Apocalypse Research

October 5, 2016October 5, 2016 | 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

How to Train for the Zombie Apocalypse

October 4, 2016 | LizT.

Yes, the worst has indeed happened and the evil undead are roaming our earth. Are you prepared to do what you must to survive? Chances are, most of you won’t make it to see next week. In a zombie apocalypse…like this one, there’s no time for sugar coating things.

I can tell you what it will take for you to survive, but ultimately it’s up to you to make it happen.

Let’s start with something simple, your diet. You’re probably used to a cushy diet of fast food, donuts and soda. Hey, you’re only human (at least, right now you are!) The truth is, the first week is pretty critical when it comes to perishable food items. So the rule of thumb for week one is “if you find it, eat it.” If, for example, you’ve found yourself in the vicinity of a Krispy Kreme donut, eat it! Chances are, it could be your last. But don’t overdo it. Eating poorly and too much will slow you down and that Krispy Kreme will be your last, but not because no one has time to make donuts anymore, get my drift?

This first week of encountering zombies will be tough enough for you, without introducing a stringent training and eating schedule. My best advice in this turbulent time is to moderately enjoy yourself as much as you can and keep within a manageable caloric range for your height, weight and body type. Also keep in mind that you will be a lot more active this week and you may need some extra calories to keep your energy up. Calories from bad fats and sugars will make you feel sluggish and to be honest, that’s just what the zombies want!!

This week we’re gonna focus on cardio, so get moving (or the zombies will do it for you.) Hopefully you and your family made a plan before this apocalypse hit, an emergency strategy for what to do and where to meet. If you didn’t, well I hope you said your goodbyes before the apocalypse and enjoy my good advice while you can, this blog may be your last.

Ok…so you have some guidelines for getting your body moving and eating all the perishable items you can find, but not overdoing it. That’s a great place to start. Staying home in your locked house is going to seem like a great idea right now…it’s not. In all likelihood, at least one or more of your neighbors has been turned and soon they will be looking for delicious, juicy brains to eat. If you live, isolated, in the country, you may be able to last a little longer. The suburbs…not quite as long and if you live in the city…GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!!!

It’s good, at this early stage in the apocalypse, to identify your weapons. Get comfortable with your baseball bats, your katana swords, your crossbows, your bowie knive. Guns are fine, but keep in mind that bullets will become scarce and hitting the brain with 1 or 2 shots is actually much harder than movies and TV shows portray. Make it easier on yourself and get comfortable with hand to hand combat using whatever is around you. But more on that later.

It’s crucial right now to get moving, like I mentioned before. Walking, running, practicing sprints…these are your focus. If you have a car, great. Stockpile as much fuel as you can and keep moving. But you’re still gonna want to get good at evading surprises and learning some simple parkour moves wouldn’t be the worst thing you could do. But there will be lots more parkour in weeks 3 and 4. Right now…RUN! It’s the best way to stay physically fit and alert for what’s to come.

In this early stage of the apocalypse, the virus is pretty contained to large cities. This is the chance you need or rather, the chance you have to start getting prepared for the worst. Food isn’t scarce yet. That’s a good thing. You’re gonna want to start walking/ running twice a day for 30 mins each. If you can go longer, do it. The longer you keep that heart beating, the better off you’ll be. Challenge yourself, but don’t push yourself too far past your current limits.

This is the only chance you’ll get to take your time and get the lay of the land. These are called recon missions. Did you have a gym membership before the apocalypse hit? Money wasted. The world is now your gym and it is going to push you harder than any physical trainer ever did.

My final advice for your first week of training is to drink the cold beer, white wine, chilled juice, smoothies, etc. now because refrigerators will soon be as dead as the undead. Those finer enjoyments will be a thing of the past. But remember this…it’s wildly important…drunkenness will get you killed. So do not get sloppy!

This is a week of learning your limits, testing your strengths and being thankful for the little things. But don’t forget to watch your back. Once the virus hits the nearest metropolitan area, it will change your life and being thankful will be as hard to come by as that Krispy Kreme donut!

Stay alive!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?

February 9, 2016 | LizT.

If you are a die hard Jane Austen fan, like me, then perhaps you are or were skeptical about the merits of a book that adds blood, gore and the undead into the prim and proper world of Austen’s Regency Era story. Guess what…the resulting work is simply astoundingly fun! A match made in ~~heaven~~ or rather…hell!!

Let me assure you…the movie is no less awesome than the book! I was worried that the film adaptation might skimp on the story and go straight for the gory, but the sweeping romance of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet’s love story was not sacrificed.

