Unintended Electroshock Therapy
Bizarre March 5th, 2010
Finally. The weather’s perking up around here and I got out for a long walk today with my jam-packed iPod of dance tunes. If anyone saw me walking, they either knew I had downloaded the best music ever, or wondered whether I was having a spasm and thought they should call 911.
I’m not afraid to dance-walk-spaz in public. It ain’t pretty, but you get to a certain age when you just don’t care anymore what people think of you.
But I didn’t find my groove right away.
First, I suffered through five minutes of electroshock therapy, courtesy of my iPod.
It seems that if it’s dry enough and that if you create enough static when you walk, that static builds up in the device and finds its way out through the path of least resistance.
That path was straight to my ears.
For the first five minutes of my walk, I couldn’t figure out how to stop shocking myself in the head.
I kept the iPod in my pocket.
Shock. Owwww!
I held the iPod in my hand.
Zzzzzzzppp. Aieeeeeee!!!!
I realized that the long black Matrix coat I was wearing created enough friction brushing against my legs that I repeatedly got shocked once a block.
I tried holding the coat close enough to my body to keep it from brushing against me but that didn’t work either. I finally gave up and removed it all together.
Luckily, the sun was out full force and I’d been walking fast enough, albeit painfully, to sweat a little and fend off the cold.
Has this ever happened to you and your ear buds? Or do I just have a super-electric personality? Yea, that’s gotta be it.
Stumble it!






March 5th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Holy cow! I can safely say I have never had a static electricity shock in my ears. Ow!!! Now I’m going to be afraid of my iPod. I’ve gotten so many nasty static shocks already this winter – I really would like my ears to be free of them. I’ve even taken to spraying the doorknobs with Static Guard in the hopes that, just once, I can open the door without seeing that ugly little blue arc of electricity. Man those hurt!
.-= Surfie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Stairway to Heaven? =-.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Well I’ve not been shocked through earbuds (Probably because I don’t wear them) but I am continually shocked by the car. Whatever part of me happens to come into contact with the metal gets it!
Years ago we had jumpers made from Acrylic. Thankfully they stopped making jumpers out of it. The static was unbelievable. If you pulled the jumper off in the dark, you could light up the room with the blue flashes, and that’s NOT exaggerating. We used to see who could make the most light. Actually the blue sparks were quite pretty.
.-= babs – beetle´s last blog ..Pride goes before a fall =-.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Hmmm, I must be one of the few remaining people on Earth who doesn’t have an iPod. I’ve thought about it and having a lot of good dance tunes (I do Zumba) in one place is tempting. However, the older I get the more “silence is golden”. When I walk, I’m alone with my thoughts.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
That sounds hurty! Be very careful you do not cause a short circuit in your brain!
.-= Daisy the Curly Cat´s last blog ..Clothes for the Working Mancat! =-.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME.
Everyone, it is as horrible as it sounds. Personally, I think my iPod had become sentient and was trying to punish me for listening to the same thing over and over and over again.
.-= Kevin´s last blog ..Rejection! =-.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
You’re absolutely right. At a certain age we’ve earned the right to do as we please and also gained the confidence not to give a big ol’ crap what anyone thinks about it. As far as the iPod, I can only suggest that you probably have an electrifying personality!
Happy to have discovered you. – Jayne
.-= injaynesworld´s last blog ..injaynesworld we’re always "Up For A Party…" =-.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Never heard of such a thing so I guess it must be your electric personality
.-= Grace´s last blog ..Not feeling all that well so sticking with pet pics and other oddments =-.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
i find it quite funny that you took your coat off instead of unplugging from your ipod.
)
hugs,
puglette
.-= puglette´s last blog ..From Around the Interwebs! =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 1:20 am
*raises hand* Yes, it has happened to me as well and I wasn’t even moving! I had my earbuds plugged into my laptop and was listening to my iTunes while surfing the usual suspect blogs! Nothing quite so freaky as having that snap, crackle, pop in the ears! But like you, it was cold, dry weather and it was chilly in the house so I had a blanket around me! Not a fun experience!
.-= Anna´s last blog ..OK, Enough of That Snow Photo! =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 3:21 am
I have never been shocked through my ear phones. However, I’ve never worn a Matrix coat while walking. If that ever happens, I will be sure to report back to you ASAP. The other reason that I’ve never been shocked that way may be because my children always break the little effers before I have a chance to use them more than twice.
