Nicole MacDonald Author

Author Nicole MacDonald's website

Thunderstorms and Earthquakes

by 62 Comments

I carpool with my friends Sian and Loi during the weekdays and it’s always enjoyable.  Currently I’m subjecting them to me reading my MS aloud (great way to spot errors) which shows off my lack of ‘reading aloud’ skills to a tee…  I lose my voice, rearrange sentences without even blinking and frequently ‘cross pollinate’ lines (read bits of say three lines as one sentence) which results in plenty of cursing.  Not particularly original cussing just lots of it ; p  They love the story cause two of the characters share their names and were inspired by them.  So totally biased to the book.
Last night (Friday here in NZ) I couldn’t read though cause Siany was staying late so I’d be driving the car home.  So Loi and I were to make our way to Sian’s work for the keys and to the parking lot from there…  Ahhh normally such a simple thing..  Cept last night Wellington got hit by a ‘weather bomb’.  Sounds exciting huh!  Basically a thunderstorm charged on in just as I was coming down the lifts.  My lift jerked to a stop the lights blinking out.  Cue stomach hitting feet.  The lights flashed back on and I started pounding the 1st floor button like mad.  When the doors finally opened at ground I leapt out scaring some poor kid waiting for their dad – oops.  Then I did a mad dash outside because I LOVE THUNDERSTORMS!!  We don’t get the really impressive ones here, you have to make the most of these ones that zoom through.  I got outside just as the second flash of lightening hit and then that heart stopping BOOOOM hit.  I started cackling and laughing and sprinted to Sian’s work with hail pelting me the whole way..
So she opens her door to a very damp but excited Nicci doing some crackling (I create static electricity in droves when excited ;p) and gesturing of her own ‘Loookkkee!  Weeeeee!!’
*giggle* The drive home was fun! I only wished it lasted longer *sigh*
Then I woke at 4am this morning cursing my stupid body clock.  Lay there for 15mins debating as to whether or not I should go for a run.. Then the earthquake hit.  An oddly soothing swaying like on a boat at sea while the house creaked madly.  Glenn snored on oblivious.  Didn’t actually realise till I rung him at work (yep he had to work on a beautiful Saturday – normally I’d be bummed but after the dry spell cash is most welcome ;p) that it had been a BIG earthquake.
Christchurch was walloped with a 7.1, 10km deep quake this morning.  So far no causalities (though they suspect one guy may have had a heart attack during it) just lots of crumpled buildings within the city centre.  All the brick ones.  Our newspapers are swamped with it.  Will be interesting to see how long the recovery period is.  Here in NZ we’re just waiting for the ‘big one’ to hit cause we’re apparently overdue.  Don’t know yet if this counts…  It’s a freaky thought for us Kiwi’s as NZ is literally divided by fault-lines, we sit between two tectonic plates.  So I’ll give my parents a ring tomorrow and see how shook up they were.  They’re in Blenheim at the moment which was rocked about as much as we were in Wellington but living in a fifth wheeler would add to the sway effect you’d think..
Have a great weekend everyone!  Stay safe : )
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Comments

  2. yeah we've heard heaps about it up here in Hamilton too. Man that's HUGE!
    Hope we don't get any big ones further north – i'd hate that to happen closer to home!!

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  3. Aww thanks Vicki, nope we're all good here in Wellington. And considering the magnitude I think NZ has scrapped through nicely, everyone's just grateful it happened so early when people were sleeping and not doing Saturday sport etc

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  4. Best of luck to you; I have a couple of Kiwi friends that were rather ruffled by the recent earthquake. Hopefully not something that you'll be subjected to in the future!

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  5. My mom mentioned the earthquake to me as I was getting up this morning, thank goodness everyone is okay! Hopefully there will be a steady flow of people dealing with recovery and damage control.

    Like you, I LOVE thunderstorms, so the day before the earthquake sounds like it must have been fun- minus the whole getting stuck in the elevator part, which would scare me.

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  7. Oooh, sounds scary and exciting.

    Reading the MS aloud is such a great idea, and excellent practice for those readings and signings in the future 🙂 I hate doing it, so it's probably something I should be practicing more!

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  8. Yeah! I heard about it on the news and then my brother sent me an email to say that he was just there for a kayaking trip. Glad you're okay, we get out share of quakes where I am too!

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  9. Greetings from California, U.S.A. another "earthquake central". Our newspaper has photos of the cracks and gaping holes left by your quake. I'm glad to hear all's well with you and yours.
    We live in the central valley of California, so we get some every one in a while, though we're still anticipating the big one over here, too. there's always gallow's humor about Los Angeles and San Francisco dropping into the sea, giving us beach-front property. God forbid! Recently, I forget where, someplace had a 4 or 5 and I joked that we don't even get out of bed unless it's at least a 6.0.
    Take care and try to stay out of the news unless it's something really cool! Okay!
    -Jimmy

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  10. As a lover of all things NZ, I have been attempting to devour the news about the earthquake to check my favourite places are okay, yet the international response to the quake has been pathetic. Hardly any coverage, despite it being a huge one.

