Conference hydra::dejavu

    Re .0 (Patti):
    
    This sounds like an affinity for static electricity.  This can,
    in part, be augmented by the type of clothing you wear.  Any long
    polymeric chain fabric (which are almost invariable good dielectrics)
    are good to help generate static electricity (e.g., nylon, rayon).
    Try wearing cotton clothing; that ought to help.
    
    Kinda first aid, but see what happens.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    You could always spray down with "Cling Free" 8^) Nuk Nuk

    
    Hello again,
    
        Thanks Steve, I have an allergy to synthetics, esspecially nylon.
    I mainly wear cotton or natural fibers like flax,silk and wool.
    In my wash I use antistatic rinses and air dry my clothes on the
    close line.  Can't think of what else could be causing all this
    electricity.  My hands are cold most of the time when this happens.
    
    Patti
    

    Re .3 (Patti):
    
    Silk, and to a lesser extent, wool, can generate static electricity
    fairly well (silk cloth is sometimes used to demonstrate that in
    early Physics courses).          
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    Steve,
    
        While DEC pays me rather well, silk is still rather dear and
    my main wardrobe consists of jeans and cotton tops, working off
    and on in the Fabs makes skirts obsolete.
    
    Patti
    

    Patti,
    
    You are not alone.  I go through "high electricity" cycles that
    lately seem related to hormone cycles and periods of high stress.  The
    last time I went through a major one I couldn't turn my tv off without
    unplugging it, then couldn't turn it back on again. When I finally got
    it on again, I had to press the volume about 40-50 times to get sound
    again.  I couldn't get the elevator at MR3 (it kept passing my floor)
    then when I finally got it, I couldn't get off it (it kept passing my
    floor again!).  When I walked into our building one morning I "felt" a
    click as I passed the fire alarm and YES, the alarm went off (right in
    my ear).  It was not a scheduled alarm and they didn't seem to know
    what triggered it (ha!ha!), but the alarm I was passing was the one
    that set off the whole system.
    
    And for most of the last 3 years, my cats have ducked when I pet them,
    'cause they know the 1st thing they're gonna get is a shock on the ear!
    
    And I just remember that back when I was in high school and 1st
    practicing yoga and meditation, after one particularly good meditation
    I set off an enormous series of static shocks.  It was spring time
    (warm and very humid weather).  I didn't scuff across a carpet.  I just
    stood up (I was next to my bed) and tried to pull the blanket down.  The
    entire bed lit up!  Each time I would start to lift the blanket, an
    enormous series of shocks would light up.  After half a dozen tries, it
    was down to individual shocks and then it finally stopped.
                                                         

     . . . ever see the movie "Mr. North?"

    No, you're not alone.  Another item that may be related:
    
    Neither my husband nor his father can use electronic watches.  Both
    have solved the problem by purchasing only mechanical timepieces. 
    Electronic watches come to a grinding halt while on their wrists (and
    my father-in-law lives in Honolulu, Hawaii -- no "cool dry days" to be
    had).  When taken off and placed on the dresser and forgotten, they
    start up again.   
    
    Don't know what this indicates, precisely; my father-in-law has
    ascribed it to what he calls "high skin resistance", but I don't know
    what that is.  
    
    Marcia

    
    Well, seems like it comes and goes.  My friend and I were watching
    tv the other evening, when I passed by the set it shut off, after
    turning it back on with the remote I walked by it again and switched
    the channel.  While at work (other job) I got a small jolt while
    using the hot water faucet, the machine next to the small sink had
    been shorting out, I was the lucky one who felt the short, thankfully
    I didn't have my hand on the counter (all metal counters).  Hurt
    like heck though!
    
    Haven't had any more electric problems since then, but give me a
    chance to charge.
    
    

    Re .9 (Patti):
    
    A thopught ... how about wearing something that would ground you
    electrically,  Then there would be no chance for an electric buildup.

    If this interests you, I can probably come up with a suggestion
    or two on how to implement this....
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    Steve,
    
       That sounds like a good idea.  When I worked in assembly, we
    had to wear ground straps so it wouldn't cause ESD with the product
    and "blow the poles" so to speak.  That would probably be an answer
    to my build-up.
    
    Patti