I’m looking ahead . High school sport is a different beast here . The high schools are much like private schools in Australia . The sporting programs are thorough and are run like private clubs . On Texs high school tour we were introduced to the program and facilities on offer . I was surprised at the professional approach . We past the gym with weight programs assigned to certain sporting teams . In one large room the kids were sitting to attention as they received game plan and instruction , and this was after normal school hours . The kids represent their school with pride . Did I say weights room and gym ? Astro turf field , manicured grounds , tennis courts , swimming pools , basketball courts , sporting lectures and even the expectation that the new kids coming in will study sport during the summer break .

I’m watching as Tex labours through Muay Thai at the Black House , we’ve still gotta drag him here . At the same time the Mira Costa kids are here training with the wrestling team . The joint is choked out in sweat as these teenagers ,both boys and girls grapple on the mat , all the while their coach barks commands . It smells worse than team spirit .

It’s still a weird thing to celebrate Australia Day in California. Patriotic , I’m generally not , or at least I thought I wasn’t , that’s until I moved to LA. Living here you don’t expect to see much things that connect to home . We are in the US , the big dog . Australia’s just a little outpost at the bottom of the world ; over ran by kangaroos and deadly snakes . There’s koalas and crocodiles too .Once you settle in and live here you start to look for things Australian . There are products ; Fosters is sold here . That makes me laugh , as it’s pretty much not seen or drunk in Australia . Bunderberg Ginger beer is sold too and thank god , as dry ginger ale or ginger beer in the US is weak and very sweet . Our corner store gets in violet crumbles and bounty chocolate bars on occasion . At $4 a bar it isn’t cheap , but shit it’d be wrong if I didn’t buy a couple . Costco sells a strong tasty cheese called ‘Old Croc’ and a few red wines from South Australia .Yellow tail wine is sold in most supermarkets , but that belongs in the fosters category : ” we don’t drink it , but they can .” Occasionally the radio will play something Australian, it’s usually AC/DC or Empire of the Suns ‘walking on a dream ‘, they love playing that song . Every day I surf in the morning I see the regular 930 Qantas flight take off . ….. Shit , maybe I am patriotic . Aussies , we’ve found some , and thank god for that too It may have been a day late in the Southern Hemisphere, but it’s January 26 in LA . Where else would we be than Damo and Maddys joint . Blow up kangaroos , crocodiles , the Australian flag , sausage rolls Oh my god , sausage rolls . I had to contain myself and only down a dozen , I’m salivating as I write this a day after . Pavlova , Tim tams , caramel crowns , Australia shaped bbq shapes and even a hybrid style snags in unsweetened white bread . The music : Powder Finger , Tame Impala , INXS , Ice House , The Hoodo Gurus …… shit I miss those sounds , and to think this stuff is virtually unheard of here . They ( yanks ) are missing out . Best of all it’s the people . Your own kind , you yearn for them , collect them and drink with them … on Australia Day . Damo and Maddie , Kaz and Frank , Joe and Aliza , Chris , Jackie and Gerard . There’s some Aussie names in that lot . Cheers , to Australia Day

I harboured a lot of guilt for not throwing my hat into the ring . Ok they’re old but it still doesn’t matter . It’s an Australian mainstay , big everywhere , particularly the northern states . I told ole mate across the road that I’d found him a perfect outlet . Somewhere he could hang out an annoy folk of the same vintage .

“Ok , Troy when do we do it ?” , Marcus asks . “Nahhhh , Mate . Not we , you . You don’t need me to hold your hand . You can harass people your own age .” Weeks passed , with still no join up . I kept at him to join . He constantly tells me he’s an athlete and nearly went pro . Ole mate isn’t short on pumping his own tyres up . ” Mate this will be perfect for you . With your athletic prominence and red hair you’l be a superstar down there . You’l practically be the ginger LeBron in geriatric circles . ” “Oh , shut up Troy . You know I really was a fucking handsome man in my day .Fuck I was good looking ” , ole mate declares .

