Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: Again: Is everyone okay?

Carol Stewart

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 11:08:39 +1300

Fuck the Pacific Rim.
Damn you, plate tectonics. Enough already.

linger

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:06:56 +1300

Oh. I hadn’t realised, but yes, of course: there’s a wide gap between “team’s operations suspended and returning to Japan” reported here last weekend, and individual members staying on as humans while bodies from Chch continue to be identified. Damn.

Craig Ranapia

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:32:32 +1300

Oh dear – Japanese rescue workers in Christchurch being super staunch and awesome on Three News. Think I'm going to man-cry a little.

Russell Brown

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:30:25 +1300

Robyn is quoted in The Guardian's liveblog.

Russell Brown

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:17:36 +1300

Thanks for checking in, guys.

linger

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 06:53:02 +1300

At least it happened after the Japanese search & rescue team got back from Chch. :-/
I’m spending the night in my office – which is a mess, but (i) that’s not much worse than its state before the quake, and (ii) it’s almost certainly in better condition than my apartment.…

Jackie Clark

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 05:56:22 +1300

Indeed, Robyn – so glad to know that you and yours are okay. I hadn’t realised you were even on holiday in Tokyo till yesterday!

Robyn Gallagher

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:43:22 +1300

It’s been a crazy day. I’m in Tokyo and have spent the last 10 hours with friends, trying to figure out what is up.

I’ve blogged about it (because what else can I do?)

Fuck the Pacific Rim.

Jackie Clark

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:32:13 +1300

stephen, good to hear you are ok, cuz

stephen walker

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:30:16 +1300

lots of aftershocks in Tokyo (400 km or so from Sendai). probably no trains tonight. time for an 18 km walk home. the people on the coast... oh i don't want to think about it. too awful.

cheers.

Rob Stowell

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:24:50 +1300

Big tsunamis. More than one. Towns that are devastated.
And we are warned of tsunami reaching NZ about high tide at 9am tomorrow. While it's a long way away and unlikely to be any real danger, this was a HUGE quake, possibly 8.9
I'd say: be careful, stay away from…

Sacha

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:24:26 +1300

Seen images of Sendai Airport completely swamped by tsunami

Rob Stowell

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:20:16 +1300

Good to hear yr ok. I am hating on earthquakes at the moment. North looks so sad. And coastal communities. Feels very emotional watching from Chch. All the best, Stephen.

stephen walker

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:17:30 +1300

man, that was fcuked up. i was on the subway. it stopped and shook. luckily only trapped on the train for 10 minutes or so.

gee, i feel sorry for the people up in Sendai. if it was this bad in Tokyo, what was going on up there?

Sacha

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:49:34 +1300

One minute clip from a Japanese tourist in Cathedral Square immediately after the quake as the dust swirls and people walk around dazed.

Sacha

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:56:56 +1300

Life inside the cordon goes on for some residents. Despite what the story says, I heard today via a journalist mate that there could be a couple of hundred folk still there, some living in backyard tents (presumably not openly).

Newman's house fared better, and despite the damage she and…

Isabel Hitchings

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:08:31 +1300

4.8 centred under Redcliffs. I think it felt bigger than it was and seemed to go on for a while but nothing actually fell over here.

Scott A

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:42:05 +1300

Twitter reporting a big aftershock. *Worried* Everyone ok, again?

3410

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 18:37:00 +1300

I'm still astounded that the 6 o'clock news didn't frame it as "the Christchurch Cathedral miracle".

Matthew Poole

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 18:21:03 +1300

I'm still astounded that nobody died inside Christchurch Cathedral. Not surprised that the USAR guys don't feel like they've finished the job, given the reports of people inside the spire at the time of its collapse.

Jackie Clark

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:59:58 +1300

This had me howling. " __every life lost in New Zealand through accidental tragedy — every car crash, every lost mountaineer, every death by abuse or misadventure — is a national headline. In this country of just over 4 million, equivalent to the population of Manhattan's Upper West Side, every…

Jackie Clark

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:01:24 +1300

I know. Her daughter has brought the child in for the last couple of days. I think she's trying to be staunch and I might have wrecked that a wee bit!

Jolisa

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:44:12 +1300

Susannah, and hungrymama (and everyone else reporting in, but those are the names I see on the page in front of me): thank you for writing. There is honesty in complexity and it makes the whole picture bigger.

And Jackie: oh. Just, oh.

Tamsin6

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:10:30 +1300

HUGE turnout at Westminster Cathedral – was lucky to get inside, as it was freezing in London this evening. Not sure why the Herald chose to illustrate their story with a picture of Westminster Abbey though....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10709868

BenWilson

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:56:15 +1300

Some levity.

Tamsin6

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:55:34 +1300

Heading off from work shortly, and will be going to Westminster Cathedral for prayer vigil for earthquake at 7pm. Not usually my type of thing, but am feeling the need for at least some quiet contemplation.

Sacha

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:17:40 +1300

Philip Matthews on the quake and the history of another Christchurch suburb.

