#NerdsUnite: The Ramblings of a Raconteuse (Oh, the horror, the HORROR!)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Helenna. We met on twitter not too long ao, and she's totes mcgotes one rad chiquita banana with a flare for all things flair! That's right, Helenna here is what we call an artsy fartsy nerd. She's a poet, into all things dramatic arts, and she's going to come on board to write each week about her love of said drama. Well not like actual drama drama, like some cat fight shit - but you get the idea. I only have one thing left to say ... HIT IT HELENNA!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @Helslevy

I’ve been under the weather this past week and have been getting caught up on a lot of movies that I’ve been meaning to watch lately.  As I type this, I’m downloading a flick from iTunes that I’d never heard of before, but could be potentially awesome called “Playback” with Christian Slater. And yes, it is in the horror genre.

I’m not sure why I’ve always loved this genre. It must have something to do with the fact that the first movie I remember watching was “Firestarter” with Drew Barrymore, which happened to be on TV the other day and is nowhere near as good as my childhood brain remembered.

Over the years I’ve seen a zillion horror flicks.  I often joke that I’m so not a girlie girl when it comes to movies.  I’d much rather watch a nail biting zombie flick, creepy sci-fi, or action packed CIA espionage type stuff over a romantic comedy.  Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for all of it, and I certainly enjoy a great laugh out loud comedy or a tear jerker romance, but they usually wouldn’t be my number one choice.

So, I thought I’d share some of my favorite scary flicks with you all in case you are looking for something to pass the time…

In no particular order:

#1) Halloween (the original)

This is my all-time favorite horror flick.  Not really sure why since I’m not big into the slasher side of horror, but I just love this film!

#2) Poltergeist 3

There is something incredibly creepy about mirrors, and this film is fantastic at using them…I don’t want to give too much away, but this movie is my favorite in the trilogy.

#3) Cabin Fever

Cabin in the woods. Creepy stuff happens. ‘Nough said.

#4) Silent House

I just saw this movie a few days ago, and it is by far my favorite scary flick of 2012!  Elizabeth Olsen is incredible in it.

#5) The Thing 

I love the original, and I love the remake.  I say, watch them back to back.

#6) Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984 

This movie is just made of 80s awesomeness.  There are a couple of scenes in this film that will be embedded in my brain forever.

#7) The Horde 

This is French zombie film that my husband and I started to watch as a joke because the beginning seemed so crappy, but then it turned into a freaking amazing zombie film!

#8) 28 Days Later

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

#9) Dawn of the Dead, 2004 

I love all of Romero’s zombie films and could have listed all of them here, but if you were to only watch one, I’d say make it this one.

#10) Resident Evil 

Seeing a theme here….?  I do love a good zombie flick, and this is one of the best.

and bonus: #11) Ponty Pool

Ponty Pool has probably the most interesting take on the zombie genre.  It’s a purposely slow moving film, but it is SO worth it.  Absolutely brilliant!

I have probably 100 more movies I could have listed like REC, The Shining, Paranormal Activity, The Ring…but if you’re new to the genre, this is definitely a good list to start with!

Happy horror watching!

Until next time,

from “Zombie Helenna” on a bike…

#xoxo hels

tweet me at: @helslevy

browse me at: helennasantoslevy.com

email me at: contacthelenna@gmail.com

#Nerdy Neutrons presents: Worst Bite!

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @ashleighmayes and @saintpepsi

Jordan: Hey all, Ashleigh and I are back for another round. Did you miss us? I'll assume you did. In this article we're going to dive into which bite is worse: a Vampire or a Werewolf. Yes, yes, I know. Zombie is the worst! Your skin falls off, you lose the ability to speak properly, and your taste for decent food goes right down the drain. So under the assumption that being bit by a ZOMBIE is easily the worst of viral mouth associated viruses, we'll run right on to the next two bites. I'll be arguing for Vampirism being the worst.

Ashleigh: I have to disagree, dearest Saint! Being bitten by a WEREWOLF would be the crappiest bite you could have in your entire life. Think about it! You get bitten by a savage beast and all of a sudden your life changes. I know, I know. Getting bitten by a Vampire can't be fun either. At least when you're bitten by a Vampire it's usually a smokin' hottie! You don't WANT to resist! Ever been attacked by a large dog? I have! It's NOT fun! Add to that about 200 pounds of muscle and a pissed off temperament! A Werewolf doesn't want to merely BITE you. It wants to EAT you!

