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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / May 2004Lightning!!
Howdy! Anybody else out there have an affinity for lightning? Over that past couple of years an indescribable kinship has been developing. Sorta' like: "Lightning and me... we be mates!" I'm thinking that this is due to an insight that I, as an epileptic, have into lightning that "normal folks" can't understand. After all, when I've discussed the physiology of epilepsy, more than one doc has said that if I want to describe epilepsy to somebody the closest natural phenominon to epilepsy is lightning! We've had a couple of days of incredible thunderstorms where I am. Just this morning (Sunday) I heard one li'l old lady whimpering about how God is passing judgement on our wicked society. Meantime, I've just been watching an outstanding (dare I say heavenly?) light show and attempting to take it all in! Wa'ja think: Am I climing the esoteric peaks or sinking into the bogs?  SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com Hi Dave: I am also fascinated by lightning. I got struck when I was 15 through a phone line (out in the country), and I think, though the docs can't confirm, that's what caused my epilepsy. > Howdy! > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Dave ???? > http://www.howdydave.com I love lightning. I can stand at the window...or outside, if it's not raining...and watch it for ages. Love to get a time-lapse photograph of some impressive forked lightning. Unfortunately, where I am, we mostly just get sheet lightning, which doesn't come up too well in photos. > Hi Dave: > I am also fascinated by lightning. I got struck when I was 15 through a [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Dave ???? > > http://www.howdydave.com >I love lightning. I can stand at the window...or outside, if it's not >raining...and watch it for ages. Love to get a time-lapse photograph of some >impressive forked lightning. Unfortunately, where I am, we mostly just get >sheet lightning, which doesn't come up too well in photos. "Sheet lightning" is simply the description given to lightning where what you see is the reflected or diffused light on or through the clouds. Even with sheet lightning, there will always be a bolt of forked lightning as the source - even if they are only very small bolts. See http://www.wordiq.com/dictionary/sheet%20lightning.html and http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_170a.html or http://www.lightningstorm.com/tux/jsp/discover/glossary/index.jsp?define=sheet%2 0lightning for better definitions. SignatureMatSav > >I love lightning. I can stand at the window...or outside, if it's not > >raining...and watch it for ages. Love to get a time-lapse photograph of some [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > forked lightning as the source - even if they are only very small > bolts. I'm glad someone else said that! Thanks for the links. Mary > See http://www.wordiq.com/dictionary/sheet%20lightning.html and > http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_170a.html or http://www.lightningstorm.com/tux/jsp/discover/glossary/index.jsp?define=sheet%2 0lightning > for better definitions. > >I love lightning. I can stand at the window...or outside, if it's not > >raining...and watch it for ages. Love to get a time-lapse photograph of some [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > See http://www.wordiq.com/dictionary/sheet%20lightning.html and > http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_170a.html or http://www.lightningstorm.com/tux/jsp/discover/glossary/index.jsp?define=she et%20lightning > for better definitions. > > -- > MatSav This I knew. But it doesn't make it any easier to photograph when there's lots of cloud in the way. Darryl. > Howdy! > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Wa'ja think: Am I climing the esoteric peaks or sinking into the bogs? I never thought about it but I love lightning. I've always made a point of going out and watching the display if I can. I've encouraged others not to be frightened but to marvel at it - but never associated it with any condition other than my being a very small part of a fantastic universe. I'm more concerned about a related phenomenon which has recently manifested itself. When I'm sitting here at night, watching the screen which is in front of my window (never screened by curtains) I often think that I see lightning or firework flashes to the right. It can never been seen if I watch that part of the sky and I'm wondering if there's a physiological or neurological cause which perhaps should be investigated. Mary > > Howdy! > > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > > > Wa'ja think: Am I climing the esoteric peaks or sinking into the bogs? As for "Howdy Dave" and lightning - we live not too far apart, and I have a different reaction (we have two VERY tall spires next to the house [they were ordinarl blue spruces about a century ago...], and I fear for them [and the house] during any storm), and we got hit by lightning about a week ago - knocked out two modems + router + network + wireless box... > I never thought about it but I love lightning. I've always made a point of > going out and watching the display if I can. I've encouraged others not to [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Mary I don't know how old you are, but I'm discovering that there is a LOT "they" don't tell you about that you can expect when you get older - they just let it be a surprise, THEN