Zombie Scenario: Your Guide to the Apocalypse, Part I

Have you ever found your mind wandering to the prospect of a Zombie Scenario and planning an escape?

What's that? The Zed word is ridiculous?

That right there would be your Number 1 fail: doubting the Zombie Apocalypse!

The Wave of the Undead is coming, my friends and let us all hope that we have some pea shooter plants to guard ourselves with.

In the meanwhile, H1 and I have been envisioning and devising our escape as per The Zombie Scenario: Metro North Edition.

We are not going to lie.

If hordes of zombies were to invade Grand Central Terminal as we stood on the platform waiting for our train, we have decided we would die for lack of a solid survival plan.

We have been thinking on this for a couple of years now but we would be ill-fated.

What we would see as we looked ahead.  

Zombies would be pouring out of the main Terminal.

Behind us would be Zombies shuffling up the stairs.

Zombies to the left of us.

Zombies to the right... but wait! a train?

So, what would our best option be?

Jumping into the pit to the left and risk an oncoming train, electrocution via the third rail, or zombies piling in after us and it being much easier to trip?

Do we climb on top of the train to the right?

How long before the zombies take to climbing as well?

Do we board the train? What if the doors are closed (as pictured)?

What if we get on and the doors do not close? Sitting ducks we would be!

What if...zombies are on the train?!?!

The Hochies are not pessimistic, we are realistic.

The following footprints/feet (not owned by zombies or unwitting victims of Zombies) are the guidelines as deemed by The MTA for a safe commute.

We have doctored them to share with you our tips and observations you should abide by during a Zombie Scenario at GCS.  It's the least we could do for our friends who may fare better.  Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky.

No. 1 and 2

1. In a Zombie Scenario, definitely *glance down once in a while to make sure you're not going to trip over your fellow, "can't save you now...sorry" commuters.  You will see why it may not matter when we get to No. 3 as slipping might become a regular Olympic Event.

Do not glance back too often.  It'll just slow you down, not to mention you never know when a Zombie might pop up in front of you all of a sudden.

2. In a Zombie Scenario, if the train is operational, hell yes, run for your train.

 No. 3

3.  In a Zombie Scenario, slipping will have to become an Art Form.  Using the stair handrails may be a good idea when it rains, but when it rains blood, I'm not sure anything will save you from a fall here and there.  Everything will be slippery in a Zombie Scenario.  The handrails won't work.

No. 4

4.  In a Zombie Scenario, throw caution about bridgeplates to the wind.  You may be better off being wedged under a train.  Maybe the zombies won't be able to get you out.  Fall through the gap, it might save your life even if it may break your arm.  *This could also apply to Rule 1.

 No. 5

5.  In a Zombie Scenario, and this may be painfully obvious...it's every child for himself.  Toss the buggers to the zombies because it may slow the Zombies down.  The more chirren you have, the better but remember, their bodies are tiny.  It's like eating popcorn, you might want a whole lot but it can only keep you filled for so long and there's never enough to feed everyone.

Currently listening to: "Pioneer to the Falls" by Interpol.(No. 6)

6. In a Zombie Scenario, remember that Interpol can't do shart for you.

Blasphemy

I feel as though I must warn all before I post the following story with accompanying pictures.

The following images are rather graphic and very much disturbing, so this is your chance to turn away now.

Let us begin -

There was an incident at work today and I would estimate the time of occurrence being anywhere between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

It was a little after 2 when I discovered the following atrocity:

I ask of you, who wastes bacon?!?!

Who knowingly orders bacon then wastes it?!?!

A heathen, that's who!

An almost unspeakable crime was committed in my office today, and I am ready to arm myself with a pitchfork tomorrow to flush the evil out.

Currently listening to: "Grave Hunting" by Tsuyoshi Sekito, from the Brave Fencer Musashiden Original Soundtrack.

Confession of The Day

We may all have that one movie we must sit and watch every time it comes on the tele.

Mine is "From Dusk 'Til Dawn".

I shan't be judged.

2 Years

Has it really been almost 2 years since I bought my Shure headphones? It must be because it's about time to get a new pair.  I discovered this last week when one ear bud phased out. 

