Well, Pete, Bex and I didn’t get too far today. We did find a Wal-Mart so we could add some more supplies to the truck - I’d only loaded for one and they were gathering as they went, so we needed to take the time to decide what we needed and gather it.
More flashlights and lots of batteries. One of those camping lanterns and a tent big enough for all three. Clothes - while I don’t mind doing laundry by hand when possible, I don’t see it being possible right now. A camping stove - I didn’t even think of one, but it’s going to be wicked useful. A portable DVD player. Sure, it’s not truly useful, but we don’t have to be completely practical, right? I popped into the vision center too - I know my contact prescription, so I took all the ones they had that were the right strength.
More shooting practice after we stopped for the evening. I’m sure that not everyone who remains is good - it just seems to be random. Who survived that is. I really don’t think I have a good eye for shooting, but maybe I could hit the broad side of a barn.
The cats are taking the days on the road well, and they’re even handling the harnesses I make them wear when we get out of the car. I never would have thought they’d be this good about it.
I’m worn out - when we did get on the road, we had to work our way around a number of wrecks. Did all the semi drivers just keep going until they collapsed at the wheel?
No Vegas for me. I’m having horrid dreams that people are being crucified over there. Bex wakes up at night and crawls in between us. She says she keeps dreaming about a dark man who turns into a bird. Pete doesn’t talk about the dreams - but he does talk in his sleep. His dreams don’t sound any happier.
I’m in Canada, and although we were about a week behind you, the flu has managed to pretty much wipe out everything here too. I’ve been sitting in my dorm room in Vancouver wondering what I should do. It’s so quiet here.
[QUOTE]
You’re in Canada? Wow. I’m in Buffalo. I know I’m a far cry from Vancouver, but even so, the Peace Bridge has been closed down for over a week now. I know I’ve been silent on this board up till now. I was just here to see how the rest of the country was reacting to the flu.
I (used to) work at a Hollywood Video store here. The store has since shut down since most of the staff is now dead. (Even tho I despised the woman, I’m sorry to hear that my district manager fell victim to the flu.)
The first few days after the outbreak were crazy/creepy. Nobody knew what was going on. The store was teeming with people who had greasy faces and oozing pockmarks all over them. When the TV’s went out, demand for home entertainment went through the roof. People were packed into the store and pretty much wiped our shelves clean the first day. Poor souls thought they would only be bed-ridden for a few days until the flu passed. Then on Friday, our stock dipped down from 10,000 movies to a scant 25 or 50. I’ll never forget the person who rented the last remaining movies. He was so desperate for something to watch to take his mind off the sickness that he rented a tape teaching you how to Country Line Dance and an instructional video on women and pregnancy. I now seem to be the last remaining member of the staff left alive. I didn’t even bother to lock the door when I left last week. There’s nothing left to steal.
I tried contacting my folks on Long Island, but by now, I can sence that’s pretty useless. They would have found a way to get in touch with me by now.
I tried making the 8-hour drive to visit them. Taking the usual route across I-80 through PA and NJ proved futile once I got to the George Washington Bridge. (7 hours of my life wasted - 14 if you count the drive back)
My cell phone won’t work, the phone lines are down, and my e-mails are going unresponded. I haven’t been having any dreams but I’m intrigued about this black woman. Vegas doesn’t sound appealing to me. My fiancee is getting worse by the second and I know she’s going to die soon. I would give everything to trade places with her, she’s in so much pain and she’s so scared. Our miniature pinscher died two days ago after suffering violent spasms. I can’t leave Danielle alone when she’s like this. As morbid as it sounds, I just wish it was all over. At least she wouldn’t be in pain anymore. Anybody know the best way to get to Nebraska from Buffalo?
I came across the Mother of all Car Wrecks today. There was blood and phlegm and rotting bodies everywhere. Hope just whimpered and stayed close to me.
There were crows, pecking out and eating the eyes.
It took me six hours to get past it, weaving the bike in and out through the wrecks. One car had a baby strapped in the car seat. How do I know it just didn’t cook to death?
I heard motorcycles off in the distance. I wish I knew how to drive one.
I’m going to go stark raving mad. Please, SDMB, don’t go down. Don’t go down.
If I don’t find another person soon I’m don’t know what I’m going to do. The dreams are driving me crazy.
Thanks, Lloyd. Vegas sounds good, but something about the place scares the bejesus out of me.
Anyone else notice this thread and the Superflu thing started on the 11thof the month? Just like some other horrific, world changing events. It must be the work of A.Q.
