Sam Neill RIP

[Lanolin]

Pneumonia is often called 'the old man's friend'. Because dying of pneumonia can be quicker than dying slowly in agony of cancer.
People can also pick up a lot of infections in hospital. When my mum was in, several times covid made the rounds. Thankfully she didn't catch covid neither did we visiting and we were visiting every day, but mum did catch pneumonia from another hospital visit when she had to have those cancer check ups. I really hated those and would not put her through it but she was overruled by the rest of the family. The immunotherapy trial stopped the cancer growing for a while (it didn't eradicate it) but it dang near killed her because the side effects interfered with her kidney function. She recovered though and went on to live another year before the cancer started spreading again. It was pneumonia that got her in the end.



When Sam Neill was promoting his book, he'd fully recovered from his cancer treatment (published 2023) and seemed in great spirits the time we all saw him at the Writers Festival. (2024) But cancer treatment and old age can take its toll.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Pneumonia is often called 'the old man's friend'. Because dying of pneumonia can be quicker than dying slowly in agony of cancer.
People can also pick up a lot of infections in hospital. When my mum was in, several times covid made the rounds. Thankfully she didn't catch covid neither did we visiting and we were visiting every day, but mum did catch pneumonia from another hospital visit when she had to have those cancer check ups. I really hated those and would not put her through it but she was overruled by the rest of the family. The immunotherapy trial stopped the cancer growing for a while (it didn't eradicate it) but it dang near killed her because the side effects interfered with her kidney function. She recovered though and went on to live another year before the cancer started spreading again. It was pneumonia that got her in the end.



When Sam Neill was promoting his book, he'd fully recovered from his cancer treatment (published 2023) and seemed in great spirits the time we all saw him at the Writers Festival. (2024) But cancer treatment and old age can take its toll.

That must have been a blessing to meet him at that festival.

I'm sorry about your Mum's suffering. That makes it extra tough when siblings are fighting you in addition to all the other issues. This is especially true on disagreements concerning your own Mum's life.

 

[Lanolin]

It's very hard to see someone you love age right before your eyes, and become so frail and weak.

We all loved Sam Neill and as he got older with white hair etc that didn't diminish him as he never lost that spark in his eyes when you see him in the movies/tv.
I mean he wasn't traditionally handsome in the way say, Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt or George Clooney are. In fact you wouldn't pick him out and say 'there's a handsome man' or 'there's a Hollywood movie star' although he kind of looked similar to Kevin Costner to me...he wasn't in the least bit narcissistic.

He didn't get by on looks alone is what I'm trying to say. He just had a winning personality, that was cheeky yet humble at the same time. And he could be serious when he wanted to be. Just a regular everyday guy. (Though he also managed a huge vineyard lol)

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

I might go back and see that again. The only thing about head injury amnesia is that some of the old memories are gone. I think I saw this one so it will be like a new movie again.

 

[Lanolin]

I think partly the reason why he wrote his memoir was so that his grandchildren could read it an understand why he was so famous, plus he had a lot of stories to tell.

When you are a film actor you really live a lot of lives, and as every film is filmed in different locations with different people you get to know people and become like family on the set. He really was in awe of the actors he got to meet and work with.

Someone asked what his favourite film was and I recall he said he enjoyed Peaky Blinders the most.

 

[Lanolin]

I can totally recommend Hunt for the Wilderpeople as watched it last night in it's entirety with my sis and we were just laughing away.

Also it showcases the beautiful New Zealand scenery - forests and country side. Any Taika Waititi film is a gem though.

The Piano is also one of those films that has breathtaking scenery. Sam Neill isn't too bad either.

 

[Bible_Locket]

I can totally recommend Hunt for the Wilderpeople as watched it last night in it's entirety with my sis and we were just laughing away.

Also it showcases the beautiful New Zealand scenery - forests and country side. Any Taika Waititi film is a gem though.

The Piano is also one of those films that has breathtaking scenery. Sam Neill isn't too bad either.

Does New Zealand have awesome snakes and spiders like Australia does?

 

[Lanolin]

Does New Zealand have awesome snakes and spiders like Australia does?

No snakes but fearsome eels..
Yes spiders, Avondale spiders (originally from Australia) and a poisonous one called the Katipo spider.

 

[Bible_Locket]

No snakes but fearsome eels..
Yes spiders, Avondale spiders (originally from Australia) and a poisonous one called the Katipo spider.

She reminds me of the markings on a Black Widow .

I checked. The Eels in New Zealand can travel across land.
Boy, that'll put a spring in your stride if you're out for a brisk morning walk before work.