A half-working right ear piece is just as annoying as a half-working left ear piece.

I would know - I've lost sound in both sides from other headphones I have had.

My headphones get a lot of use, wear and tear but this standard 2 year lasting period is really grating.

I must make myself promise that if I get higher end shures, I will stop listening to my music 3 minutes before the train pulls into Grand C. so that I may wrap them up carefully and tuck them gently away.

Note to self!

Note this note to self in the future.

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit. Hare, Hare, Hare.

Best of luck to all in my most hated of months.

An Arrival

Dear Moodou,

No Seer Man was going to tell you otherwise, and I know that you intentionally came around later than you were "predicted" to make an entrance.

That's right, you are here and have been since July 17th.

I saw you on the 18th and already there's a story to tell which I will relay on the BooHead Hi Jinks blog.

For now, welcome to life in the outside world, Moodou! There's lots to see and do here.  There are places to go, things to read and learn, music to listen to and good food to eat.

However, please be aware that taking bacon out of my mouth and eating Momma HOchie's stuffing at Thanksgiving are not things that you need to do.

Lots of Love,

Suga'Face.

Pengo

There are a few things from our childhood we often feel the need to explain to our American born friends.

Mango dollies.
Galaxy Rangers
Sesame Street (the one of the 1970s and 80s and was not the Elmo show)
The Commodore 64.

The last one was completely American but I'm not sure why no one really knows about it.  I think they were all stuck on Atari then the NES and SNES.  I'm not sure, but The HOchieS have very fond memories of our C64 and all it's glorious games.

We spent hours breaking numerous joysticks with a little game called The Summer Olympics.  The only way to place gold with the Freestyle Swimming competition was to break a few joysticks.  It was the same deal for the track and field 100 M dash.

The greatest thing about the Summer Olympics was of course choosing your country.  All participating countries with their respective flag and National Anthems were present.  When you chose your country, and won a game, your anthem would be proudly played during the award ceremony.  That game taught me a lot and to this day I have midi sounds in my head of the Japanese National Anthem.

Team Japan and Team Germany were two of our favourites, I recall.

Other Commodore 64 memories included Popeye, The Last Ninja, Bruce Lee, Killer Watts and Montezuma's Revenge.  I remember the ship level from Popeye the most; jumping from rock to tiny rock in front of the waterfall (and failing often); lantern collecting in Bruce Lee; Space ship flying in an underground chamber with that cool ass music; and being enthralled by the "blocky" nature of Montezuma.

Then, there was Pengo.

I came across this today but it's not quite as I remembered.  I believe the game we played was Chilly Willy but the concept is the same.  You push the ice blocks along and squash enemies.  There's also the music.  The music of Chilly Willy involved a song called "Popcorn".  It was vintage... Pure vintage and one of those familiar sounds that you just cannot get out of your head.

It has me slightly confused but maybe the game we played was indeed Pengo? Or maybe they made some sort of Chilly Willy style Pengo? A pirated mismatch of a game? I don't know but we definitely played this a lot as kids and H1 was the Master.

I am hoping this comes to a portable or a console and if that day comes, it's on H1.

In the meanwhile, enjoy a video with the Swedish Chef and the Muppets take on the earworm "Popcorn".

Sunday: Breakfast and Lunch (7/25/2010)

I have no pictures to show for what transpired for lunch last Sunday but I can tell you with words that it was curry crab and dumplings.

I can also verify that it was awesome.

Breakfast was pretty awesome too.  I do have pictures to share but first a story, if I may.

H1 was Martha Stewart in a past life.

There, I said it.

For breakfast last Sunday she made us muffins topped with boiled eggs, bacon and cheese.  What's so special about that? The toasting of everything.  It's special, let me tell you.

Did I mention I am obsessed with boiled eggs as of late? I am.  

Bacon is always magical and it's made all the more 

by toasting! Look at how it bubbles with magic.

H1 then made a second recipe she got from The Pioneer Woman's blog.  That PW has really been working out with her recipes.  Next up: Muffins that taste like donuts.

Cinnamon and butter.  Already a win!

Not much to look at now

 But now, it's covered in cinnamon sugar and butter.

