SGT on Pirates

[February]

I am not trying to be a smart ass here but I seriously don't understand how a flashing low powered lighted necklace can cause a seizure or a migraine but the bright flashes of Illuminations or Wishes or Fantasmic do not cause one. Is there an explanation for that? I just don't know. Could someone explain it (in simple terms) please?

Ya'll check me if I'm wrong, but I think it has to do with light intensity and flashing speed. Proximity might have something to do with it too. Since the fireworks are SOO far away from you the intensity isn't as bright as a flashlight 5 feet away. Also they don't repeatedly flash over and over several times a second. With fireworks, it's a big flash, but it lasts for several seconds. Same thing for the lasers at F! They are further away, and being projected onto something else so the intensity is less.

I can't tell you how they effect every one, I can only tell you that it's not the necklaces but the toys (the buzz lightyear ones that spin and flash, and the ones that have tinkerbell I think? I couldn't see them that well) that flash repeatedly in the same pattern, with a child standing right in front of me holding it, that gave me the problems. I have never seen F! (the wait for the show always seems too exhausting somehow, at the end of a studios day, I don't know why) so I don't know how it would effect me. But Wishes and the fireworks part of Illuminations doesn't bother me (I am careful not to stare at the globe as it spins though)

If I see a flashbulb go off, I can't see for several seconds afterward. I see 'shadows' over my vision, I have cataracts and a bunch of other eye problems that I'm too tired to explain here in addition to my post-stroke neurological deficits, which include (for the curious who asked :) left-side weakness, gait instability, loss of balance and depth perception, lost visual fields, all usual stuff.

So all I can tell you is that no, the fireworks do not bother me, but yes, the flashy toys that repeatedly flash the same pattern, quickly and consistantly, do. Sorry I can't describe it any more indepth than that.

I've heard about cartoons or music videos being edited together so quickly that they were causing people seizures. They even joked about it on the simpsons LOL. It's the speed and the flashing, I think that is the problem.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I can't tell you how they effect every one, I can only tell you that it's not the necklaces but the toys (the buzz lightyear ones that spin and flash, and the ones that have tinkerbell I think? I couldn't see them that well) that flash repeatedly in the same pattern, with a child standing right in front of me holding it, that gave me the problems. I have never seen F! (the wait for the show always seems too exhausting somehow, at the end of a studios day, I don't know why) so I don't know how it would effect me. But Wishes and the fireworks part of Illuminations doesn't bother me (I am careful not to stare at the globe as it spins though)

If I see a flashbulb go off, I can't see for several seconds afterward. I see 'shadows' over my vision, I have cataracts and a bunch of other eye problems that I'm too tired to explain here in addition to my post-stroke neurological deficits, which include (for the curious who asked :) left-side weakness, gait instability, loss of balance and depth perception, lost visual fields, all usual stuff.

So all I can tell you is that no, the fireworks do not bother me, but yes, the flashy toys that repeatedly flash the same pattern, quickly and consistantly, do. Sorry I can't describe it any more indepth than that.

I've heard about cartoons or music videos being edited together so quickly that they were causing people seizures. They even joked about it on the simpsons LOL. It's the speed and the flashing, I think that is the problem.

There have been several documented instances of strobing light causing seizures. BUT the more interesting thing is that the military and police have released studies about using "non-lethal" strobbeing light to control riots/mobs. apparently a study was done, and the results were that stobeing light in certain frequencies, can actually cause a momentary interuption of the thinking process, it had something to do with your brain trying to process the visual input, and varying the frequency of the strobe! COOLLLLL !!

The article I read was a number of years ago in a trade magazine, and I havn't seen anything about it since then. Must not have been economically viable!

[DisneyMom]

There have been several documented instances of strobing light causing seizures. BUT the more interesting thing is that the military and police have released studies about using "non-lethal" strobbeing light to control riots/mobs. apparently a study was done, and the results were that stobeing light in certain frequencies, can actually cause a momentary interuption of the thinking process, it had something to do with your brain trying to process the visual input, and varying the frequency of the strobe! COOLLLLL !!

