Hello all , just signing in from the land of shallow . 2 weeks of cool ,grey and at times wet conditions are giving way to the inevitable blue skies of LA . We are just 8 days away from the shortest day of the year and the official 1st day of winter , although it feels that winter may have started a few weeks ago . Funny that , I thought the seasons changed at the start of a new month , like the rest of the world. Ahhh ,not here . We know America does it its way . Why use a simple system much like the metric system when you can dig your heels in and stay in the past ? Oh well , I guess that disproves my opening remark about being shallow .
We are in “Holliday Season ” in the US . We’ve just had the long weekend for Thanks Giving and are now heading into Christmas and New Years . Hollidays , meaning the kids get a week off for Thanks Giving and then another 2 weeks for Christmas . There doesn’t seem to be any real industry shut down outside of the schools . Christmas and December have a very different feel over here . There isn’t that chirpy vibe of summer beers , Christmas party’s , work break ups and family vacations . There’s a real grind in the air right now , not unlike June / July in Melbourne ,but the weird phenomenon of Christmas probably gives you something to focus on . Then there’s New Year’s Eve . It seems all wrong that this date would fall in the depths of winter . There’ll be no outdoor bbqs , shorts and thongs ( flip flops over here ) ,with day light just fading before 9pm . It’ll be well dark before 5 pm and still another 7 hours indoors to endure .It doesn’t bother me that much as I always thought New Years was over rated ,but still I admit it is fun to watch all the kids play in the late summer hours amped up at the idea of their parents loosening up for the big occasion. Of course I’m coming from an entirely different angle from the locals . They’ve lived it and know it to being no different to what they’ve always experienced . They’ll probably travel to see family or their family will come to them ,so I suppose there is that bond that keeps the spirit festive ,but shit …..in the cold ,held up inside .Nahh ,I think we’ve got it better. We’d love to travel back to Australia over the break ,but when air fares are at around 12 grand US return (15 grand Aus ) ,we can’t justify it ,maybe later .
On the flip side ….rain ,and with rain there is waves and when it rains the storm outlets pump out water ,creating holes in the sandbars ,which brings rips ,which in turn creates channels and most importantly …waves with a bit of shape .Yeah I know it bores you but I gotta throw it in .Sometimes the surf alone is the only thing that keeps me sane over here .The only negative is the very poor water conditions . After each rain event there are 72 hour warnings on entering the water ,but this is usually the best window for surfing . I’m out there , bad ears or not . On that note I’ve temporarily given up the idea of surgery on both ears as this medical system is extremely difficult to navigate and more costly than the Australian system .
I’m not at home as much but I’ve been thinking . Ole mate is on a 100% strike rate . On the rare occasion that I’ve had the front door open (5 times ) over the last month he’s just happened to bob in , remember I now have is phone number blocked .He’s arrived at different times of the day and to add to that he’s caught Leroy and I at the park a couple of times as well . The more I think about it the more I realise the strike rate isn’t really at 100%. For him to catch me so frequently reveals that the ole boy must regularly and probably daily drive past our place . The old fucker loves to stalk ….and shit does he love to talk ..about himself . “Hey Troy , you in there ? ” he yells knowing full well the doors opened while I prepare dinner . “Yeah “, I murmur ( fuck off I’m thinking ). “Can you please help me , I come around to get your advice on cooking short rib . What do I do ?” he asks . Fuck me dead , really ? ” Just stick it in the oven with foil and slow cook it .” I reply . ” You wouldn’t believe what happened to me at Starbucks whilst I was getting there special offer for 2 for 1 today .” He loves that shit , any deal on with the takeaway restaurants he’s 1st in line . “What happened ? ” I reply. ” The manager walked over from behind the counter and asked me if I remembered him from an event that took place in a dog salon 2 years ago .” To cut a long story short the young guy in his 20s wanted to take Marcus outside . I burst out laughing ..” Mate you obviously upset him like you did that guy who punched off your mirror ,or the upstairs neighbour you backed into , or like your ex wife who wants you dead and like Emma who wants you buried ,or like Alcoholics Anonymous banning you for a month for arguing , or like your last 2 landlords who kicked you out , or your sister Carolyn ( not even his real sister , he just called her that as he thought they were really close ..not ) for ordering you to get out of her life ….shit mate you’re just very unlucky I think .” “Oh Troy that’s not a nice thing to say , none of those things are my fault ” , he replies . ” Like I said mate, you’re just unlucky .” He leaves soon after …..with my Email address . Just 1 hour later a message comes in from no other than Ole Mate himself …’Troy I need your help . I have a sore hip . Do you think you could help an old friend and possibly provide a massage . …yours sincerely , your good friend Marcus . ‘ I pissed myself laughing . Geezus this guy won’t give up .
Speak soon people , enjoy the holiday vibe .
aussiehowieinla 