It was hot, light and great inside

 H1 makes breakfast fun.

Summer Fun in Midtown: Part II

Join Alex and I as we journeyed from our desks at work to get the coveted $1.00 scoop of Ben & Jerry's Ice-Cream: A Story in Pictures.

There was no surprise that the Thursday event was just as crowded as Wednesdays.  Like all Midtown workers, we like to take our break around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and like all Midtown workers, we like our ice-cream especially when it's $1.00 a scoop.

Needless to say the line was long.

 And full of Asians? Bwahaha.  I keed.

   Everyone loves ice-cream!

When we got to Roc. Center, it was just around 2 p.m.  

The tables close at 2:30 p.m. but Tri Tip were all out of meat.  

Such a sad sight that meat cutter is when it is not in use.

Alex sure could have used a bottle of bubblies

like that to keep her occupied while we waited.  

Alas, it was on the other side of where we stood.

This man was high up in one of the buildings overlooking the Plaza.  

He probably got some pretty good shots.  

I just hope I'm not in any of them.

If I stare at the umbrella, I can will it to give me shade! 

Clearly the sun was addling my brain at this point.

More smoke from Bill's Burger.  

And what's that? A creative use of post-it notes? 

Someone needs to call HR, me thinks.

Thanks to this man, though, the line 

while lengthy moved actually very quickly.  

He can scoop like nobody's buisness.

Finally! Some progress! 

The choices the day before were better...oh well.

Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Triple Caramel Chunk worked out nicely.

Summer Fun in Midtown: Part I

That's the most blatant lie I have ever written.  There is nothing fun about Summer!

I suppose there are some fun things that happen during those evil months though, that make you 'happy' to be working in Manhattan.

For instance, for three days the dark corridor restaurants of Rockefeller Center hosted $10 and under tasting lunches on the Plaza.

The thought of being out there with tourists and suits was almost too much to bear but what's more important? My anger or my need for a burger?

From past entries in this madhouse of a blog, it should be perfectly clear who the winner is.

So on Wednesday, the 21st of July, off we went with Alex to discover what goodness awaited.

With no line at Brasserie Rhulman, I went ahead and got a Kobe burger with everything, plus a mint lemonade.

Hooray for eating mushrooms 

and kicking them down 

in the Summer and Fall months.
Notice the potato chips on the side, too.

Yes, everything included onions.  

I was not about to be brave.  I removed them.
And yes, Frass.  I ate my lettuce and tomato.  I did.

You cannot really tell the high quality 

of the meat from the picture but it's wagyu.  

It's good stuff.  Really good.  

And do you see the size of that patty? It's not right.

Tart.  Refreshing? Yeah.  But tart.

I did feel as though it could have used a bit more salt but as I said, the quality was amazing and oh, it also came with blue cheese which is one of my favs.  The best part about this meal was what came after.  We discovered that if I were to have this meal at the actual restaurant, it would have cost me $23.00.  This burger, minus the fries (but replaced by chips) cost $9.00.  Good food for cheap is always welcome.  Of course, free and good is even better but I am thankful for the little things.

Alex and H1 went off to get Bill's Burger.  This place is supposed to be the 'rival' to Shake Shack.  I tasted a fail.  Shake Shack still rules.

 Check out the smoke.  That's Bill's smoke.

And this is Bill's Burger.

Looks harmless.  Tastes salt-less.

That Thursday, you know we had to go back for $1.00 Ben & Jerry's scoops of ice-cream, right? Yeah.  $1.00 a scoop.  Hooyeah.

The Ben & Jerry's Story will be in a separate Part II edition Bloggie Post, but be warned...there are offending images like this one:

 Surrounded by Suits!!!!!!!!

Currently listening to: "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.  Damned hippies.

Abomination of Coconut Water

What is this?!

This bastardization of coconut water needs to end.

Everyone knows the only thing coconut water should be mixed with is scotch.

The Good Doctor

Hello,

Nerd here, pleading with all to watch the latest season of Doctor Who.

It was brilliant from start to end.

Maybe it's my love of not so cute Brits talking but no, that would be somewhat of a lie.

