Monday, September 04, 2006
Steve Irwin
...
A stingray did what countless crocodiles and other dangerous beasties might have wanted to do - playfully or not so playfully - but never succeeded in accomplishing, over the years... And that is "end the lucky streak" one Steve Irwin was on, the renowned Crocodile Hunter who put to shame fellow local hero from down under Paul Hogan, a.k.a. Crocodile Dundee, since relegated to becoming Flipper's patsy (in a failed attempt at a franchise to boot) while Irwin continued on to invade all manners of media, even the silver screen. This is, after all, the age of "reality TV" - and there were no more real dangers than those that Steve Irwin placed himself squarely into and this very routinely too! He captivated TV audiences that way - less so moviegoers - and was shooting another documentary in his own inimitable style (imitated though it may be; it was never really duplicated) when tragedy struck in the form of a devil ray.
(Though it may not be technically a "devil ray", I'll call it as such and even Terri Irwin, a renowned animal lover, will perhaps do likewise here...)
My most sincere condolences to his wife hence, Terri, to their two children and other family, all of whom held their collective breath each time he would take one outrageous chance after another... He seemed to thrive on doing that too - taking risks and pushing his luck to the limit. As my dear departed father used to say, "tantas vezas que vai a jarinha a fonte, que, um dia, ela fica là" - which means, in short, that one day, one's luck is bound to run out...
My Dad is one of the first genuine good guys who has passed away this year - the year that seems bent on seeing all the good ones take a hike from "mother earth" and ascend into heaven... So that we're left with not much else other than an overwhelming majority of rotten apples?!? Sure looks like the plan here...
2006 has been nothing short of a very, very bad year for the "good guy"...
At any level and in any field too.
The Crocodile Hunter was not the only good guy to perish prematurely on this day - far from it. 2006, as I stated, has been one lousy year in that regard with an overabundance of good guys biting the big one since January...
On this day alone, September 4th, 2006:
In Jordan, a British tourist was among the dead on the site of a terrorist attack.
In Irak, another American soldier was killed while
in Afghanistan, another Canadian soldier went on to meet his maker because of that most oxymoronic of all things called "friendly fire"... This time emanating from a NATO jet, no less! With friends like these...
Most revolting of all, in terms of good guys dying needlessly, left and right, is the following tale (which is our main link today, incidentally, courtesy of sf.indymedia.org) - a tragedy which actually did not take place on this day precisely but, as fate would have it, that I learned about today, just as I learned about Mr. Irwin's untimely passing too...
A puppy died - and it can be directly blamed on American Airlines and their denying the pup the appropriate medical care within a reasonable amount of time. A two-year-old English bulldog died after arrival from a cross-country flight. Terrence Ing, the owner of Willie, placed his dog under the care of American Airlines to safely transport his pet on a New York to San Francisco flight. Ing never expected Willie was not going to make the trip alive. According to Ing, an American Airlines baggage manager denied him access to Willie and had the dog relocated pending instructions from airline superiors. It was only after Ing contacted several area veterinarians that animal paramedics arrived five hours after the flight landed. By then, Willie had died. An animal paramedic who examined Willie’s body at the airport believes the dog may have survived had American Airlines provided adequate medical care. Now, Ing is taking American Airlines to court.
I just know that animal lovers such as the Irwins would be supporting Terrence Ing in his legal recourses here.
I'm at the point that I wonder "who's left" among the good guys... And who could be going next? Could it be... me?
Link
A stingray did what countless crocodiles and other dangerous beasties might have wanted to do - playfully or not so playfully - but never succeeded in accomplishing, over the years... And that is "end the lucky streak" one Steve Irwin was on, the renowned Crocodile Hunter who put to shame fellow local hero from down under Paul Hogan, a.k.a. Crocodile Dundee, since relegated to becoming Flipper's patsy (in a failed attempt at a franchise to boot) while Irwin continued on to invade all manners of media, even the silver screen. This is, after all, the age of "reality TV" - and there were no more real dangers than those that Steve Irwin placed himself squarely into and this very routinely too! He captivated TV audiences that way - less so moviegoers - and was shooting another documentary in his own inimitable style (imitated though it may be; it was never really duplicated) when tragedy struck in the form of a devil ray.
