Tommy’s Blog

Took my ACT tests a while back.  Did pretty good.  Got a score of 28\36.  I’m pretty proud of myself.  I thought I would do poorly on math…ended up messing up science.  Go figure.  Hope my scores help me into college.

I went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  It was very fun.  They had lots of lasers, and artificial snow, and a TON of special effects.  It was also very loud.  They had the fire launcher things.  Also, two of the pianists started playing the Peanuts song.  I had a great time.

My uncle gave me a new zombie book.  (If you’re reading this, thank you for the book!)  It was a collection of various stories from survivors of a zombie war.  I got it 2 days ago…would have blogged it sooner, but i was busy reading it   It was an extremely enjoyable book, made more so by the fact that the layout of being lots of stories about the same thing, I could easily put it down and pick it up without having to reread a whole chapter to remember where I was at.  I enjoyed it a lot.

The ideal weapon to take out a zombie is not what you may think. When choosing a weapon, think of it as sort of economics:Ammunition spent per zombie+ammunition weight+weapon weight+terrain+weapon noise=the ideal weapon.

1. Shotgun. The shotgun, despite Hollywood, is not the best weapon for a zombie infestation. The shotgun kills its target by destroying internal organs and form shock. This will not work on a zombie, as the only way to kill a zombie is to destroy the brain, and zombies feel no pain or shock. However, the shotgun may have limited use for its knockdown value-the scattering of the shot acts as a brick wall to advancing zombies. This may be a fairly good weapon to delay advancing zombies with, allowing you to escape.
2. Rifle. The rifle is possibly one of the two best primary ranged weapons. It is pretty accurate if you know how to use it. Also, it can kill a zombie from a considerable distance, which is always a good thing. However, you should go for an older military bolt-action rifle, for the simple reason that they were designed in World War I, where knives, bayonets, and bludgeoning with the handle were considered essential. The noise it makes on discharge can be a problem, as the noise of killing one zombie may attract many, many more. Ammunition is easily acquired, as in the US, there are many armories you can get ammunition from.
3. Pistol. The pistol may be one of the best choices available for a secondary weapon. It has accuracy at short to medium range. A silencer can be put on it. However, many smaller calibers cannot penetrate a zombie’s skull to kill it. It is easy to reload. The ammunition is not too bulky. The weapon itself is not overly difficult to carry either. It is also easy to draw in an emergency. However, most users cannot land a head shot from much more then 30-40 feet. However, never use this as your primary weapon.
4. Crossbow. Another fairly good choice. It needs no silencer. Reloading, however, can be difficult. It is not easy to aim from a long distance. Ammunition, as well as the weapon itself, is bulky. Weight may be an issue.
5. Bow and arrow. Not a good choice. While it has good range-200-300 feet is not uncommon-ammunition is bulky. The weapon itself is bulky. It is not common to find a skilled marksman with a bow anymore. Unless you can get considerable pull on it, which is not easy to do while maintaining accuracy, you are not likely to penetrate the zombie’s skull.
6. Machine gun of any choice. Quite possibly the worst weapon you could choose. The weapon itself is definitely difficult to carry, no matter what type. Ammunition is a very large problem. Not only that, but the use of ammunition is extremely high. Accuracy is very low. Even on one that can go semi-automatic, most people will have an impulse to flip to full auto and just spray’n'pray. The loud noise will attract more zombies. The theory that you can level a large horde of zombies by firing at head hight will not work, because zombies come from people who are of many different heights.
7. M1 Carbine or M1 Garand. These two deserve special mention. Both were designed to withstand one of the greatest conflicts in human history. Both excel at eliminating zombies. Ammunition is not too much of an issue. The weapons have impressive accuracy. They have a fairly spacious firing mechanism, making weapon jams uncommon. If you can resist the urge to go full automatic, maintain calmness, and keep zombies between 30 and 70 feet-eliminate those who enter this zone FIRST, no matter what your “instinct” tells you-then you can eliminate massive zombie hordes. Several people with an M1 of any type can hold off a massive amount of zombies, given enough ammunition. This weapon is improved even more by using it with a tower, or a mobile fortress for hunting zombies. Example:A bus. Get 20 people with this weapon, sit them at the windows, 8 to a side and the remainder at the ends, drive into a zombie infested zone, and proceed to eliminate them. If the spare space is full of ammunition, this tactic can clear large sections of a city quickly.

I spent the past few days selling Boy Scout popcorn.  The popcorn booths are fun.  It is a little annoying when people don’t even answer me, or say “no” without even letting me finish my sentence.  Sometimes, I see people go to the other door just to avoid me.  They will be heading toward the door I am at, see me, and go to the other door.  Still, I had fun mostly.  Sales went pretty good as well.

This weekend I got a helicopter ride!  It was fun.  Different from a plane ride in that when you ride in an airplane, you don’t feel the motion very much.  In a helicopter though, you can constantly feel the blades pulling you up and forwards.  When you are sitting still in the air, it sort of bounces a little as well.  Also, helicopters go much faster then you would think..

Dear James,

Thank you for the PS2 web adapter!  I’m going to get Dad to help me install it as soon as I can.  I am SOO happy!  Now I can play SOCOM multi!  Thank you.  I can also play against Noah now!

Sincerely, Tommy.

The ideal place to hide from zombies has several requirements:

1: Food and water. With enough of this, you will be fine as long as requirement number 2 is met.

2: Height. Zombies cannot climb anything more then a ramp or stairs. Find a multistory building, get to a floor at least 12 feet off the ground. Then, destroy stairs, ramps, anything that will allow access to your hideout.

3: An extendable ladder, which will be pulled up into the safe haven when there is not somebody on it.

4: Make sure there are no other buildings or towers nearby a zombie could fall from to reach your safe zone. Make sure you are at least 5 feet away for every 10 feet higher any other buildings are then your haven.

5: Water faucets are NOT a safe water supply!! The water lines will probable be damaged. As soon as you secure your haven and dispose of and bodies, fill all tubs, sinks, every possible container with water.

6: Sturdy construction. Obviously, you do not want just a wooden board on some sticks.. At the very least, have something like the houses which have the flood stilts, that are designed to survive heavy floods. Ideally,find something such as an office building with a clear, open floor space. Make sure the supports are smooth, and can NOT be climbed!!! You will want 40-50 feet between your shelter’s floor and the ground if you are in an area with potential flooding-Zombies cannot float, but people may have been zombified with a life vest, or a zombie may be bloated the the point of floating.

7: Sound-dampening walls. The incessant moaning of zombies has potential to drive someone insane, you will need the walls, and earplugs will not be a bad idea either.

8: Escape plan. If things go wrong, make sure you have a backup plan. If you have access to one, then the armored cars that banks use to transport valuables are perfect. They have firing holes in the sides, and no zombie will get through them. The only danger is if it tips on its side.

I will continue as I develop more plans for survival.

http://www.youthink.com/quiz.asp?action=take&quiz_id=1174

MY HIGH SCHOOL RING HAS BEEN FOUND!!! WHOOOOOOOO!!!  I lost it on the bus last year, and it was found!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

My birthday is coming up, so I’m posting a birthday wish list.

More computer RAM. Preferably two gigabytes, DDR-type. I forgot what slot, though…

Cookie dough.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra CDs.

I want one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXSCT1Oj2Tw&mode=related&search=

If possible, then a pre-order of Starcraft II.