For a long time, more than a century, Waltham was a suburb in the shadow of the gasworks. In fact, Waltham Road — pictured above — was once known as Gasworks Road; it appears in Christchurch newspapers under…

Sacha

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:52:56 +1300

possibly in a book

how quaint

Lara

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:19:09 +1300

Some of you may have seen this footage of the central city taken almost immediately after the quake. For those who don't know the CBD, the footage goes down Lichfield St to the intersection of High Street, Lichfield Street & Manchester Street.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/videos/4704343

Jackie Clark

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:20:10 +1300

People writing their own history is a powerful thing.

giovanni tiso

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:17:12 +1300

I see that Emma had tweeted that she would like to see a place where all of the most poignant and beautiful eqnz posts could be. I think that would be fantastic.

And I was thinking that the tweets ought to be collected, possibly in a book, although it's a…

Jackie Clark

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:15:55 +1300

This afternoon, one of our very young grandmothers came in to drop off her grandchild. They had been away for a wee while, and we had wondered where they were because she’s always really good at letting us know. She had rung us yesterday to tell us that her brother…

Jackie Clark

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:11:20 +1300

I see that Emma had tweeted that she would like to see a place where all of the most poignant and beautiful eqnz posts could be. I think that would be fantastic.

giovanni tiso

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:47:53 +1300

This from Cheryl Bernstein this morning was just beautiful I thought. (Hers have also been some of the most eloquent and literate tweets.)

Susannah Shepherd

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 07:30:44 +1300

I forgot to say amongst the verbiage – PAS'ers of Christchurch, you're all bloody fantastic. You remind me why I loved the place so much in the first place. Kia kaha.

Susannah Shepherd

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:46:52 +1300

It's now nearly a week, and it feels right to take stock of how my reactions to this have unfolded. Indulge me, it's been complex.

Like many Wellingtonians, I can't help feeling that we've dodged a bullet, but it's left me feeling shaken and queasy that Christchurch was the innocent…

Paul Williams

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:04:58 +1300

they've better things to do...?

recordari

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:22:18 +1300

Hungrymama writes.

...extremely well.

giovanni tiso

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:05:07 +1300

Hungrymama writes.

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:41:55 +1300

On a related note, I'd be very pleased if someone could let me know how Christchurch's various cultural and creative organisations have fared.

I have a funding-raising idea, and it would be useful to know which trusts etc are most in need of help.

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:04:08 +1300

That’s just totally awesome. City’s devastated, hundreds are dead, but they still hold their AGM. Yay for the triumph of the human spirit over adversity!

That's the AGM of the national umbrella organisation, which was held in Wellington — equally inconvenient for everyone else. But I'm still awfully impressed that…

Matthew Poole

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:47:39 +1300

at their AGM over the weekend.

That's just totally awesome. City's devastated, hundreds are dead, but they still hold their AGM. Yay for the triumph of the human spirit over adversity!

And I'm being totally serious here, before anyone rants about inappropriate sarcasm.

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:15:02 +1300

On a slightly more cheerful note, Canterbury Film Society president Ryan Reynolds (really) might not have a home but was elected president of the New Zealand Federation of Film Societies at their AGM over the weekend.

Sadly, the CFS will not be kicking off their season next Monday along with…

Sacha

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:39:50 +1300

by popular demand — well, Sacha

the power :)

Sofie Bribiesca

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:45:04 +1300

Good thought Che, of which I will do as soon as I get home this afternoon. I’m a firm believer in calling them to account.
ETA. Oh, just as we get a new thread, all political like.

recordari

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:34:07 +1300

Righto: by popular demand – well, Sacha

ETA: It feels like the thread could still do with a bit of 'refreshing'.

Anyone better equipped to do that want to have a go? Anyone?

Che Tibby

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:33:49 +1300

done. you can send an email direct via the parliament website.

note that the Minister must reply to Ministerial Correspondence.

there will be some grad policy analysts shitting themselves somewhere having to reply to these.

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:24:56 +1300

Righto: by popular demand — well, Sacha — here's a new thread where the politics and economics can be hammered out without getting in the road of the telling of stories and sharing of feelings.

giovanni tiso

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:23:51 +1300

Not a bad idea, Che.

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:21:50 +1300

In different circumstances, I’d be more than happy to.

In the current circumstances, I think my response is best sent to you privately.

Che Tibby

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:18:35 +1300

a thought:

i'd suggest people write the Minister of Corrections asking for elaboration of her comments this morning.

for instance, is she intending to have prison rape added to the legislation, assuming that is what her comment intended?

Ross Mason

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:06:22 +1300

Good Chch Emergency Reponse news. Had a reason to utilise the Chch ambulance system last night. New Brighton Auntie was on phone to my Mum and suddenly said she had to put her head between her legs as she didn't feel too good. A small groan and the phone went…

Che Tibby

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:05:26 +1300

I’d expect her to have to resign

yup... like that's ever going to happen.

The Minister actually is what her years in opposition promised her becoming.

giovanni tiso

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:04:00 +1300

*very deep breath taken* Don’t go there. Please.

In different circumstances, I'd be more than happy to. And in different circumstances, I'd expect her to have to resign.

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:55:40 +1300

If you don’t get how it’s infinitely worse for the Minister of Corrections to say something like that, and phrase it so casually, I guess that’s that.

