4:00pm

So Issac is very close to land fall but nothing here other than rain and more rain though it comes in waves. First major bands are hitting right now and the rain looks like dust moving through the city's canyons.  Heard the first clap of thunder a few moments ago, but really, the wind gusts sound more like thunder than the thunder does.

Tomorrow, 8/28, is the 7th anniversary of Katrina making land fall.  That has a lot of people nervous.  For a lack of better explanation, there is a large portion of the population of the Southern Louisiana that are superstitious and the timing of both of these storms is enough to rattle some nerves and now that the storm is starting to hit New Orleans, they are revisiting some sights that became infamous in Katrina and that can't be good for a lot of people to relive those memories at this time.  

Again, more news about how great the great wall is in Eastern New Orleans.  I admit it's impressive but it seems like they are "spiking the football" before they have a reason too.  First power outage has been reported here in New Orleans, though it is an isloated area and not very big.

All gaming areas are closed in Southern Louisiana and Mississippi so there goes my shelter of last resort if I get too bored. 

And as quickly as the rain and wind came, it is now gone.  About 10 minutes is the maximum that these storms seem to last.  If this storm keeps moving at it's current pace, it shouldn't be too bad but again, if this bad boy sits on top of the area, then it won't be good.

Grand Isle is getting the majority of the TV coverage.  Right now they are getting 50-60 mph winds from the north and they are expecting 6-12 ft tidal surge and heavy rain on Wednesday morning.

I found a pizza place that was open and delivering so I have food for the next few days (though I may tire of pizza by this time Wednesday or Thursday).  The hotel came by earlier and gave me a flashlight and instructions and updates which include:
 - Fill my bathtub with water.  Doesn't say what for, but says to do that.  Way to give directions fellas.
 - The Pantry, which is like a walk-in wet bar/snack bar in the lobby, will be closed tonight at 10pm, if you don't get anything before then, you're doomed to drink bathtub water and eat whatever you can find.
- The building is being locked down at 10pm and there is not unlock date.  Are we being quarantined? 

One thing that is worth noting: There has been a line of dry air being sucked into the hurricane which seems to be making it lopsided and, hopefully, weakened enough that once it hit's land fall, fall apart.  No one knows for sure what it will do but this is a nice little ray of hope to hold onto. 

Posting photos from the lobby area, again, just looks like a stormy day here in New Orleans.