Entertainment During the BUG IN

[Doctorr Fabulous]

My Dungeons and Dragons set.... it's ok you may laugh.... but I know of no other way of burning hundreds of hours just setting at a table.

This reminds me...I need to start writing up soem campaigns so I can have an "in case of [disaster]" folder.

[KnightoftheRoc]

My Dungeons and Dragons set.... it's ok you may laugh.... but I know of no other way of burning hundreds of hours just setting at a table.

This reminds me...I need to start writing up soem campaigns so I can have an "in case of [disaster]" folder.

If you already know the rules, set something up for a "real world" campaign, as some practice runs. A map of the city, damage tables for what you can expect to run into, and you could have a lot of fun. Or, if you want the rules part done for you ahead of time, check out http://www.zombiecataclysm.com/ and order the book in .pdf or softcover version. I can totally see D&D keeping people entertained for a good portion of time, and with not having to or not being ABLE to go to work, no one needs to leave early! It's a DM's wet dream- a captive audience!

[Doctorr Fabulous]

...I love you KotR. I once played a D&D modification that brought the magic system into the late 17th scentruy England (black powder pistols!) but I had not considered a zombie D20. As soon as I get home, I'm checking that one out.

[wee drop o' bush]

I have lots of books, they range from the classics, to horror, to throw away holiday reads. Every so often I'll give books away to charity ships to make room for some more.
Apart from fiction I have a lot of cookery books, encyclopaedias etc.

Games wise I have various decks of cards also UNO & Snap.
Scrabble, Jenga, Twister, Rumikube, Kerplunk and of course Connect4

I also have a treadmill, elliptical trainer & free weights to occupy me.

I have yarn & knitting needles should the urge take me

Also with all my sheep to look after I'd likely not have much time to get bored in the first place.

[mariposa]

I've got books, cards, sewing and knitting supplies to keep me busy.

[raptor]

This is a topic which IMO does not get enough attention. Survival in a SHTF is heavily dependent upon morale and mental coping skills. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster once the immediate threat has passed and the adrenalin has worn off you are faced with the immediate need to deal with the psychological stresses of coping and managing with life post SHTF.

Entertainment and constructive diversions will be absolutely vital to maintaining a healthy mental outlook. Even something simply like playing cards, drawing, reading a pleasant and familiar book or playing a board game can provide a healthy diversion that will allow you and he other participants to in effect maintain sanity and perspective. The game will also provide valuable social interaction and support.

Negative things like drinking to excess or getting high should be avoided while positive things like exercise, social interaction and relaxation should be encouraged especially if children are in the group.

Edited to add:
The above said, a cup of coffee, smokes and an adult beverage are well known and effective ways to decompress. I am not saying they are inappropriate in moderation; the key word being moderation.

[OldSchool45b]

Is there is power, video games and movies. If not, fall back to the 1800's. Games, read books, read outloud to the kids. Make games that build coordination or strength but being mindful of calorie intake and available food supplies. Hell, I would even bust out the old D&D games. Lots of time to be "wasted" with those.

[Rob Salem]

...I love you KotR. I once played a D&D modification that brought the magic system into the late 17th scentruy England (black powder pistols!) but I had not considered a zombie D20. As soon as I get home, I'm checking that one out.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd

The system resource docs for the D20 Modern rules (essentially D&D 3.0/3.5 in the modern world). Might be a good starting point, if nothing else for ideas.

There's also the World of Darkness setting (before the revision) - check out Hunter: The Reckoning for a campaign setting revolving around 'gifted' humans hunting undead and other creatures of the night.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I was thinking a straight D20 "OMG ZOMBIES"campaign. WoD was awright, and I didn't enjoy "Hunter" too much.

[bacpacjac]

With a family of four, including an ADHD 8 year old, and assuming no electricity, we have:

-books and magazines
-board games (Risk, Scrabble, Yahtzi, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, chess, checkers, dominioes ...)
-cards, cribbage, Uno ...
-Lego, Hotwheels, action figures, little green army men ...
-paper, pens, crayons, markers, colouring books ...

[Frosty709]

I plan on robbing my family blind in poker and blackjack.


Just kidding, but I will be playing cards and other stuff of that nature.

[jeffmw]

Assumeing you have power and a way to keep it on, or enough to power for a tv dvd and or labtop what kind of tv series or movies would you guys keep on hand also.

[fourway]

Assumeing you have power and a way to keep it on, or enough to power for a tv dvd and or labtop what kind of tv series or movies would you guys keep on hand also.