    It appears NZ handles these things too well to garner mention.

    Well I care, so I hope those injured recover quickly and the damage inflicted is rectified without too much cost.

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  11. Hi Brad – glad to hear your friends are okay and unfortunately Scientists have just announced this wasn't the 'big' one we've been waiting for..Boo..

    Hi Kelly – the lift was not fun! But the rest was awesome so that's okay ;p

    Hi Steph – I'm not sure if those too count cause like I said they're totally biased *grin*

    Hi Sangu – Ooooh I so don't want to imagine reading in front of a crowd, it always makes me go bright red! And then I'd have to be really careful not to cuss ;p

    Hi Jolene – looks like your brothers timing was spot on then *grin*

    Hi James – I know what you mean! The Valley we live in should be fine but over the hill The Hutt Valley is on reclaimed riverbed… so that's a bit concerning. Also the motorway into Wellington is reclaimed earthquake land so I guess it could go either way up or down.. Sian, Loi and I are already planning to kayak across the harbour if we happen to be at work when it hits ;p

    Hi Donna – Yep that'd be our whole 'she'll be right' attitude. Also known as 'tall poppy syndrome', sometimes its a good thing sometimes not. But the feeling at the moment is, 'no one died and buildings can be rebuilt'. Really this is a great example for a country that should be prepared for such a thing 🙂 If you want more info on it check out Stuff.co.nz

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  14. Miaou – purrowling in from the other part of Downunder on my way home from the blog party. Was relieved to hear that friend's family in Christchurch were safe. It looks a mess but a few hours later and it would have been a human tragedy in the CBD so I suppose we should be thankful for that.

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  15. well, good grief! Earthquakes! I experienced an aftershock tremor once while visiting Costa Rica w/a friend. It was the strangest thing…

    Glad you're well, hate that you're in harm's way… 😮 I'll be back. Oh, and I stole your fish… mine aren't as cool as yours, though. Take care~

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  16. Nicole, thanks for stopping by. Nice to meet you!:)

    There's relief on our side of the world that NZ escaped what could have been a human tragedy…a few hours later, yipes, really close…and there's sadness that the earthquake happened at all, so much damage. Sad! Stay safe. New Zealand's in our thoughts and prayers!

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  18. Hi Nichole,

    Earthquake? So glad everybody came through it okay. Wow, this has been some kind of year for natural disasters. Scary really, right?

    I live in the lightning capital of the USA, so nothing special about thunderstorms to me. Fear them I do (Yoda talk).

    I like your spunk, Nicole. Got to follow you. Great BBQ, aye?

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  20. I'm so glad you only got the rolling motion of this one. Earthquakes are so scary because there's no advance warning at all. Just boom, and everything's moving. I know what you mean about thunderstorms, though. I always rush to watch them. They don't happen that often in Southern California–probably less frequent than earthquakes, I'm afraid. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's a pleasure to meet you.

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  24. I'm glad the quake didn't affect you too badly. I love thunderstorms too, and I love, LOVE the name of your blog. It's perfect. Thanks for commenting on my blog, and good luck with your story.

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  29. Gahhhh! I've never had so many comments before *grin* this BBQ thing is INSANE! But totally awesome. Okay, I think I'm following you all (let me know if i missed you) and congrats you're all in the 500 followers competition! Good luck and I look forward to chatting to you all 🙂

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  31. …our publishing journeys are currently running parallel:)

    My novel,(I can call it that now,) is in its final edit, headed to galley in a couple weeks. And yes, because it's based on a ten year old boy, I used to read various sections to my own ten year old, asking him if the dialogue sounded like something he'd say, or if it sucked. It paid off in the end. Thanks for your kind words of support on my blog, and good luck on your writing quests:)

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  33. Hi Nicole! Stopping by to say Hello! Reading out loud is great for spotting things you didn't notice before, but I am not a fan of my voice so I know it's difficult. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

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  35. Stopping by from the BBQ. Thanks for visiting my blog, it's much appreciated! I love the name of your blog and what you have going here. I wish you the best with your MS!!! Janelle

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  37. Hi Nicole – thanks for visiting and following my blog coutresy of us meetint at Karen's Blog BBQ – gotta love virtual food – no calorie = no wieght 😛

    Glad to hear you're all ok in NZ whenever its on the news it keeps amazing me at how far out on the edge of the world you guys are. My relatives are always trumpeting about the fab land and ppl you have there. Maybe if I ever win the lotto I'll come over for a suprise visit 🙂

    Nice to meet a fellow writer by the way and I'm now following your cool blog and added your blog button to mine – please add my button to yours 🙂 it would be most appreciated.