I met Nick the deaf guy on the road yesterday. Does he remind anyone else of a famous porm star?
Ivylass, I feel bad for all your troubles. I understand how difficult it is to travel these days. Where are you? If you can get within a 500 mile radius of Las Vegas, I can send a truck out for you (we have wreckers that we’re using the clear the roads to and from Vegas) to bring you here. You can ride on empty highways in the comfort of an air-conditioned SUV with all your belongings. Just say the word.
I truly cannot understand the sentiment “Vegas is creepy” or “Vegas is scary.” Those characterizations are unfair and unfounded. I mean, sure, it was “scary” before Captain Trips, what with all those flashing lights and one-armed bandits around but please believe me that the true heart of America is preserved in our city. If anyone else needs help getting here, just drop me a line at this message board, call my cell at (555) 666-6666 or e-mail me at lloyd@flagg.net and I’ll be happy to assist you in any way I can.
Your friend,
Lloyd
[timeout]This is turning into a pretty damn interesting thread. Thanks for starting it, ivylass. I hope there isn’t really anyone who has the e-mail address “lloyd@flagg.net” or anything. That would be most unfortunate.[/timeout]
I don’t know. This Lloyd guy seems to be pretty much on the up-and-up. I mean, he said they had running water and stuff. On the other hand, Boulder is about 300 miles closer than LV, so maybe I should swing by there first. If I see an 11-year-old boy driving crazily down the road, I’ll try to pick him up too.
ivylass, I’m so sorry you’re still having to go it alone. Traveling alone was never scary when there were others on the road, but I can’t imagine dealing with the dreams and being alone. I can’t do anything about you not locating anyone yet, but would you consider a sleeping pill to try to disrupt the dream cycle?
Most of all, be careful. Don’t approach just anyone - the bike may be a huge benefit there, since they won’t hear you coming, but you’ll hear them in time to get off the road and observe before approaching.
I started wondering about tornadoes…but I guess all we can do about that is watch the weather around us!
Lloyd…Vegas, hot baths, running water, electricity…yeah, it sounds great, but I just get the impression that the reality is way different.
I always said I’d be the only person in Texas who didn’t own a gun, but that’s no longer true. Yesterday I went to the sporting goods store to collect supplies so I can get out of town, and while I was there some crazy (but healthy) guy tried to attack me. He was out of his mind! Screaming for help obviously wasn’t going to do any good, so I took off running and, well, I wound up having to beat him down with an aluminum baseball bat. I hit him until he stopped moving. I think I probably killed him. I feel awful about that, especially since there are so few people left anyway, but what else could I do? Anyway, in addition to camping supplies I now own a handgun, a shotgun, and a crossbow (time to dust off those summer camp archery skills). Oh, and an aluminum baseball bat, slightly used. I feel like I need the protection, but I hate guns. And I don’t even know how to load them. I picked up some books on it, but I’m probably just going to end up accidentally shooting myself. I hate this. I wish I didn’t live in The Road Warrior all of a sudden.
Whatever, I’m getting out of town. Westward ho and all that. I’m headed to Boulder, and I too will keep an eye out for a swervng humvee. I hope young Jeff eventually picks up a bicycle. And some sunblock.
I went back to Wal-Mart, got my contacts, a few more things for the cats, and a few weapons. I decided at the last minute to grab all my DVDs. Hey, they were fucking expensive, and I don’t want to live in a world without Angel, *Buffy and Firefly.
The cats are in the car. The car is completely loaded. Vegas is sooooo very close, and if they’re clearing the roads, I can be there in less than 4 hours. But I have enough crap for a cross-country trip, and I don’t think it’s just because I’m trying to over-estimate everything. I guess I know I won’t be going to the Oasis in the desert. It may sound absurd, but I have people in Utah, and maybe…just maybe…somebody survived. I have to check, right?
I don’t know when I’ll have access to the Internet again. I’ll try to find a hotel tonight that has Internet Access. i’m hoping to drive straight through Nevada today, and maybe stop in Wendover.
I’m coming up on St. Louis. Im steooped at a Exxon getting gas in the truck and filleing my gas cans. My credit card still works for some reason. Like I’;m really goign to pay that bill.
I’m going to look for a motel room soon and just crash for the night. I’m realy tired. I got up at 5:00 (well, I just couldn’t sleep anymore) and starting driving.
