Around my household and at my workplace, there is often talk about life after the apocalypse, what we’ll do when the zombies attack, etc. And I just read the “Hunger Games” trilogy (which highlights people’s various skills needed to survive in a post-apocalyptic world). Robin also always reminds me that he’ll be good to have around when the world turns to shit and we’re all fighting our neighbours for survival. He’s got a point there. He’s strong, athletic, good with his hands (i.e. he can build things), he is mechanically-inclined (e.g. he can quickly figure out tools and I’m sure he’d be equally competent at mastering any kind of firearm or weapon), has lots of common sense, etc. You get the idea.
So, all this got me thinking about myself and then the general public. There should be a measure for this kind of situation. I call it a PAR – your Post-Apocalyptic Rating. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d score very high. I’m quite unlike Katniss Everdeen (or any of the other “Hunger Games” Tributes, for that matter). I’m not comfortable with any kind of weapon (e.g. I can’t imagine being comfortable with a bow and arrow). I’m not particularly stealthy or athletic. I have no idea what plants and roots are edible if I was hiding out in the forest. And don’t even get me started on my knot-tying abilities or camouflaging skills. And I’ve never built a snare or trap in my life.
I guess I’ll just have to hope and pray that I will be near Robin when the zombies attack, or the machines rise up, or whatever. But I did pose the question recently to my co-workers about what 1 household item would you want to have to battle it out with the zombies. I said a shovel. Then I Googled it and according to some zombie-experts, I made a smart choice (see this link: http://emergency-
There may be hope for me yet. Although on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest), I think my PAR would be a 4. In the meantime I think I’ll start sleeping with my shovel under my bed.