    And well done you for being able to read your work out to your mates – the only reader I have is my boss at work *assistant librarian n book lover here hehehe* but she is more my unofficial proof reader as my punctuation and grammar are RUBBISH! even after doing a degree in English LOL. Oh the irony!

    I'm on Twitter and FB too if you want to find me elsewhere – just search valkyrie1008.

    Speak soon and keep writing – otherwise I won't feel guilty when I dont 😛

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  40. Oy, I just read that it will be a year to restore the city center of Christchurch. It's a miracle there weren't more casualties. Sorry to hear that one was just a practice run. 🙁

    But on a lighter note — you have the best car pool buddies! Sounds like you all have a wonderful, fun relationship. Sure do wish I could've seen the look on that kid's face when you came pelting out of the elevator! Ha.

    And congrats on completing your first novel. Looking forward to your updates on your quest for publication. 🙂 (If your story happens to be a romance, you might want to check out the submissions guidelines at my publisher http://www.omnificpublishing.com. It's a newer, independent publisher that I've had a really wonderful experience with.)

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  42. Hi Nichole, so nice to meet you and discover your blog! I love NZ and have always wanted to go there! Was so sorry to hear about the earthquake, but glad that you're safe. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for following! And you're right, Karen's BBQ rocks! Cheers!

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  44. How very scary. I grew up on vancouver Island in Canada and it is also waiting for the 'big one' which rumour has it, will sink a lot of the Island. Oh and I came over from Karen's BBQ to say hello!

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  51. About switching sentences when reading aloud. If I read my MS aloud differently then its written, then I always seriously consider changing it to what came out of mouth instead of leaving whats on the page. AND, wish you kiwis safety!

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  52. Thanks for visiting and following my blog. I'm now following yours as well.
    Don't know if I could get any of my friends to listen to me read from my manuscript. Why heck, they won't even read my blog! Now my middle daughter is a different story–she loves to read and comment on my blog and if she lived nearby I'll bet she'd like me to read to her –just like I used to do when she was little.

    We rarely get thunderstorms here in Los Angeles. In fact, in the 19 years that I've lived here we've had more earthquakes than thunderstorms.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  54. glad you're safe. Barbados was created as a result of an earthquake. Yet we've only had one (3.2) in the last 50 years.

    Here in Japan, they're so commonplace that we're sitting at work, "Oh an earthquake," and noone even moves! Although I'm sure we'd have moved for a 7.1.

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  55. Whoa! I didn't know NZ sat on a fault line. Yikes. Are you ever frightened of tsunami? When I lived in Los Angeles, that was my number one fear. Glad to hear you were okay and your home suffered no damage. Here in Georgia, US, we have our share of terrible hurricane strength storms. The hurricane season is actually in full swing, so we watch the systems coming off the West African coasts. So far, nothing major's come our way. Fingers crossed!

    Stay out of the lightning storms, Nicci!! ((hugs))

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  56. Glad you are safe and sound. Hope all is well with your parents as well. Have a wonderful Monday, and thanks for stopping by my blog via KarenG's BBQ. It is great to meet you.

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  57. WOW. This is what I miss by not following the news! I lived through a couple of minor quakes when I lived in California, and most recently we had a very small one here in Virginia. Nothing like yours! Glad you're safe. 🙂 I LOVE your blog!

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  58. I'm glad you are doing okay and all is well! Whenever I hear big storms or anything of those lines I am always thinking of my bloggers around the world. I feel so connected to everyone!!!

    It's raining here, nothing serious, just crazy thunderstorm rain… best kind there is when you have the day off!

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  59. Hi Claire – we're kinda like that in NZ bout earthquakes, very blase ;p Actually if you want to read a first had account of the earthquake check out this link
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/blogs/moatas-blog-idle/4098399/Whole-lotta-shakin-goin-on

    Hi Nicole 🙂 We get insane wind here anyway and hanging on to lampposts on the way to work is normal for my friend Sian (but she is tiny ;p) the rest of us just crouch when a really strong gust hits. That's why its sooo amusing when people attempt umbrellas in Wellington *grin* And I don't wanna stay out of the storms!! There's lotsa things taller than me, honest *wink*

    Hi Ann – was an awesome BBQ huh!

    Hi Karen – thanks! And I didn't even know till after midday how bad is that ;p I really should listen to the radio more..

    Hi Jen – torrential rain is very soothing when stuck at home and not going anywhere 🙂

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