Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Working with what you can gather

Apologize to all you readers out there, but it was Christmas time. At that time of the year, all the zombies get festive too and want to enjoy themselves too. So since it's Christmas, one of the hardest thing to do ISN'T figuring out what to buy your girlfriend or boyfriend because, lets be honest, they are probably already a zombie. No the hardest thing to do is Run. Plain and simple, Run. In cold weather as most of us know, the bitter air constricts the amount of air we pull into our lung, making escape just that much more difficult. Now imagine for a moment those who may have a breathing disorder or an illness that is impairing them already. Breathing is going to be close to impossible. After the zombies rise, breathing meds that this world has come to use will become rare and valuable commodities to those who can find them or have them. For those less fortunate, which I am sad to say will be most of us, there are herbal alternatives that, once obtained, will be a valued alternatives. For the next few postings, I will discuss different alternatives that people can use to better manage their symptoms. I will start out with the breathing disorder; Asthma. Symptoms of asthma include: difficulty breathing, wheezing(especially on breathing out), an increase in pulse rate, a persistent dry cough, and a sensation of tightness around the chest. Treatments and Possible Treatments for asthma include: Ingesting Ginger, Almonds, Ephedra, Grindelia, Hyssop, Wild Cherry Bark, and Motherwort. Oils that can be inhaled while using warm steam: Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Pine, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Neroli, And Rose. Also, as a means of controlling asthma, the ingestion of vitamin B6. Now while B6 can be obtained in pill form, it can also be found in certain types of foods. Such foods include: liver, lean meats, fish, poultry, legumes; green leafy vegetables, baked potatoes and bananas. As a disclaimer for this information, before trying any of these treatments, it would be good to consult a doctor to see if there would be any side-effects, and if so, what they would be. Keep in mind, during a zombie apocalypse, finding a doctor with a pulse who hasn't gone insane will be a little difficult. So get checked out before the zombies rise.

So til next time, keep your guns loaded, keep your pack ready, keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, and keep alert.

The Cajun Zombie

Friday, November 13, 2009

A Brief Research Hiatus

My deepest apologies to our readers for being gone so long. In my perpetual quest to enlighten the ignorant masses I attempted to begin researching zombie scholarship. That was a bust. The field is sorely lacking in any real analysis or prediction science.

Though before I continue my personal rant on the failure of zombie authors to fully address the coming concerns, I must concede, of course, that one manual and historial analysis does exist. I'm referring of course to Max Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z. I've recently discovered a brief, but deeply helpful primary source on the aftermath of the infection. Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection, posits that food additives building up in our systems may be responsible for the zombie menace.

This is not a particularly far-fetched theory, as chemical imbalances of a less serious nature can lead to all sorts of behavioral changes in individuals. That being said, the idea that such a plague could be spread as a contagion is a less reasonable proposition. The author had to go so far as offering the results of a non-scientific trial as though it were fact. He claimed that mixing a blood sample from a zombie and a human would congeal the blood, thus essentially poisoning the system of the human and leading to zombification.

Call me a skeptic, but this seems to be a simple throwback to the irrationally fearful crowd in a vain attempt to sell a book. Congealed blood? You see, my friends, this is a primary example of the problems facing zombie scholarship right now. Like the muckraking journalists of the 19th century, authors have free reign to claim just about anything they so desire. While some texts are clearly more authoritative than others, there is still no established medium that promises accuracy and careful scholarship.

By far the most disheartening experience we've faced in recent memory was in an attempt to practice some of the skills we've recently learned. Your faithful zombie analysts hopped in a car and drove an hour out into the country to a range promising the zombie survival experience. Unfortunately, they too were not taking this situation seriously enough. Perhaps it was wishful thinking to believe that we would be facing actual zombies, but to instead be playing duck hunt (for all intensive purposes) with a single teenager in a costume and a paintball gun was, well, disheartening. That is perhaps the only way to describe it. As a Halloween attraction it was amusing, at best. As practice for the coming hordes, it was sadly inadequate.

Until later, I will continue looking for authoritative texts on the coming dark days as, I think it goes without saying, there simply is not enough information available at present. As my research continues, I will attempt to build a set of comprehensive escape plans allowing as many people to survive as possible. Of course, there must be multiple plans as, if everyone did the same thing, there would not be enough resources to sustain them all.

Keep safe and keep informed!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Help Desk: Middle Management

Thank you for calling the Help Desk. How may we be of survival? Oh really? Your boss is giving you crap and you're calling me to help you? Well, let me tell you something about middle management!


You're getting your work done. Everything is going fine. You are meeting quota. Nothing more, nothing less. The phone rings and it's guess who, your boss.

Almost in zombic pentameter you slave to perfect rhythm for these people and what do they give you? A bucket of their brains because they feel you should know that they will never be happy with you or the work you do. No matter how big you smile. No matter how hard the trial. We are defiled by the thoughts they bring.

