What I learned from the movie ‘Cloverfield’
When I was in 8th grade I think I developed the ideas that carry me through to today. My friends Chris Studeman, Heath Tapp, and Craig Jansen were just 8th grade dudes. Riding bikes, wearing parachute pants, an hoping Craigs dad would let us ride the new three wheelers they got. We also fought over the girls Beth, Tammy, and Nicki. Who knew that the very ideas that I like so much today, can be traced directly to those years.
I remember riding my bike to school. Jeans back then were tight. Really tight for some reason. But, I spent my days on my 20 inch Tracker , not the exact bike, but you get the picture. And the tight jeans were not getting it done. So, we switched to cargo pants, from an Army Surplus store.
Well, lots of other lessons were learned from punk rock, skateboarding, the urban camping trip that has been my adulthood. These lessons all sort of came to fruition in Cloverfield.
So heres is what I am thinking.
1. There is no real reason for a Cocktail Dress or High Heels. I mean really, I am not going to be wearing them anytime soon, and not for the reasons you might expect. I have no problem with wearing a dress, or strappy shoes, but the reality is I won’t. If aliens come, and I need to run away, falling debris, ash, fire, all of these things are not going to be kept off with a strappy black dress. If I need to run fast, the shoes will not help. God forbid I need to climb a ladder, or go down a manhold.
2. A watch is a key tool. At some point, after the alien infestation, or Nazis, or the Russian Government invading from Canada (who saw Red Dawn?), you are going to need to wear a watch. For synchronization in organizing your raids on the ammo dump, or making it to the helicopter for evacuation. The more durable the watch the better. I prefer old style Timex Ironman watches myself. Waterproof seems to be the key.
3. A tie is just a thing the alien can grab and kill you with. Clearly, ties and me, not happening.
4. A good bag, with the things you need, is going to save your life. If you are in your car, and the Nazis show up, and you gotta get out and run to avoid rocketfire, you better have some supplies. You can see this in movies like Spartan, or I am Legend. Both are messenger bag movies. Jack Bauer rocks a messenger, and Jack Bauer is saving the world.
5. Shoes with leather soles are like Ford Pintos, death traps. If you are running through the woods, and your Florshiems have no grip, well you are just dead. But if you are rocking a good pair of Merrill then you might have a chance. At the very least, if you think you are going to be in an urban area, I suggest a good pair of skate shoes. Like Etnies. They have solid soles, and are made for durability. And when hiding from Nazis or Aliens, in a subway, you do not want a lot of nylon on your shoes.
6. A cellphone needs to be durable. Seriously, ringtones do not matter, nor does youtube on my phone. I need a phone that I can get wet, as a lot of things shoot water in the end of the world, and will take a pounding. It used to be that they made cellphones that were part of the durable line, but now it seems that manufacturers forget the alien hordes or nazis.
7. A pocketknife. This one I knew about from before, but it still matters. You need a pocket knife.
I mean Cloverfield did not really show me anything new, it just sort of reconfirmed my thoughts that we need to be prepared in the city environment to survive when the aliens come.
I mean here in Wausau, we are how far from Clam Lake. You do not think Russian special forces do not know about the 400 block, and the secret tunnels underneath? They do my friend. There are Russian KGB operatives under cover in Eagle River, Fifield, and Rosholt as we speak.
If the aliens come in winter, this might be a look I go for again.
