on death

I think about death sometimes. I'm not sure if I do it "a lot" or more than "normal." But I think about it.

Every time I start writing a book I imagine what would happen if I died before I finish it. I'd want people to assemble everything I'd written to that point and have it printed for anyone, even if it was really bad.

I don't have a will yet. I suppose one day I'll need to have one. Until then, I suppose this will suffice. I don't want to be buried in the ground. By default I had assumed that meant cremation...which is only one letter away from creation, I fact I stumbled upon moments ago with a typo. Interesting?

Although a quick google revealed a funeral proceess called, promession, where the body is frozen by liquid nitrogen and than shattered into a powder. Basically either by fire or ice, we can turn our bodies into dust. I'm not sure which I'd prefer...although I suppose cremation would be simpler, and therefore easier on those taking care of the arrangements.

As for scattering my ashes--and I would want them scattered so I don't end up as one of the Family Matters situations where Urkel knocks over my urn and then has to replace it with ash from a fireplace before Carl Winslow comes home--I don't think I know where it should be yet. One suitable place would be Jamaica, specifically the waterfall that I visited near Ocho Rios. Also acceptable would be outside Arrowhead Stadium, but only after a win. But I figure one day I'll come up with something better. A river wouldn't be bad in theory, you know, water flowing on and on, but the Mississippi or anything like it is pretty dirty.

As of today, I wouldn't want to be in a cemetery where people have to go to feel sad. I'd want anyone who cared to remember this life with a gentle fondness and not get down about it.

Update 1.21.10: After a few months of reflection, my current feelings are that I'm sure I'd want my ashes scattered in nature. No parking lots, no trip to Jamaica required. Preferably some place pure--not the dirty Mississippi. Colorado mountains, or a clean stream would be nice. Or even a forest area would be okay. More on this as I develop.

Songs I'd like played at my funeral, in order:
What I Got (reprise) - Sublime
Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Piano Man - Billy Joel (but only if people will sing along)
1,2,3 - 311

I'm sure Hoagie Central isn't an official document, and hopefully I'll live long enough to put this out there in some other format, but at least this means that no one's going to bury me in Peoria.