I actually started writing this 10 days ago but things went down in a big way with the George Floyd killing / race riots . Things at home turned sideways for a short period . So this blog was put to the back burner. At the time of writing this I was on a tear ,but had to pause for our weekly beer with our friend Bill , Kim and Cooper . I was to return in the morning to finish it . By then a vicious hangover and another major social upheaval had changed a jovial mood . So here it is two weeks back .
74 , that’s Emma’s birth year ,it’s also the amount of days in lockdown. The other day she yelled out something to Tex . I was shocked at what I heard . It wasn’t the content but the sound . It finished all hollow and open lipped . The R was hung onto. There was no Aussie twang on the end of it . She sounded bloody American ! Holy shit . I pulled her aside and said “,Darl , snap out’ve it . Keep your trap shut when ya talk and keep ya words short , or y’all end up sounding like a yank . “ 3 years and the very 1st hint of a different sound showed it’s head for the 1st time . Me I won’t allow it , but I’ll tell ya what ? I’ve now developed a pretty handy take off of the American accent . I’m using it a lot lately but after hearing Emma the other day I got a fright . What happens if my fake American accent sinks it’s roots into my tongue ? It gives me a shiver down my spine thinking about it . When and if we get back to Australia I’ll never live it down . Nah , it’s not happen’n . The kids , well they’re total yanks .
The June gloom has arrived . The overcast conditions brought on by the sea fogs of May and June have protected us from the hot conditions that most of LA have had to put up with . It’s in the mid to high 30’s in the suburbs , while along the coast it barely gets past 22c . It doesn’t matter too much . You can’t take for granted where we live . It’s a privileged area but it’s also a privilege to live here . You only have to drive through LA to see how lucky we have it . Until recently I have been walking , a lot . A toe stub has put me out for a week but I’ll be back next week . ( still not back , fucken things a pain in the arse ) On that note a few other things will be back next week . Retailers will be allowed to open with strict social distancing measures to be applied . There’s talk that local restaurants might be able to open if they can use outdoor dining with appropriate spacing . But walking , you notice things . When this lockdown began it was the removalist trucks . People were getting out . Millennials retreating back to the security of their family homes , The party is over for some . Others? It keeps going .Most afternoons you can see people sitting on their decks and front porches , soaking in the sun , drink in hand ,a book in the other .
The walking has been therapeutic. Podcasts of all types have accompanied the adventures .Im talking Russel Brand , mindfulness, footy ( Australian Rules Football ) ,Hollywood stories ( eg . Peter Bogdanovic ) , science related and a couple of others that I didn’t see myself ever wanting to listen to . Times like these , being so far from home , with a future so undecided and a confidence so fragile , walking has been been an important escape . It’s been a need that has grown daily . Luckily when I hurt the toe the beaches opened . I’ve been able to surf ( with discomfort ) or watch Leroy learn on a daily basis .
The walking allowed me to see things differently . Hermosa Beach / Manhattan Beach where we live is densely populated . There’s barely a lawn to be seen . This place is littered with laneways , culdesacs ,courtyards , private streets , hidden gardens , massive mansions , decrepit dwellings , shared spaces and private escapes . We are squeezed into this prized piece of land hugging the coast south of LA . If you’d never read my blogs before you wouldn’t of heard of the Southbay in LA. Don’t worry , plenty know about it here . It’s highly sought after, hence the very high property prices here ( north of 1.5 to get in ) . The more I see the more I sigh and think “shit , if we could only own one of these joints , just one of these little shitters hidden away “ , but alas it ain’t that easy . $$$$
There’s things I’ve come to appreciate . I like how the bars and cafes have stayed open . You can’t go in but you can get takeaway ;beer, cocktails and wine included . Most afternoons you can see punters drinking out the front of these establishments ,loitering with a sipper cup full with beer and a styrofoam container holding a burger . On one occasion a band played inside whilst a small throng of people drank and danced on the footpath . I did wonder how they could get by without needing to pee . I’d be in trouble on that count . You gotta love the locals willing to support there local watering holes .What I like most about this is the police , they turn a blind eye . Could you see this happening back in Australia ?
If you’re like me you’ve probably got press conference fatigue . Please I know I sound insensitive but is there other news ? Anyway pups ,we are 2 weeks from summer ,although we are kidding ourselves there . It’s here already . I know you don’t care , but I’m telling you ,the waves keep coming . The spirit has copped a beating but Hermosa Beach has been its usual positive self . I miss Australia worse than ever but I’m bloody glad we live in Hermosa Beach . For now pups ….cheers to this week . I thought I’d leave with another beautiful outlook ….
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