A Boulder Named Rocky

New Zealand witnessed a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on February 22, 2011 at 12:51 PM local time (2011-02-21 UTC) when it struck Christchurch. The epicenter was located approximately 10 km south-east of the Christchurch CBD, near Diamond Harbour, Lyttelton at a depth of less than 5 km. The shallowness nature, proximity to urban centre and the timing of the quake had meant that the quake was particularly devastating.

In the aftermath of this damaging disaster, an enterprising fellow in Christchurch is auctioning off the giant boulder that shamelessly destroyed his building as a "landscape feature" (Webpage http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=357989041, accessed March 06, 2011). This appeared on “Trade Me”, a NZ online auction site” – listing #: 357989041:

“For sale 1 owner 25 - 30 ton landscape feature (answers to the name Rocky)...
He is in pristine condition (just a little bit of concrete dust). Suitable for garden feature, or as in our case a magnificent addition to your living area.
Rocky will enhance your "indoor outdoor" flow considerably, especially if you load him in through the garage roof like we did.
Sorry, but we are unable to deliver Rocky but would be happy for you to pick him up and roll him away (please mind our neighbors when you do).
Highest bid (should there be one) gets personalized photo with Rocky (when cordon lifts) and of course a wonderful addition to your home.
On a serious note: ALL proceeds will go to ChCh Earthquake Relief Fund”.

Great to see that this New Zealander has not lost his sense of humor in the quake! As at 02:10 PM today (Malaysian time, of course), there were 61 bids, and the current bid stood at NZ$8,150.

Kris Commons' stylish double (42, 52) eases Celtic to a win over Hamilton Accies that stretches their lead in the Scottish Premier League. South of the border, Arsenal disappoints again when they played to a goalless draw against a resolute Sunderland – hence squandering their chance to significantly close the gap with Man U.