Itinerary packed, bags not just yet

8:35 Feb 23, 2007 36

Hey-ho. I'm off to Christchurch, city of vice, for Dramfest and some other things. Our itinerary is packed, my bags not just yet.

Perhaps you could have a gander at the Idealog blogs, or Theyworkforyou.co.nz. Instaputz has the commentary on Glenn Reynolds' most recent fits of putziness, and if you haven't been over to NZBC for a while, you oughta.

How many more days do you reckon the Wellington-based media can wring out of the tedious sooky-Aucklanders-can't-handle-an-earthquake narrative they've come up with? And are they overcompensating already?

And if only our newsreaders had as much personality as Jeremy Paxman.

36 responses to this post

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Hadyn Green, 09:43 Feb 23, 2007

We had a little chuckle about the whole "Auckland Earthquake" thing at work the day after and that was it. Then the paper the next morning kept going, talking about Ponsonby survivors sipping chardonays and lattes (like down here in Wellington we drink beer from gumboots or something).
I've never understood the "rivalry" between the two cities as it only seemed to exist at the Wellington end.
The coolest news of the day, IMHO, is the Collosal Squid! Freakin' awesome!

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report
Che Tibby, 09:51 Feb 23, 2007

heh. an aucklander sent me an email yesterday arvo with "EARTHQUAKE CAUSES HAVOC IN AUCKLAND" in the subject line.
it was a photo of two deck chairs. one had fallen over.
got a good giggle round here.
not that i'm parochial or nuttin'

the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report
nic.wise, 09:55 Feb 23, 2007

How many more days do you reckon the Wellington-based media can wring out of the tedious sooky-Aucklanders-can't-handle-an-earthquake narrative they've come up with? And are they overcompensating already?
I imagine they might keep it up until the aucklands harden up and stop moaning about a little shake up.
:)

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 87 posts Report
merc, 10:15 Feb 23, 2007

And so, like all great creatures from The Deep...they killed it.

Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report
Paul Litterick, 10:17 Feb 23, 2007

Moaning? I am disappointed that I didn't feel it. The barbecue I was enjoying (note to Wellingtonians - we have barbecues on summer nights in Auckland) was obviously too interesting for me to notice.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report
Gary Hutchings, 10:48 Feb 23, 2007

You did sort of get the feeling that Radio NZ were laying it on a bit thick including a quote from a woman saying " well I was on the floor doing some yoga exercise and ......", well at least it wasn't pilates,
Although one of the others " I just thought it was her dad have sex in the room next door.." sounded a bit sketchy

wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 108 posts Report
jon_knox, 10:53 Feb 23, 2007

Feedburner have released a report about their view on RSS usage....might be kinda interesting to media geeks, news junkies and the like.

Belgium • Since Nov 2006 • 464 posts Report
James Green, 10:57 Feb 23, 2007

The barbecue I was enjoying (note to Wellingtonians - we have barbecues on summer nights in Auckland)
Just a pity it gets dark so freaking early. That, and the mosquitoes.

Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report
Robyn Gallagher, 11:27 Feb 23, 2007

The Queen Mary 2 visited Auckland last weekend. It was an unusual, new thing and many Aucklanders got excited about it and went down to the wharfs to look at it and partied like it was 1959.
Why aren't Wellington media mocking Aucklanders for being excited about something as ordinary as a cruise ship and demanding they harden up?

Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report
Emma Hart, 11:42 Feb 23, 2007

Well, I can't speak for Wellington (though it might be fun to try) but if every Auckland blogger on my rounds was going 'Oooooooo, a cruise ship! I saw a cruise ship! This is exactly what I was doing in graphic detail exactly when the cruise ship arrived!', I'd be taking the piss out of that too.
My favourite earthquake story is set in Wellington and involves my best friend, a famous opera singer, and room under the table for just one...

Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report
Neil Smart, 12:04 Feb 23, 2007

Is the only thing worth talking about in Auckland an earthquake! Poor buggers life must be boring

Since Nov 2006 • 71 posts Report
Juha Saarinen, 12:22 Feb 23, 2007

The moaning in question only emanates from the feverish minds of some provincials as they wring out every little bit they can from a sad, self-induced inferiority complex.
No-one panicked and took to the streets. That's all lies. Nevertheless, a biggish earthquake in an area not known for them, but which is riddled with volcanoes, happens to be news.
When an earthquake happens, you don't know how it will end. I can safely say that even if you're used to smaller ones, if you say you don't react with at least some apprehension when a quake happens, you're either a liar or terminally stupid.
There were more powerful earthquakes in Turkey and Indonesia recently too, that frightened people. Luckily, nobody seems to have died and the damage wasn't bad. Any Wellingtonian wanting to have a go and call the Turks and Indonesians "pansies"?