*very deep breath taken* Don’t go there. Please.

that’s not what Danyl is saying. he’s saying that lot’s of people think that prison…

Che Tibby

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:52:20 +1300

Rape culture is no more “natural” than casual racism or sexism. .

that’s not what Danyl is saying. he’s saying that lot’s of people think that prison rape is part of the punishment.

and he’s right. there are plenty of haters out there.

as for Collins, for her NOT to…

giovanni tiso

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:38:38 +1300

Rape culture is no more "natural" than casual racism or sexism.

If you don't get how it's infinitely worse for the Minister of Corrections to say something like that, and phrase it so casually, I guess that's that.

I was pretty incensed by Nigel Lundy's suggestion that [[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10709221|"[Some renters] are treating…

Shayne Stuchbery

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:51:47 +1300

I thought that what Emma expressed quite beautifully was a very valid point, actually. It’s about all of us. It’s about the bereaved, the people in Christchurch who didn’t lose their home or any of the loved ones, the people in the rest of the country or overseas who felt…

nzlemming

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:45:23 +1300

Meh… I contained my disappointment by picturing you topless on the radio

It wasn't just me, then? Good to know...

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:23:20 +1300

I’ve avoided even looking at the vile twatcockery being said about dealing to looters, and really didn’t need to see the Minister of Police and Corrections get in on the act but WHAT THE FRAK, DANYL!:

It’s natural for private citizens to feel this way and this is the kind…

George Darroch

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:54:05 +1300

I was heartened to see Clare Curran use that link.

Still thinking about what it means.

Sacha

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:08:54 +1300

Rod Oram casts an economist's eye on the opportunity for proper city-building that this disaster presents.

We must think of earthquake proofing as an investment, not a cost. The same applies to inspiration. Widespread destruction in central Christchurch gives its people a remarkable opportunity to conceive and build a city…

Ross Mason

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:15:34 +1300

Re the CTV building being on rubber isolators. I have had it confirmed today that it was not base isolated. In fact it appears the only building in Chch that has the base isolators is the new wing on the Womens Hospital.

I would be interested if anyone knows where…

Sacha

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:53:10 +1300

RNZ's system is pretty much automated. Having said which, I have no idea how an item from about 1pm gets filed under a 5pm show's listing. Still, found it in the end.

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:07:58 +1300

Only took me all arvo – the blighters had buried it well.

To be fair, there's rather a lot of off-schedule material and I don't think it's unreasonable that someone gets a weekend off. :)

Sacha

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:16:52 +1300

Thanks to Sacha for managing to find it for me.

Only took me all arvo – the blighters had buried it well.

I thought you spoke most eloquently
As always.

Jackie Clark

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:04:28 +1300

I just wanted to say Emma that I thought you spoke most eloquently. I hadn't realised that the kids' school was in town – that's a big bummer. (Maybe not for Rihanna but.) The bit that really got me was when you talked about the words bottling up. For some…

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:00:03 +1300

Er... for "circumstances" read "circumspect" above. What the?

Islander

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:46:37 +1300

Getting back to no4mality good people~McGonagall was a really good dramatic TRYER. He did his awful best to provide information for his society & for his family, and he worked very hard.
I have deep respect for William.
I have no respect for media-clown Gary Mc Cormack.

Islander

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:38:13 +1300

Getting back to no4mality good people~

Emma Hart

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:24:40 +1300

Here is my audio for those who missed it. Thanks to Sacha for managing to find it for me.

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:07:23 +1300

The media are slightly less circumstances – and on the Herald's home page for instance you'll see a longer list.

chris

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:02:31 +1300

Thanks Robert, much appreciated.

Robert Urquhart

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:56:44 +1300

http://police.govt.nz/list-deceased

chris

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:24:42 +1300

Is there a list of the confirmed deceased available online somewhere?

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:00:41 +1300

Anthony Hubbard weighs in on the imagined community. Second half is about the welfare working group – a pretty good example of appropriate political pivot, in my view, but reader beware if it's not your thing.

Hilary Stace

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:55:08 +1300

Weird, that link has changed and the headline, photo of Helen comforting a friend and her comments have disappeared.

Hilary Stace

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:51:42 +1300

Nice to see Helen Clark visiting Christchurch. (She may have already been in the country as her birthday is about now.)

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:43:46 +1300

(Naturally nobody is saying that we're all equally affected. But what Emma said – that Cantabrians need to feel the solidarity of the rest of us, and the rest of us need Cantabrians to put their experience in words in order to begin to understand what it feels like -…

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:26:08 +1300

Haven't read Emily P's yet, will seek it out.

Here.

ETA: snappitude.

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:25:10 +1300

From Emily J Perkins piece for the Guardian.

"You see people right in the centre of their lives just trying to make one thing work,” she says, “so that they can move on to the next thing."

I can’t find any disagreement with anything you say about that or Emma’s…

Islander

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:19:59 +1300

In a place far far away- yesterday, in the Oamaru Countdown/Warehouse parking lots, I heard a piper playing- it wasnt especially good piping, but o! it struck us both quite deeply. I rushed* across from the Warehouse side and deposited the contents of our pockets into the pipes’ container. Guess…

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:04:01 +1300

It’s about all of us. Just like it is a duty of all of us to participate how we can in the relief and the reconstruction.