.-= Meesa´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 5:31 am
Surfie — Oooo, can of Static Guard! I’ll remember that for next time. What I don’t get is that I use a ton of fabric softener sheets in the laundry. I’m so SICK of getting shocked this winter. Every time I take off my Matrix coat, then touch the lamp on my desk to turn it on, I’m screaming.
Babs Beetle — I hate closing my car door too! I’ve been mostly using my elbow this winter (less shock through my coat than through my gloves). It is kinda cool to see all the sparks in a dark room, like fireworks, but OOOOOUUUUUCCCCCHHHH!
Linda — I was the second to last person before my husband bought me one for Christmas. Do you know JD of I Do Things? She’s a huge Zumba fan. She swears by certain music when she’s Zumbaing. Sometimes I like to walk without music, like if I need to clear my head from a hard day at work. But mostly I need the music to keep me moving at a good clip. Otherwise, I tend to slow to a stroll.
Daisy the Curly Cat — We both got hurties this week! I would not like to short circuit my brain. It’s already a jumbled mess.
Kevin — Oh, good, at least it’s not just me. Could also be the reason it happened to me. I have about 15 songs I will play to DEATH. But in my opinion, they’re all awesome, and so I don’t deserve to be shocked (and neither do you!)
injaynesworld — I wish I’d had this confidence in my 20s. Why does it take til our 40s to figure it out? Glad to have you as a new reader!
Grace — I was surprised it was happening. I’d have thought there’d be some kind of ground in the device. I mean, who wants to attach little “probes” to your head and get shocked like in some horror movie?!
puglette — But…but…but… I had such awesome music! I didn’t have anyone to walk with, so if I’d gone without music, I’d have no one to talk to myself and you all know how I feel about that.
Anna — It’s weird!!! I’ve read in a couple places that it can happen without even moving, which I find more troubling. It’s a sad thing to put the buds in and wonder if you’ll get a random shock. Music is supposed to make you feel good not freak you out.
Meesa — Uh-oh. You need a lock and key for your buds. Either that, or you need to buy 10 of them and consider them disposables.
March 6th, 2010 at 5:36 am
I am very lucky that has never happened to me. Glad you still have some ears. That must have caused some extra little dance steps which were probably great fun to watch. Have a great week end.
.-= Marg´s last blog ..I have a skin tag =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:25 am
With all of that shocking going on… I bet your ear wax melted!
.-= Linda´s last blog ..At Home Hydrogen Fuel =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:44 am
I’ll bet you were a sight to behold. Walk…shake like a cocktail shake…..walk….repeat.
Seriously, that must have been a jolting experience. Pardon the pun. I think I would probably just lay down on the ground and cry, thinking the end of the world was near. Good for you to able to figure it out. I fear I wouldn’t have.
.-= Bernie´s last blog ..Pimping Cats To Win A Dog Fence =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Er… no, Kathy, that’s never happened to me. Not ever.
Apparently it happens more frequently to you, and those who comment on your blog. As if they were all connected by a network, or web…
And they all wear Matrix coats!
It seems you’re The One.
And you’d better NOT shock my ears, yo! Just reprogram reality for me to have some spending cash, that’s all I want. No shocked ears.
.-= RO´s last blog ..You gotta read: The Arbatel Project =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:42 am
I have NEVER ever ever never ever never NEVER heard of this phenomenon! And now that I have heard of it, I’m pretty sure it will happen to me today. Dang. I use an iPod a LOT. But I don’t have a Matrix coat, so maybe I’m safe.
.-= JD at I Do Things´s last blog ..I Will Stick to My Day Job so you don’t have to =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 10:30 am
My iPod is built into my iPhone, and while I do have music on it, I’ve never walked around with the ear buds. I use it mostly for the airplane, so I won’t have to talk to crazy people or listen to crying babies whose mother’s don’t know to get them to drink or chew. Now if I could only get something to block the smell of dirty diapers and people who didn’t think a bath was necessary that week…
.-= Barb at WillThink4Wine´s last blog ..Finally Friday =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 10:57 am
So that’s whats wrong with the chick that walks by my house…ipod elctric shock therapy…I’ll stop making fun of her!
