January 26

20020. There you go hound dawgs or should I say kelpies , Nah that doesn’t work , but anyway pups it’s been a fucken huge day ,to say the least . We had the bringing in of the Chinese New Year with the Rat and then of course LA went into meltdown with the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant ,LAs only true modern day sporting hero . With the great mans tragic death the morning had frozen solid with shock . It wasn’t long before the famous 24 in Lakers colours was draped across torsos on every corner .LA is in mourning ,but shit we’ve gotta drag ourselves outta this funk and do what we Aussies do , celebrate Australia Day .No matter the date it falls on in the future ,and I admit I’d like to see it changed ,we’ll celebrate it ,especially living abroad .

I got up this morning and checked social media ,with all the photos of bbqs ,get togethers and just friends and mates celebrating in our typically relaxed way . Yeah I sighed with a tinge of envy but shit we’ve got plans of our own . I kept to my routine ,threw the kettle on and had two scoops of Nescafé with a dollop of milk ,I’ve cut the teaspoon of sugar out . I still miss the sugar . I popped my head out the front door and gave a nod . Old Huebagger had sent a powerful swell thru the day before ,she was still there ,but now just rideable , better eat my weeties . It’s Australia Day ,so I do what any Aussie living in California would do and have avocado on sourdough toast with salt and pepper , I forgot the Vegemite , we’ve only got 6 tubs of it in storage ,just in case an earthquake hits as we’ll need rations .I’ll have it tomorrow. Of course I went surfing , it was heavy but the old dawg found a couple and then of course things stalled with Kobe .

Shit should we go ,we’re not really feeling it .We can just hang out here and have a couple . “Hey ,we’ve gotta do it. We’ll rock up ,have a couple and leave . Bluestone Lane Cafe ,Venice ,$35 entry as a donation to the bushfire appeal . We do it .1st we drop off Tex and his mate Noah who coincidentally has an Australian Mum from Perth ,off at the Venice skate park . Yeah ,I still shake my head ,the famous Venice strip and skatepark that is iconic to any LA tourist is somewhere our kid regularly frequents . Tex couldn’t be further away from being an Aussie ,he’s a Californian kid .

Rose Street Venice , a cool arty eclectic strip of terrace houses ,grimy beige units ,funky cafes ,restaurants and the signature Australian cafe (50 of them in the US) Bluestone Lane.I could’ve sworn I was out the back of Acland Street , Stkilda . Emma with her Vegemite pants , me with my Trigger Brothers shirt with the Australian coat of arms …we’re ready . The Australian flags , then the sound of Mondo Rock and finally the chatter of Aussie speak .Emma and I look at each other and smile . Yep no mistaking this vibe . “What would you like mate ?” “I’ll have a Coopers thanks mate ” , I reply . I watch the barman roll the Coopers gently before opening the lid for me . Shit ,he really does know how to handle these babies . Damo , Jacqui , Chris , Rachel and heap of Aussies in a cool modern cafe eating sausage rolls , meat pies and lamingtons . As per usual on these Aussie events I’m shocked at how good looking the crowd is . Their here to make it in the big time and you can tell their smart , talented , self assured and bloody well bred . It is uplifting , the positivity in this small space makes drinking beer all the more easier , not that I need inspiration. By 530 we’ve gotta get Tex and his mate before dark sets in . Emma says she could’ve stayed all night . I agree , in fact I think a sickie would well and truly suffice , but alas we have to pick up our American kid and get back to watch ..but what else …The Grammys … shit I think I better write this blog ….. Happy Australia Day folks .