Oyster at Your Right Hand Thief:

Ive been enjoying the professionalism of Gov. Bobby Jindals hurricane preparation updates during the past few days. Hes not afraid to lay a lot of detailed information on his audience. Yesterday he went on for about 10 minutes straight, in granular detail, citing all the numbers of buses, people, and provisions that are coming into New Orleans to help with evacuation and post-storm relief. Afterwards, he described the laundry list of statistical information as a brief "survey" of what is being done. His directness and command of the details was the key thing, throuout. He didnt seem overwhelmed. He stayed on target. He instilled confidence.

Jeff over at Library Chronicles

Yesterday, the Mayor took a moment away from honoring the victims of the Federal Flood to use them as means to attack his critics.

"The most important work we need to do this third anniversary, in spite of the challenges we face this hurricane season, is to learn, ladies and gentlemen, to respect and honor each other -- our diverse culture that is unique to New Orleans. I dont know exactly who is in those coffins, you dont know who is in those coffins, but I will bet you they represent every aspect of this great city. . . .

"So when people talk about their love for this great city, and then you go to a blog, or you read something and it is divisive, it is hateful, it is mean-spirited, my question to you is: How you can you love New Orleans if you dont love all of us?"

Nice.

I saw my neighbor outside cutting his grass. I asked if they were leaving. He said that they were going to Shreveport tomorrow morning, where his company has a hotel room for him and his family.

I ran over to my neighborhood quick-stop. I thought about topping off my almost-full tank, but they were out of gas. My Egyptian friend said they are delivering more gas tomorrow morning. He also said he was staying and keeping the store open. Its right atop Metairie Ridge, so it might be handy if we get another flood.

There was a man in line behind me. When I left, he said, "good luck to you." Thats the same thing the people next to us said at Slim Goodys this morning.

From gentillygirl, who has posted here at Docudharma:

Well Gentle Readers, I think my thoughts on this hurricanes path is right- we are now seeing more of a westward trend for landfall. Heres the current NHC track on the storm-

...

Now lets see the National Guard or the NOLA Gestapo drag me out of thie Fortress.

Sinn Fein Darlins... its up to us to keep the faith and protect our city

Raymond Ward  at Minor Wisdom:

As everyone knows, were expecting Hurricane Gustav to hit the Louisiana gulf coast sometime Monday. People have always been a bit anxious around here when a hurricane is threatening. But this time its been a little different. Ive notice a lot of people who seemed emotionally on edge, myself included at times. This is undoubtedly due to memory of the Katrina ordeal.

Our plan is to stay put. Our house survived Katrina, and 100 years worth of hurricanes before Katrina. I dont think this one will be another Katrina, but if it is, were ready for an extended camp-out. We have around 25 gallons of bottled water, several days supply of nonperishable food, flashlights, electric lanterns, plenty of batteries, a hand-crank radio, and a camp stove. And if for some reason we must bug out, the gas tanks of our cars are topped off.

Maitri at Maitris VatulBlog:

D and I still dont know if were leaving or not. At this time, despite the fact that Hurricane Gustav is still in the Caribbean, the models trend west. What does that mean in terms of rain and surge?  Will the power go out?  Sure.  For how long?  Uncertainty, not anxiety, prevails. This post will be updated through the day, so keep it here and on Twitter if you want to follow along at home (since you obviously have nothing better to do on the Saturday before Labor Day).

7:30AM - Awakened from strange dream about a couple of friends by my brother who wants to know if were leaving. "Huh? I dunno. snore Yeah, Ill come up there if anything happens."
8:00AM - Turn on TV to flip between local channels. "What? I slept all night and that storm has moved inches? Damn you, Gustav, I want my money back." Bleary-eyed reach for coffee.
8:30AM - Ok, were getting our plywood ready, just in case.

...

5:30PM - Windows boarded by D, while I stood around and looked spiffy. Bob Breck says the high pressure ridge that was supposed to push Gustav to the west may not come here any more. It wont be a direct hit to the city, but close enough. Were leaving tomorrow. The question is when tomorrow.

From prytania waterline:

The Guvna is in the middle of his press conference, he just said something I found interesting. He said that the RTA reported at the current pace that only ten thousand people of an estimated 30,000 that may need assistance will be taken out today. Unless there is a surge of folks who get to the Bus/train station a lot of people with little means may be left here. Hopefully this thing will slide further west and not bitch slap the city. But at this time I would say it is still a crap shoot.

And from Humid Haney Rant, some recipes to ponder "While Waiting for Gustav":

Hurricane Beverage Emergency Preparedness Kit

MANDATORY EVACUATION
1 1/2 oz. Absolute Ruby Red vodka
1/2 oz.vermouth
Clamato
Prune juice
Combine vodka and vermouth in cocktail glass. Fill remainder of glass with
equal parts Clamato and prune juice. Stir. Drink. Ask next-door neighbor
whose fichus tree blew over and crashed onto your roof - even though youd
warned him for months to uproot it - if you can use his bathroom. Repeat.

CATEGORY 5
1/2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. rum
1/2 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. gin
Sweet-and-sour mix
Splash of fruit juice
Combine vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon and gin in a tall glass. Fill
remainder of glass with sweet-and-sour mix and splash of juice. Stir, then
garnish with an inverted drink umbrella. Drink during peak storm hours, and
vow not to believe anyone who tries to tell you the hurricane that flooded
your garage and destroyed your shed was just a Category 1.

Theres a lot more.  But I thought Id give a little flavor of whats happening now.

I wish everyone in the affected area safety, I hope all those folks who dont have the means to evacuate are helped.