While I agree there are aspects of it that are about all of us, and I haven’t met or spoken to anyone not affected…

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:40:28 +1300

Can I just say, while we do appreciate the sentiment about how much we are suffering not having our houses destroyed, our families displaced, our work, livelihoods, schooling, toiletries disrupted, that we'll cope.

This is about 'you'. We would love to be able to do more, but over time we'll…

Steve Barnes

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:02:10 +1300

Meanwhile... while we are wondering what is the right thing to say and how to say it...
Qantas sends bill for earthquake flight

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:52:23 +1300

Exactly — and it's not a bloody competition. I'm sure Debs Coddington and whoever wrote the headline to her HoS column had their hearts in a good place, but "Today, we're all Cantabrians"/ Nope – nowhere close.

Megan Wegan

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:08:54 +1300

Nah, I've been back for a week.

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:03:39 +1300

That’s sort of what I sound like, except apparently I was disappointingly unsweary. I’ll work on it.

Ross Mason

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:46:38 +1300

Fringe Fest in Wellington. Nothing like a parental plug. Daughter has a show on this week at Fringe Bar.

Profits are going to Earthquake. See the link to Fringe Friends of Canerbury.

I think the Ma and Pa will be there Wednesday night.

Lilith __

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:41:57 +1300

Craig, Megan, Jack, thanks heaps. Hugging you all right back! Megan, are you still in Chch or are you home?

Paul Williams

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:40:24 +1300

It was lovely to hear you Emma and, in response to something you said, you and all your friends and loved ones in Christchurch are constantly on our minds.

ETA: Ranapia...

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:40:21 +1300

Meh... I contained my disappointment by picturing you topless on the radio.

Emma Hart

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:36:46 +1300

That's sort of what I sound like, except apparently I was disappointingly unsweary. I'll work on it.

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:35:56 +1300

Fair enough, and something on which we can amicably agree to disagree.When it come to getting my rage on at the Herald, I’m stuck on four successive days of front page Bad Taste Tourettes. Really, when the media has classed up with mercifully few exceptions, this is the worse possible…

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:33:30 +1300

Being away will mean I can stop feeling I need to be staunch and can be as wimpy and weepy as I like, hurrah!

Definitely. Go well Lilith.

Wow, Emma’s on NatRad, cool! So that’s what you sound like.
Well done Emma.

Megan Wegan

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:32:10 +1300

I think there will be a lot of Chch people like me who have a delayed reaction. Until today I’ve mostly felt fine, hardly even cried. But today I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, emotionally. Hoping I have enough braincells left to pack a bag, but not…

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:29:58 +1300

I think there will be a lot of Chch people like me who have a delayed reaction. Until today I’ve mostly felt fine, hardly even cried. But today I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, emotionally.

Hugs, hon’ – don’t think you’re the only only going cold turkey…

Matthew Poole

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:26:59 +1300

a fairly unexceptional if debatable business column

Any other time I wouldn't have blinked. It was, as you say, unexceptional (on any analysis of the overall message). But attaching that particular barrow to this particular set of circumstances at this point in time was just naff, IMHO.

It could've waited…

Lilith __

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:26:05 +1300

Thanks Robert. All the very best to you also. Being away will mean I can stop feeling I need to be staunch and can be as wimpy and weepy as I like, hurrah!

Paul Williams

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:23:02 +1300

Wow, Emma's on NatRad, cool! So that's what you sound like.

Robert Urquhart

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:19:42 +1300

Lilith – several people I know, myself included, hit that point yesterday. Thank goodness for sunshine today.

I hope you can enjoy and recuperate during your get-away :)

Lilith __

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:13:16 +1300

I'd be right behind starting a new thread for arguing about the politics. Here in Chch political talk is a bit like white noise. We can't really get our heads around it. Or I can't. And today, I'm suddenly not coping well at all.

I'm bugging out to relatives in…

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:11:43 +1300

This story resonates particularly strongly with me.

More of ‘The Clinic’s’ missing named.

As did several others coming in from family and friends, of a lost father of 4 in the CTV building, and many more besides.

YMMV, but while the more flippant interludes have helped keep us sane (IMO),…

Sacha

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:41:29 +1300

as we well know, political discussions in PAS tend to veer toward the disrespectful.

And please remember that the next time you're tempted to link to something overtly political. One of our moderators is caught up in the quake but I'd like to think we are all responsible adults here.

Matthew Poole

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:40:39 +1300

So long as it’s done respectfully, I don’t think it’s inappropriate to discuss the political implications of how we move forward at this point.

However, as we well know, political discussions in PAS tend to veer toward the disrespectful. And in the circumstances, I don't think it's fair to put…

Sacha

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:39:53 +1300

I’m sincerely sorry if “Dorkland navel gazing” offended you

Not personally, but then that wasn't my point. Thanks for the apology. Yes, "douchery" was not a moderate or helpful assessment from Matthew either. Deep Red did immediately introduce a note of balance just as I did on Twitter.

