It’s no secret that I actually crave the coming of the Zombie Apocalypse.  (And for the record, I truly hope that we get either shambling walkers or slower creatures because I don’t have the cardio for the speedier ones!).  But why do I have such a desire for the end of the world to commence?

Perhaps because it’s actually the beginning?

Current Life

Today you probably went to work.  Suffered either a hellacious commute, long hours in endless meetings, or an idiot for a boss.  Probably all three.  You woke up early to enjoy this pleasure and when you finally got home this evening you had to feed yourself and drink away the day’s hardships.  

And tomorrow?  You get to lather, rinse, and repeat.  And repeat.  And repeat.

Taxes are due soon, the car needs maintenance, and your home owners association is again raising havoc (and prices) with stupid rules.  You tried to take a vacation last month, but you know how that went.  Too much stuff undone, so it became a “working staycation”.

Are you starting to envision a better life amongst the walking dead?  🧟

Life has always been stressful, especially here in the United States.  Our national culture and protestant work ethic combine to make us believe that more is better.  More stuff, more work, more hustle.  And every time we get close to whatever goal we set, society moves the finish line a few miles further away.

That’s just the way it is.

Zombie Life

Today you woke up with the sun and the air outside was still and silent.  No cars rushing by in the distance clogging the sky with fumes and your ears with noise.  After a cup of fresh coffee you went out and worked in the garden, and later tinkered with some machinery.

There is a gathering tonight with neighbors to share food and ideas.  Organize some common needs.  Maybe get that nice woman you’ve been thinking about to give you a haircut.

It’s been ten years since the outbreak and most of the undead have disappeared, leaving behind a quiet world.  You still remember the old days of nightclubs, restaurants, and party cruises … but honestly you kinda have the same thing now.  Only the club is in a barn and the cruise requires you to power oars.

Life was stressful in the beginning, but over time that stress lessened (unlike the old days).  The goal lines for everyone are pretty much cut and dried, and most folks are covering their needs … and the needs of others as well.  

After all, it’s a new world.

Pipe Dream … or Reality

I know what you’re thinking … “But what about Negan and the Saviours?”.  Won’t the future have humans fighting humans?  

Perhaps, but I believe that most of that notion is because a tranquil and less populated Earth won’t sell advertising on a TV show.  Everyone needs an enemy, which is why we have borders, religion, and politicians.  But I’m not so sure that’s in our real future.

In my vision of the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse, those who remain are going to have an epiphany brought on by survival.  You can get by on your own, sure.  But with many working together you can do more than survive.  You can thrive and still remain free.

Now I know that I’ve been accused of being a Pollyanna, and I’m also sure that my happy vision for the wastelands of the future will indeed involve lots of human strife and bloodshed … but this is my fantasy, so it also gets to have ponies and flowers, OK?  LOL!

But while we’re waiting for the brain eating virus to take hold …

My description of our current world above wasn’t hyperbole.  It was sadly our true reality.  Now there are a few folks who really enjoy the ulcers and larger houses that come with hustle culture and hard work … but for most of us it’s just survival as usual.  Only without the zombies.

Life is speeding up constantly.  Whatever we do today won’t be good enough tomorrow.  This is called “progress”, right?  And if we fall behind, or heaven forbid fail … we get this:

Well, I failed.  

I just couldn’t keep up, couldn’t suck it up, and couldn’t even drink it away.  I burnt out in a spectacular spectacle in late 2021, quit my career, and wandered around the world for six months trying to figure things out.  

And what did I decide?

To create my own zombie world, that’s what.  Or at least a world where I was able to survive and thrive while the raging adversity that was out of my control flowed harmlessly around me.

I bought a school bus.

Seriously.  It’s a 30 foot long, 2008 International monster of a diesel guzzling machine that has everything I own, and everything I could possibly need, contained inside.  I live in it, explore in it, and it has become my life.

Don’t I need to work?  Yea, I suppose so.  And I’m still working on that.  

I know that in some way, shape, or form an income needs to be restarted … and probably sooner than I want it to.  But going back to a 9-5 can’t be in the equation for me.  At least not one that forces me to climb career ladders and put living second to working.

But here’s the thing … in my newly formed zombie world, life requires resilience and creativity.  Whatever “work” I do must allow me to surround myself only with that which brings me joy.  I must think well outside the box of normal life, because normal life no longer exists.  This new world is mine to create.

Perhaps your world needs a little re-work too?

So that’s my current situation.  Happy life inside of a rolling steel bus.  But just in case … I do have two very sharp Samurai swords mounted handily by the front door.  Because you never know.  😇