.-= SuziCate´s last blog ..Sinful Cyber Schemes =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Yeah, this has happened to me. When I go out jogging, oftentimes I get some small shocks about 15 seconds apart. I wear those synthetic fiber clothing to wick away the sweat, like UnderArmor shirts and New Balance shorts. And of course I’m wearing rubber sole running shoes, so there is no way for the charge to go to ground. Usually this stops after my clothes get a bit sweaty.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Oh I think you’re just using this story to cover your spastic movements! lol
I’m glad to know that there are other people out there who don’t care what other people think. I hit 51 this past December and I talk to myself, my dogs, my cats and sometimes even my other family members. My 21 year old son, pats me on the head and says things like “It’s okay Mom, you’re old and can’t help yourself.”
Pertinent pup! Of course I can help myself. It’s more fun to just let it all go though.
.-= Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella´s last blog ..Blogging Contest Alert – Creative Use Of Oysters Required! =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Very interesting story. I haven’t had something like that happen to me, but I have been shocked by my iPod earbuds only when taking off my North Face Windwall 2 coat. I try my best to not let it happen (I don’t know how I do it) but I do know that it can be bad for any electronic device for things like that to happen.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
The publicist does not have an IPod. She is still listening to something called a CD on something called a stereo.
She is old.
We goats just rock to the sounds of nature. And the rumble of our burps.
.-= Pricilla´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
This happens to me with certain brands of ear buds — I suspect inadequate shielding in the pair you are using. You shouldn’t be getting a shock even if your trench coat is made of Snuggie, and you are rubbing balloons all over yourself. Try switching around until you find a pair that doesn’t cause you discomfort.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
This happens when I do laundry with mine on. Only when they are coming out of the dryer. I thought I was the only one…
March 6th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Marg — Yeah, a little like Elaine’s “Little Kicks” dance on Seinfeld. (FF to 30 sec.)
Linda — You’d think!
Bernie — It was like walk… stop and scream… walk… stop and scream.
RO — I AM THE ONE! It’s the coat. I can do everything Neo does while wearing my Matrix coat. Except dodge bullets in slow motion.
JD — Don’t worry. I think it’s just limited to the weird eared among us. That, or you have better buds than me.
Barb — And how did we survive without them before? I think we’re on our own with that smell thing. Short of wearing a mask, don’t know what to do. Hey, if you wear a surgical mask, at least people would stay away from you.
SuziCate — Spaz Walkers Unite! She’s probably totally OK with herself and wouldn’t care if you did make fun of her. I spaz walked this morning and nobody blinked.
Charles — I can’t remember if I read in my research that synthetic clothing encourages the charge. You’re way more tolerant than me!
Blog Angel — Lauging… your son patting you on the head. Hey, he’ll be there some day and you can make fun of him.
Jonathan Flusser — I can’t tell if it’s the buds’ fault or that of my Nano. Geez. The thing is so small, I can hardly believe it’d carry a shock as bad as it did. I shall never walk in that coat again. I don’t care how cold it is.
Pricilla — Hey, so did I for YEARS. Finally, my husband gifted me a Nano and now I don’t have to carry around that brick anymore. “And the rumble of our burps.” LMAO.
Attack with Decay — I am considering buying new ones, but I don’t know how to be sure they won’t do the same thing. Until then, I’m wearing short coats that don’t brush against my legs. Ha! A Snuggie….
Andrew G — No doubt. I hate taking out my husband’s laundry because he hates using those fragrant fabric softener sheets. It’s like a light show with pain when I fold his stuff.
March 6th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
It happens to me occasionally. And it can be quite a big shock!
.-= Will´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday 3-03-2010 =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I don’t have an ipod but I have noticed that there has been a lot of static electricity in my house the last few days and I have been getting shocked constantly. Maybe its the change in weather.
.-= Mom To The Power Of Three´s last blog ..Remembering John Candy =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I have never been shocked by my iPod and I use it everywhere including my long walks and on my Nordictrak. Maybe I’m just more grounded.
Get it? Grounded.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Tooth Fairy Part 4 =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Synthetic clothing rubbing together actually generates the static electricity charge. This is pretty clear because my shirt has “static cling” until it gets a bit damp and sweaty. This is a well known phenomenon to old school computer geeks, I recall that in the olden days, the rare women computer operators were often asked not to wear rubber-sole shoes, nylons and synthetic fabrics that generated static electricity, for fear of discharging a shock into sensitive computers.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Maybe you can be the subject of Regan’s next science class experiment. Title: How many Aunt Kathys Wearing Matrix Coats Does it Take to Light a Bulb. I want to see the video.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
How come you get to do all the fun stuff?
