22.2.11
Hearing; Watching; Shocking. Disbelief!
Words of a progressive reality for all those who experienced this tragedy, even from afar.
As a former son of Christchurch, these past seven days have made this self-referentially so, memorialised this Tuesday with two minutes of national silence and reflection; to the very minute horror came roaring out of middle earth. I cannot equivocate with the visceral sensory overload of this week, as very sombrely, tenderly, and quietly, a tear would trace a route down each side of my face, as our hearts joined hands as a nation; we remember.
If you are to join in with this unfolding narrative, it is impossible to remain detached.
As one of our many human frailties, we are all guilty of caring at a distance, conversing behind closed doors, and leaving community at the centre; all the while betraying the inbuilt instinct to co-exist at deeper communal levels.
It is a sad reality that very often only tragedy awakens our slumber, as we realise we are lost in a land of giants.
New Zealand knows this first-hand!
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Growing up in Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, it felt very much like the fortunate state, as reality very rarely rose above the benign. As that young man down south watching man-devised and nature-intending disaster on TV, I can palpably remember thinking, “These things don’t happen in our country!”
While it is not up for that kind of fight, if you know Christchurch, Canterbury; it has a little Catalonian about its existence. The independent streak runs red and black, as a fiercely loyal and patriotic people find much identity in the geography that connects their living.
Va'aiga "Inga the Winger" Tuigamala with wee Jonny. Once upon a time in Christchurch.
I entered this territory as a young man shaped by North Island roots, only to be lured in and lovingly sold into such willing servitude. Lancaster Park [now AMI Stadium] would be my frequent haunt; witnessing the 1987 Rugby World Cup live on its concrete embankment, and so much more. What would become the Crusaders home base, Rugby Park, was just down the road, and as a young boy seeking release from School, I would take rugby ball and kicking tee – weather or not.
While context would pull us apart, when my mouth is open, I call for her; and, when my eyes are closed, I can still see her.
Today, this very day; my city; my country; my homeland is hurting.
Is this registering?
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Fast-forward to late 2010 morphing towards 2011, as New Zealanders are preparing for ‘that’ year!
Even on these fair and famed blog shores, my “sometimes” were articulated… shafted by a smiling South African… again, as I bloviated about why this must be the Super Season of the Saders!
Yes, Christchurch had been struck by the ‘Big One,’ a 7.1 Quake on September 4, 2010, and was still in the throes of several semi-serious aftershocks; but time would surely be the healer of this ruptured wound.
Surely?!
This Garden City of the South had much to view, as a new year was soon to bloom.
As the season of giving rolled into the season of rugby, the southern hemisphere’s hunger for this first act in our rugby romance had reached Shakespearean proportions, as we each Romeo’d about our Juliet, even dwelling on late October.
1987 RWC Memorabilia
However, that would be then, and we wanted to live in every moment of a season to savour.
Week one would provide a taste and see that this season would be good as the Blues and Crusaders fought to the final whistle. With microphone in hand, I screamed out this match like the rookie that I am.
With week one and done, and the moment having just begun, one could now anticipate the rugby journey!
Michael "The Iceman" Jones and wee Jonny. Once upon a time in Christchurch.
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Tuesday – 22.2.11
We would get a text from Sister that Christchurch had been rocked.
Turning on the TV, watching the live unedited pictures, I would tweet at the time that such viewing brought home the severity of the shaking and raw human suffering of the moment! Heartbreaking!
When the coverage would locate the heart of the city, the Cathedral, de-flowered and de-throned of her ‘steepled’ glory; one knew this was not just another after-shocking shake!
And so hindsight has played help-meet as these subsequent seven-plus days have made this transparently apparent!
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Let me illustrate the woe.
First and foremost, there is the loss of life. Police have now estimated that in the vicinity of 220 people will have swapped one certainty after birth for the other! Every one of these persons had an endued dignity of life that was violently extinguished in a moment. We Remember.
There is also the multi-layered cost for all those who are living!
To provide some data on the intensity of the Quake, an expert has said that this recent quake’s acceleration would have flattened most major cities. This peaked with a ground acceleration 2.2 times gravity. He would underscore the intensity of the shaking by connecting the Quake in Haiti with the 7.1 on September 4th, with this very recent 6.3 Quake much more intense, as it was much closer to the surface.
