Back to Basics with Brooks (Max Brooks, that is)

I’ve done a lot of posts about things that can help keep you safe in the event of a zombie apocalypse - cars, amazing bunkers, and fancy schmancy modified weaponry – but there hasn’t been that much talk here about basic survival.

While having a flame-thrower, or a blimp stocked with Doritos would be great, what is it that you would actually need in those crazy days?

For that answer, I turn to the man who literally wrote the book on zombie apocalypse survival. I’m talking of course about Mr. Max Brooks.

Max has become the go-to guy for zombie survival in the last few years. With live appearances around the country and all over television, he has spread the word of true zombie survival.

So… say you have to hike from your home all the way across state to the safety of your uncle Leon’s condo. And let’s assume you don’t have access to a tank or a machine gun crossbow. What does Max say that you need?

1. WATER!

2. Some way to collect and PURIFY water!

3. Broken-in hiking boots (blisters are not funny!)

4. Dry socks (trench foot is definitely not funny!)

5. A radio that doesn’t need batteries (and an earpiece so you’re not broadcasting to everything living and undead within earshot)

6. Some means of making fire (matches are good, flint and steel and char cloth are better)

7. Some means of self-defense (preferably something that doesn’t need reloading)

8. A first aid kit

9. A Swiss army knife or multi-tool

10. The Zombie Survival Guide — ONLY if it’s in paperback! Hey, I love e-books too, but remember, in a crisis, paper doesn’t break or simply run out of juice!

Now, I’m sure Max wouldn’t mind if I added a number 11 to his list. That, of course, being the world-famous B’hold Designs UltimateCamouflage! If you doubt it’s power, consider this…. Max himself owns one. Of course I begged him to take it, but he did! (click HERE for the whole sordid tale.)

And one more thing… remember, in a zombie apocalypse, all bets are off. As “The Walking Dead” has taught us, anyone can become undead at ANY time. Even Mr. Brooks.

Aim high. Run fast.

Brett

B’hold Designs Store

B’hold Designs Website

Friends in 'Grave' Places

I don't follow football, so I don't really know anything about former player Hines Ward, other than what I've read... retired from the Pittsburg Steelers... studio analyst for NBC's "Football Night in America".... and once voted dirtiest player in the NFL.

And to that already impressive (although somewhat notorious) resume he can now add the title of ZOMBIE.

It seems Mr. Ward has a connection (a college teammate) who acts on the AMC show "The Walking Dead" which has allowed him to fall in the ranks of...well, a walker. I'm not sure who that connection is... wish I had one.

Mr. Hines was quoted in the Pittsburg Post-Gazette as saying, "Just being in makeup preparing me for my role was cool. I actually scared myself when I looked in the mirror for the first time after."

Wuss.

Aim high. Run fast. Go team.

Brett

B'hold Designs Store
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New "Walking Dead" Promo and a Terrible Rumor!

Oh boys and girls we are CLOSE! Just under two weeks until the single greatest television show of all time returns to finish out season three!

What will happen to our good buddy Daryl? Will he have to fight his own brother? Perhaps even kill him? How about Andrea? Will she quit having sex with the governor long enough to see what a prick he is? And how about Rick? How much more can he take before he loses it completely?

Now, I have seen rumors flying around on the internet that Daryl gets the ax this season, and it has generated a HUGE negative response, and rightly so. After all, Daryl has become everyone's favorite hero, with his willingness to eat any 'critter' that hops/flies/crawls across his path and his lethal squeeze on that crossbow trigger.

I think we're all in agreement that if ANYone could survive a zombie apocalypse, it would be Daryl Dixon. However in a realistic view of the end of days, anyone could go at any time, and I applaud the writers for their courage to illustrate that to us (Sophia). It keeps us on edge and completely fearful...exactly where we should be.

BUT... I have seen a few interviews with Robert Kirkman where he talks about his excitement over the characters of Daryl and Merle because they weren't in his comic. He's genuinely interested in how they interact within the world of his creation. So knowing that, do I think he would allow this character to be killed off in season three? I don't think so. Season seven or eight? Possibly.

Maybe I should send him one of my care packages to ensure his survival.

Anyway, we're all dying to know what happens next, and our good buddies at AMC know that, so they have given us a tiny nugget of a glimpse of what's to come in a new promo video. It's not much in terms of info, but it's MORE than enough to get our zombie killing fur all bristled up!