The other day down in Lab C, which is the containment and processing lab for blood samples etc, think CSI but for Zombies. We were watching Jordan take care of some samples recently acquired from Eastern Europe. Obviously nothing is showing positive for the strain we're looking for. It’s probably just another twitching corpse.

Well, my boss leans over and whispers, "What do you think of Jordan's hair?" I'm like what the--it's longer than most but whatever nothing unusual--are you kidding me. Of course this is all in my head, but I tell my boss nonchalant ya know, it’s cool, a bit trendy. He snaps back at me "well, I don't like it. He should cut it and what are you talking about? It's not trendy. Short hair is trendy. Like mine." My boss storms off to Lab B, quarantine, leaving me confused as hell.

We only have two labs here; B and C. Technically, we had three, but we converted Lab A into reception, where the lovely Miss Sarah takes care of the front desk. She has nice legs. But, uh, Lab B is for quarantine of unusual substances that may pertain to re-animation and the undead etc. We have a few muscle spastic squirrels, a couple of plants, strange algae, and then an opossum my boss says reanimated in front of his car.

He supposedly hit the opossum on the way in a few weeks ago. Of course the animal is the lively of the lot. And it’s not dead, or undead, but my boss swears on his own grave that the opossum came back! Whatever, it’s an opossum, they play dead. We even named it Charlie because he loves to sit on top of the mountain of documents on Jordan's desk.

My boss. I hate the guy. He set me up with that horrible loaded question, "how's Jordan's hair?" blah blah whatever. I just hope they eat his brains. While he's at home and not at work.


Thank you for calling the Help Desk. Your current IBZT checks out as Blue! This is a good thing, don't worry folks! Be sure to check back regularly for your free IBZT results. It has been a pleasure helping you survive.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Help Desk: News

Thank you for calling the Help Desk. How may we be of survival? Oh really? You're not sure how to find out when the zombie apocalypse happens? Well, no problem. Let's see what we can do for you.


One of the first indicators of a Zombie Apocalypse is buzzing news coverage! Don't bother waiting for papers. If you havn't heared someone talking about it, you'll hear it from the news. (There's also the IBZT or "Is Ben a Zombie Test" which is an accurate test for the coming zombie onslaught.)

I suggest turning on your television or checking news websites frequently. Watch nationwide news coverage from CBS, CNN, NBC, or even Fox, but be warned you might think we're a year into the apocalypse already. Word of mouth will be a strong indicator of the oncoming apocalypse. Stay informed with the day-to-day buzz and you'll be right there running with rest of us when it happens.

Also, read discusions boards talking about patient-zero, the first zombie, the first living-undead. Search it. Google the keywords: "Ben" and "Zombie" or Ask Jeeves: "Is Ben a Zombie?" Look for articles with the titles "Is or Has 'Ben' Alive" or "Has 'Ben' Zombified?" And if so, YES we're on our way to being doomed. Keep your eyes and ears open. If news spreads about someone rising on the third day, I assure you its not the second coming of Christ.

So more questions enter your concerned brain as you watch the talking heads on TV blab on-and-on about zombies. What will happen after the first zombie? Is this just an incident or will it become a "full-on" zombie apocalypse?

Simple, there will be a second zombie, then a thirty-third, a four-hundredth and so forth. They wont stop coming. Once the shit hits the fan, the blades start flinging it across the room and on the ceiling. The so reported "incident" is your notice that the "full-on" zombie apocalypse is happening now.

Let your brain chew on this. When Ben, the first zombie, is diagnosed by his doctors with re-animation--there's your clue; he is being treated and diagnosed by Doctors. Well, Doctors have Hospitals. And Hospitals have Waiting Rooms. And Waiting Rooms have "We're Screwed, It's Spreading To At Least Fifty Eagerly Waiting To Be Screwed People And Some Left For Other Hospitals!" signs.

The bad news is when you get the news, but at least you got that much of a head start.


Thank you for calling the Help Desk. Your current IBZT checks out as Yellow! Be sure to check back regularly for your free IBZT results. It has been a pleasure helping you survive.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Canada

So in this time of overpopulation, most diseases spread best in crowded urban centers, non less than a virus which turns your neighbors who live in the brownstone next door into flesh eating neighbors. Clearly, if Stephen and Rachel aren't infected, you can team up with them to survive. However, if they become ravenous, you won't be inviting them over to play Cranium.


. . .Unless you are me.

I love Cranium. And incidentally, so do zombies.

So if the cities aren't safe, where should I go?

Canada.

. . .

Yes, Canada.

This land of universal healthcare and maple leaves has two things going for it.

Open land, and Cold. Open Land allows a resourceful survivor to avoid human, and also zombie contact. The cold will slow up the zombies, and allow for easier escape.


So run to Canada, a land which will become a haven for survivors.

Except don't go to Quebec. Screw them.








Fucking Quebecois.



Your dutiful survivor,

Ben.

Hey that URL is disturbing . . .

