cblj_backup | (no subject)

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You know, normally I'm not one to complain about winter weather. I like cold and rain and snow, because I am a backwards, strange man.

But it is so dry in Chicago right now that for the first time in my life I'm considering anti-static spray. I have now literally, twice, stood up from my chair at work and generated so much static electricity that the in-ear headphone I wear in my left ear has SHOCKED MY EARDRUM.

You know what is unpleasant? SHOCKING YOUR OWN EARDRUM.

I gotta learn to take my headphone out before moving.

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Oh Sam. Electrocuted by Winter. Only you.

This needs to be tagged with 'ways I have injured myself', surely? *g*

A small humidifier will be a large help. I hate being shocked (eardrum!!EW) so I remembered that I used a baby humidifier when my daughter was small. They still make smaller ones for children and would be in the baby aisle.

HA! Sheesh. Yes, I love winter, too, but once the furnace goes on, the air goes dry and static is a the bane of my existence. Having cats and a dog and my own long hair, well - it *sticks*. To *everything*. Drives me nutty. Plus petting the cat/dog and shocking the stuff out of them isn't fun for anybody.

This is why doing anything with electronics is verbotten depending on weather. Even anti-static wrist-bands don't help.

On the bright (?) side, should only take a few shocks to teach you to take your headphone off.

Some folks at my office use these (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bell-howell-sonic-breathe-ultrasonic-travel-humidifier/1040588353?mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_cleaning_&adpos=1o1&creative=39230289469&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CNO6rpiU0MICFQET7AodhzcANg) little travel humidifiers at their desks in winter. I find them quite soothing.

Edited 2014-12-18 17:54 (UTC)

I once worked in a company where - I dunno? - the air must have been particularly dry (it might have been air-conditioned, I don't recall), and there was a nylon carpet, and EVERYONE working there learned to walk down the main office with a hand flipping out to touch every desk, otherwise you got down to the photocopier (or wherever) and got a really nasty shock. If you discharged at every desk (they were tall, long, draughtsman's ones, about ten of them in two ranks down the room), then you only got tiny sparks and were discharged enough to be able to open the filing cabinets without being flung back a foot.

I have had that ear shocky thing happen many a time and it sucks... Using a snuggie at the desk does not help. I got a little USB humidifier for my desk at work and I really like it.

Since moving to KS from CA I've gotten used to closing my car door with my elbow cuz the shock hurts less there, and tapping things lightly before actually grasping them so build ups can disperse quickly.

We have metal door release buttons at work, and there are days I fistbump them rather than get another huge static zap up one finger.

This morning when I hung up my bathrobe, it stuck to the wall so much that I thought I could probably have dispensed with the hook.

I have been shocked all this winter where I start to pray for rain and other moisture. I can't even tell you how annoying it is when I go to kiss my SO and it shocks our lips. Not fun.

I literally just did the exact same thing. OUCH.

Ooh.
I'll be in Chicago in March!!

That's a good time to visit! No tourists, but the weather's usually at least beginning to warm by then :)

I will first be downtown in the Swissotel, and then in an area called Roger Square. Is that an OK neighbourhood?

Swissotel is in a fine neighborhood, near a lot of cool downtown stuff. I don't know Roger Square -- do you mean Rogers Park? Or possibly Logan Square? (Both are fun!)

Rogers Park! That must be it. Definitely something with Roger in it.

1. Your job requires you to wear comms *and* stalk rich people? Please tell me that everyone is bisexual except for the grey ace cat burglar.

2. Miniature humidifiers are for weenies. I recommend this one: http://crane-usa.com/products/adorables/frog-adorable-humdifier/ which comes in 15 species options in case you like penguins or duckies better than frogs.

LOL! It's just headphones for listening to music -- I have to keep one ear free in case people call for me, but I can have music on in the other one :)

Unfortunately I don't think we're allowed to have full-sized humidifiers at our desks...

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