The Highlights

Mr. Darcy

I was also skeptical about Sam Riley’s, Mr. Darcy. He does not have the countenance that I have come to expect from my Darcy’s. But I have to tell you on the scale from Colin Firth to David Rintoul…I’d place Riley above below Matthew Rhys, but above Elliot Cowan. If only because I’ve never met a Darcy I didn’t like and there are 10, in my estimation, that deserve ranking. Sam Riley definitely gave a solid Darcy performance and upon multiple viewings, I expect him to rise in esteem. The curious thing to me was the timber of his voice. It had a gravelly quality to it that at first I did not care for. But given the dark nature of the zombie apocalypse it started to fit in better than a more refined English accent. All in all, a very charming addition to the Darcy family.

Elizabeth Bennet

As high as my standards are for Mr. Darcy, they are even higher for the second oldest Bennet sister. Perhaps it’s because I identify so closely with her that I hold her in such high and lofty esteem. Lily James has everything that an Elizabeth Bennet should have. A love of longs walks, a ready wit and oh yeah, she kicks serious zombie ass…a quality I never knew I always wanted in Elizabeth Bennet. Her chemistry with Sam Riley is tangible. Especially in the famous proposal scene, where Mr. Darcy makes his love and his reservations about their match known. Let’s just say Elizabeth, a trained warrior, doesn’t take the insult of his proposal lightly and more than just verbal sparring ensues.

Mr. Collins

It’s the first time I was ever rooting for Mr. Collins, even if just slightly. The incomparable Matt Smith enters the scene as the silly, ridiculous, irreverent Mr. Collins. But where his predecessors have played the role with nauseating smarm, Smith manages to make Collins seem charming (the only other Collins who achieved a level of charm is Maxwell Glick’s Ricky Collins from the You Tube sensation The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.) It probably helps that I’m incredibly biased towards loving all things Matt Smith, seeing as he is Doctor Who and all! He will always get my vote. I was happy that Charlotte Lucas got to have such a delightful match, though Charlotte herself in this film is quite forgettable.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

I cannot go further without mentioning another powerhouse in the world of geeky fandom. Lena Headey, Cersei Lanister herself, rounds out this cast as Mr. Collin’s benevolent patroness, the Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Except once again, with delightful twists in store for the fan of this classic story. Lady Catherine is no mere aristocrat sitting on her laurels and passing judgement on the Misses Bennet. She is a hardened warrior who has slayed hoards of zombies and even has an eye patch to show for it (a patch used for necessity, not vanity.) When she confronts Elizabeth about whether or not Darcy has made her an offer of marriage, she does more than ask a few tough questions.

The rest of the players are aptly cast, though widely forgettable. Except for the nefarious Mr. George Wickham who is played by the very charming Jack Huston. So charming, in fact, that I was hoping Wickham would end up being as delightful as the man who played him. Alas, Wickham remains a scoundrel in this adaptation as with all the others.

The Walking unDead

As a fan of all things zombie and all things Jane Austen…my standards on both sides are always very high. I equally expect my romance to be sweeping and my head shots to be brutal. So I am happy to say that I was as satisfied with the portrayal of these beloved characters as I was with the zombie effects. The shots were so resounding that I could feel them in my chest. The zombies were believable…the blood and guts visceral. And the action was fast paced and hard-hitting. It’s as much an action movie as it is a romance. What better way to get boys to appreciate the wonderful world of Austen…just add zombies!

All in all, a really fun movie. I watched the entire thing with a gigantic smile on my face. But, reader… I did not walk away unscathed…

Thanks to Lootcrate for infecting me with the zombie virus!!

Raising a Kid in the Apocalypse

October 14, 2015October 4, 2016 | LizT.

The Walking Dead has taught us, the viewers, many valuable apocalyptic life lessons over the last 5 seasons. Season 6 kicked off with a bang on Sunday and I’m sure there will be brand new lessons to learn.

Perhaps one of the most intricate lessons we’ve been learning is how to raise a kid amidst a zombie apocalypse. Information that I’m sure will come in handy one day. Hey, if Glenn and Maggie make it, they may be able to benefit from Rick’s experience raising Judith and Carl.

1. Role Models are Important

Carol has become a surrogate mother to little Judith, in the absence of Judith’s deceased momma, Lori. Sure…she’s a killer, but it’s only ever been out of necessity and to protect the family. And if that means killing psychotic kids, disease-ridden women, crazy cannibals or the run of the mill zombie, then so be it. What better role model is there for a 2 year old baby girl, really?

