No Work on Labor Day

     In honor of the holiday, and because I am a sucker for research, I decided to look into the history behind Labor Day.  I consider it penance since I’m taking the weekend off from blogging.  I’ll still be working but I am focusing solely on my next book.  Anyway, back to Labor Day….  While there is some discrepancy as to who came up with the concept, they all agree it started in 1882.  In true government style, it took twelve years for it to be deemed a Federal Holiday.  By that time, in 1894, thirty states had already been celebrating Labor Day. 

     For you trivia buffs, I have a few tidbits for you to enjoy.  On February 21, 1887, Oregon was the first state to embrace Labor Day as a holiday.  In the first proposal to initiate the holiday, the outline specified holding a street parade.  So, if you’re like me, and you’re constantly trapped behind the parade route in a never-ending line of traffic, we now know who’s to blame.  Way back, when there were rules for proper attire, Labor Day marked the end of wearing white until the next year.  (After Memorial Day)

     Labor Day was created, not only as an appreciation for the labor force, but to grant them a well-deserved day off.  Ironically, retail establishments recognized the prime opportunity to make more money so, not only are their employees working, they are often subjected to mandatory overtime.  So, whether you’re watching parades, barbequing, or making time + ½ for working the holiday, be safe!  I’ll be back in action after Labor Day.  Sleep well.  

Creating a Word

     In keeping with yesterday’s theme, I did a little research on how a word is added to the dictionary.  I have to admit, with the advent of “The Urban Dictionary”, I had hoped that the criteria for Oxford and Merriam-Webster would be more stringent.  Sadly, the main factor is usage.  So we have only ourselves, our children, or the media, to blame when nonsensical, foolish, expressions become official words.  

     According to the Merriam-Webster website, their editors are constantly scouring newspapers, magazines, books, and, pretty much anything they can get their hands on, searching for new words.  They also watch for new uses of existing words.  The data or “citations” are loaded into their computer system.  The numbers of citations are reviewed for source and consistency in usage. 

     Friends, my advice is this: if you hear people consistently using words that you find ridiculous, stop them.  We have the power to take back our language.  Stop the insanity before we are so inundated with ludicrous, meaningless words that we have no idea what anyone is saying.  If that doesn’t give you nightmares, nothing will.  Sleep well.  

Downfall of the English Language

     The addition of the words “Twerk” and “Selfie” to the Oxford dictionary might just be proof of the complete decline of civilization.  The words bantered between most Americans is a pathetic bastardization of the English language.  I shudder at each incorrectly conjugated verb and garbled sentence fragment.  The deplorable state, of the spoke, word appears refined in comparison to the tragically incoherent ramblings, scattered across social media sites.

     I certainly understand that not everyone was afforded the same education I received; however, the opportunity to better one’s grammar is readily available.  One only needs to embrace the Internet, for something other than silly memes and videos.  Not sure whether to use “their” or “there”, in a sentence?  You only need to type “there vs their” into Google and you’ll get a very clear and concise answer.  I’d also like to recommend another site for your grammar conundrums. 
                                  http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl

     This is not a paid advertisement.  I am only offering this tip in a selfish attempt to ease my own suffering.  Please, share this with your friends, relatives, and anyone who desperately needs some assistance!  It is our own apathy that allows this nonsense to continue.  I, for one, do not want to entrust our country to a nation of illiterates when I’m old.  It almost makes me wish the zombie apocalypse would begin so that I can bash some skulls of the twerking, selfie-taking fools that have sullied our language.  I suspect that zombies will have a broader vocabulary, anyway.  Sleep well.

Prepping for Z-day

     I have a confession to make.  I love watching those "Doomsday Prepper" shows on television.  There, I said it… Even if I don’t necessarily agree with their ideology, I always learn something new.  Sure, lots of people make fun of the preppers.  Their friends, neighbors, and sometimes even their family may think they’re going to extremes.  It all seems a little like overkill until you watch the evening news. 

     In light of the recent uproar in Syria, and allegations of chemical warfare, I imagine that there is a certain degree of comfort in being a hardcore prepper.  Part of me wonders how long it will be until chemical warfare escalates.  Biological warfare could be next.  Of course, you know that means one of two things: super flu a la The Stand or zombies.  I really wish some of the Doomsday Preppers would, at least, mention preparing for a zombie uprising.  I think they should dedicate the entire month of October to prepping for the Zombie Apocalypse.  I know plenty of people, myself included, who could give them some tips.  I can dare to dream, can’t I?  Sleep well.  

ZRT is the place to be!

     As much as I love writing my books and posting on this blog, I have to admit, having an article published in a magazine felt amazing.  I am very proud to be a part of the Zombie Response Team’s very first issue of their brand-new magazine.  The ZRT’s mission, to teach emergency preparedness and survival while, keeping it fun, intrigued me.  Let’s be honest, no matter how important it is to be prepared, if it isn't interesting; no one is going to pay attention. 

     Their motto is: “if you can survive a zombie apocalypse, you can survive anything”.  The ZRT’s website is jam-packed with valuable information and exciting ways to get involved.  Not to mention, the link for subscribing to the Zombie Response Team Magazine.  Please take a minute to check out their website at   http://zombieresponseteam.net/our-mission/   to find out more. 

     In the meantime, I am working on an article to submit for next month’s issue.  I hope to be lucky enough to make more than one appearance in their magazine.  Whether it is a zombie uprising or a natural disaster, it is important to be prepared and educated.  The ZRT can help you be both!   

Reading IS cool!

     It breaks my heart to hear kids say they “hate to read”.  Sadly, many of them are reflecting the negative feeling their parents have projected, instead of opening themselves up to the experience.  Without even realizing it, many parents have closed the door to a world of wonder to which their progeny may never gain access.  I recently read an article suggesting another contributing factor to their hatred- teachers who use reading assignments and book reports as a punishment, in schools.  It got me thinking.  That sort of mentality has crept into our society’s perception so stealthily that, perhaps, we haven’t even noticed it. 

     Take, for example, the news.  Once upon a time, people learned about what was happening, in the world, through newspapers.  Some of you may argue that newspapers are still in publication and, perhaps, you even subscribe.  Yet, statistically, subscriptions to print publications, both newspapers and magazines, have rapidly declined.  I know what you’re going to say.  Digital copies have replaced paper and it is better for the environment.  I am all for “going green” but think about it for a minute.  When you go online and look at news sites, most of the stories are videos.  More and more, I am finding that you can’t even find the transcription of the video to read.  I know because I like my news to be as slant-free as possible so I prefer to read it, rather that allow the inflections of the newscasters voice to sway my judgment.  At the rate we’re going, reading the news, either paper or electronic, will be a thing of the past. 

     The same could be said of books.  If I had a penny for every time I heard someone say, “I’ll just wait for the movie”, I wouldn’t just be rich, I’d be J.K. Rowling rich!  Even when I was in school, many of my friends would rent the movie rather than read the books.  Just an FYI to any high school students out there, most of the time, the movies are only loosely based on the books.  (very, very loosely)  Your teachers know this and will specifically ask you questions, based on the book, that were the exact opposite in the movie. 

     I know that, if you’re reading this, I am preaching to the choir.  You probably love to read as much as I do.  I hope that you share that love with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, basically, everyone.  Let’s show the next generation how magical reading can be and let them learn to fall in love with books.  I don’t care if they’re e-books, paperback, or hardcover, as long as they read.  I think I’m going to grab my well-worn copy of The Stand and head to bed.  Sleep well.  

Seasons change and so do they...

     As August dwindles, and summer comes to a close, it signals a change in seasons.  The variations in temperature, and climate, can play a vital role in your survival during a zombie uprising.  Understanding the affects of the elements, not only to yourself, but also on the rotting flesh of your enemy can be the difference between life and death.

     We all know that under the sweltering summer sun, or in desert climates, the risk of hyperthermia, dehydration, and sun poisoning only increases the danger, in an already volatile situation.  While zombies do not suffer the same risks, high temperatures are not a benefit for the enemy either.  Not only will the decaying flesh shrivel and bake- becoming jerky-like, we have other elements of nature joining in the fight.  Warm weather and insects go hand in hand.  Flies may like honey but they love decomposing meat.  While disgusting, maggots will be helping our cause by stripping away the muscles and tendons from their limbs.

     On the flipside, sub-zero temperatures, combined with snow and ice, present a new set of challenges.  We must be on guard against frostbite, hypothermia, and slipping on the ice.  I admit, the mere mention of slipping on the ice, conjures images of follies that would make The Three Stooges proud.  It’s easy to laugh about it now but; in the zombie apocalypse, a sprained ankle, or broken hip could be a death sentence.  That same ice will play havoc on the atrophying limbs of the flesh-eaters.  Use it to your advantage and get a little creative.  Is your safe house on a hillside?  Create your own version of a “Slip N Slide”, with ice, and enjoy the laughs as the zombies wipe out.  Not everything about preparing for “the Z word” has to be grim and dour.  A little levity can be a huge morale boost and a desperately needed reprieve from the stress.  Also, constant exposure to freezing temperatures can eventually freeze our enemy into zombie-pops.  Just think how much easier it will be to destroy their brains when they’ve been frozen solid.  Just be careful not to slip on the ice! 

     Rain, snow, sleet, or hail, we must be prepared to battle on until the last zombie falls.  Know the terrain, understand the climate, and use it to your advantage.  No one knows when the zombies will rear their ugly heads so…Sleep well.