The Book of Ashes

Sunrise, lunch, chess, tennis, Nana's birthday. 9:50AM

So early I arose, to a darkness that hid the kind of day. A walk I took, up hills and paths to a lookout of kinds, baricaded on a windless day where I sought the rise of a new sun. None came to answer me. The darkness continued on, just not as dark. Later the day would clear to perfection...

Having arisen early I went into work to sort out some insurance forms. All was sweet there and I was happy to talk to my boss and find out that we have a policy in our contract stating that we can take up to two years off and return to work within that time. This was put in place to retain valuable employees who want to go overseas to do their big OE at some stage. One such person being Sifty Tom who is returning to NZ very soon. This means I can sort myself out for two years doing something else then return to work within that time if my arms are fixed up. I was also happy to hear my boss say that I was a valuable employee and he wanted me back.

Got home and sorted out some stuff. Went out to lunch with Dan, Lee & Thomas. Then went down to Oriental Parade to sit on the beach in the sun and play chess with Lee & Thomas. It had become a beautiful sunny day by now but with still a hint of a cool breeze. I cleaned up, beating both Thomas and Lee at chess. Lee and I then went out and played a couple of sets of tennis. Unfortunetly Lee cleaned up here, but the game was most enjoyable. I most definitely need to play more to improve.

After this I got dropped off at my Nana & Poppa's for dinner (pizza and chips). We were celebrating my Nana's 71st birthday so there was quite a few of the family round. My Nana is one of the most beautiful people I know so I enjoyed catching up with her. Many of my cousins were there as well. I have decided that young kids have a simplistic view on life that means they don't have many of the inhibitions that we adults do. They have no qualms what-so-ever coming up and grabbing your hand and telling you to look at what they're doing or coming up and sitting on your knee while you are talking. One cousin had a cute tee-shirt with a girl on it with heaps of hearts round her and writing that read HUG ME. The youngest one climbed up on my chair and cuddled up next to me then fell asleep while we watched cartoons. As she fell asleep she would do little muscle spasms which remind me of how innocent children are. Thomas got a bit of a raw deal though with Waiwai playing drums as hard as she could on his bum and lying on his back while he lay on the ground. Of course I do realise what children are really like. My auntie (proud owner of these supposed cuties) called her day at home (remember its school holidays) a day looking after the zoo. I've been round to their place before and know what she means. Four super energised kids running amuck. Reminds me of what I've been told us kids were like. BTW I love cartoons. They rock. No thinking, no plot, no nothing but cool action. Well at least some cartoons