A Year on from the Big One! 22 Feb 12

My brothers place: The Cave Redcliffs

Its the big one year anniversary tomorrow isn't it. Twelve months since the second big earthquake in Christchurch. I wasn't planning on any sort of memorial but as I was reminded by a friend this morning some people are really taking a day out to reflect. I guess we have all been damaged in some way.

The bricks on our house still need repaired, our television has been replaced by EQC, my brothers house is still broken with about 100 tons of rocks sitting on it, my Dad still lives with us after a lucky escape from said house, my daughter is at the same school but still on a different site. The roads are still rooted, the inner city is seemingly at a stand still and everyone is still either happy to be alive, sad at their changed lives or angry at someone......ranging from the council, EQC, insurance company or John Key. Suburbs are disappearing and we all are waiting for the promised boom in the economy.

Personally I'm still waiting for the big one that levels what is left or the tidal wave a big one generates. Call it a fatalistic view (probably reflecting my Army background) but when your number is up it is up. Regardless of the media coverage and emotional hype we'll see, it is a day to remember those who were killed or hurt. I often think of the few I knew and their families.

I'm just glad my family are all alive and we are focusing on the future.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger........."


View my pics and reflections of downtown Christchurch the day of the big quake (link here)

Success is How You Perceive it!

Size does matter.....in the right places?

I think this is a great pictorial of one of the basics of life. Success very much depends upon how you percieve it or measure it.  Family, good mates, a job you love, earning comfortable income and living in New Zealand where everything is at your fingertips is absolute "GOLD". Its not about the material "bling". The last year or more in Canterbury has reminded everyone of us of these things in many ways and we are better for it.

My learning!