Longfin Eel

 

[Lanolin]

I learned they travel/swim all the way to Tonga to spawn as that's their breeding grounds.
Scientists only recently found this out when they microtagged them and followed where they went.

I didn't know our eels went into the ocean because they are always in our rivers, I never see any in the sea.

 

[Bible_Locket]

I learned they travel/swim all the way to Tonga to spawn as that's their breeding grounds.
Scientists only recently found this out when they microtagged them and followed where they went.

I didn't know our eels went into the ocean because they are always in our rivers, I never see any in the sea.

Eels are amazing. They seem benign really because they can only swim.
But Moray Eels are a piece of work if you're diving.

And incredibly,Electric Eels can kill you with electricity. I thought it would be just a little zing. But no. They have enough electricity in them,one Eel, to hit you with voltage like grabbing onto a downed live power line.

Gotta respect that. If you could plug in an Electric Eel you could save using the new slimey green energy source.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Does New Zealand have awesome snakes and spiders like Australia does?

Thank you for posting this link.
I was just going to look for it after reading @Lanolin 's post.
It's got a beautiful scenic beginning!

 

[Bible_Locket]

Thank you for posting this link.
I was just going to look for it after reading @Lanolin 's post.
It's got a beautiful scenic beginning!

You're most welcome.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Eels are amazing. They seem benign really because they can only swim.
But Moray Eels are a piece of work if you're diving.

And incredibly,Electric Eels can kill you with electricity. I thought it would be just a little zing. But no. They have enough electricity in them,one Eel, to hit you with voltage like grabbing onto a downed live power line.

Gotta respect that. If you could plug in an Electric Eel you could save using the new slimey green energy source.

You got that right!
I miss Jack Hannah's shows.
Here's when he was on David Letterman's show. It's around 7 minutes long and the last is an electric eel.

I remember stopping to see him at the Columbus Zoo where he was Director . I was driving back from a Cleveland Zoo where I was offered the Directorship after the interview.

 

[Bible_Locket]

You got that right!
I miss Jack Hannah's shows.
Here's when he was on David Letterman's show. It's around 7 minutes long and the last is an electric eel.

I remember stopping to see him at the Columbus Zoo where he was Director . I was driving back from a Cleveland Zoo where I was offered the Directorship after the interview.

Did you take the job?

I always like Jacks presentations. Jacks dry humor is great.
Letterman on the other hand was getting on my nerves.

A complete hoax? Hey Dave? Go ahead and stick your hand in the water at the tail end of the Eel.

Complete hoax.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Did you take the job?

I always like Jacks presentations. Jacks dry humor is great.
Letterman on the other hand was getting on my nerves.

A complete hoax? Hey Dave? Go ahead and stick your hand in the water at the tail end of the Eel.

Complete hoax.

Yeah Really, go ahead Dave.
Pet the nice Eel.
He always does his putdowns of Jack and thinks it's funny.

I was fortunate to have been called up for an interview for the position. It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. I prayed earnestly and made a list of pros and cons, asked council of my pastor, old college councilor and others I looked to for wisdom.

 

[Bible_Locket]

Yeah Really, go ahead Dave.
Pet the nice Eel.
He always does his putdowns of Jack and thinks it's funny.

He always did that with any guest. But especially those who brought animals on.

And he and other late night hosts were always afraid.
So silly. I'm watching just because the trailers promised animals as guests.
Let's cuddle! Aligators,Tigers,big snakes,whatever.

I was fortunate to have been called up for an interview for the position. It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. I prayed earnestly and made a list of pros and cons, asked council of my pastor, old college councilor and others I looked to for wisdom.

Did you take the job? You'd have worked with animals?

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

He always did that with any guest. But especially those who brought animals on.

And he and other late night hosts were always afraid.
So silly. I'm watching just because the trailers promised animals as guests.
Let's cuddle! Aligators,Tigers,big snakes,whatever.



Did you take the job? You'd have worked with animals?

I like your latest Avatar.

I'm sorry to pull a Paul Harvey, but I'm starting to fade fast. If I don't get to sleep soon, I have a condition that might keep me awake all night.
Please remind me tomorrow and I'll tell you the rest of the story.

 

[Bible_Locket]

I like your latest Avatar.

I'm sorry to pull a Paul Harvey, but I'm starting to fade fast. If I don't get to sleep soon, I have a condition that might keep me awake all night.
Please remind me tomorrow and I'll tell you the rest of the story.

OK Paul. Sleep well.

 

[Lanolin]

Eel scene

Or is it a giant slug?
Also captions have it wrong. It's salad, not solid!