How have the Christchurch quakes affected you?

[shrub]

My partner commented tonight that alcohol consumption in this town has skyrocketed, and about that time I finished my 1L bottle of Beam and started on the Laphroiag. The beer was loooooong gone.

If I'm honest, I'm drinking a lot more, smoking more pot and we all get shitty over nothing and I'm seriously looking at sits vac ads overseas.

So how has this quake hit you?

[Ocean1]

I guess most people could deal with a single event, but the ongoing stress caused by the aftershocks and uncertainty about homes and jobs isn't healthy. If for no other reason than that the authorities need to make some fast decisions, allow people to plan.

You have my sympathy. You also have a bottle of JB black label if you give me an address.

[EJK]

On the negative side, I started to eat more than I used to and do less exercise. I stop bothering cleaning up my room (they'll fall over again so why bother?). But nothing dramatic...

However on the plus side, through out the earthquake events from last September, I started to think about others more. I mean, I wasn't gonna be the one sitting on the couch watching TV while the world go by. I've evidenced hope in this city. I've seen people offering blood donation across the country, donating consumable supplies, rooms avaliable, running free BBQs for the neighbours and volunteers, and offers to use their home land lines. All of that plus more, not mentioning the Student Volunteers and hundreds more silent good samaritans.

By exposed to this and experiencing this on hand, I've also learnt to make the first move when needed (talk the talk, walk the walk). I guess I've become more courageous in some way. For example, people would say "somebody else will do it" or "No ones gonna do that". Well, that "somebody" and "nobody" could be me. Be initiative. Go out there and do it instead complaining about it, you know? I read from somewhere:

"If you care enough to complain about it you should care enough to do something about it, otherwise it would be better to just be quiet about it."

That's damn right.

At the same time I've learnt to become more humble. I started to lay myself down for the others first. Work more and harder, take other's position, lend an extra hand and such. For example, during the volunteer work I would share my drink or a chocolate bar with the others. It's nothing big but hey, it's always pleasant to see someone with a gratitude smile. Now that's a drink worth sharing.

Through out the Feb earthquake, as I was actively part of the Korean Volunteers group, I learnt to take responsibility. That includes keeping promises, being honest, hard working, and not blaming someone else for my fault. Grab balls and be a man, you know?

I've also seen what great people can do. I've seen how influential people do.

I've seen some great people speak by their action, not by their words.

That's all folks.

[onearmedbandit]

For us it's a matter of 'life goes on'. I'm not smoking any more than I normally would, nor drinking any more (considering I might have a couple beers a week). It's not as though we're unaffected by it all though, it saddens me to see what has happened to our, to my, city. It frustrates me on a level too, that some things we took for granted before, like having a CBD and smoothish roads are now gone.

But life has to go on. Regardless of the outcomes from all the meetings, the committees, the think-tanks, my life will go on. For 181 people that day, they didn't get that. So it's a matter (for me) of living for the day, and holding interest in what the future holds in store for Christchurch.

Yes I'm one of those annoying 'always see the positive' type of people.

[jaffaonajappa]

But life has to go on. Regardless of the outcomes from all the meetings, the committees, the think-tanks, my life will go on. For 181 people that day, they didn't get that. So it's a matter (for me) of living for the day, and holding interest in what the future holds in store for Christchurch.

Yes I'm one of those annoying 'always see the positive' type of people.

Mate, this is the attitude that makes our country Great.
I guess we are like the farken Pommie bastards in some respects. During the hard times, we rise and survive. And get the Job done.

[Grubber]

For us it's a matter of 'life goes on'. I'm not smoking any more than I normally would, nor drinking any more (considering I might have a couple beers a week). It's not as though we're unaffected by it all though, it saddens me to see what has happened to our, to my, city. It frustrates me on a level too, that some things we took for granted before, like having a CBD and smoothish roads are now gone.

But life has to go on. Regardless of the outcomes from all the meetings, the committees, the think-tanks, my life will go on. For 181 people that day, they didn't get that. So it's a matter (for me) of living for the day, and holding interest in what the future holds in store for Christchurch.

Yes I'm one of those annoying 'always see the positive' type of people.

Great attitude. I'm living in Pukekohe but am of CHCH deccent. Was born in Ashburton but Chch was my old stomping ground till i moved up here due to work.
I have been up here for about 26 years and i still support the red and blacks strongly. I have a ton of family down in and around Chch, some of whom have suffered house loss and damage etc and some who have been very lucky. None of them have any need to leave. Chch is thier home and thats where they stay.
I would love to move back and be part of the help brigade and or just to live, but with all my immediate family up here now and all thier offspring living here too it makes it rather difficult. I do how ever know that some day i will return.
Hang in there Chch.:2thumbsup

[Spuds1234]

Not really drinking any more than usual. Really Im drinking less at the moment (thats going to change this evening at 6pm though after my last exam).

Life just goes on. The earthquakes dont worry me. House has very minor cosmetic damage but nothing to worry about.

Then again Im about the most easy going person you will ever meet so its kinda to be expected.

[White trash]

For us it's a matter of 'life goes on'. I'm not smoking any more than I normally would, nor drinking any more (considering I might have a couple beers a week). It's not as though we're unaffected by it all though, it saddens me to see what has happened to our, to my, city. It frustrates me on a level too, that some things we took for granted before, like having a CBD and smoothish roads are now gone.

But life has to go on. Regardless of the outcomes from all the meetings, the committees, the think-tanks, my life will go on. For 181 people that day, they didn't get that. So it's a matter (for me) of living for the day, and holding interest in what the future holds in store for Christchurch.

Yes I'm one of those annoying 'always see the positive' type of people.

Hey if you guys ever want a weekend away, you know you're welcome up home.

[Kickaha]

I'm lucky enough that I live out of Christchurch and we generally don't feel anything under about 4.3

There's very little property damage out here and work (in Chch) has been largely unaffected so life pretty much goes on as usual

[shrub]

I guess most people could deal with a single event, but the ongoing stress caused by the aftershocks and uncertainty about homes and jobs isn't healthy. If for no other reason than that the authorities need to make some fast decisions, allow people to plan.

You have my sympathy. You also have a bottle of JB black label if you give me an address.

Mate, you're a legend. My first reaction was to decline, but money is a little tight at the moment because my biggest client has had to wind his business down to maintenance and is working from his spare room instead of 2 floors of an office block in the CBD. I will enjoy Mr Beam's company, but conditional on you accepting a meal/room/hard liquor if you're ever in this town.

And your gesture reflects an attitude that has amazed and heartened me. Over the last 9 months I have watched people from all over NZ put their hands in their pockets for us, open their homes and contributed goods, time, skills and more. In this town some people sit and bleat (including me sometimes), but a hell of a lot of people are doing really awesome stuff. I am doing some business coaching for a pom musician who is a classic example. Since Feb he and his wife and baby have been house sitting because their home is red stickered and as a musician he has lost most of his venues. His response was to write and record a song supporting the All Blacks, and he has just finished a video. He will release it online and all the proceeds will be going to the mayors fund and he whinged and moaned when I told him that he needed to recoup his costs from the proceeds, but I'm bigger than him and he ended up agreeing. Watch out for it, it will be launched soon.

i had a meeting yesterday with one of the top local architects who has volunteered his time for a project i'm working on. People who were once competitors sharing resources, shops clearing space for another retailer to share their premises etc.

It gets overwhelming sometimes and there is always the fear that the next shake will be yet another big one, but there are hundreds of thousands of people in our corner and I know we'll do it.

[Shadowjack]

Sleeping (mostly) OK. Picking up the exercise levels (after an injury). Eating the same.
After this weeks quake, I noticed that I was a little less together than I'd been after previous events, and that went for most at work.
The response from all around NZ has been very heartening.
Shifting from town to a smaller town is a (now much) longer term option (and something I was planning before September), but not any further than a commute.
Other than that, just keeping on, supporting family, friends, and others where I can.

[Katman]

I'm drinking more in support of the people of Christchurch.

[MIXONE]

Even though I'm in Wellywood it has affected me directly.My oldest two kids live there ,as did I for 12 years,so I worry about them.Since the Feb shake my wife has been working in Chchur and when she returns on the weekends she is absolutely shattered from the long hours of work and lack of sleep.I think of you guys down there constantly and the first site I check every morning is Geonet to see what sort of night you have had.Kia kaha guys and I hope Christchurch is rebuilt better then ever before.

[dangerous]

My partner commented tonight that alcohol consumption in this town has skyrocketed, and about that time I finished my 1L bottle of Beam and started on the Laphroiag. The beer was loooooong gone.

If I'm honest, I'm drinking a lot more, smoking more pot and we all get shitty over nothing and I'm seriously looking at sits vac ads overseas.

So how has this quake hit you?

Laphroiag... you bastard ;)
Ok so I just cruse on through the quakes, only cos theres SFA one can do during a quake and reactions after are automatic (part of life now) Yeah Im drinking a bit more than usual but I dont blame the quakes its more the missus and 2 under 3 sprogs doing it to me :scratch: (go on you lot thats been there done that no what I mean)

Stress levels are way up in general, lots of different reasons, most people like the missus now just frezze on the spot till a quake goes then repeats they are sick as hell of them, guess it comes from not knowing if its a biggie or not, hell can we have worse... every chance, but once again theres nothing you can do about it.

W are lucky as hell that so far we are out of the way and not affected like a lot are... having been involved with the construction side of it all no one absalutly no one that hasent seen it for them selves has any idea how bad it actually is.

Friends have left and wont be comming back, good on them and good luck, I have no need to go anywere at the mo no would I be able to so those that can go are lucky to that extent, fuck you HAVE to look on the bright side of it all cos if you dont its going to show its toll.

Now Shrub... hows bout that La froeg :drool:

[KiwiPhoenix]

Like most folk that have come through all the quakes, I can definitely say that yes, they have affected me. I eat less but eat more junk food, so not good for the waistline!

After the Sep quake I was lucky enough to be able to get away for a couple of weeks with my partner and daughter. My partner came back after a few days to go back to work and I went to the doctors and was given meds. Best thing was getting away and getting sleep.

Now the quakes don't bother me as much, they still get my heart going but I don't panic, I take it in my stride. I guess I have to as my young daughter is looking to me for support. She has been lucky that when they have struck she has been asleep and slept through them or been at preschool so doesn't feel them unless they are big ones!

We'll be staying in Chch, this is our home but I have to say after the Sep one, if someone gave me a plane ticket to go back to Scotland, I would have taken it! I have been overwhelmed by the heart of many of the Kiwi's not just in Chch but around the country and it makes me proud to be here amoungst those people!

[shrub]

Now Shrub... hows bout that La froeg :drool:

Any time mate, always keen to share a dram

[scumdog]

Any time mate, always keen to share a dram

Well wait 'til I'm up your way - or save some for me.

As other have said: if you need a break we've always got space, company and calm ground.

AND it's 'only' 270 miles away...doesn't sound as far if you use miles eh!

[neels]

Life goes on.

We're luckier than some, we still have a house that mostly works and still have jobs to go to, the kids have adjusted pretty well to odd school hours.

Living in the orange zone so still waiting for answers, but it's a pretty simple equation, either we get to stay and insurance sorts it or we get the boot in which case we'll make it up as we go along. Either way we will end up moving at some point which will be a pain in the arse.

In the meantime, the booze consumption has probably increased, and the motivation to get out and do anything is definately less. A whole lot of bollocks going on at work doesn't help the situation much either, you'd think they'd have more sense than make a heap of changes that nobody wants right at the moment.

[dangerous]

In the meantime, the booze consumption has probably increased
Living in the orange zone so still waiting for answers, but it's a pretty simple equation, either we get to stay and insurance sorts it or we get the boot in which case we'll make it up as we go along.
the booze consumption has probably increased... thats possible?
From what Ive seen out your way the land in general is ok... I expect tho your pad will be flatened and a new one built... aint waiting a bitch

[Ocean1]

proceeds will be going to the mayors fund

Have you any idea how long it's been since I heard mention of a Mayoral relief fund? My grandmother's neighbour used to save her annual bag of coal to give the old codger up the road. She was in her 90's.

Don't think it ever extended quite so far as a winter dram though, more's the pity.

[neels]

From what Ive seen out your way the land in general is ok... I expect tho your pad will be flatened and a new one built... aint waiting a bitchThere must be more than meets the eye in the red zone along the styx river, a lot of the land and houses across the road from the river look fine, but I can understand the one's who's back yard floods twice a day wanting out.

Had a call from the insurance company the other day and they're still waiting on land decisions before anything happens, they've been more onto it than anyone else in the whole thing, apparently the file is with the quantity surveyors at the moment whatever that means.

At least we managed to get some money out of EQC before Feb happened, so while we're waiting we have some interest working for us.