In terms of cost; New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key , would also state that this will cost New Zealand in the vicinity of 7-8% of GDP; whereas Hurricane Katrina would cost the US, 1%.
This rupture that was birthed beneath the earth’s surface has a very high price to pay above!
My words may read like thousands, but they fail when you see the real thing.
Take a look at these images. Note: First link has some graphic images. May induce tears! -> HERE and HERE.
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Rugby would not navigate this moment unscathed.
Tragically, Crusaders Board Member and former Mid-Canterbury Chairman, Philip McDonald, would be killed as the Pyne Gould Guinness Corporation building would collapse.
While objects do not reach such personal affections, AMI Stadium, home to the Crusaders has experienced some structural issues, but more significant liquefaction; both meaning it will be closed until at least March 15th.
Geoff "Swampy" Marsh with wee Jonny at Lancaster Park, now AMI Stadium.
While initial reports feared the worst, more recent reports are hopeful!
In the short-term, this means the Crusaders will be playing in Nelson at the top of the South Island for, at least, their next two home matches.
You’re already thinking Rugby World Cup?!
Do not fear; the Cup is safe in New Zealand. We will meet you, greet you, embrace you, and even congratulate you… when we win! Come to our Land. You will have a rugby ball, and it will be wall-to-wall, as our local ITM Cup competition runs con-currently; just so the Aussies have a better chance of stealing more players!
I may even let Bob use our front Lawn to set up his tent!
Speaking frankly on Christchurch, it would be a bitter pill to swallow if the Rugby World Cup is to be removed from its environs, and it is too early to speculate; but if this becomes apparent, it will be an unwelcome, but required reality!
While playing surface, facilities for the players, and production of this event shouldn’t be affected; one can only wonder if this city will have time to get back on its feet to shake hands with the thousands who should be embracing the beauty that this city beholds!
Let me remind you again that the aftershocks still speak!
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You may be even thinking; what can Rugby possibly achieve at such time as this?
Surely rugby is a trivial matter when lives have been sent on this course of destruction! To be sure; rugby may only be a fleeting release.
However, as it is wound into the fabric of this New Zealand home, it can affirm that even in a context that is other-worldly; yes we can! While we are broken from what was; life can move on. While we walk with a limp, we are still moving… on!
Rugby can provide a sense of normality to a year that was, even in the midst of carnage, chaos, and confusion. As one report has put it; relief; even a little escapism from a vision that overwhelms a living soul!
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No matter where you are reading this piece of prose from; you can play your part!
The bond between South Africa and New Zealand is significant; born out of a mutual respect, nurtured over many encounters of confrontation on the field and acculturation off it.
In many ways, the mirror speaks.
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Look again at that first link of images. Find Photo 34. Please, look at it!
Spend some moments taking it all in. These men know experientially that… Life is Beautiful… because they have spent some 24 hours not knowing if the gift would keep on giving!
This is you and me.
We just too damn easily give it up and forget all we have. We have Life, Jim, maybe not as we would like to know it; but Life!
All Blacks Prop, Neemia Tialata, would tweet that this is on his Locker. We Remember!
In this living of life; Christchurch, on her knees, needs friends like you to stand with her, thereby believing in her eventual transformation!
Will you help?
Be assured that her beauty will rise!
We the people of Aotearoa, New Zealand, cannot conceive of any other possibility!
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As this week comes to end, a given sign of culture will be shown live throughout the viewing world, as the Crusaders lead the charge in Super Rugby on Friday night.
A champion side for a champion city!
Surely another Super Rugby title would provide no more a significant metaphor for a city looking for its own summit.
If you’re thinking this will prove too much over the coming months; steady!
The metaphor speaks!
Please don’t stay silent as my words come to an end. You have a living voice. Make witness; use it!
Give.
I Love You Christchurch.
Until Next Time
iamjonnyking
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On my Twitter account moments before 12:51, a week on…
We Remember All That You Were, All That Has Been Broken, All Who Have Been Lost. While Our Hearts Are Broken, Resolute We Stand With You!
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Want to Help?
Here is one way. The NZ Government has set up, The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal for anyone, anywhere in the world to donate.
Please give generously as you are able!
Stay Tuned South Africa! Plans are afoot!
iamjonnyking
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You can Connect with iamjonnyking on Twitter, Facebook, and on his numerous Blogs: iamjonnyking, McCawesomeness and the latest, McCawesome.
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