Writer's Block: Be Prepared

[fajrdrako]

[Error: unknown template qotd]

Easy answer: no.

My experience has been that the unexpected happens. Whatever you prepare for is much less likely to come to pass than the wildly surprising events that you would never have imagined. Aside from the basic health and safety rules that are a matter of common sense, any attempt at disaster control is pointlessly stressful. Make yourself the best person you can, and let the future happen. Face the world with confidence and love, not fear and greed.

Today has enough troubles without worry about possibilities. Relax and gather some field lilies. You'll be better for it in the end.

That being said... how does a person prepare for zombies?

Comments

[sollersuk.livejournal.com]

how does a person prepare for zombies?

One finds a really good pub to hole up in, of course.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sounds good to me.

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

how does a person prepare for zombies?

Cardio, weights, yoga, cricket bat.

Remember, you only have to outrun your most annoying neighbour... :-)

[beccaelizabeth]

but then they become a zombie

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

This is what the cricket bat is for.

[beccaelizabeth]

if you team up with your neighbour, you have two blunt instruments to one less zombies

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Cardio

Check.

weights

Check.

yoga

Check.

cricket bat

Hmm. Ianto uses a hockey stick. I could maybe find a cricket bat somewhere....

You know. Just in case my "common sense" measures aren't enough.

[beccaelizabeth]

zombies are a biohazard emergency that's actively trying to pass itself on
and a bunch of humans trying to attack you

also a situation where backup is just as likely to be for the other guys

it's basically a war with an NBC emphasis
so you plan accordingly

disaster plans aren't pointless, they're things like making sure you have enough meds, food, water, shelter and communications options to withstand an interruption in supply.

wish that were common sense, but I have in the past put waaaay too much thought into What Could Go Wrong and yet still find myself out of food every Tuesday night. organisation fail.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the definition of 'common sense' covers a lot of ground.

Last time we had a blackout lasting several days I told myself I'd buy a hand-cranked radio for the next time. Have I done that? No. But I think I got the rest of the supplies I thought I'd need.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Of course you can't control a disaster. But there are some emergencies you can do basic preparations for, and it's been proven that people who have thought about those things ahead of time panic less and have a higher survival rate. Children should know how to evaluate different escape routes during a fire, just as an example.

I live in Tornado Alley and I have friends in hurricane prone areas, and I just think it can't hurt to have a bag of supplies packed that you can grab at the last minute. If I'm going to be living in a shelter for a week, I want to have some *stuff* like my medicine and important documents and cat food and vaccination records. Now, lots of things can happen that would keep me from being able to grab my evacuation bag, sure. But I feel better that I have it. It could come in really handy to have that change of underwear and a waterproof groundcloth, who knows?

I also have an evacuation bag at work with good walking shoes, a dust mask, a city map and some other stuff. Maybe circumstances will stick me anyway. But I don't think it's worthless. And if, as superstition might dictate, being overprepared makes it *less* likely that I'll need it? That's excellent. :)

I do understand what you're saying about not obsessively worrying about the future, though. I'm as fatalistic as you, I think, I just respond by getting overprepared, *then* relaxing and letting come what may, and enjoying what I find in the meantime. Whatever works.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Of course you can't control a disaster.

By definition.

Children should know how to evaluate different escape routes during a fire, just as an example.

Yeah, that falls under my 'common sense' category. Know your procedures. Ditto for 'emergency bag'. (I have a travel bag set up for this purpose.) Don't have the waterproof groundcloth, though. On the other hand, in Ottawa, a truly dangerous hurricane or tornado seems unlikely. More likely we'd have a breakdown of electrical supply and communications (as happened in the Ice Storm) - winter-related disasters.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

I guess I don't understand what you meant, then. You are prepared for the likely disasters, so you have given them some thought, and it sounds like your definition of common sense is the same as mine. What did you mean by "disaster control" and worrying about possibilities? Are you thinking of people who obsess about the future (more than necessary to be prepared) and let it control their quality of life? (Sorry, that does seem obvious now that I say it, but I tend to think in very concrete terms and it didn't really occur to me that way until just now.)

