something big
So like Martha, I’m discovering that blogging half cut leads to prolific output. Which is good. Something to do with lowered inhibitions leading to the typing of any old crap.
The big news here is that Bella turns five tomorrow. Oh yes.
There’s a party at the playcentre. There’s school on Tuesday. There’s Bella’s wish, that “I want all my Nanas to come”.
And so this morning we picked up my Mum from the airport. The gobsmacked expression on Bella’s face was a joy. What she doesn’t yet know is that her grandmother from Masterton, and her great-grandmother from Napier will also be appearing tomorrow.
Right now I’m keeping a weather eye on the TV3 rugby while Bella’s mother is sewing and my Mum is icing Bella’s birthday cake. But actually I’m absorbed, in a fascination with train wrecks kind of way, with Google’s new Katrina view of N’awlins.
I keep stopping myself from thinking thoughts like “why the hell did they build their city in such a fracking dumb place”, as the same question could, and should, be asked of me.
Because Wellington is equally a damned deathtrap. And we aren’t ready.
Just like the people of New Orleans.
Heck
4 September 2005, 04:25 #
Humans are so stubborn, aren’t they?
I had the most disturbing discussion yesterday about this. I don’t think it’s crazy to think of building a “new city” elsewhere if New Orleans after all this has to be rebuilt from scratch.
What’s the point in doing it in the same place if you will be facing another disaster in a few years time? Given the means, and if they are willing to rebuild the whole thing, then they do have the means, why not do it in a better place?
Maybe I’m just crazy since I don’t understand all these “wars for land” myself. I can understand fighting for your loved ones, not for a piece of swamp, desert, or what have you…
Martha
4 September 2005, 09:16 #
Oh good on you for the drunk blogging. It is such a shameful surprise the next morning – well, not yours, yours is very sensible.
I often wonder why we don’t just live somewhere warmer. Wellington is a nutty place to live.
And big ups to the 5 year old. I can’t even imagine, it seems so old.
Alan
7 September 2005, 10:52 #
Heck: It’s a pretty tough message for those whose lives are tied up in that one location. And all that history: nearly 400 years. But I suppose that within the span of our lives New Orleans won’t be the only city of the world’s heart that has to be rebuilt or lost. I’m thinking of Venice in particular, but there are many many more.