We have so much to do!
A stranger came up to us the other day and said we weren't trying hard enough.
She was referring to 'saving the building'. I just wanted to cry. There are realities that we are facing which do not need the interference of the uninformed.
We have engaged the efforts of experts to tell us what is real. They are able to do it without attachment.
We love that the fate of our building matters to other people in our community but we want them to trust that we, through our insurance company, will do something that will be deserving of its location. We want it to be iconic, and we want it to belong in Lyttelton. The new Lyttelton!
This is real.
This was my office
This cracking belongs to a structural wall
The internal structural wall is failing in many places
and we can see a lot of daylight!!!
Another structural wall that is broken
This week somebody told us that they had heard that our building was being demolished on Monday.
Its news to us. I hope that's not true because we have a very busy day on Monday doing more important things like getting a lease on another place to live, and sorting out some furniture. There are meetings to go to, people to see, banks, and of course there will always be Ida.
Our new place is a total opposite to what we had. ....It has a garden and trees and fabulous outside areas for photography.
We are really looking forward to photographing people there.
We are looking forward to not being gypsies any more.
This earthquake has made us stronger and more resilient.
We are looking for people to photograph.
We are looking for Weddings and Engagements.
We are positively going to work our way through this.
To all of the friends and family that have helped out with kind words, gifts, donations, and loving, I just want to say a huge thanks for everything that you have done. We are very lucky to know you and call you friends.
Take care xxx
Johannes
PS since I wrote this there was another biggish earthquake. We went through again with the engineer and things are definitely getting ugly inside the building.
Be careful you guys! It looks very precarious and dangerous. I'm so sorry for your loss but excited for your new future. I'm sure a garden will be lovely - Ida will adore it. Take care - and ignore the white noise around you - all the best from Sally and Jason at Studio Sixty Photography
Hi Johannes,
so sorry to see how bad things are for you guys.
We hope things improve soon as you deserve the best personally and professionally.
If we can ever help from so many thousands of miles away please let us know.
Best wishes,
Peter
thinking of you guys xoxo
HI there J,
So encouraging to see your enthusiasm and determination to rise above such a traumatic time. You have supported the community and at a time like this I believe what comes around goes around. Will keep an ear out for any client work for you.
Sending you guys lots of aroha
Andrea : >
I saw your beautiful building, business and home, and hoped that you weren't inside at the time, it would have been a terrible experience.
I will pass on your details to all i know, i know how impt it would be right now to just keep going....
So so pleased that your all ok, saw Ida at busy's the other day - she is such a beautiful child - we have so much to be thankful for, we are ok and so are our children. Hang in there, Lyttelton needs you! XX
It is so good to hear you are sticking with Lyttelton. We are too and we will do all we can to steer people your way for photography.
All the very best to you both.
Cheryl Lucas
I have been thinking about you both and your delightful Ida. After such an awful time Ida will give you a reason to get up every morning with her wonderful curiousity of finding about about each day. You both have so much talent and I know this will continue to develop and help us all capture those special moments.
Jo took some wonderful photos of my children Tim and Emma and I ordered one before the dreadful earthquake, I'm not sure if you were able to get anything out of your damaged home - I would still love that photo if at all possible.
Take care, be safe and enjoy your new home, it will get better!
Yes, you have an iconic building and it has graced the streets of Lyttelton for a good Century. Some will find it difficult to adjust to a new street scape, but human life needs to come first, and we all need to trust that structural engineers are experts in this field. Watching our 110 year old home being demolished over the past few weeks has been devastating, be prepared for this process. Thoughts are with you during these difficult times.
Hi Johannes and Jo
I came over to Lyttelton yesterday to meet up with Cheryl Lucas, and we walked from the village up to her house. I can't believe that the week before the earthquake and I met up with you on the corner, it was all so peaceful and I came back that night with a friend from Auckland and we sat in the garden at the Volcano and said what a magic place Lyttelton was. And it will be again - and you you will lead a charge with a new iconic building! So sorry to see the devastation, and what a huge task for you with relocating life for a while.
If there is ANYTHING I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask...
Love
Mariannexxx
Hi Johannes,
It's so sad to see your building like that. I'm gutted for you but hope that you keep the positivity moving forward to the new premisses. I'm glad you and your family are safe though. You have the opportunity to rebuild with a clean slate, and I'm sure you will, and with true Moda style!
This time around the earthquake really messed things up. My wife worked in the PGC building. Thankfully she's okay as she left a week earlier to go on maternity leave, but she lost a lot of friends. It really is very sad.
As traumatic and trying as these times are, hopefully we can honour those we've lost by moving forward with positivity. That's what I'm trying to do. If you do decide to do a few seminars I would love to be there!
Best wishes
Anthony
Was thinking of you when we moved a couple of days ago.
Hope things work out for you guys.