(Though it may not be technically a "devil ray", I'll call it as such and even Terri Irwin, a renowned animal lover, will perhaps do likewise here...)
My most sincere condolences to his wife hence, Terri, to their two children and other family, all of whom held their collective breath each time he would take one outrageous chance after another... He seemed to thrive on doing that too - taking risks and pushing his luck to the limit. As my dear departed father used to say, "tantas vezas que vai a jarinha a fonte, que, um dia, ela fica là" - which means, in short, that one day, one's luck is bound to run out...
My Dad is one of the first genuine good guys who has passed away this year - the year that seems bent on seeing all the good ones take a hike from "mother earth" and ascend into heaven... So that we're left with not much else other than an overwhelming majority of rotten apples?!? Sure looks like the plan here...
2006 has been nothing short of a very, very bad year for the "good guy"...
At any level and in any field too.
The Crocodile Hunter was not the only good guy to perish prematurely on this day - far from it. 2006, as I stated, has been one lousy year in that regard with an overabundance of good guys biting the big one since January...
On this day alone, September 4th, 2006:
In Jordan, a British tourist was among the dead on the site of a terrorist attack.
In Irak, another American soldier was killed while
in Afghanistan, another Canadian soldier went on to meet his maker because of that most oxymoronic of all things called "friendly fire"... This time emanating from a NATO jet, no less! With friends like these...
Most revolting of all, in terms of good guys dying needlessly, left and right, is the following tale (which is our main link today, incidentally, courtesy of sf.indymedia.org) - a tragedy which actually did not take place on this day precisely but, as fate would have it, that I learned about today, just as I learned about Mr. Irwin's untimely passing too...
A puppy died - and it can be directly blamed on American Airlines and their denying the pup the appropriate medical care within a reasonable amount of time. A two-year-old English bulldog died after arrival from a cross-country flight. Terrence Ing, the owner of Willie, placed his dog under the care of American Airlines to safely transport his pet on a New York to San Francisco flight. Ing never expected Willie was not going to make the trip alive. According to Ing, an American Airlines baggage manager denied him access to Willie and had the dog relocated pending instructions from airline superiors. It was only after Ing contacted several area veterinarians that animal paramedics arrived five hours after the flight landed. By then, Willie had died. An animal paramedic who examined Willie’s body at the airport believes the dog may have survived had American Airlines provided adequate medical care. Now, Ing is taking American Airlines to court.
I just know that animal lovers such as the Irwins would be supporting Terrence Ing in his legal recourses here.
I'm at the point that I wonder "who's left" among the good guys... And who could be going next? Could it be... me?
Link
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Steve Irwin will be greatly missed by people all over the world.
He was a great teacher to us all about conservation and saving wildlife. He taught us not to destroy something just because we don't understand it.
I give condolences to his wife Terri and his two children, as well as the rest of his family.
May God Bless the Irwins and all
their efforts to help others save
wildlife.
Thank You Luciano for writing this article about Steve Irwin.
God Bless you Luce (\ô/)
((HUGE HUGS))
Countess
He was a great teacher to us all about conservation and saving wildlife. He taught us not to destroy something just because we don't understand it.
I give condolences to his wife Terri and his two children, as well as the rest of his family.
May God Bless the Irwins and all
their efforts to help others save
wildlife.
Thank You Luciano for writing this article about Steve Irwin.
God Bless you Luce (\ô/)
((HUGE HUGS))
Countess
Many would say the same and have said so already, as evidenced with the one testimonial below:
"His message is really about conservation: He really wants to leave the world a better place for everybody," Animal Planet's Maureen Smith told CNN.com in April.
And yet, despite his evident success all over the globe, Steve Irwin himself felt like a prophet - in the sense that he went unheeded or really unaccepted in his own turf!
In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s "Australian Story" television program about how he was perceived in his home country.
"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he told the ABC.
"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. You know, there's this ... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty.' "
He was a true original and a great man. I get the sense that God is already taking back all of those that belong to him - there will be less to rapture that way! ;)
Blessings!
"His message is really about conservation: He really wants to leave the world a better place for everybody," Animal Planet's Maureen Smith told CNN.com in April.
