Knitting? Maybe Crochet? Really it's kind of relaxing and needs to break free from the old lady stigma, I made my daughter a neat scarf last year
Seriously though - I'm impressed with your perseverance given the difficulties you've had with the KISSes. I'm really at a loss as to what could be causing you to have so many issues.
Is your house built on a burial mound? Have you been kicking puppies or stealing candy from kids lately?
Sorry - I just can't think of anything that hasn't been covered already so the best I can do is try to cheer you up
I know you've got a good soldering station that should be ESD safe...but have you considered trying another? Maybe a grounded ESD wristband? What kind of work surface are you working on again? The only serious possibility I keep coming back to is an ESD issue given your climate. But honestly even that seems like a stretch. I admit around here static isn't a big deal (heck I have a hard time getting balloons to stick to the wall after rubbing them on my head here!) but even back in Ohio where I couldn't change my position on a couch without getting a zap I was soldering ESD sensitive components with a non ESD safe ungrounded iron on less than idea work surfaces without any problems. So I've always been a bit (ok, totally) lax about ESD precautions even though I know I should be better about them.
Maybe one of your neighbors is into voodoo and doesn't like you flying in your yard? I can picture them now in their basement with a little fabric doll version of your multi and putting it in their microwave trying to curse you