If I get an early start tomorrow, and just haul ass, I can reach Boulder by Friday evening. According to MapQuest, it’s about 13 hours of driving time (and its about 870 miles)
I’ve been pretty lucky as far as the roads go. The roads heading west are pretty clear. It looks like everyone
was headed east. I’ve seen some pretty terrible crashes in the east-bound lanes.
Is any one their yet? WHere sholld I go when I get there?
I still havent seen anyone, and its really buggging me
If I dont see someone soon, I think I’ll go stark raving mad. I’m so lonely.
Doe’s anyone have a CB radio? When I stop tonight, I’ll think I get one. What channel are you guys on, if you have one? I juste neeed to talk to some one .
Thats a good idea about getting extra contacts. I’m glad I had Laser surgery a few year’s back. I’m also going to raid some more pharmacies for more more migraine meds. The stress is getting to me, I’ve had a miner headache all day, and Advil won’t get rid of it. The temptation is there to take something stronger, but maybe I’ll just have a few beeers. I just wish I had some one with me
I need to see some real poeple.
I thought about getting some cigarettes, too. I quit years ago, but for some reason a smoke sounded like a good idea. Or maybe not.
I’ve never been to St. Louis, so I hope I don’t get lost.
What is all of this talk about Vegas being bad. The people here are great, very forgiving. They don’t care that I have done time for murdering my whole family. They have given me a luxury suite at the top of the Luxur. There is electricity and running water. Everyone here is healthy and having a great time. You should join us. Am I the only Doper who has made it to Vegas so far? Surely there are others.
There is talk about seeing Armageddon shortly, but I don’t know. That was such a lousy movie, I could barely sit thru it once. But alot of people here seem to be really fans of it, so I probably will go just to be a part of the crowd. Hopefully someone will MST3000 it.
Oh yes they asked me to see if any of you have seen a really old woman. She is like over a 100. They are concerned for her. If anyone knows where she is, could you please reply immediately with the location so that we can make sure she is all right.
To: Straight Dope Message Board
From: Lloyd
Re: Doubts about Vegas
Lsura, maybe these photos will allay your doubts. I’m the guy standing in front of the (working) fountain. Note the clean streets, the happy people, and the fully functioning lights.
I am not trying to push anything on anybody, but we do have a nice thing going here, and we want to share it.
[Imagine the link goes to pictures of the strip, lit up, with marquees saying, “Happy Days are Here Again” and “Lloyd Henreid Welcomes You to Vegas” as well as the standard propaganda photos of happy worker bees, and the obligatory Lloyd at Founntain shot]
Wow, the Luxor is an awesome hotel. I’ve always wanted to see what the suites look like.
The old woman? Well, last I heard she was–psst ss shs pstWhat? But they just want to make sure she’s alright. Maybe they can reach her before us.shs spsst psst pstWellll, OK. For some reason, some people are worried that giving our the old lady’s location might cause her to get hurt. I’ve been warned not to. For now at least I’ll listen.
Say, does the mini-bar still work in your hotel room?
Yes, the lights are back on, the streets are clean, the bodies decently disposed of, the kids are in school, but…
There is a weird air of tension and fear. People don’t laugh or smile. They nod and look away. No one drinks anything stronger than O’Doul’s. And believe it or not, the pharmacies are stocked full of Oxycodone and Percoset. No one dares touch them.
If I had it to do over again, I’d have stayed in Seattle. Some of us are going to try and sneak out of here and head toward—um, Colorado, Denver maybe.
There’s also a lot of activity going on over in Indian Springs. A lot of the “muckety-mucks” are spending a lot of time over there.
Don’t come here. Something very strange is going on.
I have to go. Someone’s coming. I’ll try and post more later.
Hi guys… I just found a working computer terminal… dear God… I cant believe the internet is still working… Ive been traveling by myself mostly on foot but a while back I found a moped type bike. Ive been lucky to find 2 operating gas stations… on another one I had to find the fill cover and siphon gas out… not easy since I had to scrounge up a pump that would just barely bring it out. But DAMN it feels good to get off my feet with that moped.
My wife… ahhh. my lovely wife… dead, dear God DEAD… I miss her so… my only true friend… my lover… my life… honestly I thought she was getting better… then the neck swelling… turning black… I tried to make an artificial airway but I kept experating air into her stomach and making her vomit back into the tube. Dear Jesus… the look in her eyes… the pleading… for hours her paniced gasping, whistling wheeze went on and on and on… WHAT CAN I DO!!!. Dear Jesus I was so week… so pathetic… What the FUCK kind of husband HIDES IN THE FUCKING CLOSET WHILE THEIR WIFE SUFFERS AND DIES!!! So weak not to be there with her… the only person I have ever loved…
Damn I bet you people are tired of hearing stories like this… but ive had no companions… no one to talk to… not one hope since she died.
