RANDOM MEANDERINGS

Indelibly etched into my psyche for the rest of my life, it is nice to see this catastrophic event remembered in Auckland.  The effects of this earthquake and subsequent ones are far reaching - a few of us that work here have family and friends that have suffered and still are suffering on an emotional level. This commemoration is a more low key one than the first commemoration at the museum and rightfully so, we are moving on and the sharp edges of loss, despair and emotional upheaval are blurring a bit...I said ... a bit.  We still have to remember that w e've lost childhood roots and homes, our families and acquaintances have had their social structures torn out from under them, the rebuild is slow and frustrations still torment. It is important to remember to support those still going through turmoil. Nearly to the hour Christchurch earthquake remembered  Part 2 -There was much footage in this that I hadn...

Another recent purchase is this postcard of the Cenotaph at Auckland War Memorial Museum.  I love it! The view is quite different these days because from the level this was snapped at, the trees now block the vista.  This is evidenced in the second photo which I took on 21 April 2012 at the 24th Battalion Beat Retreat . Note the fabulous old vehicle in the background - no doubt it wasn't old then! Now where the car is there is a gun from the HMS New Zealand instead.   Circa 1955 view of the Cenotaph - click picture for larger view    Similar view at the 24th Battalion Beat Retreat - click picture to go to beat retreat set     Written on the reverse is: 23rd Nov. 1955 Dear Jean Well here I am in Auckland.  Had a most enjoyable trip up. My brother arrives here sometime this afternoon. In  the meantime a friend is calling  for me here & we are going out to lunch together. Love to your Mum & Dad....

I can't believe it's a year already! In some ways it's zoomed by ... in others unbearably slow. I wanted to feel connected to Christchurch today.  Not that it is ever far from my mind with so many connections down there still, I figured a good way to feel this would be to do something that the Cantabs are, so I decided to buy some flowers yesterday to put in road cones :) I made little bunches up [6 in all] and attached a card with a few words on each one and then just past midnight, my partner and I drove around and found some cones. It included a trip to the domain ;) The Museum looked beautiful as usual.  I couldn't help thinking about Auckland and its iconic buildings.  I wonder if people in Auckland [or anywhere else actually] stop to think what it may feel like to actually SEE piles of rubble where their "anchors of identity" had once been. What that experience may be like?  I never did pre September 2010 either. ...

It was an interesting exercise and and interesting night. We had our work Christmas function last night. Of course, it only took a couple of days to decide who I would be when I found out the theme was Heroes, Villains and Wannabees. Even on facebook, just dropping a super subtle hint my contacts all yelled out Minnie Dean. Of course I had to bluff that "of course it isn't" LOL as some of my workmates are on there. So yes...it was Minnie Dean and my partner Mike - we had thought we would make him the policeman that arrested me but eventually decided it had to be the hangman Tom Long, the Governmental hangman who was a drunkard and I'm pleased we did because the noose was a lovely accessory :) Minnie was a natural for me. I love social history and she's been someone I've always seemed to have known about especially as I have an even keener interest in the darker side of New Zealand early history. Minnie won me 1st prize as best dressed f...