And yet, despite his evident success all over the globe, Steve Irwin himself felt like a prophet - in the sense that he went unheeded or really unaccepted in his own turf!
In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s "Australian Story" television program about how he was perceived in his home country.
"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he told the ABC.
"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. You know, there's this ... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty.' "
He was a true original and a great man. I get the sense that God is already taking back all of those that belong to him - there will be less to rapture that way! ;)
Blessings!
So much has been said about Mr. Irwin's passing...
Nothing quite like the point of view of TLB Prime faithful friend, Holly Wolfsinger! :)
Here, following, is her take on things - straight from her web journal - the Holly Tree! :)
The link to which is easily found on TLB Prime's sidebar! :)
Luminous (\ô/) Luciano ™
Friday, September 15th 2006
11:28 AM
The End
It's been more than a week since the world was rocked by the death of Australian "wildlife warrior" Steve Irwin, but the feeling of disbelief just doesn't seem to go away. Maybe it's because Steve faced and dealt with so many dangerous situations, or maybe it's because those of us who loved and admired him can't wrap our heads around the fact that Steve was killed by a normally non-aggressive animal - by accident.
I've spent the past week trying to deal with so...much...stuff, and it feels like once I'm catapulted onto this weird karmic merry-go-round, there's a specific theme to the ride and I can't get off it until it's run its course - and the theme of this run seems to be "letting go."
(Please bear with me, now, as my inner Analyst kicks in)
Metaphorically, death is about change from one state to another. It can also be perceived as being a change from one way of living to another way of living. Either way, there's a process involved of letting go; of letting go of the old and embracing the new. If I look at this karmic theme this way, then, I guess I should be embracing change instead of mourning the loss of whatever it is that's changing.
But the passing of a legend like Steve Irwin - a man who gave his life trying to educate people about the importance of wildlife conservation and our world - is hard to deal with. He did things no ordinary human being could have done, and while even I sometimes wondered where his brain was (if you ever saw the episode on Crocodile Hunter where he had a dangerous encounter with Komodo dragons, and then said, "Let's follow 'em!" you'll know what I mean), the fact was that the man was a living legend whose impact on the world forever changed the way we think of wildlife, conservation, and the critical role humans play in ensuring that these things are maintained.
Steve Irwin was young - only 44 years old - when the stingray's barb took his life. Why do people die so young? The stingray can't be blamed, nor should it be punished; it felt threatened, so it defended itself. It didn't matter that Steve wasn't even trying to film it; the ray felt threatened, so it did the only thing it could do to protect itself. It was purely instinctual behavior on its part. Unfortunately, that instinct took the life of one of the most extraordinary human beings of our time.
It seems like there's been so much death touching my life in some way, this month, and it's only the 15th. My husband nearly lost his life because of a hyo-manic episode that caused him to be on the road when he hadn't slept in days. My daughter's best friend Erica died at the young age of 21, leaving behind family and friends. Steve Irwin, self-proclaimed "wildlife warrior" and conservation educator, died at the young age of 44. He left behind a wife and two children.
Tell me that death isn't a "theme of the month" right now, and then, tell me that there isn't a message about letting go that's coming to the fore. I don't think you can.
So, I'm sorry that I haven't posted since my last update, but I've had a lot to think about. I've also been busy taking care of other things both online and offline. And recently, I joined a domestic violence recovery group, and I've had to open myself up in order to really start healing from my life's experiences with that particular demon - and you can imagine the stuff THAT is bringing up.
Everything seems to be about letting go in some way or other, lately. Whether someone I love is experiencing life-threatening dangers, or someone I know is leaving this life, or someone I've admired (like Steve Irwin) is dying because of a freak accident, the past couple of weeks have just been hell on me emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, even psychically. And when this karmic ride has finally run its course, I'm pretty sure I'll be a completely different person.
I don't know how to feel welcoming towards these karmic rides. I try - I try to perceive them as being important lessons for me to open up to - but damn, it's hard. Sometimes, I just want to crawl back into bed and cancel the day due to lack of interest.
But, knowing that every lesson I learn means I'm taking a step forward in my growth as a human being does make me feel better. I'd be lying if I said otherwise.
