What if?

('Jackie P') #21

I think I would grab my favourite people so we could drink our way through my wine rack and dance like it was the last day of our lives!
Plenty of nibbles! Crisps, cheese puffs (ok I know they are naff) and nuts!
Then we would send out for a chinese with everything on the menu!

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #22

Rats are very clean animals, so keeping up with the cage cleaning generally results in pleasant-smelling ratties. Some intact buck rats can sometimes have a strong body odor, particularly in humid weather, but generally bucks (whether intact or castrated) tend to smell pleasantly of tortilla chips. Doe rats, on the other hand, tend to smell of grape soda. I’m not sure what produces these smells, and there is tremendous varability from rat to rat, as you might expect.

On the other hand, while rats generally don’t pass gas, when they do, the stink tends to be overwhelming! Fortunately, it also tends to be short-lived, so if you can make it through the first minute or two, you know you’ll survive.

This all applies to Rattus norvegicus, the brown/Norway/sewer rat, which is the main domesticated species and the species of rat used as laboratory animals, and not so much to the other main rat species, Rattus rattus, the ship/black/tree/Alexandrine rat. R. rattus are also sometimes kept as pets, but they are not so much tame as devoted to specific human beings.

(It was R. rattus that is supposed to have brought the Black Death to Europe, although now researchers are tending to blame gerbils, instead. Since that time, however, R. norvegicus has largely displaced the other species in many habitats, especially the more northerly ones. Both species appear to have originated in China, and to have arrived in Europe in trading caravans and aboard ships. The famous Mr. Tiffany, who was written up in Oprah magazine, was a R. rattus. The equally famous Marty Mouse was a R. norvegicus.)

Mice are a lot like miniature rats, but I understand that while a rat will relate to you as a person, mice don’t. And don’t ever try to mix the two, as rats prey on mice.

(CharleyD) #23

You know, I saw the movie Knowing before I had my child. Since then, my feelings have matured, if you will. If there was a scenario like that about to happen, I’m not sure I’d care about food. Unless the alien angels had made sure to secure my boy somewhere safe. :sob:

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #24

My GF :smile:

(John) #25

So the concept is - we sometimes have to choose between short-term immediate gratification which has long term negative consequences, or choose long-term benefits even if it means sacrificing the pleasure in the moment.

That is true of lots of things, to varying degree. If you only have 24 hours left, and so does everyone else, then there is no reason to worry about the long-term gratification aspect.

Assuming, in this hypothetical scenario, I was able to gain access to things I don’t already have, and since tomorrow never comes there is no consequence - I think I’d probably want to have the best meal, some excellent alcohol, and perhaps some quality narcotics, and then go sit outside and watch the sky so I’d get to see whatever it was coming for us all, with my wife and cats, while the cats got to run around and play outside for the first time.

And I would be most likely very sad, to not have had more time to spend with them, and not enough time to get together with my sisters one last time.

(Karen) #26

Too true John. It would be tough not to be able to connect with those far away. But… miraculously all my family are here at the solar flare party and we are knee deep in lobster, crab, scallops,and shrimp. Drawn lemon butter. Whoot!

#27

Oh man, salt and vinegar chips!! And all the histamine-unfriendly and processed foods I can get, because who has time to cook on the last day and I’ll be long gone by the time my symptoms start to kick in :joy: I would see who is around on that day (family-wise, my mom is always away, so she probably wouldn’t be close), stay at home (roads would be a mess, panic everywhere), turn off my phone and cuddle with my husband and dog…

(Susan) #28

I would want to be with my hubby, and all our children and grand children and just be with each other, and tell them how much I love them all. I think food would be the last thing on my mind, Keto or eitherwise.

(Parker the crazy crone lady) #29

I’d be with my son, and eat Reese’s, cheesecake, Carmellos, and all sorts of ice cream. I’d feel so sick that dying would seem like a relief. :wink::yum::face_with_hand_over_mouth::grin:

(Karen) #30

Awwwww. True, but let’s say… death row… what would you order?

(Karen) #31

Oh ya, I love wheat but boy does it make me sick.

(Parker the crazy crone lady) #32

I’m lucky in that I can eat most foods with impunity. But that ol’ off switch is broken. Any food eaten in the amount I can put away would make you sick.

(PSackmann) #33

This puts me in mind of “On the Beach” by Nevil Shute. WWIII has devastated most of the population and released a cloud of deadly radiation which is making it’s way towards southern Australia and the last survivors. Everyone knows the cloud will come in a few months, and they will all die, but they continue with their normal lives, following their best instincts. It’s a good read, and makes you really ask “what if”

('Jackie P') #34

Well, I answered in a light hearted note as I guessed the thread was! In reality I don’t suppose I would eat a thing but would hug my loved ones close! A 24hr fast and no chance of one last step on the scales! :no_mouth:

(Deborah ) #35

I read that many (many) years ago. Too long ago to remember the details, but I do remember I liked it.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #36

Never read the book. The film was disturbing enough . . . :cry: