In J. L. Bourne's Day by Day Armageddon, the protagonist employed various boats and ships to avoid the undead. Bourne's zombie hated the water and would often maintain their distance on peers and docks. One could find solace in his novel simply by taking shelter on any sea-worthy vessel. Prior to this novel, I hadn't thought of how useful it would be to have ship handling experience.
Today, while at the VA Beach Aquarium, I was reminded as to how beneficial it would be to have access to one of those flotation devices should the zombie apocalypse decide to impress itself upon humanity. My friend and I took the creek tour around a small inlet/bay near the ocean and as we mentally shopped for one of the swank shore front homes, we also picked out the boats we would most like to "take advantage of" when the zombies arrive. I personally liked the yacht named "No Worries." Quite fortuitous.
Considering my husband works on a boat, I may be in luck regardless. Still, I couldn't help but think I should get over my vague notions of sea-sickness (I felt great on this trip) and consider donning a captain's hat. I will set for the high seas and mock those grubbing zombies at the shore--as long as no one on my vessel is already infected....
Friday, July 29, 2011
Biking Against the Undead (or from them?)
It is time to reintroduce myself in the art of exercise. Those undead won't be stopping any time soon (well, once they get started). I'll be using the powers of HIIT training to run fast from my opponent in a most dignified manner.
Be weary, Zombie!
Be weary, Zombie!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
What the heck do zombies worry about?
All this preparation, the time spent reading guides to zombie survival, the websites dedicated to defense, and really, I am starting to wonder about the rewards.
Should I survive the zombie apocalypse, I am the (un)fortunate one to inherit numerous concerns and worries while the zombie, that little booger gets to just moan and groan and scavenge for food. I mean, really?
You do all of this hard work, SURVIVING? And this creepy, crawly creature gets to feast on your hard work (i.e. civilization/people). I could see why some would just want to succumb quickly to zombiehood--the job perks are not to be scoffed at. When you get over the pride of surviving (imagines a gleeful person dancing on top of a mountain of expired zombies crying, "I'm king/queen of the zombie mountain!"), you are left with what? A few scrawny potatoes from your makeshift garden or one more can of baked beans from the storage shed?
Cripes! Zombies get to travel without paying (lest with rotting flesh), they can gorge themselves on various appetizing (for an undead) delicacies, and they are tireless. No need for red bull or downing Starbucks for them just to function.
Thinking about it, this almost makes me want to beat up the zombie more. To zombie or not to zombie? I guess it depends on the size of the 401K.
Should I survive the zombie apocalypse, I am the (un)fortunate one to inherit numerous concerns and worries while the zombie, that little booger gets to just moan and groan and scavenge for food. I mean, really?
You do all of this hard work, SURVIVING? And this creepy, crawly creature gets to feast on your hard work (i.e. civilization/people). I could see why some would just want to succumb quickly to zombiehood--the job perks are not to be scoffed at. When you get over the pride of surviving (imagines a gleeful person dancing on top of a mountain of expired zombies crying, "I'm king/queen of the zombie mountain!"), you are left with what? A few scrawny potatoes from your makeshift garden or one more can of baked beans from the storage shed?
Cripes! Zombies get to travel without paying (lest with rotting flesh), they can gorge themselves on various appetizing (for an undead) delicacies, and they are tireless. No need for red bull or downing Starbucks for them just to function.
Thinking about it, this almost makes me want to beat up the zombie more. To zombie or not to zombie? I guess it depends on the size of the 401K.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Re-animated Corpse or Corpslike?
Once I began branching out and actually reading a variety of zombie books, I found myself drawn into the debate regarding what exactly is the zombie and how the monster is generated. Some speculate (at length), that there is no way a person could die and then be reactivated. The fantastical/unscientificness of the entire scenario is so implausible to them, they cannot help but first laugh, and then weep in frustration at any who consider it a viable means of zombie generation.
I mean, it does make sense to give a little giggle at the idea. Unless the zombie were supernaturally empowered, a corpse cannot physically resume walking (let alone groaning i.e. no air moving through vocal cords) even if a virus (a particular strong nasty) infected the body. Can a virus be active with a dead host? No synapses could fire through the nervous system and thus invigorate those grimy, grasping limbs, no teeth could chomp, no hunger could drive the unholy being to such desperate and terrible acts of cannibalism. I ask unambiguously if someone were to know of any science/theory that would allow this.
Other authors like Brian Keene and David Wellington have envisioned the zombie as a supernatural being--literally they are creature reanimated by demons or other spiritual means. They are not, in essence, really inflicted by a virus even if the spirit/devil enters them through bite. It is a hypothesis or rather a fantastical idea, but I am more drawn to the third scenario stated below.
Finally, (and this seems to me a newer or newer to mainstream idea) that a virus can make one corpse-like that is a person lives while infected but becomes immune to pain and virtually immortal unless major organs are shredded (the most effective being the brain). We even have known flesh-eating diseases which make one's skin so the concept of a person walking around with skin rotting and peeling off their bodies is not an unknown occurrence. With known hallucinogenic drugs, leprecy, and all the other ugly bacteria and viruses lurking in our world, I would well imagine a catastrophic outbreak of zombie.
This is why the third zombie origin story appeals so much to me. It's plausibility. The other stories are certainly entertaining and thought-provoking. However, it is the idea of the corpse-like zombie that gives me the chills because it so the most likely to occur. The idea of zombie becomes more real, the threat turned up a notch. I remember how vulnerable we are to disease and contagion (especially as I type this with a sinus infection).
