Thursday 24 March 2011

List #002. 15 Things to pack for an extended stay in a nuclear fallout shelter

With the rash of zombie plagues, nuclear meltdowns and alien invasions hoarding our screens these days, it would be pure folly not to prepare for the worst. If you're one of those who panic under pressure, fear not. Simply cut out (or print - probably easier) this list, complete with handy pictures, and use it as a guide in the hours preceding the End Of The World. I've limited it to 15 essential items; I don't know about you, but any more and I get very overwhelmed by the whole shopping experience.

NB. When I say 'extended stay' I'm thinking a year - two years max. No less. Maybe more. Look, I'm not a scientist, OK? At best I'm a post-apocalyptic party planner.


  1. Toothbrush



  2. iPod


    Don't even get me started on song selection. Yikes!

  3. AA Batteries x10,000


    Is 10,000 too conservative? Excessive?

  4. Glitterball



    Guy/girl's gotta have some fun!

  5. Stick insect


    Need some form of companionship. Dog too high-maintenance.

  6. Sharp stick 


    For fending off feral animals, mutated hillfolk, etc. Not to be confused with stick insect in heat of the moment.

  7. Scrapbook



    Optimistic?

  8. PJs x3



    As I'm never going out or seeing anyone, I can slob it up all day! Every cloud...

  9. Suit



    Should bring the Sunday best for when I eventually go insane and marry the stick insect. Wedding dress or equivalent for women.

  10. Maglite



    Big enough for a decent beam, but not so big you can't clamp it between your teeth whilst fiddling with things, like in cop shows.

  11. Rubix cube



    Should take at least a year to figure out what the fuck's going on here.

  12. Loo roll xLOTS



    It may sound obvious, but I always forget to bring it to a festival. Plus if you do catch sight of another human survivor you can dress up like a mummy and scare the shit out of them! Haha!

  13. Books



    But which to bring?! Say I'm limited to ten. Do I bring the reliable classics, the well-read favourites, or branch out and pack that untouched pile on the bedside table? I've always meant to read some Margaret Atwood, but what if I bring one and it turns out to be shit? That's a tenth of my library down the pan...

  14. Tiger skin rug



    Doesn't have to be a tiger - leopard, lion or panther will do. Any of the big cats, really.

  15. Soup tins x1500



    Long expiration dates go without saying. Reeeeeally hope Covent Garden Soup are doing tins by then. Not that there's anything wrong with Heinz, I'm very partial to their cream of chicken, it's just a bit... samey after a while, is all I'm saying.

  16. [Bonus] Comfy pillow



    I'm not remotely fussed about this, but it's a real deal breaker for some people. You know, the kind of people who can't possibly get to sleep without two enormous fluffy pillows and a king size all to themselves. Just wait til they're married to a stick insect - he/she won't stand for that selfish behaviour, I can tell you. Marriage is a partnership, and they'll find that out the hard way.