Emergency escapes analyzed

I speak of a topic that's socially not acceptable: bathrooms. While you silently spend a few minutes to yourself, this time is your most vulnerable. But what if this would become one's safe place during an emergency? There's definitely one on each floor of my building but who would ever think of using it as a safe spot at work? (Points finger at herself.)

#3 Beware of bathrooms via Zombieland

Beware is true when there are more than one stall but finding one with one stall that locks? Oh yea! That one stall locking bathroom is golden. If anything, at least I could survive on water and I had a place I could go. The door is made of steel and I can't see any obvious weaknesses. The ceiling is all cement. Maybe escaping through the ceiling would have been ideal but at least I won't have to worry about zombies falling through the sky. If anything I'm only 1.5 floors and a stairway away from the vending snack and drink machine. Or just a few steps away from the cubes where I know there's a lot of stashed snacks in desks. If I needed a weapon there's a couple of pipes I could try my best to jack from the wall or some steel vents I could reshape into a sword from the bathroom.

But if not for zombies this bathroom would still be great in times of hurricanes too. Actually when Hurricane Ike hit, there were quite a few people who took refuge at the building. It at least continuously had a/c, electricity, phone and internet which is more than what most Heights, Sugar Land or The Woodlands had. If I was out and about the only other place that could stand anything more would be Kelvin Arms's bank vault. But in terms of 2012 and if the world were to flood, well, then... I need another option.

What I wish I knew before going to SxSWi

This is my, "what to bring so I don't forget anything, don't get sick and don't starve" prep list for SxSWi. I'm supposed to be cooking and washing dishes but I'm doing this and catching up on Dancing with the Stars.

Gadgets: so you can record how ever you want, when you want the awesomeness of all that is SxSWi.

• macbook (not sure if I'm bringing it to the panels)
  
• mp3 player (no, I don't have an iPod and I don't care)
• camera + camera charger (because Gina sucks at taking pics)
  
• Gina ... aka G1 aka phone + phone charger (USB & plug in)

Food: so you stay well the whole time (panels, parties, drinks and all)

• BREAKFAST!!! If you don't eat breakfast, ever? SxSWi is the best time to start. Breakfast is a life saver.
• Bagels - saved me last year too. So many panels so little time to eat. I could snack on a bagel all day and be ok until dinner. Which reminds me, peanuts, granola bars, Yogos and definitely Tic Tacs. If you don't eat, your body makes this terrible smelly gas and no one will want to talk to you. Tic Tacs!

Health/Drugs - to keep you well and keep you staying well.

• Anti-bacteria hand santizer (preferably one with aloe) to keep your hands clean as often as possible. You don't know how many hands you shake and you don't know if those people are sick.
• Tums... AND Immodium (just in case) ... tylenol/excedrin for headaches

SxSWi Stuff - so you can get in and stay organized

• Print out Registration
• Set up schedule and connect to Google calendar
• Note possible places for quick bites.

Stuff you can probably forget - your watch. Time does not exist during SxSWi. Meet new people, go where the wind takes you and have fun. Don't forget a jacket/sweater. The Austin Convention Center gets freaking cold sometimes. A small umbrella wouldn't hurt either. Austin weather forecast.

I hope I don't forget anything. So starts the dish washing since the stupid thing is flooded. But thanks to this super awesome tool the water is gone. http://phodroid.com/09/03/37qs39

And thank goodness I finally made a really good dish for dinner. Trust me, I'd be the first to tell you my cooking SUCKS but not today.

Chinese eggplant with ground pork in chili oil and fish sauce... and some other stuff. I definitely did not make enough. Hubby's favorite dish. YUMMY!