Day 362: Ernesto Mon Amour, Amanda Mi Amiga

And here I thought a deadline at work and the Rising Tide conference was stress enough for one week. No, no, Ernesto (the first name of Che Guevara, incidentally) winds his way westward through the volcanically-created isles of the Caribbean. VatulBlog’s weather source assures me that Ernie will make landfall on the Yucatan peninsula.

The “5 day” projections come with the little foot note that they are not very accurate. “3 day” projections are much more so. According to what I’ve seen – the trends from satellite animations and also the jet stream in the region – it will be pushed a little west as it passes by Jamaica. Hurricanes, for all their strength, can be moved even by weak fronts.

I’ve been ordered to worry about something else … like the rising cost of living in New Orleans. Toilet paper now costs 24% more? That big pile of unrecycled newspaper may come in handy after all.

Some Ernesto sources for your perusal:

• NHC TD5 Forecast Discussion
• Accuweather article
• Weather Underground Forecast Models (models explained at NHC)

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Last night, Amanda made her big debut at Ray’s Boom Boom Room on Frenchmen St. in the Marigny. The sassy piano-playing songstress took the stage right after Theresa Andersson’s short but vigorous set. She was happy and confident as usual, and gave her compositions the best. The level of audience interest pleased me.

Things were swimming along until John Autin introduced my girl as Amanda Shaw. Shaw? Shaw?! That’s “Walker” and, as her agent and (upcoming) record producer, he’s supposed to know that well. Good work, John. Kat and I didn’t know what was worse – that he flubbed on Amanda’s last name or, later, stuck his shoe in his mouth onstage as an apology to her. Soles that have been all over the Quarter and Marigny, y’all. Ain’t no antibiotic for that. I forgive John this once, but he’s on notice!

Amanda was her sweet, polite, bouncy and professional self, and brushed the whole thing off. That’s why she has me around to be indignant for her.

Pictures will be up just as soon as my camera elves get their act together.

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Rising Tide social tonight (5-8pm) and conference tomorrow (8am-5pm) at the New Orleans Ya(ch)t Club in Lakeview. Be there or be flat, spiceless gumbo.