8mm Forum: NZ Earthquake

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Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on February 27, 2011, 09:25 PM:

Sorry if anyone is trying to E-Mail me as the house and everything in it is damaged. Compared to the September quake this one was more violent and sadly this time loss of life. The part of the city where we live was one area that was badly hit, however we are fortunate to be alive many are not. At the time it hit I was at the movies in our local shopping mall, the violence of this shake was extreme with ceiling tiles falling down on folk and broken water lines, when we got out of the cinema the mall looked liked a bomb had gone off with glass everywhere. The roads were flooded with silt being pushed up with damaged cars in holes everywhere. Our house seems to be sinking however the last few days we have been removing this very smelly thick silt about one foot of it. While I was on the street dumping this stuff a voice behind me said do you want a hand the next thing this person said help is on the way. I was over the moon, the farmers from out of town had come to the city to help, they were brilliant and I am extremely greatfull for there help, they even brought a water tanker we couldn't ask for more. Later that day the army arrived with hot food being flown in, the help has been amazing. Many people on our street have left as with no power or water there is little point staying as for us, the first few nights were not easy trying to sleep with constant after shocks you can hear them coming some gave us a good rattle and some not. Today I am at work across the other side of town we are running kids movies during the day, I spoke to a young family today, mum was treating her son to a birthday outing I asked how they had got on she said they had lost the house and was not sure of the future sadly a lot of people are in that position.

Graham.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on February 27, 2011, 10:35 PM:

I'm sorry to here your misfortune. When the earthquake was reported I thought about you and was looking for the last post about the September one but couldn't find it. Hope all works out well eventually.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on February 28, 2011, 03:54 AM:

Graham,

Good to hear from you; my thoughts have been very much in your direction since the news broke.
All the best with the recovery of your home (or as much of it as can be saved); with the help coming in, let's hope this can become a memory sooner rather than later.

Claus.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on February 28, 2011, 05:12 AM:

Hi Graham

You are in my prayers.

Pat DAlessio

Posted by Antonio Costa Mota (Member # 221) on February 28, 2011, 01:40 PM:

Hi Graham
You and your family are alive and well thank God. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many others.
I hope you can achieve a quick recovery of your home.
Bless you. Antonio

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 28, 2011, 02:25 PM:

Hi Graham,

I've been thinking of you quite a bit these last few days. I guess your news could be much worse, and yet could be much better too.

You will be in my prayers as well. I hope you, your family and your neighbors are able to return to normal life as soon as possible.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 28, 2011, 04:25 PM:

Hi Graham,
Like everyone else here, upon hearing of the earthquake my first thought was the hope that you and your family were safe and that you escaped any serious property damage. Well you are all safe and that is great. I am really sorry though to hear of the damage to your home. I have been through all that during the 2005 Florida Hurricane season, although I supect the damage we got was much less serious than what you are now facing. But, property can be replaced or repaired, and in a few months you will hopefully be back to normal. In the meantime, best of luck to you my friend.
Paul

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on February 28, 2011, 05:51 PM:

Thanks Everyone
In less than an hour we will be stopping for a two minutes of silence for those that lost there lives.

At the moment all schools are closed and many parents are unable to work as the centre of the city is of limits. Yesterday when I spoke to that family I really felt for them when the young girl said there home was full of sewerage, so the effect on kids going through this is bad. As mentioned its not buildings but people that are important, things like a simple hug can mean a lot. Everyone is under a lot of stress and where we live digging a hole out back to go to the toilet is the only option. Across the city where I work where everything is working its like a different world to where we live. Reading some of the stories of of those who have lost there lives is terrible. This city will be re-built but the thinking behind it will change as much of this place was built on swamp long ago.

The farmers and everyone involved in helping have been great and once again thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Graham.

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on March 04, 2011, 04:08 AM:

Had a wee yarn with Graham today.Glad to hear his cheery voice again,;-) Also very glad to hear that amongst the chaos his family is bearing up. Graham was projecting "True Grit" when the quake struck.He and the audience must have felt they were in a 3D version of 2012!
We are thinking of you and yours,
Trev

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 04, 2011, 01:32 PM:

Thanks Trevor
I was watching "True Grit" at Reading in Shirley not projecting it "never saw the end" [Smile]

This morning the heavy stuff is digging up the road the work crews are doing a great job fixing things, however the damage to this side of the city is extensive anything underground sewage, water, power cables are wrecked and everywhere the ground is uneven. Chemical toilets are coming from China and will be distributed over the weekend.

Graham.

