answer a question, ask a question

[RubyJeansMom]

kian, It was a little of both!

[lynners]

Last time I slept on a floor was at a kegger at a friend's place last summer. All the couches/beds were taken!

[Deerie me]

Kian, mine was also about three years ago and we too started on an air mattress which leaked. The floor wasn't even carpeted so we were on the floor boards.

[Deerie me]

Ok this is the OH's question really, as we've just been discussing it. He has discovered some obselete computer disks and asked if we should keep them in case we get attacked by zombies (Shaun of the Dead reference). I said if we got attacked I'd chuck the good ones at them as well because you could slice a head off and then retrieve the disk. He said that wouldn't work because it'd be covered in zombie gore and you might get infected so the question(s)

Would you sacrifice good disks or do you keep unwanted disks just in case?

What are your thoughts on the risk of possible infection through handling zombie gore? I thought you had to be bitten i.e have the zombieness injected directly into the blood stream.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

[ixemul]

This is definitely the right question for me being a huge zombie movie fanatic and some who has been planning what to do in case of the zombie apocalypse since 1997.

It really depends on what type of zombie you are fighting to answer your question correctly. Some zombies can transfer their zombieness through the blood and others only with a bite. In Shawn of the Dead, they actually had to be bit in order to become infected, so retrieving the gore covered disks would be absolutely fine. If you were using the disks and the zombies were more like 28 Days Later zombies, than under no circumstances can you retrieve those disks as the risk of infection is too high being that it's transmitted through the blood and can easily pass through mucous membranes as well as open wounds.

Being that you reside in England, and both Shawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later are set there I think your odds are exactly 50/50 on what type of zombies you should expect. I would save the disks, as you can never have too much ammo, and consider getting a weapon that is more zombie contamination friendly.

[snoopygirl]

There was a zombie episode of Smallville the other week (I love Smallville) and I'm pretty sure that virus was passed through the AIR so that is very dangerous indeed! Being within a few feet of those zombies could give you the virus... However if I am incorrect, perhaps it was only if the zombie caused you a wound. I'm sorry, my memory fails me! I'm sure it was air, though. In which case, I would ensure I threw disks from a great distance!! Oh and it was only activated after you fell asleep, so... don't go for a nap after you kill them!

Q. How different are you now compared to when you were sixteen?

[Deerie me]

consider getting a weapon that is more zombie contamination friendly.

As the resident expert what would you suggest?

[JaymeK]

As for the floor: a few weeks ago, when benson woke me up early on the weekend so I fell asleep on the floor with him for a few more hours. It's not an uncommon thing in my house.

Zombies: ange's answer is kind of awesome. ahah. I had a good one but I don't remember it. I would probably just hide in a closet and wait for some strong young man to come save me.

And..I'm really not that much different..Seeing as I just turned 17 in march. haha. I can drive though..which makes me...able to gallavant around the city with my friends more than I could when I was 16. haha.

Same question, I'm interested to hear the responses from people older than 17. haha.

[snoopygirl]

I would probably just hide in a closet and wait for some strong young man to come save me.

LOL Jayme, I would probably end up doing the same! I'd be absolutely petrified!

[LittleK]

Sleeping on the floor, interesting question... last time was at my summer camp - every day actually! We slept on this wooden platform in the woods with a canvas over it as our "tent". And also when we went on our hike, well it technically wasn't the floor it was the ground haha.

I like Ange's answer But I'd probably end up doing the same as Jayme and Snoops

[ixemul]

As the resident expert what would you suggest?

It really boils down to proximity. If you are going to be fighting a zombie in close quarters than you want an instrument that can inflict maximum brain damage with minimum blood spatter. My recommendation would be a crowbar, as not only can it be a deadly weapon, you can use it to open doors that may be jammed or locked. Remember, the key to surviving the zombie apocalypse is to be able to hide effectively, run when needed, scavenge safely and outlast the zombie hoard.

For long range weapon you can never go wrong with a sniper rifle. Does huge damage when properly aimed at the head, without body parts flying around everywhere as possible contaminants. You have a long range and can easily take a high vantage point and snipe tonnes of zombies safely from your perch. It's also lightweight, easy to run with, can be used it closer proximity with less splatter than a shotgun. The ammo is relatively small and many rifles have cartridges than can be preloaded for a quick succession of shots.

It's terribly important that it's not just any old hunting rifle, but a sniping/precision rifle equipped with a high powered scope. Their range is significantly better and are designed to do maximum damage for extended periods of time.

I haven't tested either of these theories against actual zombies, but I have played Left 4 Dead on XBOX for hours and find the sniping rifle is indeed the best. As for knowing my close encounter weapons, again I have to cite the XBOX game Dead Rising where you can basically use any weapon you can find to save yourself and kill the hoard.

There is no doubt in my mind that these video games are an accurate portrayal of what to expect when the zombie apocalypse happens. You can never be too prepared.

[snifferspommom]

I recommend these lessons for surviving a zombie attack:
Organize before the rise.
They feel no fear, why should you?
Use your head: cut off theirs.
Blades don't need reloading.
Ideal protection = tight clothes, short hair.
Get up the staircase, then destroy it.
Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
No place is safe, only safer.
The zombies may be gone, but the threat lives on!

[kian]

Wow I have learned so much from Ange and Alinas Zombie 101. I was not prepared or educated and feel more able to deal with this impending invasion when it happens. Just to think I was more worried about storing extra food....silly me

Back to Snoops Question: How different am I now compared to sixteen.

For starters: A lot more pounds! Notice I didn't say exactly how much. In some ways I am still that young girl until I am reminded by the aches and pains that I have limitations now. As for my brain, I still love to learn and hope I am more wiser than I was when I was 16. Believe or not I was painfully shy then, oh yes, I overcame that and found my voice. I wish I had that at 16. My goals then seemed so hard to obtain and yet looking back it was by my own design I did not fully obtain the goals and desires I had then. I still listen to my music loud though my taste in music has changed. There are times I still feel very insecure like I then did and yet I still have wonderment of the world around me. I didn't like to hurt people and still don't, I still hold on to trying to understand rather than judge quickly. Like many, we all want to be loved and find love, that never changes. I still hold on to the same values and principles as I had then.

All in all, somethings haven't changed a bit, some of just matured and evolved.

Hope that answers your question, this a good one.

[snoopygirl]

Thanks, Kian. That was a very good response, very interesting. I'm curious what others have to say on the matter.