ETA - further to that thought, I remember the way people were freaking out about "Y2K" in 1999. My dad spent the year stockpiling nonperishable foods and various other things. They didn't need them, of course, so they just ate some of the stuff they'd stockpiled over time. The cool thing was that right around New Year 2001, they were hit by the ice storm of the century, pretty much shutting down the entire state for about two weeks, and they were able to use a lot of their Y2K supplies (most notably the generator) and did pretty well. So I guess it was that over-reaction to a specific event which didn't come to pass that caused my parents to get prepared for general disasters, which they should have done anyway.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Basically what I mean is that it wouldn't be a matter of common sense for me to prepare for a hurricane in Ottawa, because such a thing is unlikely. I will prepare for the possibility of a bad ice storm, or the building I live in catching on fire. But the more improbable something seems, the more I think it makes little sense to prepare for it. We just aren't going to have a tsumani here - not unless something rips North America apart first.

What I am saying, I suppose, is that there are psychological and practical costs to being a survivalist (or a pessimist, or fearing what might be coming), and while I don't think people should be unprepared or reckless, it's easy to get a sensationalist mind-set which anticipates disasters that are actually unlikely to happen.

I'll worry about the zombies when they get here.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Okay, I see. I guess I didn't understand the extent of the freaking out you were talking about. Sorry, and thank you for explaining. :)

So... there are really people who worry about hurricanes in Ottawa? *I* don't even personally worry about hurricanes, and as we learned during Gustav, it is remotely possible a hurricane could reach my area.

I do have about six "apocalypse" icons though. I find emergency preparedness an envigorating topic the way some people like to talk about sports, I guess. ::shrug:: I had posters in college of diagrams explaining what to do if a digit or limb is cut off. I think people should know! And it's kind of... weird and interesting. *g*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

No, I don't think people in Ottawa worry about hurricanes, or tornadoes either. Nor do I think they should.

So what should I do if a digit is cut off? I do need to know - I once wrote a novel that I'm thinking of returning to, about a young man who had his hand cut off in 1295. I need to know the implications.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Do you know people who worry about disasters that are very unlikely to hit them, though? That's what it sounded like you were saying. I just keep getting more confused, I'm sorry!

First aid for amputations is pretty much what you'd expect. If someone loses a digit, use pressure to control the bleeding, of course. Then you need to locate the amputated digit, wrap it carefully in a clean cloth, put it in a waterproof bag like a ziplock, and put it on ice. Then get to the hospital ASAP, bringing the digit with you. In 1295 I don't think the person would need to worry about saving the digit, though, since there's not really a chance of reattaching it. Although if he were a time traveler (and there were anything resembling a clean cloth or ice in 1295) maybe he could bring it back with him!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Do you know people who worry about disasters that are very unlikely to hit them, though?

I know people who take more precautions than I think are warranted. In fact, in general, I think people in our time are far too worried about their safety, and far to likely to panic at possibilities that may never occur. It's a sensationalist and fearful world and doesn't need to be.

In 1295 I don't think the person would need to worry about saving the digit, though, since there's not really a chance of reattaching it.

Sadly, no. Hmm, if I could make it a Doctor Who crossover, things might be different!

I imagine he got the bleeding under control - possibly with cauterization? or having it stitched? - and then had to wait for it to heal.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

I don't know much beyond the first aid, but I would guess cauterization. If it was a clean cut, it could be hard to pull the skin around in order to stitch it together, and I guess large arteries could be stitched, but cauterization would be so much easier and cleaner.

Man, amputation in 1295 would be hard core.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I would guess cauterization.

Yes.

amputation in 1295 would be hard core.

His uncle didn't like him. He offered to shake hands and make peace. His uncle had a sword. Ouch. This started a war, which is why it's in the history books.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Re using the Y2K stuff for the Ice Storm: yes, that's the sort of thing I'm thinking of when I say you should use common sense but expect the unexpected. The event he planned for (Y2K) turned out to be nothing, but the Ice Storm, which no one anticipated, was a significant problem. And being prepared for "something" to happen is a good idea, especially if you have the resources to store or keep things that will help towards short-term self-sufficiency, like tinned food and a generator.

Ottawa was badly hit but the Ice Storm, too.