Us aspies…

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:00:35 +1300

I’ve asked for the comment to be deleted. I’m sincerely sorry if “Dorkland navel gazing” offended you, but really I don’t think another go around about how the Christchurch quake affects Auckland local body politics – or the constant plaint that Auckland doesn’t get its fair share of the central…

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:25:32 +1300

It is fair to comment on political reaction but the evidence suggests that’s best done somewhere other than this thread.
+1.
Thanks Sacha. In spite of contributing to the poetic derailing, I find the thought of politicising this thread somewhat disturbing.

Sacha

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:17:23 +1300

So long as it's done respectfully

Which is not goging to happen so long as some can't resist the childish urge to add phrases like "Dorkland navel-gazing" to their posts after publishing them. It is fair to comment on political reaction but the evidence suggests that's best done somewhere other…

Ross Mason

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:15:11 +1300

It seems to come in waves. The shock of the event is fading. It is similar to the wait for the funeral where one can survive OK. I think when the funerals start then I suspect we will be in sympathy mode again. Totally. What gets me going are the…

giovanni tiso

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:02:26 +1300

So long as it's done respectfully, I don't think it's inappropriate to discuss the political implications of how we move forward at this point. It's still going to be about the welfare of the people of Christchurch, ultimately. And they're going to need us to have their back for months…

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:55:41 +1300

+1,000 on that — at the best of times, I suspect there's a good chunk of PA readers who find Dorkland navel-gazing about as interesting as a discussion of the finer points of debate at the Council of Trent.

We might have to wait until Russell has recovered from wedding…

Matthew Poole

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:14:10 +1300

Russell, could we please get a thread for the political dimensions. Coz my response to Craig, whilst polite and to-the-point, is not definitely appropriate for this thread.

We’re running out of places to take the other side of this tragedy, and some of us would much rather discuss that than…

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:56:09 +1300

Well, I've got an acquaintance who is guilt-tripping herself for accepting an open-ended invite to stay with her brother in Nelson. FFS, she has no job to go to, her neighbourhood is basically intact (she's turned off the gas and electricity, locked up and thrown the dog in the back…

Jackie Clark

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:40:16 +1300

Thanks for that, darling. I'm sort of stuck between thinking she's been pretty selfish, and then realising that, like you say, she hasn't got anything hugely practical to focus on.

Ross Mason

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:37:26 +1300

Ha, I thought you didn't do poetry?

McGonagall is not the flowery type where it takes dictionary, 13 thesauraus and dope to figure what the it is all about.

WM is much much better when heard with a brutal Scottish accent. Yes, his rhyming has to be heard to not…

Craig Ranapia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:28:14 +1300

Aw, Jacks – you give Kath a hug for me. Of course, what she’s feeling is totally human – this is probably sick to say, but at least when you’re up to your arse in mud and your house is a pile of kindling you’ve got something immediate and practical…

Biobbs

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:23:21 +1300

William McGonagall is a "poet" close to my heart. Discovered via Spike. But people forget he was a great chronicle of his time. The Tay Bridge Disaster gives a pretty complete Engineering Report of the bridge failure.

But he is so so bad. He has become more famous because of…

Jackie Clark

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:52:34 +1300

I saw my friend Kath yesterday. She and her partner had taken the opportunity to get out of Chch, along with her mother, for a couple of days respite. She was in Riccarton at work when the earthquake struck, and hotfooted it almost immediately over to check up on her…

recordari

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:34:45 +1300

Stephen, I can’t help it ……

The Demon Drink

Ha, I thought you didn't do poetry?

Anyway, that doesn't follow the old AAABB, AABBCC, AABBCC, AAABB, AAABBB, AAAAAABB, AABBB, AABBCCDDEE, AABBBBBBBCCDD rhyming pattern of Stephen's offering. Also known as the 'Mandelbrot cluster'.

Ross Mason

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:50:54 +1300

???????
Have just listened to Robyn Malcolmson's Mum on TV talking about her rescue. She mentioned she had been counselling people about the Sept Earthquake and would ask them if they were happy being on the 5th floor. She would then mention that the building (CTV) was safe and on…

Ross Mason

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:40:51 +1300

Stephen, I can't help it ......

THe Demon Drink

Verse 1

Oh, thou demon Drink (sic the "D"), thou fell destroyer
Thou curse of society, and its greatest annoyer,
What hast thou done to society,let me think ?
I answer thou hast caused the most of ills, thou demon Drink.…

Sofie Bribiesca

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:48:58 +1300

Jesus, everytime we read that,, we laugh and think how well it goes with red wine.
Hello Islander. love you and hope you are ok. We will talk tomorrow.I hope. :))

Craig Ranapia

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:44:45 +1300

And at the risk of inducing apoplectic fits in the PAS populace, Fran O’Sullivan odiously uses Christchurch’s misfortune to demand cuts to the already-unbalanced funding that Auckland receives from central government and generally push her right-wing barrow.