Jordan: I'll give you that. Especially, since you may be a werewolf. That time you were attacked by that vicious dog may have left you a cuddly monster. Sure, a werewolf attack is pretty brutal, but if you survive you heal up pretty fast and you're not DEAD! Things a vampire can't do but a werewolf can: how about live a normal day to day life? Stand in the sunlight, enjoy food, and not have to murder to eat. I mean how often are there full moons, anyway? Like 3 months of the year? If you're a vampire, it's 24/7. Then again, they are pretty damn sexy and when you don't have a soul you can justify anything.

Ashleigh: Ever seen the stories where little kid/woman/man is burned at the stake for committing so many murders? Know what that is? Because when you're a werewolf, you don't have ANY control when you're beginning to change, during the process, and after your transformation. If you're a werewolf, you're literally doing EVERYTHING against your will during a full moon. It's like you don't exist anymore and this beast comes in and takes over. And what about those that kill their family? When they get back to human state, they get to live with the guilt of killing their loved ones forever! At least, for the most part, Vampires have control of their mind and actions. It could be argued that they don't have complete control, but ANYTHING is more control than running miles on end and shredding smaller, weaker living beings to confetti.

Jordan: Oh come on! A Vampire terrorizes families, they hold grudges eternally (which means they can literally murder the entire family tree), they can track and kill like an animal but it's their choice. They are the purest form of evil, flawless hunters. They are SOULLESS. They exist without a soul. That's an indescribable pain. Worse still is what is the fate of that soul. Is it damned for eternity for being at the wrong place and the wrong time. Is it trapped inside a body witnessing the indescribable acts of cruel and horrible deeds done with their body. What if the soul lives on cursed to witness such things and just shrivels and dies?

Ashleigh: That's bad, yes. But think about it. When Vampires are transformed, they become an alternate form of a person. When Werewolves are made, their alternate form is a DOG. What does that mean to one cursed forever as a Werewolf? FLEAS. TICKS. WORMS. Jordan...if YOU were a vet, would YOU help a Werewolf out by sticking a pill down it's throat? Hmmmm?? So...I guess we're at a wrapping point! Any final thoughts, Jordan?

Jordan: Honestly, you know I wouldn't. Thinking back it would suck so much to live with the guilt of all the things you did as a werewolf. I can speculate all I want on how awful it would be to be soulless but to have that soul with you, the after images of the nightmarish deeds you did. No Ashleigh it would suck far more to be a werewolf. I give it to ya you, trumped me solid. Then again you were attacked by a dog. I was never attacked by a vampire. I once helped fight off a bat in our dorms, but that's about as close as I got. So there you have it folks! Next to zombies, werewolves were easily the next in line as worst bite. Here's to Ashleigh, for arguing so fervently on the side of the Lycans. Till next time... keep your running shoes on. Because, no matter what's chasing you they will always catch you in flip flops.

Think re rock harder than the Flintstones? So do we! Follow us on Twitter!

 Follow Jordan @saintpepsi 

Follow Ashleigh @kryptodies and @ashleighmayes

#Comic #Review: The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us

#talknerdytomelover's @ashleighmayes @kryptodies

HOOOOLYYYY crap, guys! If you thought the first Volume of "The Walking Dead" was intense, wait until you get the chance to crack open Volume TWO! I wasn't sure what direction it would head in, but I sure as heck didn't expect it to be THIS awesome! If you've been an AWESOME person and have been reading for a while, you'll remember that I reviewed Volume I: "Days Gone Bye". At the end of that Volume, Shane tries to kill Rick (because he wants Rick's wife...) only to be shot by Rick's son. The group is moving on and trying to find somewhere safe. That's where this Volume enters. Everyone is tired of being crammed into one RV. Naturally, tensions rise. Desperate for anything as a safe haven, Rick enters a gated community. After clearing out a few undead, the group determines that it is ok to stay the night. It's a mistake that one of them will have to pay dearly for...with their life. The snow melts and Rick sees a sign that says "All Dead Inside". As the hordes attack, Rick desperately pulls everyone into the RV. After a little while on the road, the group is hungry. Rick, Carl (his son), and a few men head out to hunt. Thinking that the group is a mob of flesh-eating monsters, a wandering survivor makes the mistake of shooting Rick's child son. The group takes Carl to a new home along the way and tensions soon rise over the ethics that accompany killing the undead. This causes the group to lose what seemed to be a permanent home. I'm trying to not give away too much, but the ending is the turning point. Rick's clan finds a prison and it seems to be the perfect place to hide away. There's fences, top-notch security measures, plenty of room, and the prospect of food.

