Shocking

Matthew Preston | October 19, 2002
After reading Scott's topic of links, (the "I Used to Believe" link in particular) I was reminded of a situation that happened to me when I was about 14 or so.
 
My father and I were camping at Starved Rock park where his cousin has a summer trailer. One of the days we planned a trip to see stock car races at the Grundy County fairgrounds. Before going, we stopped for brunch at a local restaurant. When I went up for the first time to get food, I grabbed the tongs for the donuts and felt a surging shock run through my body! It felt like I was being electrocuted. (Anyone out there knows what I am talking about if they have ever touched the metal prongs of a plug while plugging it in.)
 
Well, I jumped back and dropped the tongs back in with the donuts and grabbed my hand in pain. A guy waiting for donuts behind me said "What, did you get a shock?" I tried to warn him that it shocked the hell out of me, but he had to see for himself. He grabbed the tongs and grabbed a donut like nothing was wrong. He looked at me like I was crazy and just continued on down the buffet. Confused by this I grabbed the tongs again, and again was shocked like mad!
 
I made my way back to our table and in half tears tried to explain my situation to my father and his cousin. They both got up and made their way to the brunch buffet. And of course, they didn't get shocked. I started to think that I was going crazy, or perhaps someone was playing a practical joke on me. I tried several other scoopers and tongs, all with the same effect. I even tried to convince myself that I was wrong about the shocking and held tightly onto one egg scooper for a good 5 seconds until I couldn't stand the pain anymore. My dad just ended up getting the food for me, but I didn't eat much I was so worn out and terrified.
 
To this day, my father and I talk about what happened. The good part about all this was that he believed me. He knows me well enough to tell that something was very wrong and I wasn't making things up. I just wish I knew what the hell was going on that day, and why I was the only one who kept getting electrocuted?

Scott Hardie | October 19, 2002
I know I've read too many comic books, because I immediately thought of the X-Men upon reading this. I'm mildly ashamed.

Anna Gregoline | October 19, 2002
That's very interesting. Were you doing ANYTHING different the other people weren't? I'm sure you've thought about it lots. These were just free tongs, they weren't connected to anything? I'm intruiged, but I can't see an easy answer to your problem.

Erik Nelson | October 22, 2002
And that is why, from that point on, Matt had light eminating from his neck.

Scott Hardie | October 22, 2002
He's great to have on your porch when there are too many bugs around.

Anna Gregoline | October 23, 2002
Or to run alongside your bike on a moonless night.

Scott Hardie | October 23, 2002
"No, I said Bud Light."