Game of Thrones
Touch
Suits
Sherlock
Breaking Bad
Lilyhammer (Norwegian)
Band of Brothers
Generation Kill
Dexter
Firefly
Buffy (and all related)
Dollhouse
La Femme Nikita
Nikita
Alphas
Warehouse 13
Sons of Anarchy
Parks and Recreation
Top Gear
Archer
The Wire
Doctor Who (all)
Downton Abbey
Revenge
The West Wing
Boardwalk Empire
Modern Family
Homeland
Justified
The Big Bang Theory
24
White Collar
Supernatural
The Sopranos
Once Upon A Time
House
Fringe
Californication
Arrested Development
How I Met Your Mother
Veronica Mars
QI
Stargate SG-1
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
South Park
Spartacus: Vengeance
Southland
Community
Star Trek (all)
Offspring
The Walking Dead
Castle
Luther
Friday Night Lights
Futurama
Battlestar Galactica (both and Caprica)
The Mentalist
Shameless (US and UK)
L&O (all franchises including L&O UK)
CSI (all franchises)
Homicide
Survivors (UK Series both the 1975 and 2008 versions)
Death Valley
Dead Set
My Own Worst Enemy
Wonderfalls
Prison Break
Lost
Heros
The Unusuals

[Scout308]

Hmm good idea.
Kinda depends on why the bug-in but...
About 700+ books in the house, over 1000 in storage (e.g. useless as I can't get to them). 300+ movies (assuming there's power), few board games, D&D, cards (4 unopened packs) Exercycle (if your sufficiently bored - it's amusing). No shortage of little home projects (again depends on why I'm bugged in).

I really need some more solitary entertainments that don't depend on power

Since my BOL is my buddies Bug In location - if I'm there, 300-400 books, dozens of board games, a dozen different RPGs, a sizable supply of armor making components - Japanese, Roman, and chain. Air rifle (hand pump) we shoot in his great room (the bullseye is the same size as a pellet - 25' target and we just clear 25').

Things you can do to kill time -
practice drawing from holster
dry fire practice
reloading
organizing your tools (ok that's a life long - on going - never to be finished task. but there you go)
fly tying (well if you do that and have the stuff)
cleaning (if your stuck there long enough - clean goes beyond good - to vital)
meditation
Yoga - TaiChi - exercise (depends on why the bug-in and food supplies - estimated bug-in time etc, if it's a long term thing then maybe necessary to avoid burning extra calories.

If your not alone (which would suck - hence desire to head to BOL)
Self defense practice
Sword practice ( if your inclined that way - SCA type or Japanese for us)
mmm - should plan for a way to practice archery - sure it's only 25' but that's enough


Needs more thought.

[HuntingBow96]

Personaly I could keep myself entertained by making myself some arrows for my crossbow other than that reading seems one of the best options.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Scout308 is the second to suggest exercise. I'd like to third that, and say that exercise is a great timekiller, especially something like an exercise bike combined with a book.

[Rob Salem]

Scout was third by my reckoning, but it's a small thing. The important thing is that exercise releases endorphines, which are a natural defense against depression, not to mention the actual health benefits of exercise. Yoga, Tai Chi, free weights, resistance bands, anything to keep you motivated and moving.

[ZombieGranny]

Ah yes, notice the handle of the treadmill in front of the second bookshelves?
NOT electric - you actually have to make it move, not just try not to trip. (There's a little battery run display, but it works fine without it.)

I also yoga and bellydance.
Keeps you flexible and your mind sharp.

[Azraeleternity]

A couple dozen hard-copies of books, plus several on both my cell phone Kindle app, and my tablet's Kindle app. Also have several decks of playing cards, dice, Magic: the Gathering cards somewhere (I'd be playing solo, the wife won't even bother with them), and a couple board games.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Ah yes, notice the handle of the treadmill in front of the second bookshelves?
NOT electric - you actually have to make it move, not just try not to trip. (There's a little battery run display, but it works fine without it.)

I need to rig up a rowing machine to charge my kindle and AA batteries. The I'd be set, and have a reason to exercise.

[KnightoftheRoc]

Ah yes, notice the handle of the treadmill in front of the second bookshelves?
NOT electric - you actually have to make it move, not just try not to trip. (There's a little battery run display, but it works fine without it.)

I need to rig up a rowing machine to charge my kindle and AA batteries. The I'd be set, and have a reason to exercise.

You didn't see the TV commercial, did you- that's the job for Guinea Pigs!

Exercise equipment- excellent idea, I'd forgotten to include it. And, it can be had for nothing! Seriously, I could open up a gym and charge membership fees if I had a space, using just equipment picked off the curb. Most of it brand spanky new! It's amazing how soon people will tire of a new piece of exercise equipment, or find an excuse not to use it, and then discard it. Keep an eye on the curbsides this spring and summer, and you can outfit yourself for nothing more than the cost of gas. I have a bench and weight set gotten this way, and have had a treadmill, exercise bike, and a complete yoga mat and weights/thingies all for free this way.

[Beti]

I'm still working towards my initial food/water/security prep goals but at least in this area I'm nearly set: books, sewing, embroidery, paper crafts, painting, drawing, gardening, cooking/creating new recipes, board games, welding if we have power. In addition, our yellow lab, goats and chickens are always good entertainment. Oh, and I guess I could just sit and talk with my husband.

I agree that this is a very important topic. I've seen a few posts giving examples of tactical drill type activities as entertainment but it seems to me that we would need to give our minds and spirits a break from 24/7 prep activities. And for me, the question of post-apocalypse quality of life is something to consider. For example, if I don't get around to getting the couple of Discworld books I'm still missing, well I might as well just throw open the front door when the zombies show up.

[JesterODX]

What I'd like to do is get one of the solar power generators. Great to have for lots of reasons. Then I could play Doom while surviving the collapse of society.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

What I'd like to do is get one of the solar power generators. Great to have for lots of reasons. Then I could play Doom while surviving the collapse of society.

Not Fallout?