they’re okay and showing some of the damage (or lack thereof) in various areas.  So far, the messages have all been good news.  “Look!  Our home office is intact!  Yea!” and “The roof was blown off the store across the street from my apartment, but we’re perfectly fine.” There have been pictures of trees down, cars crushed under them, debris caught on power lines and fences, and traffic lights dangling precariously over the empty streets.

It’s hard to see a city that I love so much in such a mess.