[Subike]

Living where I do in Wigram Lodge, damage to property is nill, But my room has been shaken up a couple of times. I.ve lost a total of 2 dinner plates, meh.
When I think of what others have lost across the city from me, i feel for them.
I think of all the dreams and hopes for the future that were crushed.
but now replaced with bigger dreams, more powerfull hopes.
Thats where we have all changed, all of us in NewZealand.
Before the Sept quakes, and the following shakes rattles, big bangs, crumblings . pain and suffering...we were all comfortably rolling along, complacent in the fact we lived in a high quality country. Seperated by distance from the rest of the worlds troubles, wars, poverty and discomfort.
Well now we have a taste of it, and look what has happened.
We again have become the community that overcomes.
We now have bigger hopes, bigger plans for the future.
Those who look at the down side of this, IMO are those who looked in that direction before the quakes. ( as another aftershok rattles the city 5.50pm)
We as a community now sit at the edge of a new period of history for NZ.
Has it effected me, Yup . I have stopped smoking.
Shift? Never, this is canterbury, this is home, my future and my grandchildrens future is here. Rebuilding is the only choice.
Kiwi's can do anything, lets show the world how well we can do it.

[ellipsis]

...i reckon my lap times will drop a bit...i lived for my frights on the track...the bar has now been risen by a notch or two, and the lax promises of twenty years to my girl about doing up the house have been fulfilled...no choice on the matter...i have watched my 17 yr old son turn into a switched on leader type and leave me for dead when the shit has hit the fan and having a daughter and grandkids living in Sth Brighton between the beach and the estuary leaves me with a hollow helpless feeling before i sleep at night...


...hasn't enhanced my view of the state of our elected reps, difficult as it is to differentiate between worms... and pointed out how inadequate they are...

[fuknKIWI]

The quakes have affected me mostly vicariously, my elderly mother was largely unaffected until feb22 then she was made homeless. We had her over here in WA for 6 weeks that helped her settle down a bit but she was itching to get back to sort out her house & her beloved bling. Her guardian angel has had her in a chair for the 2 biggest shakes, keeping her injury free. From here it's a helpless feeling being only able to give moral support to my friends & family is Shakytown. I'll be back to help Mum move when we can get into a new residence, it hurts that all this has taken a toll on her well being but at least we're in a position of being able to count our blessings. My compassion goes out to all of CHCH especially those doing it hard.
All this has re-awakened an urge to come back to the land of RED & BLACK
KIA KAHA

[98tls]

Canterbury born n bred but living South,spending a lot of time going back and forth keeping tabs on my old mum,shes pretty staunch on top but underneath scared shitless and has gone back to sleeping in her clothes after the latest effort.Will she consider moving?hell no shes a Cantab and well proud.Fwiw go Canterbury tonight eh:banana:Nice to see nobodys taken the 1st option re poll.

[dangerous]

my elderly mother was largely unaffected until feb22 then she was made homeless. We had her over here in WA for 6 weeks that helped her settle down a bit but she was itching to get back to sort out her house & her beloved bling.
From here it's a helpless feeling being only able to give moral support to my friends & family is Shakytown. I'll be back to help Mum move when we can get into a new residence,
Hey man, if ya mum needs a hand with anything or ya need me to call in on her just ask (not sure if you have other family here to do that) and let us know when ya over here.

[fuknKIWI]

Thanks mate, yes we do have family & friends who are & have been there for her.
It's heartening to see the ANZAC spirit is alive & well, that is what will help everyone pull through:2thumbsup

[fuknKIWI]

Canterbury born n bred but living South,spending a lot of time going back and forth keeping tabs on my old mum,shes pretty staunch on top but underneath scared shitless and has gone back to sleeping in her clothes after the latest effort.Will she consider moving?hell no shes a Cantab and well proud.Fwiw go Canterbury tonight eh:banana:Nice to see nobodys taken the 1st option re poll.

Yep to that, I abstained from voting as there's not quite the right option for my circumstance.
Go the Crusaders & go the oldies...

[98tls]

Yep to that, I abstained from voting as there's not quite the right option for my circumstance.
Go the Crusaders & go the oldies...

On ya fella,bling sent.Nice.And yep the Crusaders did good.:banana:

[MIXONE]

On ya fella,bling sent.Nice.And yep the Crusaders did good.:banana:

They are the epitomy of the Cantab spirit.The hardest road of any team in the Super 15 and they will come out winners.I'm sure they use the fact of bouying up local spirits as an inspiration.

[AllanB]

Interesting post.

My house was fairly seriously F'ed in September. But it is livable and we have power, water and a working loo (don't know how as we have had lateral spreading of 650-700mm so buggered if I know how the old pipes are hanging together!).