March 6th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Wow! I’ve never heard of such. I can only imagine what will happen to me one day when I’m on my treadmill in my polyester/cotton-blend workout pants with my ipod. I live for excitement though!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Pre-Coffee Complications =-.
March 6th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
I love that age when you don’t care what people think anymore. FREEDOM!
Electric Shock – is that how you get that cool hair?
.-= Sheila Sultani´s last blog ..Godhatesfags.com – What A Bunch of Dumbass Morons!!! =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 2:30 am
Forget the IPod, with the great weather, I sat outside and played my guitar all day. Haven’t had that much fun in a while.
.-= Fantasy Sports News´s last blog ..Preseason Rankings: Catcher =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Will — Absolutely. And somehow it seems worse to me than, say, if I’d just touched metal with my hand. Having it go directly into my ears was freaky and painful!
Mom to the Power of Three — I can’t wait til spring. And more humidity. But remind me I said that in August, when it’s like 80% wet outside. I’ll be whining like a baby then.
Jen — Ha! Get it, my dear. Also, your house may be less dry than outside. One thing I’d like to get for my office is a humidifier. I’ve been shocked all winter and I’d had enough!
Charles — It’s a shame because I like wearing synthetics to workout, as you said earlier, because it wicks away the sweat. But man alive! And what a great excuse to not wear pantyhose to work. They are kind of a pain, if I must say so myself.
annofthejunkdrawerblogfamily — Ha! That’s awesome. Of course, would I be paid for this experiment because I think it just might kill me.
Fifthmarch — You mean like cry in agony?
Nicole — I don’t know. Maybe it’ll make you workout harder. They should build in a shocking system for exercise equipment. No. Forget I said that.
Sheila Sultani — And isn’t it a shame it takes decades to get there. Heh. It’s funny no one mentioned before you that that’s maybe how my hair gets so curly!
Fantasy Sports News — Yeah, but that’s my problem. I sit around waaaaay too much. In fact, I’m heading out soon for my morning walk. Legs are sore from yesterday, but I really need it.
March 7th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I can’t comment on the shock phenomenon, because I don’t own a cell phone, Ipod or weed whacker equipped with a camera. But I am beginning to wonder about the risk posed to walkers using these things. Everyone talks about the dangers of people making calls as they drive, or texting, but I have to assume lots of others are getting run over. This must happen as they blithely walk in front of cars driven by people who–rightly–assume pedestrians always stop at crosswalks, intersections, etc. No more. Now, it’s a world filled with people trudging ahead with one hand held to the side of their heads, all of them zombies.
March 7th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Yes! That has happened to me while I was running on a treadmill once. It was obnoxious!
.-= Charlene´s last blog ..I Just Can’t Help Myself… =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Never happened to me. But then again, I don’t have an iPod! I know…get with the program, Lisa!
.-= Lisa – Alterity´s last blog ..Working In The Weekend… =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Whoa! Definitely something to remember! Thanks for sharing. Just another good excuse to avoid exercise. . .
.-= seekingelevation´s last blog ..Love is in the air =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Holy cow! I can safely say I have never had a static electricity shock in my ears. Ow!!! Now I’m going to be afraid of my iPod. I’ve gotten so many nasty static shocks already this winter – I really would like my ears to be free of them. I’ve even taken to spraying the doorknobs with Static Guard in the hopes that, just once, I can open the door without seeing that ugly little blue arc of electricity. Man those hurt!
March 7th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
I’ve never heard of such a thing. It happened to you ‘cuz you’re special, that’s why.
I have an Apple metal keyboard, though… and a cat that likes to walk across my desk. It makes for some mighty ‘lectifying moments.
.-= Crabby Blogging Lady´s last blog ..The non-Christian’s Favorite Bible Verse =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Wow! I love my iPod, and now I’m going to be worried about getting shocked by it! The idea of being shocked in my ears is terrifying! Although, @seekingelevation I’m not sure avoiding excercise is the answer, lol..
March 7th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Thankfully I can say that I’ve never had that happen to me. That had to of hurt.
.-= ann´s last blog ..A little of my history =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Came By here to double check because I was sure I had something witty to say about your situation, but apparently I was lacking in wit then and I am still. Keep on Blogging.
