Thursday, June 7, 2012


Staying inside a shipping container when the sun is out sucks very, very badly. The interior of the thing gets hot quickly even when the air temperature outside is mild. That makes it difficult to keep the damn things cool and ventilated, which is a problem since we have a lot of our sick people set up in them.

Also, because the expansion--in all its boxy metal glory--is our new fallback point. Which means in a pinch, every inhabitant of New Haven will have to live in one of the things.

The first thing we considered was trying to set up another refrigeration system like the one our big freezer uses, but that isn't workable. One, the zombies outside the walls are still large in numbers, making attempts to go out and gather the supplies we'd need suicidal in difficulty. Two, even if we could find the parts to build more absorption refrigeration units (a big 'if', given how specialized some of the stuff is), we'd never be able to find enough to cover all the space we need. Three: only three people here know how to really build one, and we all have other work to do.

Realistically, it isn't going to happen. Other solutions, then.

I don't know what those might be, but we'll figure something out. For the last two years we've been dealing with the heat in our homes by opening all the windows that aren't covered by armor (though most of the houses including mine have been modified so the plates over the windows are removable) and letting the breeze come through. Granted, there's a huge difference between a thin metal box and a house with thick walls and shade.

For the moment we're setting up fans and running small generators, but we can't do that for long. Maybe if we use the modified genny, the one that runs on ethanol, we can manage for a good chunk of time. Fuel isn't quite at a premium yet, but we can't afford to use too much.

It's a conundrum. It bugs the hell out of me.

Normally I'd be out there looking at the problem. I'm working on it here at the house but it isn't quite the same. Visualization is important for me as a critical thinker. Maybe I've been too harsh and immobile in my stance to stay home whenever possible. Might be good for my brain to get out for a bit each day, kind of decompress and release the steam valves some. You know--not just to kill zombies.

Ugh. It's a slow, hot day, and I'm feeling cooped up. I think I will go out. See if Pat will come over for a bit and keep an eye on things, and get some perspective. I'll read reports and spend time on what should be a simple problem when I get back. I need to stretch my legs before I gnaw one of them off in frustration.


  1. Good greif! Don't gnaw your leg off, someone will think you've turned zombie and shoot an arrow through your eye!

    Enjoy guilt-free time out of the house!

  2. There is always a solution I'm sure you will be able to find it. In your current situation is it possible to use something to reflect the heat from the sun away? Aluminum of some sort possibly? How about a possible Sun screen of a sort, a canvas to put over the most important containers for the time being to place them in the shade. If rigged up correctly you could possibly control the temperature inside of the containers by allowing only so much direct sunlight to warm them up.

    Where there is a will there is a way. You and your people will find the strength to pull through. You don't always have to over think the situation.

    Good Luck