Zero support from employer after Sept.

Feb - bit more house damage but same old same old. Work in the CBD so shut out.

Working from home with my staff spread from Oxford to Rolleston. Shit arse, self centred company owner only concerned with his own ego and refusing to regroup the business in one spot and hell bent on working from the CBD in a building that has sunk into the ground! Consequently after working there over 20 years and running it for him for a dozen of them I threw it in 3 months after Feb quake due to being treated like shit and running across Canterbury to keep his business alive.

New job in a totally unrelated field. Great employer and I'm doing positive work actively helping people.

First week at the new job my daughter tells me it is nice to have me happy again.

So things are picking up.

Earlier this week my insurance company has a positive chat about the house.

Thursday, Govt sticks the land in the Orange Zone. :(

More waiting (from September you understand).

Good days far outweigh the bad and we are a lot better off than thousands.

I do drink more - not sure if this is good or bad :killingme

I have noticed that as a result of the quakes and shit I've seen and been through I have unconsciously decided that things I'm passionate about are being actively supported. Consequently there have been a few packages of goodies arriving for the bike over the past 4 months :2thumbsup It's like, FUCK it, enjoy what I enjoy and improve if I can to enjoy it more.

Loyality to Christchurch. It has gone. Give me enough $ and I'm out of here to somewhere that will give my kids a more positive, secure(ish) future.

[fuknKIWI]

On ya fella,bling sent
Ta ding (the sound of a penny dropping) I guess I' ve finally spent too much time on here:facepalm:

[98tls]

Ta ding (the sound of a penny dropping) I guess I' ve finally spent too much time on here:facepalm:

:2thumbsup:rofl:..................

[oldrider]

Interesting post.

My house was fairly seriously F'ed in September. But it is livable and we have power, water and a working loo (don't know how as we have had lateral spreading of 650-700mm so buggered if I know how the old pipes are hanging together!).

Zero support from employer after Sept.

Feb - bit more house damage but same old same old. Work in the CBD so shut out.

Working from home with my staff spread from Oxford to Rolleston. Shit arse, self centred company owner only concerned with his own ego and refusing to regroup the business in one spot and hell bent on working from the CBD in a building that has sunk into the ground! Consequently after working there over 20 years and running it for him for a dozen of them I threw it in 3 months after Feb quake due to being treated like shit and running across Canterbury to keep his business alive.

New job in a totally unrelated field. Great employer and I'm doing positive work actively helping people.

First week at the new job my daughter tells me it is nice to have me happy again.

So things are picking up.

Earlier this week my insurance company has a positive chat about the house.

Thursday, Govt sticks the land in the Orange Zone. :(

More waiting (from September you understand).

Good days far outweigh the bad and we are a lot better off than thousands.

I do drink more - not sure if this is good or bad :killingme

I have noticed that as a result of the quakes and shit I've seen and been through I have unconsciously decided that things I'm passionate about are being actively supported. Consequently there have been a few packages of goodies arriving for the bike over the past 4 months :2thumbsup It's like, FUCK it, enjoy what I enjoy and improve if I can to enjoy it more.

Loyality to Christchurch. It has gone. Give me enough $ and I'm out of here to somewhere that will give my kids a more positive, secure(ish) future.

We thought that we had empathy with Christchurch people and understood their plight until this week during the peak of the cold blast!

Our village water system broke down and was out of service for the 24 hours of the cold blast.

We could not stoke up the fire because no water for the wetback which heats up pretty fast.

The heat pumps were struggling in the cold temperatures -10C.

Couldn't flush the toilets, couldn't wash dishes, couldn't this, couldn't that!

Ran out of drinking water. (and that's just the water system!)

Even so "we" were still relatively comfortable and didn't get any snow, just cold.

Then the news came on and we saw what some of the Christchurch people were "still" suffering and now on top of all that they are surrounded with snow, ice and bloody freezing flooding!

Our situation, though bloody inconvenient, was at least only temporary, the poor buggers in Christchurch have had it worse for almost a year and no improvement likely in the near future!

Our empathy went out the window, we were reduced to tears for them, how trapped they must feel too!

We know most of the country feels for Christchurch but my god we don't know what it actually must feel like!

What can we say or do?

While words are obviously inadequate good luck to you Christchurch people, we wish there was more we could do for you but spose it is just the luck of the draw!

There but for the grace of God, go I. :facepalm:

[dangerous]

Thing is John... for most it is now an aceptable way of life, ya just get on and do it, spose those in that situation try there best not to think out side of chch.

