Partners

It's probably been the most stressful week of my life, for obvious reasons, a 7.1 earthquake that has devastated the lives of many people and businesses in Christchurch.

It's certainly taken its toll on me. Monday/Tuesday, all mostly OK, staff working from home, office damaged but OK. Wednesday, big aftershock, and that?s when things went seriously downhill. I guessed soon after the 5.1 that things weren't going to be OK, immediately called our old landlord, and got first dibs on moving back in, at a price.

The remainder of Wednesday and much of Thursday was spent looking at alternate space and trying to negotiate a deal, virtually impossible as time went on and landlords understood the situation better. And then the realisation Thursday afternoon that it could all be over and at 10am the next morning the building could be closed, for good. So we moved, very quickly. Leaving behind lots of gear, but saving literally all the mission critical operational gear. We'll kiss goodbye to tens of thousands worth of gear, and all our storage - accounts for the last 7 years etc. Will make any future audits easier I guess!

So today ... I firmed up the new office (despite the fact we've moved back in the night before). I visited our furniture supplier, he had 20 desks available, I ordered them immediately and arranged delivery for 7.30 the next day (Saturday). I visited the alarm company; no, they couldn't do it today, but Monday. Deal. I bought a new set of kitchen equipment -plates, glasses, cups etc. What else? Lots! I did several months of work in a day.

There were some true standouts however. Snap Internet, our ISP, have been simply fabulous. I can categorically say I have never dealt with a better company. While other companies were saying 2 weeks for a new internet connection, they arrange Wireless Web to do it that day. Amazing. Also Canterbury Office Furniture. You guys helped save our business by delivering so fast!

Then many of the staff met up at 5 for a drink in a local pub, we?d not seen each other for a week, and exchanged stories. Many funny ones, like staying in bed during the quake! Then off to another pub to meet Rob and Karkl and discuss the situation. Almost certainly the new office will be bowled, so we agreed that Karl rent a smaller space for 12 months and Rob split his staff between us.

Deals all done, home, and then a very early night. Stressed and tired.

Tomorrow will be better. We?ve achieved a lot and made many major decisions, in record time. We'll be OK.