.-= Beamer´s last blog ..Heading Out East =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
This sounds way too painful for me to endure. I hate pain, exercising while being electrically shocked in the ears? Yeah, sounds pretty great.
.-= Buggys´s last blog ..Laugh With Ron White =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
HAHAHAHA this is so funny and could only happen to you. When that sort of thing happens to me my fiancé calls them ‘The Adventures of Leish’
We have this dressing gowns made from a long-pile fleece – which is synthetic – and they cause so much static – and I have dry hands – that when the lights are off and you run your hand over the fabric blue sparks erupt!
My cats and I build a lot of static, and then I go to pat them and they get shocked and it upsets them and of course then I want to comfort them, go to pat them, and they get shocked. It’s a vicious cycle.
.-= Elisha´s last blog ..Spring on it’s way! =-.
March 7th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Glad to know that you’ve got your priorities straight – I would have taken off the coat too before I would have turned off the ipod!
.-= Plumber Austin´s last blog ..Plumbers in Austin =-.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:02 am
Totally cracking up over “dance-walk-spaz” — I thought I was the only one who did that. And yes, along with many others here, I totally get earbudbuzz!:-P
.-= KiKi´s last blog ..Don’t ever let me teach you to drive. (Don’t even bribe me with food!) =-.
March 8th, 2010 at 7:01 am
I’ll have to ask my daughter about the Ipod. As for me, I use a Walkman or MP3 player. Haven’t had the shock thing, however could that make one walk faster….
.-= Auntie E´s last blog ..Flashback TV-Monday’s Answer =-.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Im sooo happy the weather has been nice for you. It’s wonderful to see the SUNSHINE again. And good for you getting out to take that nice long “dance-walk-spaz in public”!
I’ve been shocked a few times by my iPod too!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Doing Things Differently™ – My Week In Review [Part Five] =-.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I have never heard of an ipod causing shocks until now. Aren’t there sprays that get rid of static on clothes? If that doesn’t help, carry a big boom box so everyone can hear those fabulous tunes you’re carrying.
.-= AVCr8teur´s last blog ..Getting Wide =-.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:59 am
I like to walk and listen electroshock therapy, that is great walk! Just do not care what others think about me!
Relax Man!
March 9th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Ha Kathy! No, I have never had this. The only shocks I get are from those darned shopping carts at certain stores. The mall is the worst; it’s the carpet, I’m sure.
I definitely would not want shocks in my ears! Yikes!
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..Roll Up The Rim =-.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I have noticed that it’s been a really static-y year so far! Everytime I brush my hair, it’s “Zzaap! Zzaap!” with each stroke. I have to use a bit of water to smooth it down! Also, I’ll pull my bedsheets apart and there will be so much static I can see flashes in the dark. o__o I wonder if there’s something in the air…?
.-= Little Scarf Girl´s last blog ..Spring Break =-.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
What the…? I’ve never even heard of this. What about walking and chewing gum and ipodding? Is that even worse?
.-= Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s last blog ..How To Put a Puzzle Together (A Step by Step Guide) =-.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
This sounds way too painful for me to endure. I hate pain, exercising while being electrically shocked in the ears? Yeah, sounds pretty great.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
I’m not sure if you meant the post to be funny, but I found it hilarious.
Maybe those shocks were the Oracle, telling you that you are The One.
.-= Dr. Kal´s last blog ..Obesity In America =-.
March 10th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Fortunately, I’ve never been shocked in the ears. Unfortunately, it happens quite often at my work and I haven’t figured out how the electricity keeps building up. I’m glad no one called 911 while you were out on your walk.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
That’s crazy weird. So weird.
.-= Wynn´s last blog ..And my laptop battery is soon empty =-.
March 21st, 2010 at 3:22 pm
I can only think of the car as something that continuously shocks me. It’s weird though, sometimes it shocks me and other times it shocks the passenger. I’m scared to shut my door sometimes.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
I have never had a static electricity shock in my ears with my Ipod But I often got shocks for shopping carts at certain stores.
.-= Mayo´s last blog ..Art Therapy to Cure Mental and Emotional Health =-.
April 15th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I have not had static shock from an Ipod either but those shopping Trolly’s Man!!! LOL
July 15th, 2010 at 11:43 am
You are acting as the conduit between the iPod and the ground – it’ll take the path of least resistance.
Very low humidity environments are conducive for static buildup. You could use moisturizing cream or anti-static lotion on you.