Some might argue if the people are alive, then we have a chance to save them, heal them. Salvation from the zombie is not just a bullet to the brain. Perhaps we could save them with a miracle cure. Perhaps all we need is an anti-virus. Yet, we know many viruses are immune themselves to cure. They wouldn't be viruses otherwise.
And, if we know these zombies are still human, still able to have a life if we could just find the right inoculation, would that make it harder to put them down when necessary? When time and the masses are at stake, can you take out the individual knowing mom, your neighbor, or loved one resides behind the mask of zombie infection? This adds a whole new dimension to the gruesomeness of zombie. The zombie is no longer simply a metaphor or a mindless enemy to dispense. The zombie evolves into another, deeper reflection of your own humanity. It had before, but in this new vein, it becomes increasingly important for the human to weigh the consequences of how they dispose of the walking dead.
What about you, phantom readers, what type of zombie seems most realistic or appeals most to you?
And how, if you were faced with a living undead, would you contend with the creature?
I mean, it does make sense to give a little giggle at the idea. Unless the zombie were supernaturally empowered, a corpse cannot physically resume walking (let alone groaning i.e. no air moving through vocal cords) even if a virus (a particular strong nasty) infected the body. Can a virus be active with a dead host? No synapses could fire through the nervous system and thus invigorate those grimy, grasping limbs, no teeth could chomp, no hunger could drive the unholy being to such desperate and terrible acts of cannibalism. I ask unambiguously if someone were to know of any science/theory that would allow this.
Other authors like Brian Keene and David Wellington have envisioned the zombie as a supernatural being--literally they are creature reanimated by demons or other spiritual means. They are not, in essence, really inflicted by a virus even if the spirit/devil enters them through bite. It is a hypothesis or rather a fantastical idea, but I am more drawn to the third scenario stated below.
Finally, (and this seems to me a newer or newer to mainstream idea) that a virus can make one corpse-like that is a person lives while infected but becomes immune to pain and virtually immortal unless major organs are shredded (the most effective being the brain). We even have known flesh-eating diseases which make one's skin so the concept of a person walking around with skin rotting and peeling off their bodies is not an unknown occurrence. With known hallucinogenic drugs, leprecy, and all the other ugly bacteria and viruses lurking in our world, I would well imagine a catastrophic outbreak of zombie.
This is why the third zombie origin story appeals so much to me. It's plausibility. The other stories are certainly entertaining and thought-provoking. However, it is the idea of the corpse-like zombie that gives me the chills because it so the most likely to occur. The idea of zombie becomes more real, the threat turned up a notch. I remember how vulnerable we are to disease and contagion (especially as I type this with a sinus infection).
Some might argue if the people are alive, then we have a chance to save them, heal them. Salvation from the zombie is not just a bullet to the brain. Perhaps we could save them with a miracle cure. Perhaps all we need is an anti-virus. Yet, we know many viruses are immune themselves to cure. They wouldn't be viruses otherwise.
And, if we know these zombies are still human, still able to have a life if we could just find the right inoculation, would that make it harder to put them down when necessary? When time and the masses are at stake, can you take out the individual knowing mom, your neighbor, or loved one resides behind the mask of zombie infection? This adds a whole new dimension to the gruesomeness of zombie. The zombie is no longer simply a metaphor or a mindless enemy to dispense. The zombie evolves into another, deeper reflection of your own humanity. It had before, but in this new vein, it becomes increasingly important for the human to weigh the consequences of how they dispose of the walking dead.
What about you, phantom readers, what type of zombie seems most realistic or appeals most to you?
And how, if you were faced with a living undead, would you contend with the creature?
Motivation?
I want to travel to that magical land where my motivation goes to hide. Often, I find myself forgetting about my blog, about my BIG plans to produce zombie fiction, and my good intentions to paint/draw. I have a hard time getting out of bed (especially once the cats have sandwiched me in) and doing more than channel surfing.
I have a job--it is just contract in orientation. I.e. I work when needed.
For zombie training, I think this lack of movement/motivation is a dangerous malady. I mean, if I were a flesh-hungry zombie, I would consider this a perfect time to strike. Zombie Alicia would think, "My opponent has gotten slovenly and doesn't even own a machete." Human Alicia might as well just lay in bed and await the inevitable gnawing on her bones.
How do you maintain your vigilance? What keeps you pounding the pavement with those cross trainers, chucking knife after knife in target practice, and oiling your glock blind-folded while hanging upside down?
Hopefully, I will awake soon and try just a little bit harder to be the best zombie fighter/survivalist I can be.
I have a job--it is just contract in orientation. I.e. I work when needed.
For zombie training, I think this lack of movement/motivation is a dangerous malady. I mean, if I were a flesh-hungry zombie, I would consider this a perfect time to strike. Zombie Alicia would think, "My opponent has gotten slovenly and doesn't even own a machete." Human Alicia might as well just lay in bed and await the inevitable gnawing on her bones.
How do you maintain your vigilance? What keeps you pounding the pavement with those cross trainers, chucking knife after knife in target practice, and oiling your glock blind-folded while hanging upside down?
Hopefully, I will awake soon and try just a little bit harder to be the best zombie fighter/survivalist I can be.
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