digital ash

a mate suggested last week that i draw up my will before i leave. i almost snorted into my drink. he's a lawyer and suggested that we whip something up straight away; i was a bit more hesitant. still, it is a reasonable suggestion, and perhaps something i'll do this week; at least, i'll think about it. (hm, how to divvy up my millions, my mansions, my medallions...)

it's a trick i'd forgotten since last summer: how to spend your days when you've nothing to do. after the initial adjustment (ie. panic) things settle into a very comfortable situation, where you simply make up a task and do it - or not. i have lunches (such a lady!) with people after they work and before they go back; and of course i can make knock off drinks or whatever else; i go for walks; i cook; i read; i visit places i want to see one more time; sometimes i do nothing but think, and watch the light move across the backyard; and sometimes i can stop and explore a place that i'm even-only-vaguely curious about, like today. there were headstones in german. (above this it said "hier ruhet in gott".)

you play games to keep yourself amused; without any irony: you're a child. what's the oldest date on a headstone? 1847. look: you're surrounded by adelaide's names: thiele, gibbs, cleland, moody, le lievre, elder, pilgrim (flinders' niece). what's the most bizarre headstone you can find? this one:

(referring to the death of george; but also looking at jane's epitaph - 'relict' isn't a word i knew before. there you go.)

you're in a good mood all the time ... you're probably annoying. but you're relaxed so it doesn't bother you. you play. and maybe think about the idea of writing up a will.