Good Morning big, beautiful, completely intact world with no signs of nuclear or biological chemicals! In fact, it is absolutely amazing out this morning. I think that I am seeing everything through new lenses. I have been through blackouts and big earthquakes (SF ’89) but yesterday was different. I think that some of why simulating survival immediately after such a horrific event was so difficult was partially due to having written about the topic of global nuclear war for a year now. That world has become part of my reality. When you call forth such a dark place in your imagination, is seems to leave some residual darkness in your mind.
Throughout the day we made sure that we discussed emergency plans, food supplies and how things would actually go down at our present level of preparedness. For the most part, we were definitely focused on the disaster aspect of the experiment. I did video tape some the survival hacks I used in the book with pretty good results. I don’t want to give too much away since I will be putting out a video of the day on social media as soon as I edit it. I will say that some of them worked better than I expected, and one had us laughing uncontrollably (it was fairly late in the day and we were wearing out).
I did better with the darkness than my mother. I think that might be due to the fact that I write in a dark room as to not get distracted. At about 11:00 AM, mom was asking to go outside and to turn on the TV or radio. The problem with the radio was, although it was battery operated, it was delivering news. Since that would be impossible in the books, we had to live radio free, too. I don’t have a watch anymore, just like Laura, so we didn’t know the time unless I went to my bedroom where I have a battery operated clock. I tried not to do that too much in order to remain realistic. Something that surprised me is how much this wiped us out. We hadn’t been through an actual attack, and besides the experiments that we did throughout the day, there wasn’t too much activity. My guess is that the darkness, combined with the mission of the challenge added to some of the emotional exhaustion of the day. I will divulge this: shockingly, I didn’t miss my computer or the internet. Not having to check emails, market, proof read or even to write, was a welcome relief. I have had scant days off since I began my journey as a writer. I did have a little time to read one of my favorite books that I haven’t read in ages, Tortilla Flats. Reading about my hometown in a more innocent time was actually healing to a certain extent. I must confess that reading an actual book was a nice change, too.
I think that this is definitely something that families should try together. Make plans, distill fears and get an emergency kit together! It could save your life. Getting away from electronics was a good thing, too.
I know that the memory of this experiment will fade, but I hope to be able to bring out my new lenses when I need them and see the beauty and good in the world as often as possible.
Stay tuned for the video of the day to come! My mother’s revelations about the end of days were completely unexpected!
Throughout the day we made sure that we discussed emergency plans, food supplies and how things would actually go down at our present level of preparedness. For the most part, we were definitely focused on the disaster aspect of the experiment. I did video tape some the survival hacks I used in the book with pretty good results. I don’t want to give too much away since I will be putting out a video of the day on social media as soon as I edit it. I will say that some of them worked better than I expected, and one had us laughing uncontrollably (it was fairly late in the day and we were wearing out).
I did better with the darkness than my mother. I think that might be due to the fact that I write in a dark room as to not get distracted. At about 11:00 AM, mom was asking to go outside and to turn on the TV or radio. The problem with the radio was, although it was battery operated, it was delivering news. Since that would be impossible in the books, we had to live radio free, too. I don’t have a watch anymore, just like Laura, so we didn’t know the time unless I went to my bedroom where I have a battery operated clock. I tried not to do that too much in order to remain realistic. Something that surprised me is how much this wiped us out. We hadn’t been through an actual attack, and besides the experiments that we did throughout the day, there wasn’t too much activity. My guess is that the darkness, combined with the mission of the challenge added to some of the emotional exhaustion of the day. I will divulge this: shockingly, I didn’t miss my computer or the internet. Not having to check emails, market, proof read or even to write, was a welcome relief. I have had scant days off since I began my journey as a writer. I did have a little time to read one of my favorite books that I haven’t read in ages, Tortilla Flats. Reading about my hometown in a more innocent time was actually healing to a certain extent. I must confess that reading an actual book was a nice change, too.
I think that this is definitely something that families should try together. Make plans, distill fears and get an emergency kit together! It could save your life. Getting away from electronics was a good thing, too.
I know that the memory of this experiment will fade, but I hope to be able to bring out my new lenses when I need them and see the beauty and good in the world as often as possible.
Stay tuned for the video of the day to come! My mother’s revelations about the end of days were completely unexpected!
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