Check it out:



Aim high. Run fast.

Brett

B'hold Designs Store
B'hold Designs Website

Create Your Own Zombie

Have a flair for the undead? Do you like playing dress up with dolls? Got $50 laying around? Then you're in luck! Now you can "Create Your Own Zombie" with the "Create Your Own Zombie Action Figure Customizing Kit" from big k toyz!

Inside this glorious box is a 1/9 scale body with removable joints to add any custom pieces and heads with detailed levels of decay! The pieces range from fresh wounds to long-term decay with torn flesh, exposed bone and withered skin.

Not sure how to paint or build your zombie? Fear not! There's a DVD included that shows painting and assembly techniques, and step-by-step instructions on how to make your zombie as disgusting as possible.

Whether you get it for yourself to terrorize your cat, or for your kids to throw the world's most awesome tea parties, this is obviously a product every zombie fan should possess.

Check it out HERE!

Aim high. Run fast.

Brett

B'hold Designs Store

B'hold Designs Website

Warm Bodies

I've seen this movie being advertised online for a while now, but have been avoiding blogging about it. Why? Because I guess I'm kind of a "zombie snob." I prefer the films I see to showcase zombies in their "classic form." What does that mean? It means, unable to learn (didn't care for Bub in "Day of the Dead"), unable to think, and unable to use weapons (both found in "Land of the Dead").

Now it appears I have to state that I want them unable to LOVE!!

While the movie appears to be funny (and funny zombies are ok... see "Shaun of the Dead"), it also appears to possess a love story, which downright pisses me off.

I'm sorry, but you can screw around with other movie monsters and make them all warm and squishy and sexually desirable, but don't... and I can't stress this enough... DON'T "TWILIGHT" MY ZOMBIES!

Personally, I love zombies because of the horror of the situation. I mean, what's more horrifying then watching your uncle Leon die in your arms, only to have him come back and try to chew your face off?!

Will this movie do well? Probably. But only because the market is saturated with undead right now, so those that started calling themselves "zombie fans" a month or so ago are already getting bored.

Here's the trailer, in case you want to check it out. I'm not saying boycott it by any means. Who knows? Maybe you'll like it, and that's totally cool, but as for myself..... no thanks.



Aim high. Run fast.

Brett
A zombie fan before it was fashionable

B'hold Designs Store
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Time to Nut Up or Shut Up...Again!

Well, paint a number 3 on my car and yell "thank God for rednecks!" It looks like ol' Tallahassee is gearing up for more professional zombie extermination, and banjo pluckin' ....but this time, online.

That's right, Amazon is developing "Zombieland" as an original series for their streaming service. Apparently, it's been in the works for tv for a while now. Originally, it looked like it might go to CBS, but I guess that's not happening. It seems Amazon is working hard to compete with Netflix and Hulu and producing a few original programs.

No word on a release date at this time.

Of course we all know that, as cool as Tallahassee is/was, he's no Rick... or Daryl... or Michonne... or hell, CARL this season. I'll stick with "The Walking Dead."

Aim high. Run fast. Eat Twinkies (while you still can)

Brett

B'hold Designs Store

B'hold Designs Website

Zombie Apocalypse Day Coming to a Town Near You?

Everyone wants to be prepared for the zombie apocalypse. Some prepare by stocking up on guns and toilet paper. Others prepare by fortifying their house with safe rooms or moats. We here at B'hold Designs like to watch "The Walking Dead" and obsess over zombifying pictures of celebrities and friends.

However you go about it, you probably have questions, and now (as long as you live in or near Seattle) you can get answers!

This Sunday, January 27 is "Zombie Apocalypse Day" at the Ballard Community Center! Billed as a family-friendly event about crisis preparedness, there will be over 20 vendors giving demonstrations and tackling some of your craziest questions. Who are these experts in the field of survival in a post-apocalyptic, bloated moaning carcass filled world? None other than the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, the Red Cross, and Z Ultimate Self-Defense Studio to name just a few.

It's from 12 to 6 p.m., so pack a lunch and stay all day. Check out their facebook page for more info.

AND HEY... want to really impress the experts? Show them you're no survival newbie by strutting thru the doors wearing your ULTIMATE CAMOUFLAGE by your buddies at B'hold Designs, and don't be surprised if they yank you up on-stage to teach them.

Aim high. Run fast.

Brett

B'hold Designs Store
B'hold Designs Website