In this instant and exaggerated world we live in, everything is magnified and out of perspective.

Many airplane phobias stem from spectacular media coverage of a plane crash with images and graphic descriptions of mutilated bodies and horrific destruction.

The stories are repeated over and over again to satisfy hungry and curious audiences and fill newspapers, televisions, computers and the radio.

Eddie Murphy once imitated President Reagan’s assassination attempt by doing a comedic rendition of “Buckweat’s been shot!” He replayed it in various angles, slow motion and normal. It was hysterical burlesque in the sense that it demonstrated the media’s handling of current events.

Weather reports become more than just a prediction of what may be. There are charts and radars and beautiful models and handsome men reporting it. They have Geraldo Rivera standing in a hurricane, his hair blowing in the wind. Cars chasing tornadoes and volcanoes and tsunamis and just plain thunderstorms.

People rush to buy food, batteries and snow shovels. Mayors and governors take advantage of emergencies to enhance their political presence.

And we all look forward to the exciting fun of our daily routines.

News and weather have become a means of entertainment and an opportunity to advertise products. It is also an opportunity for the various experts to show off their scholarship. I’ve always been fascinated by the expression, “There will be a thirty-five percent chance of rain.” What does that mean? Does that mean there will be a 65 percent chance that it won’t rain? That’s like saying it will be a good day if it doesn’t rain.

I wrote the following as an observation of this phenomenon and its impact on our modern lives.

So here is my answer. I hope you find it funny.

my steamy affair with irene

I can’t say I wasn’t warned… “Watch out for this one! It’s dangerous! It will invade your life and leave you exhausted and in the dark. But it will also bring you danger and exotic excitement.”

Nonsense, I thought. She’ll be a hype like the rest

So I waited in anticipation… nervously looking out the window awaiting his arrival.

wow! She spilled her heart and her soul and blood with the wind. And indeed I was apprehensive as the darkness enveloped me. TV was no longer relevant and neither was my trusted computer. Just me and Irene… It was really sensual and exciting.

And then he went his frivolous way. To electrify others. To tear their lives apart and leave them like her, she left me… alone and mistreated…

“Good night Irene… Good night Irene… I’ll see you in my dreams…”.