Well, I'm running on less that an hour's sleep, due to either the rampaging hoards of zombies (slow, not fast - fast zombies are a myth) or some bitch named Alex Mendez, I'm not sure. More on this later.

Well, clearly, as the web address claims, someone will be the first to die in a zombie apocalypse, but it clearly wasn't me. How did I survive when all of my compatriots left me for dead? Soon to come. Hint, it involves copious amounts of fire.

Out.

P.S. It is absolutely awful when I start to do all of my ellipses in the legal style. (period space period space period)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Illness

This week as been kind of a long week so far. I've been sick for most of it and it's not even Wednesday yet. I have a stupid sore throat, stuffy head and sore joints. The only thing I have been able to do is lay on the couch and sip green tea. So there really isn't a whole lot to report yet, so instead lets just get right into the good stuff.


Now we all know that illness can be a real drag, especially when trying to remain undetected by the undead. Here are a few helpful tips to help keep you healthy and safe from everything from the common cold and to the Solanum virus. (For those of you who do not know, the disease that causes the dead to become undead is called Solanum virus). In this age of health care, doctors, and medicine, having the most basic of health care is critical. Before the dead rise, and before most hospitals become undead traps, take full advantage of seeing a doctor for a wide variety of things.

1) Allergies. If you thing that you possibly have allergies to anything, be it shell fish or basic dust, a simple allergy test will give you the advantage of knowing this before it becomes a problem.

2) Injuries. The LAST thing you need to worry about during an uprising is that damn bum knee you have. GO TO THE DOCTORS! Stop thinking that if you just rest if that it will get better. The gamble that it might get better verses the chances that it'll hurt your further is not worth it.

3) The old fashion, common cold. Now while a doctors visit may be unnecessary as a basic cold can be treated with "over the counter" medicines, an Upper Respiratory Infection may cause a few extra problems. Should it be a cold, have all the supplies needed to treat it. Think of it this way, do you really want to give your position away to the zombies because of a stupid cough. Cough Drops people. So you might want to start stocking up now. On the other hand, should you have a URI, having it not only diagnosed but treated with antibiotics will keep it from turning into something much worse.

Now as I stated, staying away from Hospitals before, during and after the up rising starts, it may be necessary to go to Hospitals. This truly should be a last resort option for the simple fact that hospitals will be crawling with former patients, visitors and staff. One option to research before going into a hospital would be a wide range of herb remedies that could treat your symptoms. Humans have been using herbs, plants and spices for ages to treat illnesses. A knowledge of plants and herbs, as well as possible allergies or allergic reactions(see earlier reasoning) will assist you in treatments.

IF you must go to a hospital, there are some simple things to remember...

1) Structural/Building knowledge. If it is at all possible, find someone who worked at the hospital or worked on its construction because knowing a building lay out will be one of your greatest ally. The in's and out's, the areas of highest zombie concentration, and most important, where your target objective will be at. So if your going for medications, knowing how to get in, get it and get out with a little zombie attention will be to your benefit.

2) Dangers. Besides zombies, a hospital is a melting pot of fungus, viruses and diseases that are just as deadly as the zombies. Non-functional lights, barricaded or destroyed stair wells, rotting floors....the list goes on and on. Swift but careful and calculated movements will be needed to retrieve whatever it is you are looking for.

3) Safe Zones. You are in the lions den, staring at the lion and his company. You are separated from your group and are now on your own. Do you know what to do? All to often a group goes half cocked on a raiding mission and half, if not all, never return. Knowledge is the best weapon that we have. Lets start using it people. If you know that an infested area is getting the best of you and the chances of separation are increasing, having a detailed plan to fall back on will save your ass.

This last bit of information may be a little......strange, but these are strange times.

4)Candy Stripe Nurse Zombies. Now I know what your thinking, who would fuck a zombie....WELL, the question should be who wouldn't want to. Vampire freaks fuck other humans, why not zombie freaks. A few basic things to remember. Foreplay is good under most circumstances. Biting; Good idea. Zombie biting; Bad idea. The simple fix for this will be to gag the zombie and then duck tape its mouth. Sorry gent's but oral sex with a zombie will just not end well for you. Another idea for you S&M types out there, a gag ball is always a possibility. Another thing to remember is the fact that diseases can still be spread, so make sure that you use the proper protection. Over all, I would not highly recommend this because, well, you think it was bad when parents walked in on you having sex when you weren't prepared. Think about the problems you will have when the flesh eaters stagger in on you and you aren't prepared.

Now for humans on humans, the best thing you can do for yourself is keep your weapons next to you at all times. However, not all positions leave you capable of reaching your weapons. Such positions like Missionary will leave you in a vulnerable state, and who knows if that will be the time they converge on your location. So, such positions as Reverse Missionary for the women and Doggy Style for the Gent's will keep your hands free and your eyes a fixed to whatever may stumble onto you.

Until next time, keep your weapons clean, your ears open and your sex drive pumping. Come on people, we eventually will need to repopulate.

~The Cajun Zombie