Apocaypse Hal - Quiz

The final Apocalypse Hal for 2013.

If you have trouble reading it - try the version on facebook, it should be bigger.

I'm taking a break for a while so you will have to wait patiently for Hal to return in 2014 (sorry mum). But rest assured, I have lots of ideas for 2014, some may even be good ones.


Bite of more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Gingerbread

Baking is a important zombie apocalypse survival skill.

Here's my rather chunky attempt at artistic expression through the medium of gingerbread.

Bite off more than you can chew (in moderation)

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Assimilation Kit

Looking for that special Christmas gift for your zombie?

As suggested by Mrs K who has been working on Accessibility Strategies and Diversity Action Plans. And featuring Cheryl the Zombie who is with the program.


Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Dogalogues

You can tell Christmas is close, the letterbox is stuffed full of sale dogalogues. With so much being discounted, it is a golden opportunity to rack up some credit.

Yes I know they are called catalogues but I am more a dog person.


Bite off more than you can chew.

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Advent Calendars

Everyone at work has been hanging out for the first of December so they can put up the Christmas tree and get into the festive spirit. Well that got me thinking that I should milk the whole Christmas theme for every idea I can. So here is the first of what will hopefully be a number of Christmas inspired issues!

This marks the 40th issue of Hal and if you want to check them all out, just visit the BZF Head Quarters facebook page. 

Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalpse Hal - Spider Holes

The advantage of using a wheelie bin is that it provides a nice dry and clean hole. I can fit inside my large recycling wheelie bin but if you're bigger you may need to modify it a bit or steal several bins.

Bite of more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Zombie Apps

Yes I am the proud owner of a new smartphone. One day I'll work out how to use it.

The big question is, has smartphones already turned us into mindless shuffling zombies, just minus the rotting flesh. Seems that way whenever I visit the shopping centre.

Anyway there are lots of apps that could be useful, whether it is keeping your personal records on hand, drawing maps, compiling your looting list or even storing your favourite cocktail recipes.


Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Bug out boats

Everyone talks about heading to the hills or climbing into their bunker if the apocalypse happens. I say, go cruising!

I have always been interested in the history of early submarine development. A time of wild ideas, visionaries, and many fatalities. This week is inspired by the plywood (yes plywood) semi-submersible the CIA developed in the 1950s.


Bite off more than you can chew.

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Good Hygiene

Yep. That's my advice this week. When we all descend into a living Hell, take more baths.

And if you want to do it in style check out the dutchtub, so much better than my old wheelbarrow.


Bite off more than you can chew.

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Kiddie Krafts

Apologises to all my adoring fans being a bit late with this week's post (Sorry mum it has been a busy week).

Anyway, as Halloween is just around the corner why get the kids doing some fun crafting.

Using washes for shadows and dry brush for highlights is a great technique for creating textures on items. I use it all the time on my projects. Here is the necklace I whipped up for the Halloween party using the technique. Was going for that diseased look.

Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Paddy Melon Beer

October means Oktoberfest so I decided to add beer to the menu. If you are game enough to drink it.

Ok so it is not technically beer as it has no hops or malt. And yes mum I know the barmaid has a big set of steins - they like their beer mugs big in Germany.

Bite of more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Caring 4 Zombies

This week (13 - 19 October) is Carer's Week in Australia. This of course raises the question - "So how you care for a zombie?"

I got these handy tips from a zombie website. It turns out they are care instructions for handmade zombie dolls that they sell. Still I think their tips would work with real zombies too. Expect maybe the one about hanging them from your car rear vision mirror.


Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalpse Hal - Resilience

October 10 is World Mental Health Day so it's appropriate to look at some resilience tips for living in a zombie ridden world. After all, they say it is mind over matter.

Now sleeping well and eating healthy may be a bit tricky in a zombie world but you would get lots of exercise outrunning the living dead.

Quotes are (top) Woodrow Wilson  (bottom) "Ike" Eisenhower.


Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Cannibalism

We don't avoid the big issues here at BZF!

Pho is a popular street food in Vietnam. It is a rice noodle soup with meat and herbs. It is a popular lunchtime dish at my work as it is cheap, quick and tasty - so I couldn't resist a bit of an inside joke.

And I couldn't resist adding in Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner.

Don't bite off more human that you can chew (it's inpolite)

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Onesies

The chilly dark days of winter are behind us here in Australia, but I thought it worth mentioning Onesies.

Miss K may hang her head in shame but the Onesies phenomenon just seems to be growing. Even the local high school kids wear them to school. And they come a range of cool designs like the Spyro the Dragon Onesie.

So would they be any use in an apocalypse?

Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Shotgun Chic 2

Apocalypse fashion for the guys.

Taking inspiration from the old Mad Max movies with the home made armor and sawn off shotguns.  And remember black leather never goes out of style, even if it totally impractical for the Aussie summer.

Bite off more than you can chew.

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Shotgun Chic 1

It's spring and that means a bunch of new fashions will be be hitting the catwalks around Australia. So it's time for some apocalypse fashion. After all, if you are going to carry a weapon, you got to do it in style!

This is inspired by my mum, particularly that old photo of her from the 1960s. All mascaraed up, with the beehive hairdo, leopard print mini skirt and extra long cigarette holder. She was also handy with the shotgun, particularly during the drought of 68 when she had to defend the farmhouse from ravenous feral cats.

Next week Shotgun Chic for the males.

Bite of more than you can chew.

Mr Rimsky

Apocalpse Hal - Survival cards 2

It's Father's day here in Australia and if you totally forgot to grab a gift, don't worry. You can always print off some handy survival cards for your dad.

Personally I wanted an electric rechargeable chainsaw. Lightweight, quiet and handy for slicing through zombie hordes.  Sadly my family doesn't trust me with power tools.

Of course as we at BZF live "down under" the methods for finding south and north are for the southern hemisphere. If you live in the northern hemisphere you need to use the north star and for the watch method you point the hour hand at sun rather than the 12 o'clock mark.

Bite off more than you can chew.

MrRimsky

Apocalypse Hal - D Rations

Another classic survival ration - the U.S. Army Field Ration D!

A bit sweet for my taste but these bars did disappear very quickly. Dissolving it in hot water makes a rather rich and thick hot chocolate. Currently working on a dark chocolate and chilli version!

I'll be honest, I'm not sure about paraffin wax being an ingredient. It was included in the unofficial recipe I used. Hershey was contracted to develop and make the original D rations and their website doesn't mention any wax. Nor is it listed as an ingredient on the original packaging.

However the D ration had to stand up to being stored and used in areas of high temperatures like the Pacific and desert regions. Adding a fat or wax with a higher melting point than chocolate would help.

Read about it at the Hershey archive

And you can even buy online D ration reproduction packaging, molds and the recipe if you really want.

Bite off more chocolate than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Good vs Evil

The moral dilemmas of living in a post apocalyptic world! A perfect opportunity for a bit of  Star Wars parody.

I gather the Jabba the Hutt scene (with Princess Lelia as a slave girl) scores high on the geekiness scale. So I had to include it.

Amazingly enough you can buy Princess Lelia slave girl costumes online. There are even Jabba the Hutt costumes too - it's a strange world out there.

Bite off more than you can chew - if you don't get strangled first.

Mr Rimsky