Okay, zombies. I (temporarily) surrender.

I returned to my (real) job today and couldn't help but hope that the masses of undead would come crawling across campus and relieve me from my instructional duties. In the very least, the hoard would provide fodder for conversation and make syllabus discussion a little less devastating.

Very simply, I had one of those moments where any break in real world monotony seemed quite welcome. Perhaps it was more that the barrage of emails began with the beating winds of Irene and I wasn't quite ready to return to my position of authority.

This was a day when I found myself thinking about zombies for reasons I usually don't or perhaps one of those little alligators of devil in me snapped it's way up to the surface of my self-conscious. If that made no sense--read more.

Regardless, I've given myself some time to recover but still feel adrift, still eeking for release. On the other hand, the harsh realities of disasters are also plaguing me. Break ins, attacks, and overall meanness. I assume the zombies would make these things much much worse.

Well, I've got 14.5 weeks left of this until I have the option to spring free. I'm not sure if this will just be one of those semesters of zombie day dreaming. I sincerely hope not or at least if I am losing myself in visages of flesh-eating infected soul(less)s that I do so because I am writing or planning my fortifications.

What horrors of your day have prompted your dreams of zombies, my dismaying readers? Perhaps someday you will share, as well.

Surving the Storm

So, I evacuated from the storm though I probably did not need to. Things were not entirely smooth and I probably went farther than necessary.

Was I safe? Absolutely.

Was my home safe? Mostly.

I wonder then when is the appropriate time to act? How does one know when to skip town and when to board up the windows and wait out the storm?

I feel like I would have that instinct or I would probably be eaten by a hoard of undead. Is it more of a skill you cultivate? Perhaps. I suppose I could ask real survivalists. If anything, I learned is it is more important to make decisions. It is amazing the amount of stress that compiles from indecision--I found myself at times so uncertain as to which path to take.

I am learning my own metal. I can make choices and I can stick with them. However, unless a group has a designated leader, chaos will reign and one is more likely to get lost in the tide rather than safely make it to shelter.

At least I can make a decision. Now to learn how to make the best one.

What about you, fearless storm/zombie survivalists? How would you weather the coming surges?

Hurricane Irene and Zombies

I live on the east coast and south enough that I chose to flee home and Irene. The good thing about the storm is that I finally put together a decent emergency kit. I could have been better about it (get a backpack instead of a duffel bag) and it could be lighter (hard to carry that and two cats around).

What reminds me that maybe I don't want a zombie apocalypse to happen is the aftermath of these storms. When civilization ends, the power goes out, the water doesn't flow, and the roads are impassible, life becomes so much harder and I am not ready.

If anything, I need to step up my game. I wish I actually owned land and a generator rather than renting out a dinky two-bedroom apartment (granted it is on the second floor and so should not flood).

I need more skills to weather these storms, to not feel so helpless before its fury. Thanks Irene, for reminding me how pathetic I am when faced with a real emergency. At least I had fun playing with my walkie talkies. Hopefully, before the undead arrive, I will be better prepared.

Zombie Lane

Playing the new game on the Book aka Zombie Lane. Finally, something to waste my time involving zombies :). I'm a pretty hot zombie fighter!

Really Hollywood?

For those of you new to the zombie universe or those living under a rock, Hollywood has gone and butchered another great story. Rumor has it that the film adaptation of World War Z by Max Brooks will center around the initial outbreak of the virus whilst the protagonist (Mr. Pitt) runs around like a crazy trying to stop the inevitable epidemic.

Really? Um, because last time I read the book, the story takes place 12 years after the outbreak and is an oral history in the form of transcripts derived from survivor interviews. The zombie world has been lit up by this travesty... as it should.

There have been some horrible remakes of wonderful, unique tales which cannot be forgiven or ignored. Starship Troopers, anyone?

True, we all have the freedom to interpret and adapt fiction as we see fit. However, if the original is never offered or available for the wider world, then the morals and, the awesomeness of work will be corrupted for many.

Gosh, I hope there is enough rage circulating through the electronic world to warrant some last minute script rewrites. Come on, Mr. Pitt. Aren't you a champion for the underdog?

Rise up, zombie fiends. Rise up and vocalize your hunger for some good Z. Rise up and take a bite out of some tasty Hollywood flesh.

That's right, I'm packin'

So, prompted by the fact that I live in hurricane territory and a long standing desire to own something sharp and shiny, I've purchased my first Swiss Army Knife. Oh yeah, I now have in my possession something actually USEFUL especially for any end-o- the-world/apocalypses.

Now, I will be better prepared to open those stores of canned goods while I hold up in some warehouse while the zombies ravage the world outside. I will be able to unscrew some vent and sneak away from a horde through a myriad of air ducts. I can slash at some enemy in a close fight or cut myself free from a stuck seat belt after flipping another getaway vehicle. The possibilities are (well, not endless) but most staggering.

My husband just shrugs his shoulders at my latest quirk/quark. Still, should the flood waters swirl dangerous close or the grasping talons of the undead become far too commonplace, I've begun my defense.

Come on world! I will so shallowly cut you!