Posted by Colin Robert Hunt (Member # 433) on March 04, 2011, 02:05 PM:

Hi Graham

Glad that you and your family are alright. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the people of Christchurch and New Zealand. I am so glad that at least things are beginning to happen. I watched the news on our local tv station and the pictures around Christchurch brought tears to my eyes. There is no way that I can imagine how I would feel in your position, but wish you and all the citizens of Christchurch our best wishes.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on March 04, 2011, 02:37 PM:

Hi Colin,

One of old members, how are you? It has been so long not to see you. Your last post was 3 years ago. Where have you been. Remember that you send "Wild Geese" for me in Fiji? Now I have moved to Toronto.

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Graham, I used to be in the Pacific islands, so very understand how is the region. At least, I have a sentimental reason with the area, because my son was born there. Please send my deepest sympathy to those victim in Christchurch.

Posted by Colin Robert Hunt (Member # 433) on March 05, 2011, 01:44 PM:

Hi Wimbert. I remember sending you the film. Have been off the Internet for a while. I realised you have noved to Canada. Will send you a personal message to keep this thread on track.

Posted by Kevan Ellis (Member # 1232) on March 05, 2011, 08:03 PM:

Hi Graham
Glad to hear you are still with us.
Kevan

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 06, 2011, 06:33 PM:

Thanks Everyone
Still no chemical toilet or water yet [Frown]

solar heated shower bags are all the rage at the moment "camping stuff" but cant get one. As its raining I might stand in the street and get a free one. [Smile]

Last week we had strong winds which stirred up the silt into a dust storm and over the weekend it was rain, with little or no drainage that meant flooding so does anyone on this forum like to buy a cheap house [Roll Eyes]

At the moment the cinema where I work is the only one in the city that is still operating and as a result its been busy with kids films during the day and more adult stuff at night. Around 7.30pm on Saturday we were getting ready for the last sessions when I noticed the masking swinging and the place jumping around a bit, turned out to be a 4.8 "a good shake" however people were not put of and the evening sessions still ran, anything stronger and we would have called it quits.

I must admit by the end of the night I cant wait to get out of the place, being up in that projection room is downright spooky. I have been their during a number of strong after shocks since September and its not the place to be.

Tonight we are heading out of town to people we know "20 minute drive" that have water that flows a shower that works and a toilet that flushes something to look forward to, dont you think... luxury at last [Smile]

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts its very much appreciated.

Regards Graham.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on March 07, 2011, 02:35 AM:

Graham, our thoughts go out to you. It has been massive news here in Australia. You've had quakes, we've had fires and floods!

I understand that it takes a long time for the basics of normal life to return; long after the media have gone.....we'll be thinking of you.

David

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 07, 2011, 08:39 AM:

Hi Graham,
So sorry to hear about all this, and hoping things improve rapidly for you in the very near future.
Without meaning to trivialize your situation in any way, but I was wondering if your beautiful home theater and films and equipment survived the quake, or is it all lost.

Paul

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 07, 2011, 02:42 PM:

Hi David
I was speaking to the mall manager last week and he mentioned a large number of people getting passports. I think many will be heading for Australia or other parts of NZ to live and I dont blame them. Things will improve but the damage is not just to property but the land we sit on. Many parts of this city was built on a swamp and thats the problem, that land is unstable. I looked at our neighbours house yesterday and its a mess everything is out of shape nothing is level and it looks like a write of. Our place is not as bad but has dropped down at the front quiet a bit, with a dangerous and deep sink hole just out front. The water table is just below us so am not sure how safe the ground is at the moment and with constant after shocks if its being undermined.

Hi Paul
Our wee home cinema out the back survived much better than the house. When I did the foundation for the new projection room I overdid things acording to my wife, almost a foot deep of steel re-enforced concrete and over 100 meters of framing timber just for the projection box alone. Even the little cinema when it was built at the time, was way overdone according to some experts. The ground has lifted it and its lopsided and the wet silt got in but its still there [Smile]

Although well shaken and everthing had gone flying its now up and running. I was really surprised at the Panasonic VP that it still goes no problem [Smile]

even a small TV that had flown of a shelf and landed almost 6 feet onto the ground still works fine, been very lucky.

In time things like buildings will be sorted but the people that lost their lives 166 so far and the families effected are the ones I really feel for.

Graham.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 16, 2011, 08:23 PM:

Just a wee update, today for the first time since the earthquake I tried the GS1200 and ran some film through it and it still goes. The projectors seem fine and I am very surprised that none of them fell down, they should have as mostly everything else did. I was lucky that the door to the projection box was shut and the wet silt "liquefaction" never made it to the films that were lying in there on the ground. With the Ernemann 35mm I had dyno bolted it to the concrete floor so it was ok. I was very lucky with the GS1200 but its going to be fastened a lot better for future use. Its strange as with the house some things went flying others didn't even the wall oven came half way out "and that takes a bit" must be the way the place was hit. The speakers come down, one was broken in bits, but wood glue did the trick and its back up again. [Smile]

As for our wee home cinema it is lopsided but we will live with it. I was given some old carpet so the old wet stuff is gone and the place is fine. Well I have a list of things to do. The corrugated iron arrived today for the roof of our house as the chimney had fallen over so its my job to get up there remove the temporary cover and fix it although hopefully I might get to watch some more films later tonight.

