How have the Christchurch quakes affected you?

**shrub** · 24th June 2011, 23:21

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** · 24th June 2011, 23:48

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** · 25th June 2011, 00:10

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** · 25th June 2011, 00:48

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** · 25th June 2011, 01:24

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

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** · 25th June 2011, 09:12

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

**Spuds1234** · 25th June 2011, 09:35

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** · 25th June 2011, 09:51

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**Kickaha** · 25th June 2011, 10:05

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** · 25th June 2011, 10:39

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 25th June 2011, 11:01

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** · 25th June 2011, 15:32

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

**MIXONE** · 25th June 2011, 15:57

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** · 25th June 2011, 15:57

Originally Posted by 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?

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

(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

**KiwiPhoenix** · 25th June 2011, 16:14

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!