tell you how common it is "at your age"! ;-) One of those is that the fluid in the eye can harden along the surface of the retina, and then one day, you see "lightning bolts" at the visual periphery (usually in a fine circle at the edge of view), especially when you move your eye rapidly, and especially when it is dark. This is caused by the separation of that hardened layer from the retina, and is considered "benign" - though for me, I had an annoying large visible "hair" just off the center of vision for quite a while afterward, and now a permanently stuck mass of floaters in the center of my "camera" eye, spoiling sharpness (still there several years later - and with two eye doctors telling me that this isn't true, though I can see it clearly! [Aaarrrgggh! - see my "rant" on doctors on alt-support.sleep-disorder! ;-] - though another confirms it). If you are lucky (I was), this process does not result in the tearing of the retina. If you see effects inside the extreme periphery, especially if it is generalized, or like snow or fireworks, get to an eye specialist IMMEDIATELY - this could be detachment of the retina, for which there is treatment available if not too advanced. Though it could also be "heat lightning" - or a neurological issue (and I often see "sparkles" over much of my field of view with bright things like snow - though I also see visual "noise" almost always, regardless of light level). Good luck with sorting it out! --DR > > I'm more concerned about a related phenomenon which has recently manifested > > itself. When I'm sitting here at night, watching the screen which is in [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > a LOT "they" don't tell you about that you can expect when you > get older - they just let it be a surprise, Oh come on! You surely don't expect to be warned of everything which might happen as you age? I wouldn't like that - and I wouldn't believe Them anyway. I want life to unfold and give me surprises - even when they're not pleasant. they're all part of the rich fabric ... > THEN tell you how > common it is "at your age"! ;-) No-one's done that yet. >One of those is that the fluid in the > eye can harden along the surface of the retina, and then one day, > you see "lightning bolts" at the visual periphery (usually in a fine > circle at the edge of view), especially when you move your eye > rapidly, and especially when it is dark. My experiences aren't lightning bolts. > This is caused by the > separation of that hardened layer from the retina, and is > considered "benign" - though for me, I had an annoying large > visible "hair" just off the center of vision for quite a while afterward, I had that once, it resolved itself - but I did go to the optician immediately and had a very thorough examination, she treated me as an emergency and was prepared to send me to the eye hospital. > and now a permanently stuck mass of floaters in the center of my > "camera" eye, spoiling sharpness (still there several years later - and > with two eye doctors telling me that this isn't true, though I can see > it clearly! My optician has always believed me when I've described what I can see even though she can't. She explains what the phenomena are, why they happen and what, if anything, can be done about them. > [Aaarrrgggh! - see my "rant" on doctors on No - becuase it wouldn't apply to me. From what I read on ngs it seems that on the whole we are much more favoured with our doctors in UK than you are. That could be an over generalisation and only caused because people on ngs often have axes to grind. And do. > alt-support.sleep-disorder! ;-] - though another confirms it). If > you are lucky (I was), this process does not result in the tearing [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > the retina, for which there is treatment available if not too > advanced. I know. My optician explained it in reat detail. > Good luck with sorting it out! Well, thanks. I don't think there's anything which needs to be sorted out but I intended telling Mrs Gibson when I see her anyway. Mary > --DR Howdy David! Don't be an old fart... leave a little magic and unexpected surprises for folks to discover for themselves! IMO: That's one of the glories of life, there's always something just around the corner that you've never experienced before. I want to let it be just as much of a surpise and/or delight to other people as it was/will be to me! SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > > > > Howdy! [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] > Good luck with sorting it out! > --DR This does seem a little weird. I also have liked to watch lightening, but I never brave past from watching from the inside of the house. This does seem unnatural. Dawn, several people here (I won't name names) are weird and unnatural. :P > Dawn, several people here (I won't name names) are weird and unnatural. > > :P OY! >> Dawn, several people here (I won't name names) are weird and unnatural. >> >> :P > >OY! OOH! SignatureMalcolm > > Dawn, several people here (I won't name names) are weird and unnatural. > > > > :P > > OY! Howdy Mary! After all of that lovely intimacy that we 3 shared, you don't suppose that she's talking about US, do you? (Herself included of course!) SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > > > Dawn, several people here (I won't name names) are weird and unnatural. > > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > After all of that lovely intimacy that we 3 shared, you don't suppose that > she's talking about US, do