Listen to Your Fear

You know that fear you have, that maybe when you peek down that dim stairwell, someone will be lurking there in the dark?

Oh, yeah ... that just happened to me.

Yep, I was taking the stairs down to the basement at work - as you know, I like to walk an extra set of stairs when I get up to use the restroom, and I go to the basement because it's quiet and I can walk quickly without anyone getting in my way . As I started walking down, I glanced downward and saw movement - then someone's bare feet as they tried to hid themselves in the shadows of the stairwell. Um, no thanks. I quickly did an about-face and hustled back to my office where I promptly called the police. They had a 3-man search team in here in just a few minutes flat and found nothing - guess whomever it was got their shoes on quick and got out of there.

Ironically, we had just spent this morning in security training, so I knew exactly what to do: trust my instincts, get away, and call security.

I hate to think why someone might have been hiding down there. It's cold out, so it could certainly be someone trying to get warm. On the opposite extreme, it could be someone who knows a few women like walking down there and usually no one else is around. Probably not, but you never know.

Just want to say to all my female friends and readers - don't be ashamed to be cautious or report something that feels fishy. It does not mean we are unempowered or weak if we run away from something that feels dangerous. The officer today pointed out that our hunches and gut feelings are there to keep us safe - use them! Also, if you haven't, do this - you'll feel so much more empowered and strong, I promise.

Are you afraid of the dark?

I am ... now that Matt and I have been watching AMC's Zombie hit The Walking Dead for the past week. 

Now that we're cohabiting, one exciting development (exciting? are we that lame?) has been merging our television viewing schedule. It's fun to get excited about a show together and discuss your plot predictions and theories. However, this process sometimes involves some compromise. So, while Matt wouldn't normally watch America's Next Top Model (Are you watching? College girls gone crazy? Epic...) and I wouldn't normally watch anything that makes me keep the lights on at night, we've adjusted. And I really am enjoying The Walking Dead, even though I think each episode ups my blood pressure. I'm just so worried all the time that a geek (that's their name for the dead walkers) is gonna jump up behind them. Which they do. Frequently.

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The trouble with a show this engrossing and stressful is that it sticks with you even when you're not watching. And if you're anything like me, it gets me thinking - planning really. Like what's the contingency plan if a zombie epidemic actually occurs? Do you have a plan? Because....well, I do. Thank you, The Walking Dead, for making me that crazy person.

The plan involves:

• Gathering supplies at the first sign of an outbreak - before the looting and mass panic begins. Gotta hit Costco before the crowds... 
• Loading up our nearest and dearest and high-tailing it to Michigan's UP - or maybe Northern Wisconsin. We're looking for low population density here.
• Learning to shoot. If you've seen the show, no one EVER misses a direct shot to a zombie brain. I'm not that good -- but I could be!
• Rigging a cat backpack to carry Opie. Matt was less than supportive of this plan, but there's no way I'm leaving my baby to get eaten - or worse, turned into Zombie Kitty!

That's all I've got so far, but it helps me sleep at night knowing that if those nasty beasts come to life, I'm somewhat prepared...

Do movies or tv shows do this to you? I did the same thing after watching Contagion ... Thank goodness Modern Family starts tonight - I think I need a break from planning for the zombie apocalypse...