Anyway, that's really all I have to say, right now. Thanks to everyone who's been popping in and leaving comments for me; I really do appreciate that you do that, and I do read them all. I just have to get my butt in gear and reply, so you don't feel like I'm ignoring you.
Have a good weekend, everyone. Peace be with you.
- Holly
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Nothing quite like the point of view of TLB Prime faithful friend, Holly Wolfsinger! :)
Here, following, is her take on things - straight from her web journal - the Holly Tree! :)
The link to which is easily found on TLB Prime's sidebar! :)
Luminous (\ô/) Luciano ™
Friday, September 15th 2006
11:28 AM
The End
It's been more than a week since the world was rocked by the death of Australian "wildlife warrior" Steve Irwin, but the feeling of disbelief just doesn't seem to go away. Maybe it's because Steve faced and dealt with so many dangerous situations, or maybe it's because those of us who loved and admired him can't wrap our heads around the fact that Steve was killed by a normally non-aggressive animal - by accident.
I've spent the past week trying to deal with so...much...stuff, and it feels like once I'm catapulted onto this weird karmic merry-go-round, there's a specific theme to the ride and I can't get off it until it's run its course - and the theme of this run seems to be "letting go."
(Please bear with me, now, as my inner Analyst kicks in)
Metaphorically, death is about change from one state to another. It can also be perceived as being a change from one way of living to another way of living. Either way, there's a process involved of letting go; of letting go of the old and embracing the new. If I look at this karmic theme this way, then, I guess I should be embracing change instead of mourning the loss of whatever it is that's changing.
But the passing of a legend like Steve Irwin - a man who gave his life trying to educate people about the importance of wildlife conservation and our world - is hard to deal with. He did things no ordinary human being could have done, and while even I sometimes wondered where his brain was (if you ever saw the episode on Crocodile Hunter where he had a dangerous encounter with Komodo dragons, and then said, "Let's follow 'em!" you'll know what I mean), the fact was that the man was a living legend whose impact on the world forever changed the way we think of wildlife, conservation, and the critical role humans play in ensuring that these things are maintained.
Steve Irwin was young - only 44 years old - when the stingray's barb took his life. Why do people die so young? The stingray can't be blamed, nor should it be punished; it felt threatened, so it defended itself. It didn't matter that Steve wasn't even trying to film it; the ray felt threatened, so it did the only thing it could do to protect itself. It was purely instinctual behavior on its part. Unfortunately, that instinct took the life of one of the most extraordinary human beings of our time.
It seems like there's been so much death touching my life in some way, this month, and it's only the 15th. My husband nearly lost his life because of a hyo-manic episode that caused him to be on the road when he hadn't slept in days. My daughter's best friend Erica died at the young age of 21, leaving behind family and friends. Steve Irwin, self-proclaimed "wildlife warrior" and conservation educator, died at the young age of 44. He left behind a wife and two children.
Tell me that death isn't a "theme of the month" right now, and then, tell me that there isn't a message about letting go that's coming to the fore. I don't think you can.
So, I'm sorry that I haven't posted since my last update, but I've had a lot to think about. I've also been busy taking care of other things both online and offline. And recently, I joined a domestic violence recovery group, and I've had to open myself up in order to really start healing from my life's experiences with that particular demon - and you can imagine the stuff THAT is bringing up.
Everything seems to be about letting go in some way or other, lately. Whether someone I love is experiencing life-threatening dangers, or someone I know is leaving this life, or someone I've admired (like Steve Irwin) is dying because of a freak accident, the past couple of weeks have just been hell on me emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, even psychically. And when this karmic ride has finally run its course, I'm pretty sure I'll be a completely different person.
I don't know how to feel welcoming towards these karmic rides. I try - I try to perceive them as being important lessons for me to open up to - but damn, it's hard. Sometimes, I just want to crawl back into bed and cancel the day due to lack of interest.
But, knowing that every lesson I learn means I'm taking a step forward in my growth as a human being does make me feel better. I'd be lying if I said otherwise.
Anyway, that's really all I have to say, right now. Thanks to everyone who's been popping in and leaving comments for me; I really do appreciate that you do that, and I do read them all. I just have to get my butt in gear and reply, so you don't feel like I'm ignoring you.
Have a good weekend, everyone. Peace be with you.
- Holly
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