You switch through the channels on the tv and there’s a sermon by two back girls . Not something you see every day , but what is even more odd is the topic : guns . They are at a NRA convention defending their right to own guns and their rights according to the 2nd amendment. It was a delivery with all the theatre of a Bible Belt Sunday church setting . This whole setting isn’t odd . What is odd is that it is broadcast on national television, especially all the way out here in California . The speech is laughable , for it is so nonsensical and so animated . Am I really watching this ? ….. Only in America . Just days before this Donald Trump and Mike Pence , the two top guys in the country addressed the annual NRA convention . To have your two leaders publicly support a far right borderline extremist group on National television would be suicidal in Australia …. not here . To stand in front of semiautomatics, handguns , Rambo knives and a host of weaponry in sports stores just next to the tennis racquets… that is really odd ….. not here .To tell people we don’t have guns in Australia ….. they can’t believe that …. They think that’s crazy ……. I know what’s crazy .

We’ve moved to the prettier side of Hermosa Beach . There’s more trees , less multi storey apartments and more families . The property value is higher and so is the size of the houses . Everyone is still crammed in , but there’s the odd small front yard and even a rare backyard . We are 300 m from the beach and just as importantly we are only 200 m from Valley Park . To have a park of this size in an area where land is at a premium is a bonus . You can easily picture yourself being in the botanic gardens in Melbourne or even the beach oval park in Mornington . The kids so desperately need space . Not too many can play in a yard or play basketball or any sport on a street here . It’s too busy and too crammed . We’ve been fortunate that both of our rentals have been close to the only two parks in the area . It doesn’t take me long to survey the surrounds , as Leroy has me there practicing baseball , gridiron or whatever’s in season . The dogs , this is their toilet . The amount of dog shit per square yard that gets dropped would be inconceivable. Fortunately it almost always gets picked up .We are within 300 m of a liquor store , three restaurants , hairdressers, a gym , a convenience store ( well stocked with beer ) and a top deli . The businesses are all small and family run . There’s a sense of locale about this corner . It’s a buzz to wander 2 minutes from home to get a bite to eat . We are just on the edge of the Manhatten Beach boundary .Manhattan Beach is your elite wealthy beachside suburb . Serious money lives here . We are further away from downtown Hermosa Beach and closer to the ritzy central of Manhattan Beach . It’s early days but this joint has brought a level of contentment that we haven’t felt so far . For me , there’s one major factor Yep ….. look down there . North Hermosa …. it feels better .

We’ve been in the new place on 28th street for 9 days and still no word from our previous landlord . We walked and forfeited on the last month of our contract . We sent them an email informing them that we had exited and would wait on a property inspection , that was 8 days ago . Quite a few people are aware we’ve moved but it’s the reaction we receive once we reveal the circumstance that is typical of the folk in this area . We know we’ve been fair and haven’t been reciprocated by our landlord , so fuckm your not getting any more of our money . You’l keep the deposit ( thousands ) and if you want any more cash you’l get it over my dead body . Remember we’ve already paid you $450 in fines for Tex being in the pool unaccompanied by an adult , steam clean the carpet with that . Of course when you tell the story you keep the fighting language out of it , but the response is the same : “Oh” Confrontation is not in the vocabulary , most of the parents we tell go quiet and take a step back . I don’t know if this is an American , Californian or just a SouthBay reaction . In Australia fairness is a given , here I think you get that when you’ve got money . Just because we are tenants in a wealthy area doesn’t mean we’l be walked over . We’l stand our ground . You wanted us out with two completely conflicting reasons and also expected us to stay and pay the full 12 months and then look for a new premise , and we know deep down you wanted us to come back begging , thus totally relinquishing any bargaining power . Nup , not us , we won’t be played and we wait for your next move . PS cheers from our new digs , check our view , oh and for a cheaper rent