you? Oh - I just assumed that she was ... ... > (Herself included of course!) I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... Mary > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... I told you she wasn't paying attention Dave. > > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > > I told you she wasn't paying attention Dave. Well, the light was out ... Mary >> > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Mary Can we get back to the subject of flashing, please? SignatureMalcolm > >> > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Can we get back to the subject of flashing, please? Now you're exposing your hidden self ... Mary > > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > > I told you she wasn't paying attention Dave. Howdy Dona! Guess we'll have to do it again until she gets it right, eh? Malcom's idea of flashing isn't a bad idea either... maybe we could get more community interest if we did that. Wa'ja bet that 20% or more of the folks around here are too young (or their memories are too bad) to know about flashing? BTW: I saw a show last week with a chorus line of good looking seniors. They called themselves (honest to Pete) the "Hot Flashes!" SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > Wa'ja bet that 20% or more of the folks around here are > too young (or their memories are too bad) to know about > flashing? or maybe both? Raist ps: i really thougt about the lightning thing. don`t have no opinion. to me lightening is just lightening. but have you ever consciously smelt the air during a storm? or before it? it's one of *my* turn ons. > > Wa'ja bet that 20% or more of the folks around here are > > too young (or their memories are too bad) to know about [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > but have you ever consciously smelt the air during a storm? or before it? > it's one of *my* turn ons. That's the smell of burning smog :-) Darryl. > That's the smell of burning smog Not here it ain't. I live in a tiny city in Montana. I'd have to go a long, long ways to smell smog. > That's the smell of burning smog > :-) > Darryl huh ... how do you know? :O :D don't say you can tell from my accent, 'cos i'm sure i don't have one ;-). Raist > > That's the smell of burning smog > > :-) [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Raist LOL. No, .....I put my face right up to my screen and I could see it through your window. > LOL. No, .....I put my face right up to my screen and I > could see it > through your window. you can see *anything* through these windows? my respect. Raist > but have you ever consciously smelt the air during a storm? or before it? > it's one of *my* turn ons. I love that smell. I wish someone would bottle it. > > Wa'ja bet that 20% or more of the folks around here are > > too young (or their memories are too bad) to know about [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > but have you ever consciously smelt the air during a storm? or before it? > it's one of *my* turn ons. Howdy Raist! Yup... That's one of the mysteries of the world -- how come just about nobody but me can smell when it's going to rain? (Nobody in this part of the woods anyway.) Now that you mentioned it, I'll have to check out the smell of the air after a regular storm and a thunder storm! SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > That's one of the mysteries of the world -- how come just about nobody but > me can smell when it's going to rain? (Nobody in this part of the woods > anyway.) I've always been able to smell rain before it comes - but not electrical storms. Mary >> Wa'ja bet that 20% or more of the folks around here are >> too young (or their memories are too bad) to know about [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >but have you ever consciously smelt the air during a storm? or before it? >it's one of *my* turn ons. Nitrogen dioxide, from the intense heat of the lightening allowing the otherwise fairly inert nitrogen in the air to react with the oxygen. SignatureMalcolm > >> Wa'ja bet that 20% or more of the folks around here are > >> too young (or their memories are too bad) to know about [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Nitrogen dioxide, from the intense heat of the lightening allowing the > otherwise fairly inert nitrogen in the air to react with the oxygen. Howdy Malcom! Here I thought it was just ionization! SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com Dave ©¿©¬ <dave@_nospam_howdydave.com> wrote >Howdy Malcom! > >Here I thought it was just ionization! If you could smell charge we could make a fortune together selling Van der Graaf Generators? SignatureMalcolm > >Howdy Malcom! > > > >Here I thought it was just ionization! > > If you could smell charge we could make a fortune together selling Van > der Graaf Generators? Well... I've gotten some bills that absolutely stink! SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com Okay Gang, Dave and Malcolm are putting their heads together. Brace yourselfs. :) > >Here I thought it was just ionization! > > If you could smell charge we could make a fortune together selling Van > der Graaf Generators? But what about O3? C. >> >Here I thought it was just ionization! >> >> If you could smell charge we could make a fortune together selling Van >> der Graaf Generators? > >But what about O3? The discharge from the VDGG will also create O3 and help replenish the holes in the Earth's atmosphere, so we'll probably be able to get a government environmental grant as well. SignatureMalcolm >Nitrogen dioxide, from the intense heat of the lightening >allowing the >otherwise fairly inert nitrogen in the air to react with >the oxygen. uhm, yes ... :P > > > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > BTW: I saw a show last week with a chorus line of good looking seniors. They > called themselves (honest to Pete) the "Hot Flashes!" Oh yes, I remember those - here they're called 'flushes' though. They do make us very hot though :-) Mary > > > > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > > > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Mary Isn't it the flashing that produces the flushes? > > > > > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > > > > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Isn't it the flashing that produces the flushes? No, it's just another example of our different words for the same thing. Flashing could cause blushes, however ... :-) Mary > > > > > > I know my memory's bad but I thought the third was Malcolm ... > > > > > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Mary Howdy Mary! Here in the USA they are called both flushes and flashes. Guess they are called "flushes" by those who are thinking about what they feel like and "flashes" by those who are thinking about how fast they come on. Being of the masculine pursuasion, this is all hearsay and second hand information of course! SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > Flashing could cause blushes, however ... :-) > > Mary Especially if you're caught wearing your dip-thong! ;-) >> Flashing could cause blushes, however ... :-) >> >> Mary > >Especially if you're caught wearing your dip-thong! ;-) The moment I typed that, I knew there would be someone uneducated here. :) SignatureMalcolm Dave ©¿©¬ <dave@_nospam_howdydave.com> wrote >Howdy! > >Anybody else out there have an affinity for lightning? LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. I can watch for hours if there's an overnight storm, and if there's one out at sea it's *super* to watch. Puts fireworks to shame. But the only time as an adult that I've been really scared is caught on a ridge in the Alps with a storm breaking. Not the best place to be. The map marked a fixed rope to abseil so I found my way to it... only to discover it was a v.long (50m?) steel rope :( So do I sit on a ridge in a thunderstorm or abseil down a lightning conductor? I went down with the fastest abseil in my life, and huddled under an overhang on the face whilst the clouds hit and all hell broke loose around me. Looking back, I loved it. But I admit I was scared as sh*t. SignatureMalcolm > >Howdy! > > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Looking back, I loved it. But I admit I was scared as sh*t. Howdy Malcom! Looking back on it, would there be that much of a thrill without the fear element? Glad to know that I'm not the only person who feels this way about it! NEXT QUESTION: Think this sense of "affinity" (for want of a better word) is due to the "internal lightning" that we experience as epileptics? SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com Dave ©¿©¬ <dave@_nospam_howdydave.com> wrote >Howdy Malcom! > >Looking back on it, would there be that much of a thrill without the fear >element? I think yes. I love the massive breakers on the sea and there's little or no fear there. I love the mountains and get a thrill on a really good rock face. I know one with almost 4000ft straight down - it is awesome but not frightening. I am comfortable but thrilled. There is no adrenaline rush. Put me in a party or make me chair a formal meeting and there is great discomfort, but still no adrenaline. Maybe social/business/political control freaks get a kick out of this, I don't. >Glad to know that I'm not the only person who feels this way about it! > >NEXT QUESTION: Think this sense of "affinity" (for want of a better word) is >due to the "internal lightning" that we experience as epileptics? No. It's just that I like extremes of Nature, without being an adrenaline junkie or epileptic. Lighting is one of Nature's best extremes. SignatureMalcolm > >Howdy Malcom! > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > but not frightening. I am comfortable but thrilled. There is no > adrenaline rush. I wouldn't be comfortable up there ... I sometimes feel odd while standing on the kerb. Other times it doesn't bother me. > Put me in a party or make me chair a formal meeting and there is great > discomfort, but still no adrenaline. Maybe social/business/political > control freaks get a kick out of this, I don't. I don't get a kick out if it, it doesn't present me with discomfort or fear, I can do it easily, that's all. > >NEXT QUESTION: Think this sense of "affinity" (for want of a better word) is > >due to the "internal lightning" that we experience as epileptics? > > No. It's just that I like extremes of Nature, without being an > adrenaline junkie or epileptic. Lighting is one of Nature's best > extremes. Indeed - as is the manifestation of the power of air or water. To an observer ... I think I'm only frightened for other people when I see them in potentially dangerous situations. I know it's silly, I know that it's in their own interest to preserve themselves - perhaps it's the mother hen in me. Mary Hi Dave, I like watching lightning. LOSE ,that is to Calgary Flames GO FLAMES GO Martin > Howdy! > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Wa'ja think: Am I climing the esoteric peaks or sinking into the bogs? |
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