5 Ways I Definitely Don't Want to Die

There’s this thing about death that bugs me. Beyond the whole you/someone/something is dead issue. It’s that you generally have no control over it. There are obvious exceptions, like sticking your head in the oven (which is cheating/losing the game of life), or sticking someone else in an oven (which isn’t polite), but overall it just sort of happens. I think I can accept that. The thing is there are particular ways that I’d really prefer not to die, thank you very much, and I worry that they will end up being my end. So I thought as a precaution, I’d make a list of the 5 ways I least want to die. I see this as a way to throw my preferences out into the universe so when my time comes, someone somewhere has it under consideration.

Way I Definitely Don’t Want to Die #5 – Slow Zombie Gnawing

Ok so I grant that zombies are technically not an issue. Right now. Reading cracked.com might give you a different view. I’m not saying I’m really worried about this happening. Just so we’re all clear.

Are you sure you don't want to try vegetarianism??

In most cases one of the scary things about zombie attack is that you have to not die and at the same time not get infected, because that’s basically a death sentence. I’m totally okay with that concept. I mean I don’t particularly want to turn into a zombie, but just a little nibble and getting infected is acceptable.

What I don’t want is to be in a situation where the zombies really get a chance to gnaw. It’s basically tantamount to being torn apart. Sooooooooo not fun.

Technically Michelle Rodriquez didn’t get slowly eaten by the mob, but it looks like a possibility, and that’s scary enough.

Way I Definitely Don’t Want to Die #4 – Insides on the Outside

You know my fear of zombie nibbling is probably actually a subset of this. But basically, I want my internal organs to stay inside my body. Injuries to those organs resulting in death are okay as long as THEY STAY INSIDE MY BODY.

You can't go wrong with Indiana Jones

I’m not big on losing body parts. Break things, they fix. Chop off a finger or pull out an eye though and I squirm (for the record, Hostel traumatized me). This gets even worse when we start talking about things that I don’t normally see. I know I have guts. I don’t need to see them dangling out my torso. Oh my god and what if they like drag in the ground and now there’s all sort of dirt and leaves and dust on my organs. I am not comfortable with this conversation.

I had a tough choice on this movie example, but I think we have to go with a classic. Please sir, don’t rip out my heart. No literally, don’t you even freaking try to rip out my heart. We will no longer be friends.

Way I Definitely Don’t Want to Die #3 – Helpless

In any of the situations listed so far, sure I might end up dying, but I’d damn well try to live first. I’d fight those zombies to the bitter end. I’d shove those intestines (and the leaves and dirt and whatever else they picked up from the ground… seriously why do we keep having this conversation) back in and try to stitch myself up. I’d make an effort.

So what terrifies me is the idea that I see death coming and can’t do anything about it.

I'd like to switch seats now.

Case in point? Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid. One of the characters is bitten by a spider (also not ideal), paralyzed, and then chomped by an anaconda. So he’s sitting there paralyzed, he can see the anaconda in the background, and he has no way to move or communicate to the others that he is about to die. Super dislike. I mean yeah I might end up in a snake belly regardless, but for the sake of my dignity I want at least a chance to escape.

Don’t believe in giant snakes? Ok fine, let’s go with another example. There’s always Saw 3. Poor Allison Kerry has to stick her hand in acid otherwise her ribs get torn apart. Even though she completes the “challenge,” she realizes the key to her safety doesn’t work. She thought she had a chance to save herself, and instead she’s powerless. Oh how I sympathized with her for those few terrible seconds before she dies from rib ripping. No bueno.

Last of the Mohicans = not a kid's movie (but I watched it)

Way I Definitely Don’t Want to Die #2 – Trial By Fire

DO NOT LIGHT ME ON FIRE. IT LOOKS INCREDIBLY PAINFUL.

That is all.

Way I Definitely Don’t Want to Die #1 – Jaws of Death

Those that know me knew this was coming. It’s not like it’s a surprise to anyone. I am absolutely, completely, bat-shit crazy, terrified of sharks. It’s not just fear at this point. It’s a phobia. What’s the difference? Well fear is being presented with something and being afraid (so swimming, bumping into a shark, and being like AHH!). A phobia is being so terrified of something you actively avoid it at all costs even when it’s ridiculous (so not closing your eyes in the bathtub on the off chance a shark appears).

Amazingly enough I will go in the ocean, but every time I’m convinced I may die. I generally stay in the “safe” zone. I only feel moderately better about this, because there is no true safe zone. Except maybe when the water doesn’t reach my ankles. Don’t believe me? Did you know shark attacks have occurred in only 3 feet of water? Yeah, true story.

I don't how fake the shark looks, I AM AFRAID

It’s interesting that many people are afraid of sharks specifically because of movies like Jaws. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a terrifying movie. I still haven’t technically watched all of it because I normally freak out and either close my eyes or change the channel. But I’m a bit odd in that I’ve just always been afraid of sharks. Because I was already ridiculous about it, my parents refused to let me watch shark movies when I was a kid.

