Charleen's Chateau

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died yesterday in a freak accident at the age of 44.  He was filming a new documentary piece at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, when a frightened stingray struck Steve directly in the heart.

While he managed to pull the barb out, he still succumbed to cardiac arrest; all within seconds, and all on film. The film itself is being used in the investigation, although the preliminary investigation has found no indication that the fish was provoked or that the rescue attempts were mishandled. Hopefully, they will destroy the film before his widow or children ever have to see it.

Stingrays are very non-aggressive fish, and tend to strike only when startled. Steve's death could have either been caused by the removal of the barbed stinger, or by an allergic reaction to the toxins that are forced through the barb. An autopsy is being done.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Terri, and their children Bindi Sue, and Bob.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is putting together a fund – affectionately called the "Crikey Fund" – to support wildlife protection, education and conservation.  In addition, the fund will be added to donations from DCI in support of maintaining Australia Zoo, and providing an education for Bindi and Bob.  All condolences are being collected at the fan site, which is clogged with users right now.

Goodnight, Steve. Thank you for hours of entertainment and enlightenment.  I'm sorry that you had to go, but heaven must have been getting overrun with rogue crocodiles.  Hopefully, one of the millions that you've inspired will carry on your torch, and continue your fight for the voiceless and vilified endangered predators that you so loved.

"My number one rule is to keep that camera rolling. Even if it's shaky or slightly out of focus, I don't give a rip. Even if a big old alligator is chewing me up I want to go down and go, 'Crikey!' just before I die. That would be the ultimate for me." – Steve Irwin

I didn't announce this last week when I heard about it because I didn't want to overshadow Matt coming in.  But here's the news that I wrote at the time…

The SciFi Channel is cancelling Stargate SG1.  I have no frelling idea why they think this is a good idea, but here's the story from Gateworld.

Now, the folks at MGM are standup folks, and they've agreed to stand behind their show, and the producers have agreed to do the same. I'd love to boycott SciFi, but both Atlantis (which has my fave character in the whole blooming franchise, McKay) and Battlestar Gallactica (which is, hands down, the best sci-fi out on TV right now) are still going to be there.

Not to mention, it will be my only legal way to get the new Doctor Who and possibly Torchwood, if it ever comes out.  So, I can't ban Sci-Fi.  I thought about banning NBC, who is a sister company, but then I would miss out on My Name is Earl…

I'm screwed.  We've seen the writing on the wall for years, but BSG gave us a false sense of security: all good sci-fi gets cancelled too early. The Farscapes and the Fireflys are all thrown out to make room for WWE wrestling, and Who Wants to Be on the Reality Show Du Jour?

Ah well, where there's life, there's hope.  Maybe Joss will come out with something new for me??

BTW, I put most of my links to Gateworld because I think they have the best resource for up to date news on this stuff and  I tend to use Whedonesque a lot as well because they just kick demon ass.  I'm going to try to put up banners for both of them, but I may fail horribly (because I don't know how!!).  Either way, please visit their sites often for insight and news…or just a few giggles!