Jesus, Matthew, I’ve already had a Twit-spew at Idiot/Savant over that. FFS, I…

Kris V

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:25:06 +1300

crap... another name I know on 'the list'... my aunt used to work for him, he tested my eyes at age 9. Nice guy, another gap in the lives of many round here.

the count is rising :(

Lilith __

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:09:24 +1300

Thanks Lara, and Hilary. I’m sure all of his patients, like me, will be very sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Lara

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:02:58 +1300

I'm sorry to hear that Lilith. Condolences to you and all who knew him.

recordari

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:59:11 +1300

Edit: Frivolous poetry comment withdrawn in light of above.

Hilary Stace

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:59:01 +1300

That's sad.

Lilith __

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:54:32 +1300

My much loved family optometrist, Paul Dunlop, has died. He was a pipe organ enthusiast, and was helping dismantle the organ at the Durham St Methodist Church (opposite the High Court) at the time of the quake.

He was such a sweet, kind man who always took a personal interest in…

Hilary Stace

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:50:26 +1300

Is it just me thinking the Sixth Sense is an insensitive movie to play tonight on TV? Particularly considering comforting distracting stuff like Coronation Street and Glee was pulled this week in favour of more graphic images of real life and death.

Emma Hart

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:03:40 +1300

Stephen, I believe that's the poetry equivalent of Godwinning a thread. Well done. :)

Stephen Judd

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:00:50 +1300

The Tay Bridge Disaster

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

'Twas about seven o'clock at night,
And the wind…

Islander

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:57:33 +1300

Each to their own opinion.
I call crap when I read crap.

Andi

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:49:50 +1300

Thanks Islander, I thought I liked Garry's verse because it rang true to me. But now you have told me how to think, it''s all better.

Matthew Poole

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:45:28 +1300

And in fairness, FranO was calling on Key "to review the extent of his Government's tax-cuts, which are being funded through borrowing and not healthy surpluses"

I'd give her a little more credit if that had been the first suggestion, rather than the tail end of a bunch of spending…

Emma Hart

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:42:05 +1300

Hey! I love water-chestnuts. Screw you, dude.

Jackie Clark

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:37:21 +1300

Islander, that was a little ungenerous. Not like you at all.

philipmatthews

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:30:18 +1300

There is poetry.
And then, there is this stuff.

Gary McCormick does write the shit.
That is not a compliment of any kind.

True, but that poem is The Waste Land compared to the one he wrote quickly after Pike River. Did you ever read that? Here it is (link):…

Danielle

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:29:07 +1300

Oh, this is the randomly misplaced hatred thread now? Well, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deep contempt for water chestnuts. Screw them, man.

Islander

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:12:15 +1300

There is poetry.
And then, there is this stuff.

Gary McCormick does write the shit.
That is not a compliment of any kind.

There will be poems, generated by 22nd Feb, Time will show what lasts and what is ephemeral gibberish.

Andi

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 17:10:19 +1300

Re: the Mavis Staples post. Amazing how people can reach into thier hearts and pull out a remembence of music for the moment. Thank you! Just been down at the Grassy listening to Carmel Courtney belt out some blues at a somewhat attenuated Lyttelton Summer Party. BBQ in full swing.…

JLM

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:26:36 +1300

I'm enjoying Kennedy Graham's despatches from his "beloved city". He did the same journaling during the trainwreck of the Copenhagen Conference, and admitted it was partly to keep himself sane.

Ross Mason

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:13:11 +1300

Nothing like a bob each way. Promote the Revelation but don't really believe it. .....just in case like.

My Mum always told me that it was waste of time thinking about getting to heaven. By the time I was heading that way (of course I would be!!!) the 144,000 seats…

nzlemming

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:09:03 +1300

I think he means it. Lordy lordy lordy...

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:49:50 +1300

I really can't tell if he's satirising religious catastrophists there.

Deborah

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:31:15 +1300

Oh my goodness. This is barking: Tim Selwyn on the earthquake

And as for the 144,000 left standing (Rev. 7:4) – that may well be Christchurch's population after this is over.

So the bad news is we're up to seal 6 of 7, good news is the seventh seal has…

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:30:12 +1300

And Nathan Torkington talks to Kim Hill (streaming, 6 mins) about setting up eq.org.nz

Deborah

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:15:05 +1300

David Haywood and Jen Hay on the radio: http://bit.ly/hH6h6e

Christopher Dempsey

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 13:38:14 +1300

Indeed. It’s worth noting that this site is archived by the National Library, so stories told here will be collected there for people to read in decades to come.

Thanks for letting us know; I’ll have to a) up my arguing style and b) refrain from swearing. Lest my descendents…

Kumara Republic

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 13:27:54 +1300

Special mention of Joe Pohio who was killed while helping an injured woman in the High St. Food Court. A medal, at least, please.

Possibly a George Cross?

And in fairness, FranO was calling on Key "to review the extent of his Government's tax-cuts, which are being funded through borrowing…

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:46:54 +1300

Yes, I wasn't sure Russell wanted this thread to go the political route or perhaps start another one for that.

