Tejnin

[deleted]

My grandfather. Not awkward but made me incredibly OCD... I wanted him to look perfect. I'm proud.

My grandma hugged me and whispered "Shelby, that's incredible, he looks hot!"

It was great to hear her laugh.

I do get zombie nightmares but I blame a Cadaveric spasm when I first started in the industry. When a body is entering or exiting rigor mortis, muscles can tighten or relax causing the body to move. It's very rare but I had an arm move and bump me... I don't think I've ever screamed that loud. (I was also only 17?)

As for how I've adjusted, I appreciate life more and how short it is... I do more spontaneous things and ko don't sweat small stuff... More importantly, I treat people better because I don't want regrets.

I don't find it as heartbreaking except with babies and toddlers. I only see those cases once a week. Other than that, the job is incredibly rewarding.

I use my special effects skills on my cosplay work, too, though. It's proven very beneficial... And I can turn people into badass looking zombies because I know what real deposition looks like.

I even messaged Greg Nicotero after season 1 of The Walking Dead and explained some potential flaws in his makeup... He never wrote me back, but everything (except the lime green stomach) was changed for season 2.

(Edit: bodies showing early signs of decomposition have lime green abdomens)

Oh definitely cosplay... being around a bunch of fellow nerds at a convention, dressed up as my favorite character, hell yeah!

Though my funeral director since of humor always gets laughs...

If stiffness lasts longer than 4 hours, consult your mortician, they know how to pump the fluids and work a stiff one.