Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: Refugee Status

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  • Paul Campbell,

    walking through the local CountDown here in Dunedin today was interesting, looked like a going out of business sale, 1/3 of the shelves were empty - but with signs saying that the contents had been sent to Christchurch

    looking more closely at what was empty and what was not it would appear that you must be out of cheap champagne

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    looking more closely at what was empty and what was not it would appear that you must be out of cheap champagne

    Our local Countdown is short on chips, fizzy-drink, flour and bog-roll.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    checking the shelves you appeared to already have 90% of our bog-roll ... perhaps you could scrounge from Wellington in the next round ....

    Strangely you also seem to have taken all our cold beer, but none of the warm stuff - bastards!

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    I was just inspecting my house foundations (and feeling a little glum) when this parcel was delivered by courier from PA reader Ross Mason.

    It contained a hammer to replace the one that I'd dropped down the chimney, multi-grips (which Ross had telepathically ascertained that I'd broken yesterday when failing to fix my leaking HWC), some duct tape (I've used all of mine), a tube of No More Gaps for humorous effect, and some delicious Kit-Kat bars with instructions to take a break (I immediately did so).

    The hammer was, in fact, much better than the one I'd dropped down the chimney (it features fancy anti-vibration technology) and I only now regret that I didn't inform Ross that I'd dropped my bench-saw and table-router down the chimney as well.

    Further thanks to everyone for all your kind emails (which I'm slowly working through replying). What a nice bunch you all are -- especially Ross, of course! A very big 'thank you, dude' to him!

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    I was just inspecting my house foundations (and feeling a little glum) when this parcel was delivered by courier from PA reader Ross Mason.

    Ross, you bloody legend, how wonderful.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    David and Ross - that makes me go "aaww" :-)

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I checked my emergency kit last week, and found all my water and food had long since passed its use-by date. But the toilet paper lasts forever. It also weighs nothing.

    I did, however, realize my house contains enough alcohol to keep the family alive for weeks.

    Makes me think that a better strategy than a dedicated emergency kit is simply to always keep a buffer of supplies. This also has the advantage of being a more cost effective way to buy food - when you see discounts, buy them and store them separately. Only applies to storable items, of course.

    Edit: This strategy also helps with the most likely kind of emergency, one that used to happen to me about once a month - running out of stuff at inconvenient times. I keep a spare, full bottle of gas for the BBQ at all times now. I'm thinking during the blackouts after a disaster that could prove to be very valuable.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    'Alive', or 'lively'?

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    'Alive', as in life of the party?

    A buffer of supplies is always an excellent idea. Like a Mormon-style apocalypse pantry, but a bit less apocalyptic, not least for the bank account.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Something I've been pondering while lounging in the sun today. Now things are going back to "normal", how would Chch PASsers feel about meeting up for quiet drinks in the (hopefully) sun, say this coming Saturday afternoon?

    Normally I'd suggest the central city for ease of getting to and from - the Dux, or apparently the Lanes is okay and the Twisted Hop is nice when the weather's good. But if people don't feel comfortable in there yet we could go somewhere like No4.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    I'd be in and I'm comfortable with being in town. A family-friendly event/venue would better promote harmony in my my home if possible (or desirable for others).

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    . . . the Lanes is okay and the Twisted Hop is nice when the weather's good.

    An inspired suggestion, though with the current uncertainty I have no idea how things will have panned out by Saturday. In the meantime, thanks for being your usual beacon-of-sanity self.

    The Hop was very nice on Saturday afternoon, it felt great to be back in town with things more or less normal, especially after having spent the previous 3 nights here. While I'd much rather have been left in my own home, emergency services did a great job of feeding & sheltering a hugely disparate bunch. The general sense of goodwill was heartening. I have pretty mixed feelings, though, about this.

    While the woman who seems to have become the public face for the offended group was pretty conspicuous, and did appear to be assisting in sorting the stacks of donated clothing, I had a couple of very unpleasant run-ins on Friday with two nasty little wannabe bullies, both of whom vanished after the sudden police sweep through the place later that afternoon. From the accounts of others, I wasn't the only one. Having a visible mobile phone or MP3 player seemed to excite some very unwelcome attention for a while there.

    There was an emergency meeting held at 4.00pm that day where everyone was asked to re-register. Many of those present seemed fearful and unnerved, and wanted reassurance that the "family" had really been sent packing. Management, if that's the right word, handled things pretty nicely and played the episode down.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    You have mixed feelings, Joe? Were the bullies perhaps some rotten apples and the turfing of the entire family OTT in hindsight?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    I just don't know Ben. There were supposedly around 30 of them, and who's to say that there wasn't some genuine need among their number. With the gang thing it only gets murkier, as - in my humble but bitter experience of such things - it's about largely male bullying and extortion conducted from behind the shield of women and children.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    "it's about largely male bullying and extortion conducted from behind the shield of women and children."

