1) I'd rebooted a few times but that didn't change anything.

2) I did have my phone in my bag with me in the car for an hour or so, is summer here but it never really got that hot, my bag is black and may have been in direct sun for awhile but I was in my car as well and I wasn't hot. I didn't really feel like the atmospheric conditions were extreme enough to warrant such strange screen behavior but who knows. I'm sure my phone has experienced such temps etc before. either way I'm just glad it works fine again. If it happens again I'll make note of the weather etc

EDIT: well it IS happening again, it's just been sitting in my room hardly being used and it is flashing on and off. when it goes off if I slide the screen up or down it will bring the screen back but sometimes only for a few seconds. it is quite frustrating especially when trying to txt etc. I'll probably reflash it later tonight and if that doesn't fix it ...