the lightning has been extreme this season, i know exactly what you're talking about. last time it stormed like crazy here i actually SAW a lightning bolt, by that i mean i actually saw the lightning bolt right near me, WAY to close for comfort.
i was in the living room watching TV when thunder cracked so loudly, shook everything, and lightning struck right outside of the window, probably 20 feet from where i was sitting, close to the window, the window a/c which was off at the time, made a crazy warbly beeping noise, kind of like the beep it makes when it powers on... it still works though lol.