It has been a stressful week. Firstly, how did D Trump get into power? How did that happen? What is going on in the heads of Americans? Yes, I understand the need to redress the middle-class polarisation – which is also a looming issue in New Zealand – but at what cost is that to be? To have a racist, misogynist, mob-invoking leader with an outspoken disdain for the environment at the helm of America does not bode well for the future. And it is the future generations that will have to pay (or learn a painful lesson) for enforcing change for change's sake. And that's where it gets interesting. An infographic that floated across my media stream clearly showed that Americans between 18 and 25 voted completely differently – 504 backed Clinton with just 23 for Trump. That's a scary statistic and perhaps the fuel behind the riots that ensued in places like Portland and throughout California.
But Trump's appointment was overshadowed by my 12:02AM GeoNet alert on Sunday. We'll never really normalise earthquakes – each and every one of them frays nerves and serves a reminder that we know very little about why, when and how they will happen. Kaikoura holds a special place in the heart of most surfers – something about those breathtaking setups and snow-capped backdrops – so this swarm is especially worrying.
I also have an affinity with the high country stations just over the Kaikoura Ranges from my time working on them for our latest book, Merino Country. Muzzle Station, which is my next project, is New Zealand's most remote and on Monday morning it became even more remote as roads slipped in and boulders came tumbling down from the peaks. O and Guy, who run the station described it in one word ... but I can't write that one here. Luckily, they have that strength of character, that a place like Muzzle Station demands, to bounce back.
Want to help? You can contribute to the Red Cross November 2016 Earthquake Appeal right here.
Let's hope this coming week brings something better than Trump and rumbles.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS We're going to donate $8 from the sale of every copy of Merino Country purchased through Box of Light this week to the Red Cross November 2016 Earthquake Appeal (100% of funds go to on ground support). Here's the link.
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