End of the world...

The End of the World as we know it is something that my girlfriend and I discussed at length at the beginning of the week. It is horrible, but unimaginable also... My girlfriend said was getting an exoskeleton and walking to some friend's place at quite a distance, to borrow movies! What the..?

An exoskeleton... Weird brain. I don't even think about things like that! Probably why she's a bloody fantastic author.  But an exoskeleton is a rigid external covering that provides support (and protection I guess) for a person's body. Unlike an internal skeleton, this outer structure gives shape and protects your internal organs. But as my girlfriend told it, she could press something and it would walk you anywhere; uphill... No problems! Which is okay as long as there aren't zombies ready to eat you.

I thought that was probable groovy. But I'd like to get some necessities. Like food! Weapons! And the truth is I don't have the room to do it properly, so I could get by for a couple of weeks but that is about it. The problem is of course, as society breaks down all manner of niceties go out the window. People are only out for themselves.

I mentioned to my doctor the other day saying I suspected something was coming. I'm not saying zombies or anything (although it could be!!) and so I was starting to get a few things for home... Like candles and lighters and these groovy straws that survivalists have so that they can drink any water and it is cleaned prior to gulping it down. Next, I suspect I'll have to get some tinned goods and maybe plant some vegetables or at least get the seeds to plant them if needed. It reminds me of that book by James Herbert. Rats I think it was... terrified me.

My doctor said "where do you live? Because I'm coming around to kill you and steal your stuff!" And here I was offering to share!

Moral of the story... Don't mention to anyone your plans! Just quietly get ready for something.

Home Again...

Well, I'm back home. Seemed sad this morning waking up not to the sound of the waves rolling in, but silence. I missed sitting out on the front porch just watching the waves talking about a million things (most of which will end up stories or books). For example, we were talking about the end of the world...

That started the End of the World discussions - that were downright funny.  As if we could be ready for the end of the world!

I could be; if I won the lottery or something where I had unlimited funds. 

If I did, I'd buy this old church up where I live. The church has been done up and looks beautiful, but I'd have to do a couple of cosmetic changes... I like a lot of wood rather than the white plastic look and ornate stuff.

But... I mentioned that what I would do is buy a generator and get a large fence around it. I'd get the island bench in the kitchen, and I'd excavate under it. Have a huge room with a TV, wall of movies and music. 

Like this: Secret Room under the Bench

The shelves would be full of preserves, and the freezers would be full of meat. There would be plenty of tanks to collect the rainwater and a bed with linen ready. 

There is a bit of land and so I could be well fortified. There was a place in the middle of the church you could grow anything fresh and the was enough land that you could have a couple of cows for milk.  Eg. where they have an existing fountain, I could fill it with dirt for vegetables.

Of course, all the stars have align for this... :)

Rainy. Misty. Beatiful.

I'm on my last night down here; I go back home tomorrow. Although there is a tinge of regret, I love my house - and it's not like Isobelle is going to suddenly dump this place on the market. It's gorgeous. I remember when she got it; about forty years ago. 

Of course it wasn't nearly as refined then... But the view remains unchanged. So, I'll be down again! To watch the waves roll in and the mist cover the hills.

Most I think would like the summer months. I like them, but the days like today are excellent writing weather and somehow, writing just comes easier.

We are pretty committed when we are down here. We religiously write. But when we're not writing, we bounce around ideas that somehow turn into stories. That is interceded with laughter - in other words, we have a great time.

Trekking down the coast with Isobelle...

Yesterday I travelled the 2.5 hours down the coast to stay with my girlfriend Isobelle. She has a great house; the position is to die for. It's on the Great Ocean Road and I'm sitting here at her desk, looking out over the ocean. The sea makes enough noise to wake the dead I expect, yet strangely, every time I'm down here, I sleep like a baby.

Still, for such a beautiful paradise, there are cars and trucks whizzing by at speed; but it is tucked into a nook along the road about halfway between Lorne and Apollo Bay.

So, I travelled down here yesterday and spent a couple of hours before we got back in the car and went off for a pizza night which was about an hour away. The pizza night... I didn't know a soul yet felt surprisingly comfortable. Everyone there was very welcoming, so I felt like I had known them about 5 minutes in.

The deck where we sat was surrounded by a huge pond that had all manner of fish in it, I was sitting with my back to it, so I was wary every time I got up. I had 3 gins and I thought if I'd have had another, I'd have ended up in there.

I was assured that it was only about 2 feet deep but that didn't mean I wanted to be in with fish... Some of whom seemed quite large. Not Jaws large but big enough to take a toe off!

I'm going to stay here until about Wednesday. 

  

It really is beautiful down here...

Funny Reaction!

I took my Mum out for brunch today, which is not as easy as it used to be. You used to just arrive at her place, leave the car running for her to run out and jump in the car. Now days, it takes about half an hour of swaying to work up enough momentum to get into the car! And that is before you drive down the road with conversation! It's 'what did you say?' or 'did I tell you about...' Of course she did. Probably ten times!

But I found it interesting how horrified she was at picking out our funeral... the plots etc. Her reaction was enough! She kept saying 'but why? My reply was so that the kids don't have to think about it...  I want to spare any of our children making decisions. 

And; I want to say what happens...

My mother, her ashes are to be buried with Dad. Today, she said she wanted them scattered at the beach. I thought well that's nice, I have that written down. Do you? She doesn't so it will be in the plant next to Dad!

I said I want to be scattered too. However, I'd like a tablespoon of my ashes in the pot with Dad and Cain (and Sharpie when he is gone)... Probably the Squeeze! Just so if there is a life after death, we can find everyone! :)