[ceindreadh.livejournal.com]

I tend to work on the umbrella principle for these things. The best time to buy an umbrella is before it starts raining, so that you can take your time and pick and choose, and don't end up grabbing the first one you see when you're in the middle of a downpour. And once you have your umbrella, you don't have to think about it until it rains.
So the answer is yes, at least in theory. I know what I think I would do in case of emergency (don't live in a hurricane or earthquake region, although some of my neighbours and colleagues do look like zombies in a bad light!) but in an actual emergency I might find that my ideas are as useful as a chocolate teapot. But knowing that I have some idea as to what I'd do, reassures me somewhat.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think the question is more 'how many umbrellas do you need and when do you need them, and if not an umbrella, then what'. I always keep myself supplied with one umbrella, usually a collapsible one that's easy to carry. I don't often carry it - almost never, since I have a good waterproof gore-tex jacket that serves me better - but it's useful to have. It goes in my travel bag, too.

Maybe if I had more sense of what disasters might befall - nuclear holocaust, maybe?

[chatona.livejournal.com]

Yay, well said!

As for the zombies. Uhm. Good question?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to lose sleep over the zombie problem, but I wondered.

I do have garlic in the kitchen, in case a vampire comes along. It's useful for cooking, too.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

yummie, zombies in garlic. Maybe a bit of red wine to?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Red wine always makes the sauce taste better.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I agree with you: don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I have a lot of immediate things to worry about - a bomb might drop on Ottawa, but a hurricane or a zombie attack seem equally unlikely.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

how does a person prepare for zombies?

Apparently, if you're Gerard Way, you practice (http://mychemicalromance.com/blog/gerard/left-4-dead-review).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

you pick up the controller, you kill hordes of zombies, you get to a safe house, you survive.

Now, there is a man prepared for emergency! I am impressed.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Be even more impressed: he wrote a haiku (http://mychemicalromance.com/blog/gerard/haiku) about it.

Their website updates are great. Did you see Frank's last post? In which he positively fanboys Gerard and wonders if he's cloned himself. And this photo (http://mychemicalromance.com/blog/gerard/guest-blogger-jon-rivera-topic-jabba-glob) is just... Words fail me. They're such geeks.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

And this photo is just... Words fail me. They're such geeks.

So they are. Funny how many of my friends are like that. Funny how those guys feel like friends even though I've never met them.

Speaking of which... I got a wonderful, wonderful mug in the mail, all the way from Malta by way of Milwaukee. Thank you! thank you! I love it!

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Yay, it arrived! Happy Christmas! ::hugs you:: And yes, it was from me, lack of gift note notwithstanding - clever of you to guess! Or wait, am I maybe the only friend of yours who's into The Umbrella Academy...

I'm glad you like it!

Now you'll feel closer to Number Five every time you drink your coffee. And if it makes you think of Gerard as well, that's all to the good. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I plan to toast you and Gerard Way with this cup full of hot chocolate on Christmas Day. Or possibly Earl Grey tea.

I think you are the only friend I have discussed Umbrella Academy with but I'd be surprised if I don't have other friends who are into it.

if it makes you think of Gerard as well, that's all to the good.

I'd like to see the mug that could stop me!

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I agree. Also. you're aware of the disasters in your area. I.e. hurricanes or tornadoes, what do you do to survive, and financially, how do you save to help yourself when you do survive.

For me, tornadoes is about it and even then rare. We all have basic procedures at home and at work and sirens and lots of warnings. We're better prepared these days for 'disasters' than we used to be w/o communication.

One thing I do now that I never thought about before is save a stash of cash at home. In 2003, we had that massive blackout that swept from MI to NYC and you couldn't get money out from the bank even if you had it (no power to operate ATMs, computers, etc. and so on). Having cash on you at that time put you one up on everyone else. So I have that 'stash' nowadays just in case. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Keeping money on hand: that's a very good idea. I hadn't thought of that. I've come to just casually take the ATMs for granted.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I had too. Still do to some degree since it hasn't happened since (and never may again, for all I know) but in that moment, I realized how lost we all were w/o the actual physical paper.

Weird.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's so easy to be dependent on technology, even unconsciously. A reminder that a credit card that can't be swiped isn't worth the plastic it's made of.

[filkferengi]

You prepare for zombies by reading cadhla's LJ, which also includes fabulous songs, poetry, and comics. Her writing blog, seanan_mcguire, has fabulous writing tips. Humo[u]r and snark abound.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip!

[filkferengi]

You're very welcome; let me know what you think.