Rabbit:

Look back a few posts; Clark answered my similar question re: why the HPC instead of the NHC is issuing advisories.

Re: your comment about the LLC, I see 2 areas that might be it (one of them perhaps even a re-formation a bit NE from the earlier position?), but I wouldn't be surprised to learn I'm wrong; that it's a tropical storm; or that it's opening into a wave, as you suggested. Irene continues to be difficult to pin down.