Matthew Poole

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:42:52 +1300

And at the risk of inducing apoplectic fits in the PAS populace, Fran O'Sullivan odiously uses Christchurch's misfortune to demand cuts to the already-unbalanced funding that Auckland receives from central government and generally push her right-wing barrow.
Warning, link may trigger spontaneous acceleration of cranial structures into solid objects.

nzlemming

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:34:44 +1300

So we repeat to each other the human voices, stories both terrible and hopeful, for no reason other than to be with them.

Wow. That's a nice piece of writing.

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:21:35 +1300

Emily Perkins writes in the Guardian about the impact of the quake as a New Zealander.

But God, there are so many dead. This is a small country. Our major disasters are encoded in the national memory. The Napier earthquake of 1931, the Tangiwai railway disaster in '53, the 1968…

Megan Wegan

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:15:25 +1300

And because Emma may not tell you herself, she'll be on National Radio tomorrow afternoon.

Public Address: taking over the airwaves.

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:10:36 +1300

Big ups to David and Jen for keeping a sense of humour

Alex Coleman

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:06:48 +1300

I hadn't heard this, Scott. Thanks for that.

Yes, thanks for that Scott.

If anyone wants to hear him read it, he is brought in about 12.30m into this:

http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/aft/aft-20110225-1640-The_Panel_-_part_2-048.mp3

I was also struck by his intro, and the immediate reaction of the panel afterwards.

JLM

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:00:50 +1300

They were great! So calm. Perhaps that strange webpage I read about but didn't bother clicking on was referring to the wrong Bob : ).

giovanni tiso

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 11:32:23 +1300

For those who might have missed Emma's tweet, the Haywoods are due to appear on Nat Radio at 11.45 minutes, ie less than 15 minutes.

Hilary Stace

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 11:10:15 +1300

AC Young, I have done the first aid thing in the past (earthquake specific in Wgtn high rise buildings) and even though I was hopeless at it, I hope it would still give me something to follow in my head if the time came, rather than just pure panic (even…

3410

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:59:21 +1300

Hell of a week.

Christchurch people,
We're all thinking about you. I've got to say, you can be really proud of your city. I've followed a lot of the TV coverage (and some radio) and have seen wall-to-wall courage, hard work, kindness, and practical application.

A close friend arrived back…

Hilary Stace

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:38:58 +1300

+1 Hope the wonderful sound archive is safe, and aren't the RNZ people doing a great job).
And thanks for the link to Philip's story.
The face of education in Christchurch is going to change, at least in the short term.

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:35:34 +1300

badoomtish

craigm

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:27:26 +1300

where he said that earthquakes were most likely to happen at the full moon, and the new moon, and two weeks either side. And I guess he’s right, technically

2 weeks either side of a full or new moon covers the entire month! So basically he "predicts" an earthquake for…

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:20:08 +1300

welcome, and welcome

A C Young

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:17:52 +1300

I just wanted to chime in and say that I feel exactly the same way and am doing pretty much everything that you are (bar the Ken Ring thing). I'm also suddenly, desperately, wanting to learn first aid because I can no longer pretend that I will never be in…

giovanni tiso

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:53:49 +1300

Philip Matthews is not only alive, but writing as beautifully as ever.

Yes.

Jackie Clark

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:43:56 +1300

I hadn't heard this, Scott. Thanks for that. He does give good poetry, our man, doesn't he? I still remember the one he wrote for the young man that died at Pike River.

Scott A

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:39:09 +1300

Gary McCormick's poem just now though, was the shit.

What the drummer said to the drum

You miserable low life bastard.
We saw you on the fourth of September,
crawling into town on your spineless spine,
giving us a flick and looking us over.

It was an earthquake then for…

B Jones

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:35:35 +1300

Oh no, they're not predictions. They're "opinions", which means that even when he gets one close to being right, he really shouldn't be taking credit for it. Otherwise he needs to explain all his misses.

Russell Brown

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:30:03 +1300

I’m amazed – and impressed – that Radio New Zealand hasn’t even thought to mention that its staff have no access to their premises in Christchurch.

The building was evacuated on Tuesday and they haven’t been able to get back in. Staff have been working from a motel.

They have…

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:19:24 +1300

the other clanger in Emmas bit about KR

light relief is valuable at times like this

Ross Mason

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:15:12 +1300

Sacha, you missed the other clanger in Emmas bit about KR

earthquakes were most likely to happen at the full moon, and the new moon, and two weeks either side.

Well that doesn't leave too many days left in the lunar month does it. It beggers belief that he has…

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:14:56 +1300

I can’t concentrate on anything

Not alone. Had an AGM to prepare and chair this week and had just got off the phone from a colleague in Chch when the quake hit (she's OK). Saw it all unfold within minutes on Twitter and then TV, horrified. Suffering all around, so…

philipmatthews

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:11:02 +1300

Philip Matthews is not only alive, but writing as beautifully as ever. Philip, if you get the chance to read this, please send me an email. Those are some great photos.

Thanks Matthew. The photos were taken on a mobile — I wasn't sure they were going to work.

I'll…

Sacha

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:03:29 +1300

if it's Acts of God then fuck does he hate churches.

great quote

Karen Crisp

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:06:23 +1300

I too want to thank the PA community for being there, as always but this week in particular. Your warmth, wit and wisdom have been touchstones for a time of dizzy reality and fear.