Since Nov 2006 • 529 posts Report
merc, 12:53 Feb 23, 2007

The Wellington Cringe,
So where are you based?
Wellington
Oh, work for the Government then?
Oh no, consultant.
To the Government.
Well, yeah, but...we have great cafe's and bars!
Keep the receipts do ya?
Well yeah, but...
Nice suit bro.

Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report
Che Tibby, 12:58 Feb 23, 2007

OI! YOU! JUHA! NOOOOO!!!
[in best harry enfield voice]
at least let us have our smugness for the remainder of today. after-all, jafa-baiting is a well-loved sport here in the provinces. at least we've given up sheep-racing and cousin-lovin'.
and when you say 'the turks and indonesians' do you mean, *all* of them? or just a few at a time?

the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report
the E, 13:33 Feb 23, 2007

No-one panicked and took to the streets. That's all lies.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000DC78E-0345-15DC-A6DB83027AF1010F
hmmm...

wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 42 posts Report
Tony Kennedy, 14:03 Feb 23, 2007

was there an earthquake in Auckland? I thought it was people jumping up and down at the cricket

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report
Simon Grigg, 14:06 Feb 23, 2007

and when you say 'the turks and indonesians' do you mean, *all* of them? or just a few at a time?
one of our Javanese friends rang us early last week and said she'd heard a rumour there would be a tsunami on Saturday ;)

Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report
Juha Saarinen, 14:51 Feb 23, 2007

Merc++ !
And Che Dobermann... the Indons and Turks are a gregarious lot. You're looking at some lengthy and intensive pansy calling there.
Video imagery of typical JAFA panicking when the earthquake struck.

Since Nov 2006 • 529 posts Report
Juha Saarinen, 14:56 Feb 23, 2007

"As a prevention to conventional methods of "duck and cover" or the "turtle" position that most of us are advised, most people are actually killed with this method, and should be outlawed and replaced with the "TRIANGLE OF LIFE" this could be a good time to make everyone aware to Doug Copps method of......... "THE TRIANGLE OF LIFE".
If there were to be a more serious quake this method saves just about everyone in a building. his theory is to find a space that will become a void (eg: on the floor beside a sofa) when buildings colaspe rather than being crushed under something. He is extremely experienced with global distasters"
Yes, yes... let's have a triangle of life. Never tried that. (From the Herald comments page.)

Since Nov 2006 • 529 posts Report
Che Tibby, 15:07 Feb 23, 2007

Indons and Turks are a gregarious lot. You're looking at some lengthy and intensive pansy calling there
hmmm.. better get started sooner rather than later then. send me some email addresses to get me started. there's only what... 200+ million people to call?
this should be even riskier that the mate i had in 1988 who spent two hours calling south africa and yelling, "FLEE MAN!! THE KAFFIR ARE RISING!!"
you have to make your own fun in small towns.

the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report
the E, 15:09 Feb 23, 2007

I believe that commenter was referring to a hoax email that circulated a few years ok, that the EQC discredited.
A senior male friend of mine worked for - yep, a government department in Wellington - in the 80s, & was done for sexual harassment after jokingly asking during an exceptionally tedious civil defense training workshop whether the "turtle position" was anything like the "missionary position".
Sad eh.

wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 42 posts Report
merc, 15:42 Feb 23, 2007

Better still, create the Bermuda Triangle Turtle Missionary position and ALL your bases are covered.
Duck and Cover, yeah right.

Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report
Juha Saarinen, 15:58 Feb 23, 2007

Bah. I was looking forward to my Triangle of Life.
Your senior male friend (sounds dodgy that too) should blog about it.

Since Nov 2006 • 529 posts Report
the E, 16:39 Feb 23, 2007

OK, OK, it was my uncle. Traumatic for his family. It would have been meant with such light humour. We forget how hideous the 80s were for all that "sexual harassment in the office" PC stuff. So much unjust incrimination & finger pointing.
Shame on his Name!!
You are right merc - henceforth "Duck and Cover" should be terms applied only to opening batsmen facing the BCs.
(The power of wishful thinking...)
I don't work for the government *shock horror* but I temped for a govt dept once & they had 10l drums of water under each desk; I bet hardly any private companies bother with this sort of thing. The one I work for doesn't.
(Mind you this sort of denial also means we don't have to endure tedious civil defense workshops.)
Wonder how many AK businesses will start filling up spare stationery cupboards with pull-tab tuna snacks / powerade / barley sugar / transistor radios / powdered milk now, ordering surplus to the "three day" requirements of course, so that some may be donated to the local primary school, for breakfast emergencies.

wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 42 posts Report
merc, 16:48 Feb 23, 2007

I bet hardly any private companies bother with this sort of thing.
Actually (can I say that, being a JAFFA, though born at The Mount and part of the 60's diaspora and having lived...better stop there or I will start to sound like a compensating Weli-woodian).
Some Insurance companies have water stores for workers. I hear tin foil hats are compulsary in Wellington.
Duck and Cover was of course the wonderful strategy to ward off Nuclear Attack, I kid you not, and with a snappy little ditty...

Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report