What I've Read (sorta): World War Z

As much as I try to deny it, I guess I am part of the zombie-loving society as well. Can't get enough of it. At least True Blood is my only foray into the vampirefest overrunning America (fuck that abstinence-spewing Twilight bullshit).

Several years ago a video game company sent me the Zombie Survival Guide as a perk to alongside one of the zombiefest games it was promoting. Hey, I don't deny myself a free book, so I read it and laughed and enjoyed it. Last year I heard Max Brooks wrote a sequel of sorts called World War Z. I just didn't think it was worth the time so I ignored it. But when we were looking for audiobooks to listen to on the trip back to Kentucky for the holidays, I downloaded it in case we were feeling up for it. Turns out, the book we chose took up the whole damn trip, so when I finished reading Bloody Crimes last week, I thought it was time to chill out for a week and listen to an easy book instead of jumping right back into something else.

World War Z was fun to listen to, and as a book at least it approaches the zombie material from a different perspective. It assumes we've already experienced the war with zombies, and is written as a first-person look back at the proceedings. It's more of a collection of interviews with various people throughout the world: military leaders, survivalists, politicians, economic leaders and so forth.

The book is definitely a harsh look at America isolationism and takes some typical cracks at consumerism and classism. And while the book is probably a bit more detailed, the audiobook comes with some fun actors doing roles like Alan Alda, John Tuturro and Mark Hammill. It's a short audiobook, just around 6 hours, so it gave me entertainment for a week while riding to and from work on the train. And as someone who always has conversations with Kelly about how we're going to survive the apocalypse (zombie-filled or not), it's a funny reminder of what we need to do be prepared.

Readying for the Zombie Apocalypse

Kelly's lady friend alerted me to some geniuses who blended the zombie apocalypse with one of the greatest games ever created, The Oregon Trail. If you love Zombieland (hand raised) and love The Oregon Trail (other hand raised), then this is one of the best time-killers you can find on the interwebs.

In playing The Organ Trail (clever name), you pick a crew, and decide on a profession so the game can alter the experience based on what career you choose. It's awesome because the first choice is "Cop from Kentucky." Well, that was an easy choice, thanks. I created my family truckster crew of myself, Kelly, Dan, Luke and Douglass. Sorry to the wife and poodles, but surviving the zombie apocalypse is a man's job. Well, at least I thought so until Kelly got bit by a zombie about 8 feet into the drive and died about two days later when we reached Chicago. Damn, Kelly, you gotta be stronger than that.

I finished the game without losing anyone else, and found that I was a great barterer and shooter when having to scavenge for provisions. I know it's just a video game (and an 8-bit one at that), but I'm feeling more confident about my ability to make it through the zombie apocalypse in one piece, because all these things are just training, like for a marathon. But of wits.

War. War Never Changes.

As you all know, I play a lot of video games. A lot. And there are always the big-top releases that get everyone all worked up and excited. Well, this is one of them. And thankfully, I am not alone. Because I know my boy Kelly will be ready and willing to continue his lurker lifestyle and preparing for the apocalypse by studying everything in this game. That, and I know he played about 300 hours of Fallout 3, including the expansion packs, so this game is right up his alley if there ever was one.

When PR Companies Go Crazy

Oh. Hell. Yes.

Those are frickin night vision goggles my friends. And they are real.

Last year I wrote about a PR company for a video game that went a little haywire with its promotional materials. That was an instance where a PR company went crazy in a bad way (though my coworkers have all seemingly enjoyed their abundance of plush toys on their desks). This is one of those instances when they did right by me.

Up to 100 feet of visual range. Hands-free. Good battery life. Looks good with my hairdo. All signs point to success in my book. I had a dinner party and had some friends test them out, and I got thumbs up from everyone. If nothing else, I think this solidifies my place on Team Lurker when the end times come around. Also, now I can become the most high-tech Peeping Tom in the neighborhood, or Takoma Park's version of Jame Gumb.

Or not. Nevermind. Bad idea.