Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Again: Is everyone okay?

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  • Deborah,

    Oh my goodness. This is barking: Tim Selwyn on the earthquake

    And as for the 144,000 left standing (Rev. 7:4) - that may well be Christchurch's population after this is over.

    So the bad news is we're up to seal 6 of 7, good news is the seventh seal has another 7 sequences of events, before we get to the point where people don't feel the need to live in a city of temples, Rev. 21:22 "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Deborah,

    I really can't tell if he's satirising religious catastrophists there.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Sacha,

    I think he means it. Lordy lordy lordy...

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Nothing like a bob each way. Promote the Revelation but don't really believe it. .....just in case like.

    My Mum always told me that it was waste of time thinking about getting to heaven. By the time I was heading that way (of course I would be!!!) the 144,000 seats would be sold already. So what was the point of trying.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • JLM,

    I'm enjoying Kennedy Graham's despatches from his "beloved city". He did the same journaling during the trainwreck of the Copenhagen Conference, and admitted it was partly to keep himself sane.

    Judy Martin's southern sl… • Since Apr 2007 • 241 posts Report Reply

  • Andi, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Re: the Mavis Staples post. Amazing how people can reach into thier hearts and pull out a remembence of music for the moment. Thank you! Just been down at the Grassy listening to Carmel Courtney belt out some blues at a somewhat attenuated Lyttelton Summer Party. BBQ in full swing.

    Started ripping down the damaged buildings today :-(

    Lyttelton • Since Feb 2011 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to Scott A,

    There is poetry.
    And then, there is this stuff.

    Gary McCormick does write the shit.
    That is not a compliment of any kind.

    There will be poems, generated by 22nd Feb, Time will show what lasts and what is ephemeral gibberish.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Oh, this is the randomly misplaced hatred thread now? Well, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deep contempt for water chestnuts. Screw them, man.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews,

    There is poetry.
    And then, there is this stuff.

    Gary McCormick does write the shit.
    That is not a compliment of any kind.

    True, but that poem is The Waste Land compared to the one he wrote quickly after Pike River. Did you ever read that? Here it is (link):

    SEVENTEEN

    (In memory of Joseph Ray Dunbar and all those who died in the Pike River Mine.)

    Joseph Ray Dunbar was just seventeen.
    One week ago - turned seventeen.
    No doubt had a few drinks out
    with his mates.

    He'd been through a rough patch, someone said.
    Who doesn't??!
    A boy from the Coast, even-eyed.
    But he's gotten a job now.

    New boots.
    The making of him, someone said.
    You get a lot of respect with a job.
    Couldn't wait!

    Probably had his lunch packed.
    The unlined face, the big smile.
    Probably had a way with the girls.
    The local girls.

    Couldn't wait!
    The local girls are wearing black.
    Mothers and sons and husbands too.
    He probably ran the last hundred yards....

    Joseph Ray Dunbar.
    Climbed aboard and headed on down.
    A smile and a wave and a joke amongst men.
    The biggest day of Joseph's life.

    You caught the train, Joseph.
    You took the train too soon.
    You caught the train before your time.

    It shouldn't be allowed.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Islander,

    Islander, that was a little ungenerous. Not like you at all.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Danielle,

    Hey! I love water-chestnuts. Screw you, dude.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    And in fairness, FranO was calling on Key "to review the extent of his Government's tax-cuts, which are being funded through borrowing and not healthy surpluses"

    I'd give her a little more credit if that had been the first suggestion, rather than the tail end of a bunch of spending cuts and general right-wing douchery.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Andi, in reply to Islander,

    Thanks Islander, I thought I liked Garry's verse because it rang true to me. But now you have told me how to think, it''s all better.

    Lyttelton • Since Feb 2011 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Each to their own opinion.
    I call crap when I read crap.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    The Tay Bridge Disaster

    Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
    Alas! I am very sorry to say
    That ninety lives have been taken away
    On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
    Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

    'Twas about seven o'clock at night,
    And the wind it blew with all its might,
    And the rain came pouring down,
    And the dark clouds seem'd to frown,
    And the Demon of the air seem'd to say-
    "I'll blow down the Bridge of Tay."