AHHHHH....mind control for darling children at the park!!!!! :twisted:
Sucks that it causes the problems it does for some, tho. Must think of a better way to sedate children! :p:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

AHHHHH....mind control for darling children at the park!!!!! :twisted:
Sucks that it causes the problems it does for some, tho. Must think of a better way to sedate children! :p:

Just do what we do as grandparents. when babysitting, wait until the parents are about 15-20 minutes away from picking them up, then its full juice boxes, sodas, candy bars...give them a sugar rush that will last for at least 12 hours. by the time the parents pick em up, they are bouncing off the walls!! (It takes a loooog time for them to let us babysit again!!) Hey it WORKS! (for us!) Strange...when we go to DL as a family, they don't want us taking the kids on the "little" rides (hehehehehehe) ;)

[Big Wallaby]

The article I read was a number of years ago in a trade magazine, and I havn't seen anything about it since then. Must not have been economically viable!

I think it might have been something more along the lines of not being able to provide the necessary power to the flash repeatedly.

You would love the flash I have... the SB-800, which has a feature where the flash is continual, as though a normal light bulb, so you can see what the effect is going to be in your pictures. I can use that one for a few seconds at a time, then I start having problems because I can see the flashing.

Some TVs and computer monitors have been known to cause me trouble due to having too low a refresh rate.

[mechurchlady]

[quote="GRUMPY PIRATE"]Just do what we do as grandparents. when babysitting, wait until the parents are about 15-20 minutes away from picking them up, then its full juice boxes, sodas, candy bars...give them a sugar rush that will last for at least 12 hours. by the time the parents pick em up, they are bouncing off the walls!! (It takes a loooog time for them to let us babysit again!!) Hey it WORKS! (for us!) Strange...when we go to DL as a family, they don't want us taking the kids on the "little" rides (hehehehehehe) ]
So that is how you torture your kids lol. Take them and the kids on a disney trip then when your kids are not looking you slip their kids sugary snacks.

Grandpa: This is our little secret so no telling mom and dad. What a dirty little boy you are, hurry up, all done, let me get that.
Daughter: Ok kids lets ride Dumbo, kids, calm down kids.
Son in law: Junior how did you get your face dirty, is that chocolate and marshmallows? DAD not again.


I now wish I had kids to torture when I am old.

[Princess Susi]

I'm sorry Sooz, I didn't mean to make you sad! Don't give up and don't worry too much about what may happen in the future. . . No one can really predict our futures, especially us 'medical miracles'. . .er. ..puzzles.

I tried to reply more indepth to this and also tried to PM you but the board keeps telling me I'm not signed in. So I don't know if this will go through either. But I'll try to respond in more detail when the board is being nicer to me.

In the meantime, hang in there and remember a day in the parks in a chair is better than a day on your feet anywhere else, IMO anyway. . .

big hugs
MCP

Wise words my friend, wise words! I know attitude is everything. And I have to agree, a day in the Parks in a chair, with crutches,a walker. whatever gets you there, is far better than a day at home WISHING you were in the Park. There are so many nice CMs and even non stupid guests who will help a person out at the Parks. I have seen it with my own beady little eyes. So even if I have to do the chair in December, I WILL STILL go and enjoy what time I CAN get up and walk to the attractions. If the chair keeps me from having to go on two hour breaks back to the hotel room, then it serves it's purpose. I am having a bad morning today--lots of muscle spasms and one muscle that is locked up and I can't bend or move. Even the meds are not getting rid of it. It may be my nerves are on edge because I have to go to the oral surgeon for the first consult today about surgically removing my bad wisdom tooth! Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Dentists! My big fear. I can just hear that squealing drill now! Nooooooooooh, Mr Bill! They are just going to look at it and then decide when to "do" it! But thankfully, I get the needle in the arm and get to snooze my way through it on anesthesia when they actually go in to remove the thing. Could not do it any other way! Just NO flashing lights to wake me up please! ;)
sooooozie
(my toof hurts!) :(

[Princess Susi]

You want to see some guy flash you his bone? Very well, but don't say you weren't warned.


:bflash:

Zazu; You could come up with a Chippendale for us girls, now couldn't you?????? Pretty Please..... It is the only buttkissing I could find, oh mighty one! You are great and mighty and can find the cutest Chippendale for us, And I do NOT mean a chair, had to get that in there, you might have taken me literally! I am onto you guys! :p:
sooozie-doo

[Princess Susi]

If I had the money to do that, that is certainly the kind of spender I would be...constantly buying moments of happiness for those around me... of course, I've been known to do it a couple times... like the lady on ToT who, seeing it was her birthday, I had her pose in a picture with me and bought a copy for her. No ideas, please, she was not my type or age group, but it was so much fun finding out that this was her last day, and a bunch of other stuff had happened like that and mine was the crowning moment. I live for those little freebies that they give us to give guests... they are so simple but they create a neat moment... of course, there are some things I generally don't give out becaue they don't have any meaning, but there's plenty of other stuff that I can give out, my favorite being the pirate bandanas.