    That's been my limited experience also, Joe.
    And you put your taua - with a truly beautiful chin moko - up front for the photogenic purposes, and choose quite carefully which house is opened to the press...I may be making a wrong assumption, but I take it that was a whanau group of 30 - not 30 people living in the same house? In fact, that was what the press reported - 'houses.'

    One of the things I loathe about gangs (there are many things I loathe about gangs) is the outright hatred of women.

    This is NOT a traditional attitude.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Enjoy. It's what I would term - useful humour.

    I think I might have to put in a claim for a Kitkat from the Courier. It looks like either one was eaten or all 3 did not get there! Or is the "missing" one the one you "shared" with Bob before taking the piccie?

    After I packed and sent it I realised I had forgotten to attach a long piece of string to the handle of the hammer.....just in case you know....

    You were going to repile anyway weren't you David.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    The Hop was very nice on Saturday afternoon, it felt great to be back in town with things more or less normal, especially after having spent the previous 3 nights here.

    Good to know you're back home, Joe.

    I've just received news which ensures I must drink on Saturday - good news, my friend from the Ministry of Redacted is coming to visit.

    I love the Hop, though outside at the Dux may afford more room for Isabel's children to run about. I'm easy either way.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    Ross Mason wrote:

    I think I might have to put in a claim for a Kitkat from the Courier. It looks like either one was eaten or all 3 did not get there!

    Hang up your phone call to the courier, Ross! I confess that a Kitkat was eaten at the letterbox -- it was that sort of morning. We felt much better immediately it was gobbled down, even though it slightly spoilt the photograph.

    A string is a very fine idea; the new hammer will be equipped with string of the highest quality, I assure you.

    You were going to repile anyway weren't you David.

    I wish I was. One of the things I loved about the house was how straight it still was after 100 years. Whenever I was using my builder's level I would lay it along the floor just for kicks, and feel good about the foundations.

    Happy memories...

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    Joe Wylie wrote:

    ... having spent the previous 3 nights here.

    If anything else unexpected happens then just pop down the road to us, Joe. We have a spare room (recently declared earthquake-safe) with your name on it.

    We'd be delighted to put you up for as long as it takes -- and, of course, Bob would be delighted to converse about Tove Jansson with you at great (not to say excessive) length.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Jeez David, I'm trying to build a case to be allowed back home to Avonside. If they twig that I have somewhere else to go . . .

    Seriously, you're too kind. I'm passably comfy in Beckenham at the moment, thanks to the wider whanau, but I miss my stuff etc. And there's you & yours scrabbling in the silt over food parcels. Wasn't that what Lost was largely about? Anyway the multi-grips were a great touch, that Ross Mason's coolness is something else.

    There were - probably still are - people at Addington Raceway who were just too scared to go home, and others from places like Bexley and Burwood, with young families, whose homes are literally wrecked. They're pretty well fed, but the first night there weren't enough mattresses. Worst privation is having to take a group bus trip to Hillmorton for showers. Being able to take a nice long one whenever you please is a wonderful wonderful thing.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    The rights & wrongs of the Martins aside, we just shouldn't know who they are.
    Civil Defense shouldn't have the media inside the centre.
    If they want to go out side to the footpath and have a chat in public space, good on them, but not inside a relief centre.
    It was an invasion of their privacy.

    Look after yourself Joe.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Urquhart,

    Now things are going back to "normal", how would Chch PASsers feel about meeting up for quiet drinks in the (hopefully) sun, say this coming Saturday afternoon?

    Drat, I'm in Dunedin this weekend. Still sounds like a good idea :)

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2009 • 163 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    The rights & wrongs of the Martins aside, we just shouldn't know who they are.
    Civil Defence shouldn't have the media inside the centre.
    If they want to go out side to the footpath and have a chat in public space, good on them, but not inside a relief centre.
    It was an invasion of their privacy.

    That was my first thought when Bob Parker was hamming it up in front of people having to look their worst for the camera.Thought it pretty cruel to subject anyone homeless/refugee to the media spotlight.
    One further interview with Bob about civil Defence had a guy behind him doing actual Civil Defence work, rolling his eyes at the performance going on in front of him. At least that's what I understood.
    Another was,when Bob flexing his muscle again, Fire! can anyone tell me if we have water. I thought the firemen were sorting that out, but where would we be without Bob, Action man. Agent Orange!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    but where would we be without Bob, Action man. Agent Orange!

    The weedy killer?

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Kris V,

    oops been afk a few days due to being forced from my home after a structural engineer deemed it too dodgy to live in.
    Still waiting for a visit from EQC... the house is still standing, although if they wait too much longer before visiting, it may not be.

    I'm already planning to get drunk on Saturday night - a combination of "we survived a shite week" and "it's my birthday". Both extremely good reasons and I plan to behave badly.

    with any luck we'll be all moved into a rental property by the end of this week and I won't have to rely on dodgy motel wireless internet.

    hope all fellow Cantabs (& their houses) are holding up ok :)

    Shakeytown • Since Nov 2008 • 61 posts Report Reply

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