How’s it going all you Osssies back there in the Land of Down Under ? The bushfires have been big news on an almost nightly scale . 
On a couple of occasions news services have put aside 2 minutes or more to reporting the scope and carnage that’s occurring. The sight of burnt koalas and kangaroos jumping for their lives really strikes a chord with the Yanks . It’s funny just how much they love our native animals . They might love them more than we do . I felt guilty ,for I was excited to see news on Australia ,even if it was bad . Any news outside of LA pricks the ears ,it’s not often we hear about anything else other than another hit n run ,who’s gonna win what award in Hollywood ( they love awarding each other ) or a police shooting . Ive just recovered from the comatose inducing saturation of every channel broadcasting the live impeachment hearings ….. “like as if we care ? ” Hello ,we are in California ,the land of legalised weed and the Kardashians . Now the old boy has just gone an shot some Iranian General and we’ve gotta go through it all over again ….please send a plane over and come and get me now ,at least until the Super Bowl is on .I’ve been asked if my family and friends are safe down there . For all the criticism I have for this place and occasionally it’s people you can’t deny their care and affection for Australia ,especially considering most will never get the chance to see how good we’ve got it down there .
The rant aside ,it’s been great to catch up with the Floyds and have them stay at our joint . I must admit I was concerned at how it could work in our small digs but it went pretty seamlessly .At one one stage I thought I was living in ‘The Waltons ‘ house with John Boy , Mary Lou and shit I forget the rest of them , but any way it was like one big Amish family ,all nine of us ,alcohol included . New Years was pretty cool at CB’s joint , a family that kindly invited the whole Aussie brethren to their new digs .
Shit ,now that the Floyds are skiing in Mammoth it’s almost too quiet . Quiet ..that’s the word for this time of the year in LA . The weather is clear ,the days short ,temperatures generally hovering from 14 -18 degrees Celsius and of course the winter sunsets are pretty special 
. It’s grind time , get to February when the days grow longer ;kids sport gets on roll with baseball and basketball ,consistent surf conditions and generally a feel of optimism creeps back in with the 6 month summer only a month off .
We’ve all had our share of the cold and flu lately . It’s something I’ve noticed since moving here ,I don’t get sick as much as I used to back in Melbourne. I think it’s the warmer climate . Never the less I was in bed for a whole morning the other day ,feeling like trash (another American word I’ve been trying to keep out of my vernacular) . It’s something I haven’t done since my early 20s ….yeah I know ..man flu . I popped my head outside today and I knew I was in trouble , the waves were real good . I manned up , put the suit on and walked down the beach feeling like a robot .Thats how I thought I looked ,feeling terribly sorry for myself ,all stiff ,achy and cold . …”Howie ,you just need 30 minutes mate ,grab a couple , feel good about yourself and grab a hot shower at home when you’re finished.” ……..It doesn’t work that way of course . When I got to the beach I realised I needed 2 hours out there …it was that good . …I should’ve stuck to the 30 minute rule …. It’s like trying to do any physical activity when you’re hung over … it ain’t gonna work …
As i moped off I looked over my shoulder at a couple of geriatric 50 year olds who had well and truly got the better of me out there ….”C**ts” , I murmured to myself .
Emma in all her industriousness has set Tex and myself up for a date at the movies today ,she bought the tickets and even sent them to Texs phone so we could walk straight in. Old Texxy and myself rarely hang out .so here goes . I’m hanging onto the idea that I’m feeling foggy on this one . Old Texy boy who himself has been a bit crook with a flu and myself hit the Shake Shack to start with . This joint is no doubt the best fast food burger joint in LA , hands down . In fact I’ve had my best burger ever at this joint ,and that hurts to admit ,as I am fundamentally opposed to the fast food franchise joint …… and that’s tough when you live in Franchiseville .It says something when we both eat our burger only ,leaving our fries behind …I usually mop up those crinkly fries . Eventually Tex and I rock into the cinemas at 1230 for our 1240 matinee . “Shit there’s no one here , we’ll have the cinema to ourselves .” I remark . “Weird “,Tex replies . We rock into the theatre and it’s dark ,and there’s soldiers on the big screen ,and it’s very loud ..shit this looks like it’s a short for another war movie but it ain’t .The movie has already started . Tex and I look at each other and shrug our shoulders . I message Emma ,she informs me the the movie 1917 starts at 1205,as stated on the email and tickets she has sent us . Fuck it …..still it was one one the best movies I’ve seen without a beginning in maybe …well ,shit . I think it will win the Oscar for best picture ,put money on it . You have gotta see it …all of it . Well that’s it kiddos , not much is happening .Ya ole mate Marcus is still lurking ,we’re doing our thing …..hope it rains down there and bring on Australia Day and the footy season . Cheers …..The Howeys of Hermosa Beach .
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