Whenever I’m in water – pool water, ocean water, lake water, doesn’t really matter – I just have this instinctive feeling that something is coming up from below to eat me. I can’t stop it. No amount of facts in the world can prevent this fear. Deep down in my core I am convinced I will die from shark attack, and I dread it more than anything.

In fact, I would probably rather die from any of these other scenarios than be attacked by a shark, even if I survived the shark attack. Because I am convinced that mentally I would completely shut down. The moment I am in the water with a shark will be the moment I lose the last remnants of my sanity. Even if by some miracle I could process it mentally, I think I’d just have a heart attack and die from pure terror.

Just so you know, were a “friend” to ever arrange a “harmless” prank involving sharks…. That would be the definitive end of our friendship. I would never speak their name again. They would receive the “you're dead to me” look.  Every single Mario Party game, millions of cans of pepsi, and even presents of kittens or puppies would not come even close to earning forgiveness.  

In theory, I probably won't die in any of these methods. Well, one can hope anyways. 

It’s Only Weird if it Doesn’t Work

It might just be me, but everywhere I looked the past two days had posts about the coming snow storm such as jokes about the “snowquester” and tips for making sure school was cancelled.

Actually this was fairly useful. I learned some new superstitions for ensuring snow days. I already knew the classic pajamas inside out and backwards. I’ve never heard of a “snow dance” but I’ve probably done it unintentionally. Apparently putting ice cubes in the toilet, spoons under beds (or pillows), and white crayons in the freezer also works. Who knew? Not that I really expect much snow in Texas, but it’s better to be prepared.

I take superstitions somewhat to very seriously. It depends on the particular superstition. One of my favorite commercials this year featured various football fans and their superstitions, with the ending line of “it’s only weird if it doesn’t work.” Loved it. So true too! We all know my beloved team, the Steelers, had a bleak season after I was traveling constantly and unable to wear my lucky clothes and watch the games.

Now general superstitions, like breaking mirrors, walking under ladders, and black cats don’t really concern me. In fact the only time I really think about them is when playing one of the best slot machines ever, Hexbreaker. I do, however, have my own superstitions.

You may be already familiar with the “rabbit, rabbit” belief. Basically you’re supposed to say “rabbit, rabbit” on the first day of the month. You have to say it right away, before you say ANYTHING else. Some areas have a variation where you need to say it three times, rather like Beetlejuice. It’s supposed to be good luck. If you manage to say “rabbit, rabbit” first thing on the first of the month, you’re supposed to have an awesome month.

For years as a child I tried this. The problem was I failed miserably at remembering to say it in the morning. Who thinks about things like rabbits when they’re being dragged out of bed and forced to get ready for school?! It wasn’t until high school when I actually started to remember occasionally. And guess what? Every single time I managed to rabbit properly, it was a BAD month. Not like a combination of bad things. More along the lines of some sort of major bad life event happened, such as wrecking cars, unexpected moves, or people dying.

Thus it became clear to me that in my case, “rabbit, rabbit” is actually unlucky.  I now avoid saying it when at all possible. That’s harder than you think, because I may have brainwashed myself enough that sometimes I try to say it in the morning before I fully wake up.

I’m also superstitious about birthdays. Well, just my birthday. I love birthdays for other people! But for me, I consider my birthday bad luck. It never works out well. I see myself rather like Penny in Happy Endings with a birthday curse. This particular belief is so bad that I no longer celebrate my birthday. Generally I won’t even acknowledge when it is. Friends have found many ways to “cheat” the system and I appreciate their efforts and enthusiasm.

My other big superstition, really the end-all-be-all of my crazy beliefs, is around the number three. I consider it super awful bad luck.

This isn’t exactly unique. Actually the character Novalee does the same thing, although with different numbers, in Where the Heart Is. Oddly enough in the book it’s the number seven. In the movie, it’s the number five. I guess they thought it was too weird to think the number seven unlucky.

The number three is my worst unlucky number, but I also distrust the number nine. After all, it’s the number three times three. I don’t particularly like the number six either, but I’ll accept that it’s not as devious.

How do I handle this superstition? I avoid third floors, the third pump at the gas station, and any dangerous events on the third of the month. I’m waaaaaay more cautious in September and March. I drive super carefully anytime my car mileage has an excessive amount of threes or nines.

Like Novalee, this superstition came about after several unlucky events involving the numbers three and nine. What’s worse, in college when I was talked into watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose I learned that 3:00 AM is the “devil’s hour.” Considering I wake up around 3:00 AM almost every single night I find this terrifying, and further proof of bad luck. Allegedly the most deaths also occur between 3-5 AM. PROOF I TELL YOU.

Now if someone woke me up at 3:00 AM on the first of March and made me say “rabbit, rabbit?” in all likelihood I'd probably survive (probably), so I suppose we can't take these things too seriously... unless it's related to football.