Graham.

Posted by Colin Robert Hunt (Member # 433) on March 17, 2011, 04:28 PM:

Hi Graham. Glad at least you have some facilities to run on. I am so pleased at least you and your family are safe. It is nice to hear from you and our prayers and thoughts are dirested to you and the people of Christchurch from the people of Great Britain. Very nice to hear from you.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 17, 2011, 05:34 PM:

Way to go Graham! Nothing like a good film show to reduce the stress of life a bit! [Smile]

So glad to hear your films and equipment are OK.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on March 17, 2011, 09:15 PM:

Good man, Graham! Keep 'em rolling. Very glad to hear your Ernemann came through well; a little harder to replace than many machines.

All the best to you and your family, and godspeed with the recovery,

Claus.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 20, 2011, 09:16 PM:

Thanks Everyone [Smile]

A certain person out here in NZ had made a prediction that on March 20th "yesterday" or close to it that we were going to get a big earthquake, although there was no scientific evidence to back it up many believed him. Over the weekend at work the young staff at the cinema asked me my thoughts. I said its total rubbish and people should not be so gullible, anyway as the weekend wore on everything was fine until Sunday night. With only an hour out from finishing I said to the cashier...I told you so nothing would happen...just at that moment the cinema and office started shaking [Eek!]

and it was a good one a 5.1...anyway I checked the cinemas and everyone seemed fine after the movies came out I asked some folk did you feel it. Yes they certainly did was the answer, what was it 4 or 5 they asked as we are now all experts at guessing, anyway so much for my earlier comments [Roll Eyes]

but I am very glad it did not happen during the daytime when we were busy with "Rango" and the kids sessions.

On the home front the Earthquake Commission have done an early assessment of our house and have told us that repairs are likely to exceed $100.000 so its all down to those people and insurance to decide our fate, anyway I am putting on "Logan's Run" on Blu-ray tomorrow night "better quality than the dvd" for some of the staff at work who are fans of the movie in our wee home cinema so does anyone else want to come [Smile]

well once again thanks for your thoughts its very much appreciated.

Graham.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 21, 2011, 12:52 PM:

Hope you dont mind me adding this but its been a lesson from the earthquake to us here as to how precious water is. We were so used to turning on a tap and there it was, took it for granted and never gave it a thought. The last month without it, up to last weekend we had to walk to a nearby mini tanker or drive to fill up containers. From that experence we found we had to be very carefull on how we used the water, to make it last, and how much we use in general it was a real eye opener as to how much we must have been using. As human beings we all need it to survive and over last month a greater appreciation of it and to be less wastefull has really sunk in. Even though we have it flowing through the taps once again its been a lesson on how important water is to our survival for all of us on this planet.

Graham.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on March 21, 2011, 03:27 PM:

Very true Graham,

Water is #2 on the hierarchy of things we need right behind air and right before food.

It's a big deal being able to turn a valve and have it come flowing out whenever we want it to.

We have no idea how liberating it is for us not to have to spend a great deal of time either getting it or worrying about not getting it, and having it not show up deadly to us when it does.

-Sad to say, in most times and places this is life as normal. Our ancestors didn't invent beer so they could have a cold one by the pool: it was simply a way to kill the cooties in their drinking water. Even children drank amounts of alcohol that would lay a modern man flat on his back, because they developed a tolerance to it. (Good Lord! What did it take to get one of 'em drunk?!) For better or worse most of them didn't live long enough for their livers to get back at them for it.

Nostalgia, anyone?

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 22, 2011, 07:50 AM:

Hello Graham. Just wanted to add that we have been thinking of you all and continue to do so.

Steve. Isn’t it a case that we all take so much for granted in life, then when its not there we come to realise just what we have taken for granted. Some years ago there was a good documentary about the giving of alcohol to children which opened my eyes as did the drugs awareness course I completed last year at college.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 29, 2011, 08:43 PM:

Well, one of the interesting things about the internet is the chance to read online about my old home town in Scotland that I left way back in 1973. On the front page was this following photo it made me smile that the locals are up in arms about and dont no what to do.

It states on the front page....Our photographer was called to a spectacular example. [Roll Eyes]

the article also mentions that anyone with best hole photos to send them in.