As far as shows go, this one was one of the best and I am giddy with excitement to have witnessed the greatness for myself.

At the very least, TD5, it's you, me and The Doctor when next you are at the HOchieS' household.

Love,

Or 2.

Hated On

I hate it when Amazon does a significant price drop of a complete blu ray series and game I want and I can't buy because I just today swore I wouldn't buy anything for two months.

Well hopefully they will still be on sale by the time my Drop Day comes around, so I can take pity on myself and buy it for cheap.  Or maybe BooHead will take pity on me?

Psst, Boo Head - now's your chance to get Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (books 1 through 6 - though I'll settle from 1 from you), Ouran High School Host Club for the Complete Blu Ray Series for $28 down from $70 or Little King's Story for $19.72 for your Boobey.

If you needed me to spot you some mons, BH (because I know where you get your money from!), I could do that.

...wait.

In other news, I need to add a bunch of things to keep an eye on and remember:

Deathspank on the PSN
Rock Band: Spoon, Them Crooked Vultures, Phoenix and Flight of the Conchords
Last Story for the Wii
Okamiden - ultra collector's edition for the DS.  That may never come Stateside and it just gives me another reason to hate on the Japanese for hating on me.

P.S. What should I get Boo Head for his Birthday? He's 3 and a has now, but soon he will be 4.  No, no DS for you, BH.

They Should Thank Us

Despite the scary bit of yellow leaves and the panic from last week's debacle involving taking care of the garden, I am pleased to show you the harvest the parents got upon return.

The Head Honcho of the HOchie Tomatoes

If not for H1 and myself, the tomatoes would be ded.  D-E-D! Ded! Yet, I heard nothing but ridicule when they got home...

They're ungrateful!

Oh, and wouldn't you know? It rained for at least 3 days when the parents got back.  But noooo, when H1 and I had to take care of the garden, it was over 100 degrees for 4 days and rained not a drop!

Do You Remember?

Do you remember when zoomers were round?

The Fourth of July

It was 14 days ago that H1 made a confession to me.  She is a fan of the 4th of July.  She likes that Americans really get into their Independence Day with the very many barbecues, hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, fireworks and a time for relaxing and catching up with friends and family.

This year, The HOchieS enjoyed some sparklers and 4th of July fun-time fireworks which I am late in sharing.

Sparklers remind me 

of the awesomeness of Divali.

Don't worry, the plant is okay.

I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday.  It's the last we'll have until Labour Day.  It's times like these I wish we were living the goo'd life like some Trinis.

Obsession(s) of the Week(s): 5/25/2010 - 6/29/2010

Super Mario Galaxy 2

There's a story about a girl who has low video game self-esteem. This girl does not call herself a gamer. While she has had more than 10 years worth of experience, she still lacks the confidence to call herself that. This girl had a video game folly. In 2007, she collected all 120 stars from SMG and called herself proud. It was a feat never before accomplished in a Mario game. 3 years later, she found out that SMG was considered "easy". And didn't she feel stupid. Not one to be knocked over, she bought SMG2 and is currently at her 103rd Star. It's been a tough journey through the beautiful and incredibly clever level designs with her best companion Luigi (and Mario to a lesser extent. She doesn't fancy him) with a booming orchestral soundtrack and a whole lot of wall jumps, long jumps and back flips.

Kingdom Hearts 358 1/2 Days

It's been a while since I've played a game in this series. By a while I mean not since the first one was released. I had to read up the story to fill in some gaps but I am still mostly confused. It's a complex story to be sure (Thanks Squeenix) but I'm enjoying this DS adventure. I think I like Roxas more than I recall of my like for Sora. Sora was a bit of an ass, really. I enjoy the level up, magic and weapon building schematic. It's like building a puzzle which is a game in of itself, frankly. The story's kinda cute but as per usual, I could do without anything Disney related. Nightmare Before Christmas is not Disney, damn it! Only in theory!

Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo Press Conference at E3 2010 was yesterday. I was giddy and reeling from excitement. That...doesn't usually happen to me but now I feel mighty sorry for myself looking at all things 3DS and the game list. Nintendo hates me but loves my money!