I received my new 11-track Ray LaMontagne autographed CD in the mail today and I'm about halfway through my first listen.  It's different from the last CD, that's obvious from the first notes.  Lots of horns, strings, and some Grateful Dead-esque guitar which was surprising.  It's similar in content -- don't expect an upbeat lyric from Ray.  He does broken-hearted ponderings so well. 

I'm really excited to see him play again at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas, next month.  I caught a sold-out show in Pittsburgh last year that was simply amazing.  You can read more about him and the show on my music blog, Chewing the Clef. 

We finally received a weather statement today from the National Weather Service predicting more than three inches of rain by Saturday morning.  We got over seven inches when Ivan limped through a few years ago and it wreaked havoc.  I'm sure many people are very worried about flooding again, myself included.  I'll have to make sure all of the precious basement items are off of the floor before I leave tomorrow.  I might stop back to check on things this weekend just to make sure my cat hasn't floated off.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor's condition is headed down the crapper.  Man, I really feel for his family.  I worked with his wife, Judy, for many years and know Bob through her.  He was always filled with such energy and greeted everyone with a smile.  Bob finally fulfilled a dream this year by becoming our mayor.  He's wanted it for such a long time and now, this battle with cancer at age 61 only a few months into office.  He's been in the hospital since July 10th.  Sometimes life really does make you wonder what the master plan is and what it all means.

Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone.  Enjoy the moments you are given and ignore the small stuff.  It's a short trip, after all.