Went to the Canberra Show today. I’d rather give it a miss, but the kids insisted on going, so dragged me along. Anyway, it was pretty much the same as it has been the 3 or 4 other times I’ve been, animals, rides, showbags, exhibits, etc.

Things I liked were the human cannonball, freestyle motocross (guys doing jumps on motorbikes and tricks while in the air …like a handstand on the handlebars), and the crocodile show. Loved the bit in this where the guy running the show got a little girl into the ring and had her hold a freshwater croc, which was OK, but when he dragged out the saltwater croc (about 3 years old and I guess a metre or so long) she told him “I’m not holding that.” The croc’s name was Dr Crunch, very apt for a saltie.

Also interesting was that sideshow alley was a non-smoking area. I reckon that the carnies would be about 90% smokers so this must have been tough for them. Couldn’t bring myself to eat a dagwood dog, such are the memories of the last one I ate a few years ago … I think I still have grease from it clogging my arteries.

Hopefully, this might be my last Show. The kids are getting old enough to go themselves with their friends, and can catch the bus next time they want to go as far as I’m concerned.

Something else I just thought of: The Church of Scientology had a largeish tent there and were offering “stress tests”. I declined. Had I not have had my son with me, it would have been tempting to spend some time rubbishing Scientology for the crock of shit it is (watching South Park’s “Tom Cruise - when are you going to come out of the closet” episode recently brings Scientology to mind). Could have been fun - just like when I got the Amway pitch a few years ago and after listening to it had fun picking it apart figuring out how much profits were being made higher up the pyramid.