I too cannot get anything done this week. I went to the supermarket yesterday and…

Robert Urquhart

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:03:18 +1300

I’ve been wondering whether it would be better to run out from under them or run towards the building in the belief that they would come down at an angle

Run away. If the building doesn’t actually come down the most dangerous place to be is right next to it…

Matthew Littlewood

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:37:03 +1300

Philip Matthews is not only alive, but writing as beautifully as ever. Philip, if you get the chance to read this, please send me an email. Those are some great photos.

webweaver

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:43:13 +1300

I’m feeling exactly the same way as you, Hilary.

I’ve managed to get barely any work done this week – I can’t concentrate on anything at all, not even tidying the house or doing the garden. It’s all too much.

I’m becoming more and more frightened just living in Wellington,…

Ross Mason

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:57:59 +1300

The graph is at the top of the page labeled "Daily Energy Release chart". This is the second link above.

The Ring of Dire.
No crater man is he.

Ross Mason

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:35:34 +1300

Which part of "Ken Ring is in lala land" is unclear.

The earthquake movie site has a graph of the numbers of earthquakes and the energy of the quakes since last September. Out of interest Paul Nicholls has added an extra bit of info for the [[http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/dailyEnergy |…

Islander

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:10:53 +1300

Hmm, Twitter feeds?
Werent they like, um faxes?

George Darroch

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:03:55 +1300

Are NatLib archiving Twitter feeds? They're a huge source of information for future readers.

JLM

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:53:56 +1300

I rung my dear friend who lives in Rockinghorse Road last night. After fretting for a couple of days at not knowing how they were doing with probably no power or water, and likely house damage so close to the epicentre, I finally remembered they had a corded phone. They…

Russell Brown

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:51:46 +1300

Damn. The big aftershock earlier has damaged Radio New Zealand House, home to Sound Archives. They’re in a temporary base. No one’s allowed in to see the extent of the damage.

ETA: Okay, damage was done on Tuesday, not in the aftershock.

Jane Pearson

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:50:26 +1300

I too want to thank the PA community for being there, as always but this week in particular. Your warmth, wit and wisdom have been touchstones for a time of dizzy reality and fear.

Patrick Xavier

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:16:38 +1300

More apposite than I recalled. Thanks Russell.

Russell Brown

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:01:57 +1300

Is it time to close this awful week with a reprise of Russell’s introduction to us of Mavis Staples’ “You are not alone”? Feels like it might be as apposite as it was then. Can’t find the link. But can remember the chorus.

Open up this is a raid
I…

Russell Brown

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:59:40 +1300

Also, NatLib attempts to archive the entire NZ Web on a more-or-less annual basis. They recognise that legal deposit doesn’t really work online, so they harvest all .nz sites and those they know about in the gTLD space, like this one. Just so you know…

Yes. I don't even know…

Danielle

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:47:36 +1300

I’m constantly teary

+1, and I'm nowhere near there. Yesterday the flags at half-mast on the Auckland Harbour Bridge totally kicked my ass. I'm just... so sorry.

Kracklite

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:37:57 +1300

[Oh, and literally can't say anything about the Christchurch quake. First, strangely numb, and second, everyone else says so much so well. Love to you all, emotional prostheses that you are.]

Kracklite

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:37:42 +1300

Danke, mein herr. Maybe (no, not maybe) it’s the pessimist in me, but I remember Dmitri Orlov, drawing on his experience of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the decline of civilisation will not be a grand apocalypse (and Patton Oswalt furnishes great imagery: sentient razors that cut into you,…

Hilary Stace

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:35:35 +1300

Ken Ring has a very confusing website, so I'm not sure what he predicted or is predicting. Someone said the 20th March which is the next full moon (sunspots and whale strandings are apparently significant too.) More than happy to forget about it.

But just off to tie up the…

Paul Campbell

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:30:20 +1300

Yeah I know the survivor's guilt thing – we lived in the SF Bay Area for 20 years and knew it was going to happen to us one day (that was supposed to be me up in that pancaked freeway in '89 – I was right there at that time…

Patrick Xavier

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:29:42 +1300

Is it time to close this awful week with a reprise of Russell's introduction to us of Mavis Staples' "You are not alone"? Feels like it might be as apposite as it was then. Can't find the link. But can remember the chorus.

Open up this is a raid
I…

Lara

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:27:49 +1300

I'm afraid that I'm also having huge trouble concentrating & keep forgetting what day it is, have no sense of time etc. I do live in Chch but a) didn't even _feel_ the quake (horse riding is a wonderful thing) and b) never lost power or water where I live on…

Emma Hart

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:18:23 +1300

Hilary? No. I have a quote from Ken Ring somewhere which I'm not going to dig out now, where he said that earthquakes were most likely to happen at the full moon, and the new moon, and two weeks either side. And I guess he's right, technically.

We know what…

Craig Ranapia

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:00:20 +1300

I really don’t want to be used as a political bludgeon right now.

Certainly not – and I was stupid enough to scan post-quake commentary on Kiwibog and the SubStandard. Not as bad as I feared, but still way too much troll farming.