    When the train left Edinburgh
    The passengers' hearts were light and felt no sorrow,
    But Boreas blew a terrific gale,
    Which made their hearts for to quail,
    And many of the passengers with fear did say-
    "I hope God will send us safe across the Bridge of Tay."

    But when the train came near to Wormit Bay,
    Boreas he did loud and angry bray,
    And shook the central girders of the Bridge of Tay
    On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
    Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

    So the train sped on with all its might,
    And Bonnie Dundee soon hove in sight,
    And the passengers' hearts felt light,
    Thinking they would enjoy themselves on the New Year,
    With their friends at home they lov'd most dear,
    And wish them all a happy New Year.

    So the train mov'd slowly along the Bridge of Tay,
    Until it was about midway,
    Then the central girders with a crash gave way,
    And down went the train and passengers into the Tay!
    The Storm Fiend did loudly bray,
    Because ninety lives had been taken away,
    On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
    Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

    As soon as the catastrophe came to be known
    The alarm from mouth to mouth was blown,
    And the cry rang out all o'er the town,
    Good Heavens! the Tay Bridge is blown down,
    And a passenger train from Edinburgh,
    Which fill'd all the peoples hearts with sorrow,
    And made them for to turn pale,
    Because none of the passengers were sav'd to tell the tale
    How the disaster happen'd on the last Sabbath day of 1879,
    Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

    It must have been an awful sight,
    To witness in the dusky moonlight,
    While the Storm Fiend did laugh, and angry did bray,
    Along the Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
    Oh! ill-fated Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
    I must now conclude my lay
    By telling the world fearlessly without the least dismay,
    That your central girders would not have given way,
    At least many sensible men do say,
    Had they been supported on each side with buttresses,
    At least many sensible men confesses,
    For the stronger we our houses do build,
    The less chance we have of being killed.

    Wm. McGonagall

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Stephen, I believe that's the poetry equivalent of Godwinning a thread. Well done. :)

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Is it just me thinking the Sixth Sense is an insensitive movie to play tonight on TV? Particularly considering comforting distracting stuff like Coronation Street and Glee was pulled this week in favour of more graphic images of real life and death.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    My much loved family optometrist, Paul Dunlop, has died. He was a pipe organ enthusiast, and was helping dismantle the organ at the Durham St Methodist Church (opposite the High Court) at the time of the quake.

    He was such a sweet, kind man who always took a personal interest in us, and he frequently treated my mother without charge. He will be very much missed.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    That's sad.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Edit: Frivolous poetry comment withdrawn in light of above.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Lara,

    I'm sorry to hear that Lilith. Condolences to you and all who knew him.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Lara,

    Thanks Lara, and Hilary. I’m sure all of his patients, like me, will be very sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Kris V, in reply to Lilith __,

    crap... another name I know on 'the list'... my aunt used to work for him, he tested my eyes at age 9. Nice guy, another gap in the lives of many round here.

    the count is rising :(

    Shakeytown • Since Nov 2008 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    And at the risk of inducing apoplectic fits in the PAS populace, Fran O’Sullivan odiously uses Christchurch’s misfortune to demand cuts to the already-unbalanced funding that Auckland receives from central government and generally push her right-wing barrow.

    Jesus, Matthew, I’ve already had a Twit-spew at Idiot/Savant over that. FFS, I don’t think it’s unreasonable – let along “right-wing douchery” – to suggest that Auckland might want to get the fuck over itself for a budget round or ten. What’s “unbalanced” is believing that the Auckland CBD rail loop – or another billion dollars worth of highways – is a more worthy recipient of central government support than making the Christchurch CBD fit for human habitation sooner rather than later.

    Rant over, because this isn't the time or the place for a political discussion that's strikingly irrelevant south of the Bombays and north of Wellsford.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Jesus, everytime we read that,, we laugh and think how well it goes with red wine.
    Hello Islander. love you and hope you are ok. We will talk tomorrow.I hope. :))

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

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