Although I've said a lot, there's SO much more in the Volume that you should READ to find out (there's a surprise pregnancy!)!  On to the ratings! 


Of COURSE this book's going to get top-notch ratings! This girl's a sucker for the undead and the idea of a world with no rules and all survival!

Creativity of Writing: 5/5 Kirkman does an excellent job of developing the characters as the plot progresses. As a direct result of each incident, we can see how the characters react and grow. Emotions aren't often easy to depict in a two dimensional form, but "The Walking Dead" does an EXCELLENT job of showing the pain, agony, confusion, fear, and uncertainty that each person faces through loss and suffering. For someone to put their mind into the mindset of all of this ACTUALLY happening and to do it so accurately is AMAZING to me. There's nothing unchanging about this series. The story is weaved so delicately that it seems like a movie playing in the reader's mind. You get sucked in and YOUR emotions get caught up in the mess.

Creativity of Art: 4/5 The art is pretty good. I would love to see it in color, but hey...the story is far enough to catch my attention. The details are good and the people's expressions are accurately portrayed to match their feelings. The scenery is beautifully done and overall, the comic is a very easy one to look at.

Overall Casual Read Rating: 5/5 I'm in love with this series! It always sucks me in and won't let go. It takes you to a different world and different time. It captures your imagination and entertains your mind. It's what all comics should aspire to be.

Note to the Creator(s): Rock freaking on! I would marry you if I could. It's still my dream to meet you guys! I'm such a huge fan and want to THANK YOU for giving us such an amazing work of genius! 

Thanks for reading, Nerdlings! Check out my website for crazy often updates: www.kryptodies.com! Follow me on Twitter @ashleighmayes and @kryptodies! And also, PLEASE drop @RobertKirkman a line telling him how awesome I am and how he should totally do a Skype or in-person interview with me! I'd Nerdgasm  EVERYWHERE! 

#Zombie Haiku

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @maniacalmorgan

The following was sent to me through OkCupid. It's from Zombie Haiku: Good Poetry For Your... Brains

Dear Mom, I love you.
This ain't my most poetic,
But I really hurt.

Something is not right.
If my blood is in puddles,
Why do I feel so strong?

After I was bit,
I knew I was in trouble
Then I bit me too.

There's nothing quite like
The pain you feel while dying-
Switching to hunger.

My skin is drying
My veins are much more pronounced
And I'm turning gray.

The diseased outside
Slowly stop clawing the car
Uninterested

My lungs slow and stop
And I can't find my heartbeat
But I'm still hungry.

Although my neck hole
Used to whistle when I breathed
Now I don't breathe

I am so hungry
And only one thing sounds good
Time to leave the car.

One thing on my mind
Only one thing on my mind
I'm going to eat you...

Brains, BRAINS, BRains, brains, BRAINS,
BRaiNS, brains, Brains, BRAINS, BRains, brains, BRAINS
BRAINS, BRains, brains, BRAINS, brains

I exit the car
As the others slouch away
Off for fresher food

As I start walking
I try to remember where
People like to hide

My memory slows
And I can't remember much
But I know enough

I remember home
And I remember my mom
And her meaty thighs

I can remember
Good food that Mom used to make.
I bet Mom tastes good.

Walking down the streets
I just barely remember
How to find her house.

Turning on her road
And seeing the porch light on
Makes me salivate

What is that low growl?
I look around and notice
That moaning is me.

Through the door's peephole
My mom just stands there and stares
As I claw the door

The side porch window
Lets us stare at each other
Both of us yelling

I can't remember
how to open this window
So I'll just stand here

She won't let me in
But I fix the window glitch
By leaning through it

She is much faster
But going upstairs leads nowhere
And I'm much stronger

Fresh food smells so good,
Like pasta Mom used to make.
Mom's brains smell good.

I loved my momma,
I eat her with my mouth closed,
How she would want it.

My dad used to say
"Always finish what you start."
So I eat her hair.

I lose my front teeth
While trying to pry her hair
Out from between them

Thinking about Dad
Makes me think of better times
But then back to meat

I bet Dad's upset.
He probably came back too.
But coffins are dark.

Reanimation
Would be much more difficult
Inside a coffin

Nothing left to eat
So I slowly leave Mom's house
Back out the window

She's always with me,
Especially if my gut
Can't digest toenails.

Yes yes and yes. Zombies + haikus = super nerdy? Something like that. I approve. Thank you, ma'am, for this poem!

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