I keep having these dreams pulling me westward… telling me follow I-70 straight through Kansas and Colorado and there I will meet people…
But I have another dream… its telling me to go south… follow I-40 through oklahoma, texas, new mexico and I think arizona… When I reach the destination its a dark dark place… and I am walking down a LONG road… and on every streetlight and pole there hangs a CRUCIFIED body… sometimes 2 to a pole… sometime they cry out to me while ravens peck their eyes… sometimes they reach out to me with a hand they managed to rip the nail through… pleading help… pleading… These seem to last all night… just that one walk down the road… all night…
SHIT… I dont know if anyone is still monitoring this board or if it even works… but I’m coming… I dont know where Im going, but I can’t die now… so westward I ho…
Goph, hang in there. Keep on trucking. We’ll see you in Boulder.
Toby and I are on the border between Illinois and Indiana. The going has been really slow. I’m posting tonight because I’m afraid to talk to Toby about Vegas anymore. He and I have been in a pitched debate about this-- he says the orderliness and cleanliness is what he needs. I showed him the post from the person in Vegas saying not to go there, but he points to Lloyd’s website and says, what’s one wacko claiming to post from Vegas compared to that?
Is it still possible to do background checks, or is that an anachronism now? Does anyone know how to find out about Lloyd Henreid? Mr. Henreid, what exactly did you do for a living before Captain Trips?
I’ve been having nightmares pretty bad. Toby, OTOH has been taking sleeping pills every night, so it’s no wonder he’s not terrified of Vegas. Thank God we’re geographically closer to Boulder than LV. I am sick at the thought of losing Toby. I think when push comes to shove, he won’t be able to leave me either. Also, the old woman is going to be a sight for sore eyes, I have no doubt.
I’m really surprised Toby and I haven’t run into anyone else. Bibliocat, have you already left St. Louis? Anyone else anywhere remotely near there? Want to caravan with us?
I made it halfway through Nevada and stopped in Winnamucka for a break. Found a hotel with internet access. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep immediately. I had a pretty awful dream.
One, I was sitting in my British Lit class. We were discussing Gulliver’s Travels and the Yahoos. It was so normal. So quiet. It was my life. And then Jaime walked through the door to the class and I told him…he didn’t belong there…and he said that he knew but he just wanted to make sure I was ok…and I can’t stop crying. It’s really hitting me now. He’s dead and I’m alone and we’re never going to talk about Gulliver’s Travels again, and he’s never going to make sure I’m ok again…He kissed me goodbye and turned to leave and I begged him not to go and then I woke up.
I hope the server holds out until most of us gets to Boulder, at least. If I didn’ thave this lifeline to everybody…to sanity…that would be it. The end of me.
I got it, I really got it, that this was some bad shit when Dubya sneezed at the end of his (I think) last live press conference, the one where he said that while the disease was more “infectious” than most, it wasn’t anymore “deadly” than other flu’s.
Tell it to my little girl, asswipe. Tell it to my wife, fucktard. At least they got decent burials… my back might never be right again, but at least they got buried. How many wives and little girls didn’t?
:sigh: But he’s probably dead now. Hell, he was probably dead a week after that press conference if he did have the flu. The irony is almost too awesome to behold: Saddam Hussein sitting in jail because of incorrect charges of WMD while George Bush releases a bug that destroys the world.
We should’ve invaded Texas. After all, isn’t that where the flu was first reported… Arlene? Arlington?
In 1999. :mad: :mad: :mad:
I apologize for the cursing. As you can understand, meeting a group of people for the first time in weeks makes it all come out in one big confusing gush. :o
I don’t know what to do. My dreams tend to be Bouldercentric, but not strongly so - if I don’t go there, I don’t think I’ll slowly go crazy or anything. Here in Knoxville I have the ability to take the highways going n-s or e-w, and looking at the map and sussing out the situation I’m wondering if there is anybody going to Chicago to help maintain the servers and power supply to the SDMB? I’m no professional with computers, but I can feed hamsters and maintain their wheel. However, I will be excellent in performing basic “hold this” and “get that” commands and am a quick study. Anybody wanna join me?
but please believe me that the true heart of America is preserved in our city. If anyone else needs help getting here, just drop me a line at this message board, call my cell at (555) 666-6666 or e-mail me at 
After all, isn’t that where the flu was first reported… Arlene? Arlington?