Did I mention I almost got hit by lightening or maybe did?
 

Yes, well, been a long time since I was in a thunderstorm.

Was in a rented minivan in Chicago during a storm waiting to turn right and a huge flash of white light blinds me. Came from my drivers side window. Just complete white.

I freeze, then start shaking, first asking what the hell was that, then realizing it was lightening. threw my cel phone, checked for a heartbeat, which I had because my heart was pounding. I was shaking like a leaf, the car seats, car wheel, etc... you could feel the heat.

I saw the cars on the road I was going to turn on slow way down as they approached and went by.

That is when it dawned on me they saw something and it must have been lightening striking.

I was told that lightening is attracted to mylar balloons. A little girl lost her balloons only minutes earlier outside the restaurant where I was. The balloons caught on a power line. In the heavy storm, lightening struck them.

Turns out, the balloons/power line were directly above my head by about 15 feet at most, maybe less since I was in a minivan and it sits higher.

This is what those other cars saw, lightening strike above me.

I was told that being in the car, with the tires 'grounded' probably saved my life.

I think it was the vodka cocktails that saved my sanity directly after that.

Later on we looked and the balloons were burnt up and crispy, hanging from the line. From the time I saw the little girl lose the balloons until the time lightening struck and blinded me was a total of about 5 minutes maybe. It was 1,2,3.


I don't think I will look at power lines or balloons the same way ever again that is for sure.


and... how was your day?

Lightning

not

Lightening.


The latter means you're making something lighter. Such as lightening up a dark pic in Photoshop. :)

You are lucky. :)

I live in the lightning capital of the world and it scares the shit out of me. Lighning has hit close to me more times then I can count.

Lori that sounds so scary... glad you are ok!

you are so right, just goes to show you that I don't even know how to spell it, I don't experience it very often.

And, I don't think I will use it in my vocabulary too much now either.

thanks though, good catch :thumbsup

Wow glad to hear you are ok. If that happen to me... I would have pulled over at the first bar I saw and had a drink or ten

Oh wow! That's scary! Glad you are ok though!

Jeeze that is so scary! Glad you are okay though.

glad to see your okay :)

OMG
Hey Lori, I'm so glad you are okay!!! That is a CRAZY experience that you will probably have a memory of the rest of your life. Does that count as good luck, almost getting hit??? If so you should consider buying a lottery ticket. :)

Look forward to seeing you at the next show.

Have you noticed that you have any 'special powers' now? lol

Glad you are ok sweety. That is scary.

Good idea, I"m headed to 7-11 now for a few tickets :winkwink:

I am waiting to see if I have more powers... I already have good telepathy skills now and again....


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even more interesting to the story is that I was in Chicago for the funeral of a family member. And here I am breathing still.....

damn thats crazy I've had a few lightning rods scare the shit out of me in Tampa

A car is a faraday cage. You were 100% safe sitting inside.

Damn, glad you're ok. Consider that a brand new life you're having right now. :)

glad to hear that you're safe

yep, taking stock and starting my brand new life :thumbsup