symptoms2

- Aversion to Sunlight / Nocturnalism -

This particular one has been a big damper on my life, because whenever I'm under the sun for any extended amount of time, I burn to a crisp. It is about as far from funny as it gets. All my life I've had a hard time when exposed to the sun, always getting burnt and red as a tomato. So as a result I made sure that when I went out my torso was covered. But over the last two summers I decided to try being out in the sun again, but just like before both times ended badly.

Two summers ago, I went out to southern California to visit family. During my vacation there, we decided to go to a theme/waterpark. I think it was Six Flags or something. Anywho, I was out in the sun for about 4 hours, under partial shade a majority of the time. When I first got there I put two layers of SPF35 on. Shortly thereafter, however, I noticed my skin was reddening very quickly. So, I applied to more layers of SPF35 sun lotion. No luck... I began to burn and form blisters. So I put another two layers on, this time with a stronger lotion: SPF45. At the end of the day, I had second-degree burns all across my chest, shoulders, and back. That means blisters and parched skin. And I don't mean simply peeling. After I returned to the place I was staying I started applying Aloe Vera to ease the burns, but it certainly didn't help much. It hurt to move, I couldn't sleep, and I itched like crazy. Of course, every time I scratched an itch, it hurt like hell. I couldn't even take a bath without crying because it hurt so badly, and I'm a big guy with a high tolerance for

pain (I am into BDSM after all ;) )! Over time though, it went away, and I peeled like mad, but to this day I have scars from it on my shoulders. Last summer, I visited family in North Carolina. During the vacation, we went to an amusement/water park once again (Carowinds it was called if anyone's in that area). This time I made sure to start with SPF45. Over the course of the day I put on 2 layers 4 times, and stayed for less time, and it still was pretty bad. I still got a few blisters and burns but not nearly as much as before.

Also, I'm fairly pale unless I'm using my muscles. When I am active, my skin reddens due to the blood coursing through my muscles, and I actually have some color.

Lastly, I'm nocturnal. Which means I'm often tired as hell during the day, which I must endure to fit in with society, and very awake at night. In fact, when I'm ready to go to bed, unless I'm completely exhausted, if I turn off the light I get a surge of energy again. So as you can guess, I'm in darkness as much as I can be, sleep during the day when I can, and am a complete night owl.

Over the summers, I've been known to stay up till just after dawn, then sleep a good majority of the day (which was heaven!). Also, I commonly sleep in my closet so the sun doesn't disturb me and most noises are blocked out. Plus my closet is fairly comfy. Just throw in a pillow and a blanket and you've got it made.

- Empathic Ability / Bipolar Manic Depression -

In a few words: I'm an empath. What I mean by this is that I can sense and feels others' emotions like they were my own. This seems to be the main cause of bipolar manic depression. Sad one minute, happy the next. The manic part could also be partly due to a craving for blood. but basically you can feel their emotions, opinions on a subject or person, what they're afraid of, and on higher levels exactly what they're thinking (but this takes some concentration). I've had bouts with bipolar manic depression myself and it certainly is not fun, but I've learned a lot about life and about myself. The manic side of it basically frees you completely of all worries.. you don't really care about or worry about anything but having fun and enjoying life. Obviously, you can see how this can get someone into a _lot_ of trouble! The good thing is it's a high. When you're manic you're undescribably happy. However, the other side, depression, is the exact opposite (go figure: bipolar). Depression is this deep, pit-of-your-soul sadness where you seriously wonder what the point of life is, especially yours, and wish it would just all end. I've, fortunately, learned to control myself and harness the happiness =) so I'm a pretty damn happy person.

- Family History -

It is rumored amongst my family that our ancestors were vampires (and witches but that's not really relevant to this). Several have divulged occasions where they've taken blood but these are scarce because they don't want the rest of the family to know and are half scared to death about it themselves. Two of my uncles have done extensive geneaological work (hope I spelled that right) and from what they tell me, our lineage traces back to a Scottish royal family that was the official priest/ess family of Celtic Scotland. According to legend, we guarded the Lia Fial, an ancient stone brought by the Tuatha De Danann, which was used to crown the kings of Scotland. Apparently, our family lost all title and nobility when the Christians came and we wouldn't convert. YAY US! hehe... Now, I'm not too strongly affirming this because I'm not sure but it sure is an interesting thing to think about.