2. Learning from Big Brother

Carl loves his baby sister. And sure…he had to kill his own mother, but she was a zombie. What’s a son to do? Plus big brother will be able to teach little Judith to shoot one day. And if she makes it through her terrible two’s, she’s gonna need those skills!

3. Father Knows Best

Rick loves that little girl! That much we know. Sure…he’s murdered countless people. Being the leader of the pack in a zombie apocalypse means making the tough call. And desperate times call for a swift stab to the temple. You better believe that Rick will do whatever it takes to protect his daughter from the evil undead of this world!! There is no greater love than this: that a man would lay down a score of zombies to save the life of his friends and family.

4. Home is Where the Heart Is

The farmhouse…er. The prison…uh-uh. Terminus…definitely not. Alexandria…ummmm. Ok, so home may be a fluid concept when you’re faced with hoards of flesh eating zombies. But that hasn’t stopped Rick from trying to find a place for Judith, Carl and Co. to call home. Is it his fault that just when they all get comfortable, everything goes to hell in a hand basket? No. He keeps hoping. He keeps trying. He keeps fighting. That’s what a good father does.

Here’s hoping the rest of season 7 is a little brighter for little baby Judith and her extended apocalypse family!!

30 Days of Nerdy Hair

November 2, 2014November 2, 2014 | LizT.

Day 2: Maggie from The Walking Dead

If you don’t watch The Walking Dead yet, let me just say that you are missing out on some action packed programming! And since TWD airs on Sundays, I chose Maggie, one of my favorite characters from the show.

Sure, this is an easy one. Wet hair and a little dirt on the face goes a long way to giving the feeling that you are experiencing a zombie apocalypse! Plus, people are always telling me I look like her.

What do you think? Is the resemblance there or not? It may be there visually, but as far as kicking zombie ass, I think she has that on me!

Make sure to Click Here to see how I accomplished this look!

Make sure to check back tomorrow for another brand new nerdy hair style!! You won’t want to miss what I have in store for this series!

What was I thinking?

March 11, 2014March 11, 2014 | LizT.

So, I decided to give up TV for Lent this year. I know, I know. You’re wondering if I can even do it, given my deep and abiding love for my stories. And yes it’s really hard. Here are 10 reasons why:

1. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is just getting good!!!

SHIELD is finally poised to be all we want it to be and more!!! With the introduction of Bill Paxton’s character, John Garrett and of course the appearance of Thor’s Lady Sif, it is starting to explore a deeper relationship with the Cinematic universe that Marvel has carefully created. And I think the payoff is going to be epic!!!

2. The Walking Dead is nearing it’s season ending which usually means big shocks.

The Walking Dead is one of my faves! It manages to shock, scare and warm my heart all in the span of an hour. A difficult feat, let me tell you. And as season 4 draws to a close you just know we’re in store for some seriously mind bending zombie thrills.

3. Game of Thrones is returning!

Need I say anything else about the much anticipated return of Game of Thrones? If you don’t know why it’ll be hard not to watch, then you may have come to the wrong place.

4. How I Met Your Mother is ending.

9 years of questions are about to be answered in the next few weeks. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think The Mother is perfect for our little Teddy Mosby. She is adorable and sweet and a little nerdy and loves a crossword. The anticipation of meeting her paid off in a big way and I have complete faith that the writers won’t let us go without tearing at our heart strings before all is said and done.

5. REVENGE

Ok, I know this is not a particularly nerdy choice, but I freakin’ love this show!!! My friend forced the first 3 episodes on me a few months back and from then on I’ve been hooked. What plot will Emily cook up for the Graysons next? Who will get caught in the crossfire? Why is Jack the perfect human being??

6. Arrow is awesome.

Arrow has been turning up the heat week after week. From the introduction of Barry Allen’s The Flash to the developments in Roy’s character with his injection of the Mirakura and subsequent induction into the cool kids club! With a Flash spin-off in the works, this show is primed to be the perfect vehicle to premier other beloved members of The Justice League. (Just imagine if the new Fox pilot, Gotham, was going to air on the CW instead. The possibilities would be endless!) Regardless, this show does not disappoint.

7. This House of Cards obsession.

I’m always on the lookout for a new show to dive into. And roughly 13 people have suggested I watch House of Cards. And now that I can’t… I really want to!!! Good thing it will be safely on Netflix waiting for my eyeballs after Easter!!