[scumdog]

Thing is John... for most it is now an aceptable way of life, ya just get on and do it, spose those in that situation try there best not to think out side of chch.


Take my hat off to *ya - I might have bailed by now..

*Ya must be bloody mad to put up with it for so long!

[onearmedbandit]

Thing is John... for most it is now an aceptable way of life, ya just get on and do it, spose those in that situation try there best not to think out side of chch.

Totally agree with you there D. We're off to Melbourne soon for a few days, staying in the CBD, will be walking around a city that functions etc, suburbs that are 'normal', should be pretty surreal.

[fuknKIWI]

Totally agree with you there D. We're off to Melbourne soon for a few days, staying in the CBD, will be walking around a city that functions etc, suburbs that are 'normal', should be pretty surreal.
Just remember EVERYBODY HATES COLLINGWOOD:innocent:


I'm flying in to CHCH this weekend to help my old Mum shift to another house.
I'm happy enough to be there to help out but bracing myself for the immersion in the chaos.
Also a great place to bring a cold to:angry:

[ellipsis]

...we all got fucked up by it, in some measure...a news flash of a destroyed big town in the US by a tornado, to me, pre september last year would have got a 'wow, poor bastards' response...now its an empathic feeling of their dread and horror and a greater respect for our minuteness in the whole scheme...as old Fred Nietzsche once nattered...that which does not kill us makes us stronger...he also said....Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent....observant chap, apparently...

[specter]

wheres the vote for live in chch but not affected? but supporting those who have?

[Oakie]

And there's always a bright side. My mother-in-law hasn't visited for nearly a year!

Seriously ... when the February stuff went down I did some soul searching and came to the conclusion that I didn't have to have everything fixed straight away. I just had to have the inner strength to deal with the situation until it was fixed.

[helenoftroy]

As most of you know - I left & wont live in Christchurch again

All was fixable & survivable after September,February destroyed my house & gardens & $10k+ of my contents,dear friends were killed & I just didnt want to stay anymore.

Life was really really hard in ChCh at times,& I will have to deal with the ongoing frustrations of land remediation(green-zoned but significant damage)rebuilding,then trying to sell a property that I am unlikely ever to make a capital gain on.

I live in a new house in a simply stunning location & are coming to grips with a new job.For me,leaving ChCh for this new life was the right choice & I am very happy :sunny:

[Oakie]

As most of you know - I left & wont live in Christchurch again

Some people decided to leave. Some people decided to stay. They all made the right decision.

[dangerous]

then trying to sell a property that I am unlikely ever to make a capital gain on. dont need a quake to do that tho in this country, we paid 335 and the best offer has been 250... and that was pre quake, only advantage is I expect prices will start rising soon as people get paid out,




I'm flying in to CHCH this weekend to help my old Mum shift to another house.
I'm happy enough to be there to help out but bracing myself for the immersion in the chaos.
Also a great place to bring a cold to:angry:

Cant speek for all of course but theres bugger all chaos to us, over sized dump trucks, cranes, tempory fencing, road closures, empty sections, calopsed buildings, porta loos, water signs, wast tanks, tarped up roofs, proped up fences, roughed up roads etc all the norm... hmm will be interesting hearing how you find it.


I live in a new house in a simply stunning location & are coming to grips with a new job.For me,leaving ChCh for this new life was the right choice & I am very happy :sunny:
awesome, good to here H

[avgas]

We have a 1 month old son at home and my dad is stuck in Chch working (or at least trying) on getting your sewage up to spec.

After the big one, I have new found respect for him. Not running but grabbing his team of guys and tools and running into the redzone to save as many as he could. It was crazy because I could not contact him while he was saving people for a those 3 days.

Its a great thing having your hero as a true hero.

Thinking of you Chch. I still believe you guys should be allowed to move out of there (the govt deal sucks). Hang in there. While I am fucked up with the fact that I have Dad's newborn grandson at home and he has only seen him once. It sobers me to know that his 12 hours shifts, 7 day weeks are helping you guys out.
You need the help more than me.

[shrub]

We've pretty well decided to bugger off in a year or so as I still have 6 - 9 months of study left. I really can't be arsed with living here any more, it was never my dream home and there was a lot I didn't really like so time for a change. There are a lot more opportunities for me professionally in Auck and Welly than down here, and even more in Aussie. We're planning an exploratory trip to OZ early next year and will make a call after that.