Although this "spectacular example" is in another country thats... 12000 miles away. I wonder if the following from Christchurch of late would win first prize as we have plenty of examples.

Graham.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 30, 2011, 09:55 PM:

Great news today the Earthquake Commission "builders" turned up to do the follow on and detail look at our place under the floor...everywhere. I must admit I was bit nervous as its up to these people as to our future living in this house and they are the ones that call the shots money wise. The good news and athough a lot of work is needed its all fixable, although the piles under the centre of the house have pushed the place up in the middle causing the downhill slope at the front. They said the good natural New Zealand hard timber that this house was built with they used years ago has held up really well. [Smile]

so I am very happy with the positive outcome.

One thing though, is they had to inspect all buildings and were really impressed with our wee home cinema never seen one before and were thinking of making one themselves [Big Grin]

they were amazed at the old projectors [Wink]

and although the place is a bit lopsided they are happy its safe, no problems, all that extra wood and steel re-inforcing really payed of. The look I got as they filled the paper work in stating its the first time they have written down a "projection box" [Big Grin]

They suggested that I should buy my wife a bottle of wine to celebrate... might be a good idea.

Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Colin Robert Hunt (Member # 433) on March 31, 2011, 03:19 PM:

That's good news Graham. Atleast a positive step in the right direction. Thanks for posting those pictures for us. In my opion you win the competition first prize. Makes our winging on our potholes non exsitant. Just those few shots really brings home how things are with you. I myself and all members I am sure our thoughts and prayers are to you and all citizens of Christchurch who have experienced this earthquake.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on April 04, 2011, 07:04 PM:

Thanks Colin

Last week was the first time that I have headed across to that side of town to get a job done and was close to the city centre, looking at the extent of damage was very disheartening when you see it close. So many places have gone, one was an old bookshop three stories high and full of old books etc. It was a real joy to go to, you could spend hours in that place it was a gold mine and picked up old film making books/mags etc a really neat place. It was there because it was an old building with cheap rent and thats how they could survive. Its now condemed like so many and I doubt those places will ever return like many they were unique and were not the kind of thing you would find in a shopping mall.

Anyway, without sounding that I am going on about it to much here are a couple more photos you might find of interest.

This young family miraculously escaped unhurt when a boulder went through their house.

This is part of main street in town on the day. Its incredible the forces at play here, its not the matter of minutes or hours for all this to happen but in seconds.

My wife took this picture of our place later in the afternoon as things sort of settled down...flowing through the place is liquefaction thats what they call it and the photo shows only a small part of it. It is pushed up from under the ground. Its thick silt mixed with sewage and took us two days to move it onto the street for pick up, thankfully with the kind assistance of the farmy army [Smile]

..farmers, who were brilliant in helping out. Some of it got into our wee home cinema but thats fixed now.

Taking no chances this time with the GS1200. I was very lucky the last time...just kidding about the rope.....but not the bracket at the top.

Graham.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on April 16, 2011, 05:14 AM:

Would anyone like to be a projectionist out here, well tonight I felt like I was projecting in a kids bouncy castle as we had a 5.3 a couple of hours ago. I felt like Peter Sellers hanging onto those projectors from "The Smallest Show On Earth" [Eek!]

I phoned my "better half" the wife our wee house was rock and rolling to the point the hanging light "about 2 feet" of it in the dining area was swinging to the point of hitting the ceiling she said she was hanging on with this one, anyway better check the old GS1200 when I get home tonight and hope the bracket I fitted stopped it from falling over... perhaps I should really tie it down with rope.

Feeling very tired Graham.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 16, 2011, 10:36 AM:

Lovely projector, hate to see it become a casaulty!

Great to get your updates and best wishes to all in New Zealand.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on April 18, 2011, 10:05 PM:

Thanks Osi

Well the bracket held the projector fine, [Smile]

however having breakfast the next day while sitting at the table I noticed the cracks on the walls are getting wider and longer, and after a look at the outside things are getting worse. The poor old place like so many has taken a hammering over the last 6 months. They reckon we have had almost 7000 aftershocks since the Sept 7:1, most you dont feel but plenty we do. The 6:3 Feb one was on different fault line, very close and shallow and created an underground trampoline effect on this part and the central of the city. They are checking for a third fault line at the moment they think is about a mile or so east from where we live and I have told my wife if that one lets go we have had it...as we are just to close.

Apart from the material damage the effect it has on people is very noticable, many are on edge as after a while you get conditioned that way as those constant aftershocks are unpredicable in there timing and intensity. I would like to think thats it, no more but as soon as you think that, thats when you get hit just like last Saturday evening. In the past if we get lots of small ones thats fine, but when things are quiet for a while, then thats the scary bit, because the pressure is building and when it does let go you really feel it.

Graham.

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