If I win the lottery, a happening of which the chances are very low since I don't even play... ever... I am pretty sure that I will blow a whole lot of it on kids at Disney World.

You know, Having come from a humble blue collar background, I have no pretentions about who I am. I believe that our good fortune should be used to make happy moments for others. We also donate generously to animal charities, since we love our critters, (Remember we don't LOOOOOVE our critters, Tee hee). It is a good feeling to give it away. Of course one has to be sensible about it and make sure you always have enough to keep your roof over your head and food on the table, as well as an occasional trip to the Magic. Other than that, money is something that can be used to really help people and creatures out. What good is it going to do us when we are gone? It will only cause bickering over who gets our money after we are dust. Family can be notorious for being greedy with othe people's money. I know we already have in mind, several charities that we want to will a good portion of our dough to. Whoever goes first, will have to live on it and then the will states very clearly who gets the rest. We have enough to last several lifetimes and then some, so it does not hurt us to be generous with charities and have fun giving out treats to others in the form of Toys for Tots or giving kidlets at DL or WDW, some little fun thing. You can bet we have been hit up by friends and family, that is inevitable, and it just does not work like that. We don't carry THAT much money with us or even keep it in the bank. Our money came from Ralph's misfortune, the terrible motorcycle accident and we both would give it up in a second if he could have his full functioning body again! That is a sad trade-off and one, a person NEVER wants.
I do take a lot of dough to Disney for tips and buying little presents. It stays in a safe until I am ready to use it. Ralphie made the mistake of taking over 900.00 in his money clip with him and we went to the Rain Forest Cafe in DtD Anaheim and he LOST it . We backtracked and looked everywhere, but could not find it. I am sure whoever did had a great vacation. My only hope was that someone who really could use it found it. I have now made sure I always check him before we go out and make sure he is NEVER carrying that much money on him. He gets a little confused sometimes! That's why wives are important! :D:
But yes, it feels great to give to charities and to kidlets in the Parks. And if we can, we SHOULD! That is what it is about.
I lived on Government cheese for a time in my life and you can bet I know what it feels like to be on both sides of the issue. I do not wear 1000 dollar sunglasses either! LOL. Mine come from Walgreens and are actually clip on because I wear glasses! I am really a nerd! LOL! And unlike Imelda Marcos, I do NOT have a closet full of shoes. I live in T-shirts, shorts and tennies or flip-flops. Ralphie needs new clothes cause he wears them til they fall apart. Is that a man thing? We remember our roots and don't act like jags just cause we may have enough money to do more things. Humanity is the great equalizer. If I won the lottery NOW, with what we already have, you can be sure that a LOT of charities would be grateful and of course, family, so they would not have to fight over the spoils after Ralphie and I are taking a dirt nap! LOL :D:
sooozie Queen Wannabe "Let them eat a Monte Cristo at Blue Bayou!" :p:

[Big Wallaby]

It's interesting to me, there are two kinds of people who have money... those who earned and deserve it, and those who definitely don't. You remind me of quite a few people I know who have it and do well with it, because they are the people who, going down the road, you would never know they are so well off. I've known both types, and the second set disgust me. Those who need to make sure you know they are *very* well off, give to charities only for the tax breaks (and often not to good ones that use the money wisely) and do really stupid things that I could never do or want to do.

My father is the president of a company back in Portland, and one of the things he's taken to doing is sending people who have worked for the company, worked hard and sacrificed for the company to Disney World, cruises, and many other neat places around the world. He sends their entire family first class wherever they are going, gets them Concierge level rooms and sometimes they arrive at Disney World to find another surprise gift here at Disney World waiting in their room that he sent me out with his credit card to buy. Overall, he loves rewarding those who work for him in ways that they could never afford on their own at "normal people" wages. He's creating his own year of... okay, not a million dreams, but I know of a good number of people for whom he's already made this happen, with more on the way.