I’m writing this with a script already written . I know I’m overly critical, acid tongued in fact . I’m not overly intelligent , not well endowed with charisma , small talks not my thing , My radars acute , I’m quick to judge and even quicker to decide who I like . I’m not always right , I admit that . My ability to spot a wanker is sharp . Unfortunately, it gets in the way . Sometimes ( often over here ) I feel the vibe bounces off the folk we meet . They sense it , it makes it hard to close that final barrier . Tonight we are invited to a fundraiser . Africans in Dafour . Emma has donated work products and we have been fortunate to get an invite ( free entry ) to a $500 a couple fundraiser in a cool set up in El Segundo . The cause is good and fault can’t be found in people who are willing to donate to those who need it . That aside , it’s still an environment that brings the privileged out of the wood work , and this area has plenty of them . We did our bit and am sure most others did as well . A band , taco truck , slide show and auction , all normal . The host was your classic cliche American dude who started off funny with beatboxing and Darth Vader and then eventually wouldn’t shut the fuck up . I was laughing to myself , thinking mate if you were in Australia a taco might grow wings and suddenly attack you . There were a couple of school parents we had a chat to but this joint was filled with plenty of shiny faced , high fiving , head nodders . Think your polo type crowd of wankers and you get the picture .By 9pm the punters had thinned . Emma suggested we leave soon . I said we don’t do that EJ . We stick around , ok we do take advantage of the free bar but it would be un Australian not to . If this was back home they’d have to kick us out after we’d drained the bar of its last drop . Eventually we’re home just after 10 pm !! Yes that early , but that’s the way the locals roll over here . We had a good time . We are thankful to Mark and Ashleigh for the invite and we know they share our view on the difficulties in breaking down the social barriers that exist in living here . Mark is a Pom and Ashleigh’s from the East Coast and it is Mark who uses Soccer to bring charity to Africa . These are the nights you miss having some sidekicks to lean on the bar , have a laugh and drop the guard without being fearful that someone might look at you cause your getting loose . In the end it has probably saved us a hangover cause you know we would’ve got wrecked if were back in Melbourne .

You know what , fuck it i’l have a beer . Yep there’s neighbours and we’re in the new joint , and …….. yeah I’ve noticed they’ve taken a peak through the curtains and yeah I’ve got my feet up on the hand railing and yeah , I’ve got black socks on with a beer on the balustrade in full view and yeah I’m yelling out to Leroy in the living room and yeah the woman over the road is wondering what this dude , maybe even a heathen is up to ? Fuck it , I’m just relaxing . Soaking the afternoon rays and havn a nice ale or 4 while I write this shit down . Like I said to Tex ” Fuck it , I’m not changing a thing about me to fit in cause I’m comfortable that way .” We go to the deli ( my favourite hunting ground ) and Tex says , “Shut up dad , they don’t understand you . You can’t even speak right , I’m ordering “. “Tex , I don’t care . I don’t give a flying ball bag . I speak English ……. period .” ( period, so American ….. I love accentuating some of their favourite words and phrases and then laughing ) . Tex goes to speak , but I cut in and ask if I can have some of those “bad boys “, love it .The woman looks at me as if I’m an alien . Tex squares off and looks at me in astonishment and shakes his head . “Yeah the fried chickeny things you got over there ” . I know at this point that I’m speaking a whole new language . She looks at me and shakes her head , thinks I’m crazy . Tex is bewildered , enraged . Just what I wanted . Afterwards we are in the car and Tex flies off the handle . I look at him and laugh , “fuck it Tex , if they can’t understand simple English I’m gonna have some fun !” At baseball, John ( a kids dad) offers me a beer but apologises as he doesn’t have a red cup to hide it . I look at him puzzled . ” What’s to worry about John , it’s only Coors lite ” . It’s one light beer after a game , who is there to offend ? Careful Howie , no one rocks the boat in Hermosa . It doesn’t take long to see the pattern , this joint is in a bubble . I’m on the deck looking into the sunset and our brand new next door neighbour exits their front door . She’s around my age with her daughter who must be 18 . I wait , unavoidable . This is where we say hello for the 1st time ……. No , we don’t say hello as our neighbour pretends she can’t see me from 2 meters away , with beer in hand , feet up on balcony looking straight at them . Ok , she’s got a fucking hot daughter and is a little protective but this is where we always end up ….. nothing . Instead of breaking the ice , it thickens . Keep to yourself and certainly don’t be inquisitive . So I guess I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t care what’s normal or acceptable here. I say …. fuck it . I’m not changing .

