Given the almost unprecedented spate of tropical disturbances and hurricanes this season, the US National Weather Service is concerned about running out of letters in the alphabet to name the storms. Currently, as of October 6, we have arrived at "S" (Hurricane Stan) and there are still 8 weeks remaining before the expiration of storm season. Apparently the Weather Service, for whatever reasons, refuses to venture past the letter "W" , and some concern has arisen that we might have to return to the beginnings of the alphabet to make ends meet this year.

But I have a plan. We might squeeze at least one more name from the Roman alphabet under these unusual circumstances by pressing the letter "X" into service. That way we may not have to wring our hands over the need to go all the way back to "A".

If need arises, we can call this extraordinary tropical storm, "Xenu." Imagine the serendipity of such named cyclone threatening the west coast of central Florida, say around the Clearwater/St Pete area. This, of course, is not to wish such a coastal strike as Florida residents have suffered enough since the summer of last year, but simply to point out that if it were to occur, better "Xenu" than "Aaron".

The Clearwater clams would especially be quaking in their boots. Truly an apocalyptic event, something, which if you comb through the bowels of the voluminous writings of Eelworm Hubbard himself, was intimated as inevitable.

I'm organizing an explanatory letter writing campaign to the National Weather Service to allow this idea some serious consideration.

ewsnead

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"I was much happier in previous existences when I wrote plays, composed music, conquered nations, discovered continents, and developed cures for diseases." - Tom Cruise.

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