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Apocalypse Research

| LizT.

It seems as if America has been anticipating this zombie apocalypse for quite a while. The number of movies and TV shows about it is astounding. Almost as if someone out there knew it was coming….hmmmm.

While the electricity is still working, why not take some down time and do a little research for what is about to become your current reality…

Zombieland

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This is the perfect movie to refer to for zombie apocalypse survival. There are survival tips and everything and it’s funny. And let’s face it, now’s the time when funny is really gonna be the thing that gets you through. Laughter really is the best medicine!

The Walking Dead

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There are 6 seasons of The Walking Dead (season 7 is set to premier on October 23rd, but given that reality just started imitating art…who knows.) That’s a whole lot of field research to dissect. Season 1 is all about fighting zombies, learning to survive, the art of hand to hand combat and which weapons are the best ones to pick. By the time you get to season 6, the zombies are the least of everyone’s worries and people become the main threat.

While I do recommend going through the whole Walking Dead journey, you’re crunched for time. Who knows how many days are left till the power just runs out. So skip ahead to seasons 5 and 6. The group’s confidence and bad assery are just what you should be watching right now.

Fear the Walking Dead

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To watch a bunch of people who have no idea what to do against zombies, refer to Fear the Walking Dead. A great show. But because of the journey taken on The Walking Dead, watching these people not know what they’re doing is almost like take 12 steps backwards. Still plenty of great moments to use for research on your future zombie hunting endeavors. But I’d say to stick to the big boys and watch The Walking Dead instead.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

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This one is fun, whimsical and totally bad ass! The perfect choice for anyone looking to train in hand to hand combat and get more proficient with a blade. Plus if the Bennett sisters can fight the hoards in Regency Era dresses, you can certainly fight in your Old Navy jeans and Forever 21 tops! You got this!

Dawn of the Dead

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I’ve actually never seen Dawn of the Dead. I don’t particularly like scary movies. But reality just became a whole lot scary than any movie. So now is the time to give it a look.

Shaun of the Dead

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And of course, if you’re going to watch Dawn of the Dead, you should follow it up with Shaun of the Dead. Because, again…laughter, humor, levity…these are the things that will remind you that life is worth fighting for. And Simon Pegg is a king of comedy!

28 Days Later

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Same argument here as for Dawn of the Dead. But make sure not to get it confused with 28 Days, which has absolutely nothing to do with the zombie apocalypse.

Warm Bodies

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And finally, the tender love story of a girl and her zombie. Love in the time of apocalypse…it’s harder than it looks on TV. So enjoy movies that remind you of romance, because dating in an apocalypse? Not really a thing. But more on that later!

Happy watching and remember…STAY ALIVE!

Girls Do THIS, not THAT

| LizT.

Lately, H (9 year old girl twin) has been struggling with what it means to be a girl. Traditional gender roles don’t appeal to her. She doesn’t like pink. She rarely wears dresses. She loves to skateboard and she has the trendiest short hair cut that’s ever graced a 9 year old’s head. She could easily be a Jolie-Pitt.

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Her short hair causes people (mainly elementary and middle school boys) to mistake her for a boy sometimes.

I asked her if it bothered her when they called her a boy. She said, “not really, it just makes me uncomfortable. Cause I really am a girl, Lizzie.” My heart almost broke. This precious girl is starting to find out what it means to be pressured by the world. And that it’s a tough hill to climb. How dare the world start in so early. She’s only 9 years old, for Pete’s sake!!

I told her that these kinds of things happen to everyone. Even me. I told her that plenty of people think girls don’t like Star Wars and superheroes and ninja turtles. I told her some people think that I should be married with kids by now. That maybe I should have a “steady” job and a 401K. But I walk to my own beat and so does H.

I don’t know if that helped her at all. I sort of hope she comes into her own in the not-giving-a-damn-about-what-people-think department. It’s so much better than way!

The other day when we were skateboarding home from school, she took a tumble and as she got back on her skateboard she looked up at me and said, “I fell off cause girls aren’t as good at skateboarding.” I looked at her and said, “Excuse me? Girls aren’t what now??” She laughed and said, “I take it back! I take it back!!”

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She knew it wasn’t true, but it was still her first instinct. To write it off. Classic “girls can’t” syndrome. I thought this wouldn’t come till much later, but I guess the self doubt is starting earlier and earlier in kids these days. (Kids these days? I’m officially 500 years old!!)

I don’t want this for her and she’s not even my own child. I want whatever she does to be what it means to be a girl. I want the same for boys. I want her to be able to have the freedom that America offers. Doesn’t that extend to our youth?

Who made these archaic rules anyways? Who decided that long, Disney-channel length hair and a love for all things pink made you a girl? I thought all you needed to be a girl was the mechanics. Time to change it up, America…WORLD! I think we’re on our way, but we still have quite a ways to go.

Tell me again what girls “can’t”do??!!

5 Fandom Friday

| LizT.

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5 Magical Items I’d Love to Own

I love magic! I believe in magic and I really want to be apart of the magical realm. Here are the items I most wish to wield!

#1 – A Wand

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Duh! I want to go to Ollivander’s and find out what my wand core is made of. Is it Dragon heart string, Phoenix feather, Unicorn tail hair or something else heretofore unknown in the wand world? And what kind of wood would be used to craft my wand? Ash wood, Elder wood, Cherry wood, Rosewood, Walnut? My favorite spell is Alohomora (I even named my phone after this spell.) And to do said spell, I need my wand!!

#2 – Mjolnir

Photo from Indestructables
Photo from Indestructables

I’m not really sure what real world applications Thor’s hammer would have for me in my day to day existence. But I know that if it were possible to have one… I’d want it. If for nothing else than for it to be a pretty clear cut “Don’t Mess With Me!” This would be useful on the subways or walking on busy streets. You just don’t mess with a girl holding a magical Asgardian hammer. You just don’t!

#3 – Dorothy’s Slippers

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I live very far away from a lot of loved ones, so these appeal to me as a cheap and quick means of transportation. Practical and fashionable… sign me up!

#4 – Aladdin’s Magic Carpet

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Another fun mode of transportation. This one is a little more romantic than the ruby slippers, cause there’s room for two. Looking for the perfect thing to do on date night? Grab that magic carpet and take it for a spin. The possibilities are endless.

#5 – Lightsaber

Photo by Finkbuilt.com
Photo from Finkbuilt.com

Now, I think you know me a little better than that. Lightsaber belongs at the top of the list. It belongs at the top of every list! But it’s not technically a magical object. The crystal inside the lightsaber could be considered somewhat magical, but it’s more of a religious item that harnesses the power of the Force and therefore allows the Jedi or Sith who wields it to connect to the blade and become one with their weapon through the Force. But you probably already knew that!

What magical objects will you be standing in line for once they are made available?