The park , it’s where Leroy wants to be . 60 minutes Tuesday , 60 minutes of training yesterday and another 80 minutes today . Baseball . I reckon I pitch 150 at him per session , at least 5 days a week . Today was different . A group of mainly girls are singing and dancing behind him , cheer leaders . This is captivating , so foreign to what you’ve always known . Teenagers choreographing dance moves , holds and chants . All the while little Leroy whacks away , he is the only kid who is yet to strike out in his team , possibly the whole competition . The little fucker is getting comfortable here , maybe a snap shot to the future ?

Thankyou Lord for Ye have delivered . On this special day in our new digs you have blessed me with a most beautiful mattress to create that special music with the princess . Just like out of a dream , god has delivered. You wake up dusty , maybe a bit of a headache . Water , coffee and then you venture to the front door . I know it , shit , it’s gonna be good . Today’s the day and I wanted to be at my best , but I can’t help my self . A couple of beers become a few on top of that . Never mind , what is presented from the front door soon wakens you up .It still feels weird , the self consciousness you feel as you walk down the back alley in a wetsuit with board under arm . The waves are pumping , a rarity and it’s the first walk down 28th street to tower 28 . Fat , sizey peaks are what confronts and this is what the princess loves best . To sit out in the surf and look up the street to see our house is a trip out . I actually use 28 th street as a marker , holding me in position . To have a home with a view to a surf break right out front is a dream , to think that it’d eventually occur in California, I’d tell you it can’t be possible , but here I am . 2 hours later and the love is back , I cradle the princess and walk back up to our place as proud as punch . Oh yeah baby , livn the dream . 1st day out ,that’s what I call a christening. I’l drink to that

You know there is a hit and run every 46 seconds in the United States ? That’s not a made up stat , it’s a brutal reality . 40 thousand gun deaths , admittedly only 10 thousand are murders … only . So far 26 police officers have been shot and killed while on duty , 26 . I’m trying to mine down and work out why ? The answer can be complicated , but if you man up the answer might be simpler . The Golden State killer has just been caught , you may have heard . A guy who murdered 12 and raped 50 .. and we are still counting . He’s one of an impressively awful team that has graduated here . Every day there is a new character that decides to go to that place that any person is capable of . ….., Why here ? … because it’s accepted . If it happens enough it’s normal . It doesn’t mean it’s liked , but it’s a part of life in the USA.

Leroy came home and said , “guess what dad “? He had a big smile on his face . I thought shit he’s won something . ” I did something I haven’t ever had to do at school before”. “What did you do ?” I asked . “Well , I tried my best but I couldn’t hang on . I had to run as it nearly slipped out on me . ” “Yeah ” , I said . “I did my 1st ever poo at school “. We both started laughing . “They’re you go Leroy , for that you can come and watch Dad turn it on in softball tonight “. Of course I’m catcher and last to bat .Its my turn to bat and at last I’m in the game . Leroy stands behind the fencing to watch his old man play competitive sport for the 1st time . I choke up on the bat ( bring your hands up towards the barrel , apparently it helps you connect , seeing as I can’t hit it ). I tink it straight to the pitchers feet. I bolt ,but half way I’m shot in the back of the leg . By the time I slow down I’m crippled . Everyone is laughing as they know the old mans just torn his hammy . Leroy looks at me and shakes his head . “Dad you should just quit”. “That’s it Leroy , today was a special day . You just saw me play competitive sport for the 1st and last time and you had your 1st poo at school . It doesn’t get any better “.

It’s always been the dream , sitting on a chair gazing into the ocean . Time , dreams , thoughts ; they stand still while the blue mass holds you quiet .Meditation comes without trying , the sea has the ability to swallow up your problems , holding you’re attention in the moment . Our place at present , doesn’t quite have that view ; blocked by the the multi storey apartments . Every morning as I drive the kids to school I’m desperate to get a quick peak down Sixth street . It’s still there , everyday a little different but always big . The ritual doesn’t change, no matter the task or route , you’ve always got you’re attention skewed to the ocean view . 28 th street will have its difficulties ; parking outside and moving the car for street sweeping duties , an older premise with its inherited problems ….. Its great asset , a postcard view from our front window and small patio doorstep . You know what to expect in coming weeks . …… shots of ocean and beer . Brace yourselves Oh yeah , i’l point the way