8. Frasier rewatch.

Scratch your head in confusion if you need to, but I was deep into a Frasier marathon when Lent hit. Season 8 deep. I mean… Niles and Daphne had finally declared their love for each other after 7 agonizing seasons of Niles’ adorable puppy dog longing. I used to watch this show long ago at the feet of mom and dad, but never understood it back then. It’s so high brow, no 6 year old could possibly understand. But this show stands the test of time and is really, really funny. Sure, radio shows are becoming a thing of the past but this show isn’t. If you haven’t given up TV for Lent, try watching it. I dare you not to laugh. Or to fall a little in love with David Hyde Pierce. It can’t be done!!!

9. My funny bone needs tickling.

I love comedies!!! Anything that makes me laugh is a good thing in my book. And these 4 comedies always get me going. New Girl, The Mindy Project, Modern Family and The Middle. Laughter is the best medicine and these shows are my doctors!!

10. Once Upon a Time just came back.

Oh man. This one stings. Especially since the events leading up to the winter hiatus were so dang exciting and mystifying!!! And plus… The Wicked Witch is on her way. Which mean Oz!!!! Seriously. This show had a period of episodes that were pretty missable, until it wasn’t missable anymore. (If you watch, you know what I’m talking about.)

Let me just warn you, readers… spoilers will not be tolerated. I’m basically entering a TV-less bubble. And I’m going to have to work hard not to have one or all of these shows spoiled for me. So help me out!! Don’t spoil!!!!!

With so many compelling reasons to tune in, the obvious question is “why give it up?” Well the tiny little reason of Jesus Christ. If He can give up His life for me, then I can give up the many programs that zap my brain cells! And every time I think to myself… “OMG, I need to know what’s happening with Emily and Aiden.” or “What happens after Danny and Mindy kiss???? (brain explosion)” or “Is Roy Harper the Red Arrow?” … I’ll turn my eyes to heaven and remember why I have all the wonderful things I love about this life on earth. And that will be enough for me!!

Let me know if you’ve decided to give something up for Lent and if it’s TV, what shows are you missing???

The Pinterest Wormhole

March 4, 2014 | LizT.

Have you ever got caught in the inevitable Pinterest wormhole? You know what I’m talking about. One little picture of Tom Hiddleston’s face and you are knee deep in pinning every expression he’s ever made. Which leads you to that one photo of him and Benedict Cumberbatch together. Which is just about the most perfect man sandwich ever invented in life.

Of course, once you are in the land of Cumberbatch you end up with a brand new board called “I am Sherlocked” because one pin of that handsome face is not enough. And then you’ve brought Martin Freeman into the mix. Which brings you around to The Hobbit. Soon you have a board called “Over the Misty Mountain” which brings in Dominic Monaghan (and leads to a board called “The Hatch“), Richard Armitage (and a board aptly titled “Sherwood Forest“), and Ian McKellan which reminds you of how much you love wizards!! And once wizards enter the mix, you can’t go on in life without creating a board called “The Boy Who Lived.”

That is a ticking time bomb of new boards about to explode on the Pinterest-sphere. Then you’re just pinning left and right (3 hours have now gone by and you’ve forgotten to eat.) Once you’ve pinned Potter you say to yourself, “There are so many other fandoms I love that are not yet represented.”

Then comes more boards with titles like “1.21 Gigawatts,” “007,” “Glitch in the Matrix,” “We Named the Dog Indiana,” “Timey-Wimey,” “Walkers,” “Stormborn,” “Shiny,” “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” And so on. Being the gigantic nerd you are, you need a “Star Trek” and a “Star Wars” board. Fandom is not complete without these two… duh!!

All of sudden you think to yourself (cause there is no human in sight amid all this pinning) “What about superheroes? They aren’t represented yet either. That’s not even fair of me.” So you come up with boards like “DC vs. Marvel (everyone wins)” and “The Evil League of Evil.” And soon you find that perfect picture of Loki smiling with that devilishly handsome face of his and somehow you’ve ended up right back to pinning the many grins of Tom Hiddleston.

The circle is now complete. And an entire day has wasted away… but if we’re being honest with ourselves… do we really think wasted is the proper word? Nope!

Tomorrow let’s start with a young Harrison Ford and see where that takes us!! The possibilities are endless.

PS… I’m not even kidding. Head over to my Pinterest profile to explore the many wormholes that await you. And happy pinning!

Nerd in the City

the archives!!

Walkers

Apocalypse Research

How to Train for the Zombie Apocalypse

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?

Raising a Kid in the Apocalypse

30 Days of Nerdy Hair

What was I thinking?

The Pinterest Wormhole

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