Years ago I had, for various reasons, had to put off going to see Physco when it was first released.    The problem with delaying seeing a movie like this is that the fingers you put in your ears end up touching in the middle as you have to constantly insert them in order to avoid hearing  the spoilers everybody and his dog try to feed to you.

And your attempts to block off what they are saying usually becomes a waste of time as something always enters your brain, and when you finally get to see the movie you are expecting that scene.   It is a plain as the nose on your face when it’s going to happen and when it occurs you are as cool as a cucumber, unlike the frenzied audience around you who are ducking under the seats while you just sit back saying ‘ho hum.    Cool, hey!   Unless the action takes place from the wrong side of the screen to what you were expecting it and you find yourself in the rest room a minute later drying up your jeans now wet in a very embarrasing spot … and it can be hard to dry off when your hands are still shaking and your heart is beating so hard it threatens to rip your sweat soaked shirt off your skinny little chest.

Well that was back in the sixties – then in the eighties there was JAWS with a couple of totally unexpected arrivals from old Bruce on the screen.    Bruce was the name the crew gave to the shark they had made for the movie.    Trivia:   What was the name of the boss shark in Finding Nemo and why?    Anyway, back to the more serious.    I have been watching movies for over 60 years and have had my fair share of ‘oh my god’ moments, but nothing prepared me for the feelings of horror that ran through my body the first time I saw Mick Fanning’s close encounter with a great white.    I knew what had happened when it came on the A.B.C. news at lunch time.   I had heard the passionate phone call from his mother to A.B.C. radio Gold Coast after she had seen it happen on the live broadcast of the surf carnival.    I was aware that Mick’s board rope had been bitten in half by the shark (a three to four metere, (approx.) 4yo great white) and I knew he had punched the shark in the head before he had fallen in the water.    I knew that he had been rescued and he was without injury.   I was prepared for a bit of excitement, where nobody got hurt, but I was NOT prepared for something that would turn my stomach to jelly.    I think, that regardless of how many movies I had seen over the years, this televised surf carnival portrayed a shark attack in a REAL SENSE, and boy did I feel the fear the minute that that fin appeared on the screen … and when he disappeared out of sight!!!

In case you haven’t seen what I am talking about CLICK HERE.   Remember it was a close encounter NOT a fatality, but be prepared for how it affects you.

But every good story seems to have a bad side and on this story it is the person (or persons) who have suggested that the other surfer who was in the water with Mick, Julian Wilson, should NOT be awarded a MEDAL for BRAVERY, as suggested by the Queensland State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, but should recieve one for STUPIDITY, in both cases for going to the aid of Mick during the attack.

A pretty STUPID statement by someone who most likely just likes to be controverial to hear themselves talk, or be talked about.    Most BRAVERY actions are STUPID decisions in one sense because the rescuers usually HAVE to put themselves at risk to save the person/people in danger, but knowing the risks and odds are against them does not stop them from trying to help.    Good people are good people and sometimes they suceed and sometimes they lose and whichever way it ends I still think they are brave.   And as far as I am concerned Julian Wilson was simply trying to HELP his friend and I doubt he worried whether it was a STUPID thing to do … I imagine his brain automatically assumed it to be  a HUMAN thing to do … and that is what he tried to do.   Good on him.

I don’t know if you heard about it, but there were a series of authorised demonstrations all over Australia last weekend attended by Reclaim Australia who became involved in a bit of a stoush in Melbourne with a more liberal thinking group who are quite willing to share our country with all comers.    Now I am not condoning nor condemming either group – these kind of protests have been erupting at least since the sixties – if not before, but I would like to remind both parties that if the protests about immigration are truly based on fear – then the terrorists are winning.   They do not have to attack or kill to win the war – all they need to do is turn their enemies against themselves.

Isn’t it great to see a billionaire share his wealth with possible futility.   One hundred million dollars donated around the world to be used on radio telescopes to search the heavens for extra terrestial life forms.   I think that’s great.    E.T. Phone home … now!!!

Finally, on a sadder note, the Australian government has announced the closure of all A.B.C. retail shops.   That’s just great … now how do I  get my DALEK USB stick or replace my moth eaten TOM BARKER scarf.    ‘On  line’  they say  because that is why they are closing down.   Too many people are using on-line shopping to save a dollar.   Ironicly this takes place, and places several hundred retail workers in the dole queue, at the same time that the govermnent is about to announce a G.S.T (POSSIBLY BEING INCREASED FROM 10 TO 15 PERCENT) ON ALL ON-LINE PURCHASES UNDER @1,000.00.    Pity they hadn’t thought about doing that when jobs could have been saved.

Anyway, that’senough whinging and bitchin’ .

See you all soon

Tony S