“Hey , where are you ? I’m down here getting a lesson . I told them you’re coming .” ” Did you really ? ” , I reply . “Yes , that’s what we agreed on , remember? ” “Fuck you’re unreal “, I reply I never agreed to any such thing …,I get there an ole mates voice is already booming . Shit , I want to be here , but not when ole mates there . The oldies aren’t gonna take to him I reckon . Before we start he asks me if they supply food as he’s feeling faint . ” I dunno , mate ,You’ll have to ask them . ” He asks if they have any food , declaring he doesn’t have any money at the same time . I’m cringing as he’s made it obvious that I’ve brought him to the club . The old women just stare at him , but fortunately Tony steps in and offers him a bowl of choc chip cookies and a bottle of water on the house .Tony happens to be an Aussie from Sydney who moved here in the 70s . He’s still dinky dye , with an accent unchanged . We obviously get on straight away . I’m on Tony’s team . It wouldn’t be any other way . Add Pauline from Manchester ,England and we’re the Commonwealth trio . Ole mates on the yanks team . We gotta beat those fuckers .I start well . I’m head to head with ole mate and get the 1st two bowls closer to the jack . We lead the 1st end until the yanks skipper knocks my ball out and gives them a one shot lead at the 1st end . A few ends down I’ve had the better of ole mate and he’s starting to whinge about the weight of his balls , after declaring that he’d need a heavy ball in the 1st place . With all his experience ( he’s quick to know everything ) Still ,our team is getting a beat down as we quickly trail 7 zip . Ole mate then hits a purple patch as he rolls the jack deep as a tactic . It works and he continues with the tactic , ignoring his skipper for a shorter ball .Then the bragging starts .He whispers into my ear , ” These people don’t realise they’re competing against an athlete who would’ve been a pro and potentially a star if it wasn’t for injury ” Then there was his golf skills . They gave him an edge at this type of game , he declares . There was jokes about him always being hard, and how he likes a wet surface , and how it is good to see older women still willing to get down on their knee or bending over with a ball in their hand . All within ear shot .. Oh Geezus , this is what I feared . ” Shut the fuck up will you . You keep repeating yourself “, I tell him . He beats me 3 or 4 ends in a row and I’m quietly brooding . All the while the self adulation continues .

Eventually the tactic of ignoring his own skipper by rolling the jack deep backfires , as his team mates go off the boil . We start to win . We’re still down 10 to 2 but the momentum swings . I come good and beat him down like a little bitch over the next 3 ends . It’s 10 all now , and it’s declared that this will be the deciding end . I rest my ball on the jack and follow up right behind it . Ole mate falls apart ….. Luv it . We win the last end to take it out 14 10 . ..”Mate , I’m telln yas , the commonwealth doesn’t lose to the yanks in lawn bowls ….. period “. Marcus declares that he needed a lighter ball and I probably had the weight he needed ……I just smiled like a Cheshire Cat . “Of course you do “

Did I say it ? Go back and look at previous posts . 6 months earlier I made a declaration. Yesterday it delivered . Last night I wrote a story with biblical proportions on this situation . I was drunk enough to be laughing at my own work . I couldn’t wait to post it , but instead I deleted the fucker .

Sometimes you can look at a head and make a judgement call . It’s possible to read a book by its cover , just like our old mate , ‘Doug the miserable c^*t ‘. I decided early that I had to try and enjoy American sport. I was no fan , thought it was too contrived and commercialised. I saw the new coaches head on the news report , the volume was down but I felt compelled . He had presence , he was the youngest coach ever and the team was shit . “Hmmm , I will follow this mob , I like an underdog and it feels a bit like my Saints . This young guy ….. he’s got something . I think he’s a winner , Sean McVay . Remember his name because in time you’l here it a lot back there .

Last week I was at the Northend bar a couple hundred meters from my house , watching the boys get up and win . Today I sat home alone and watched them . Ole mate across the road harassed me about going to the bar but I didn’t want his voice annoying the fuck out of me , and of course he’l have no money and he’l be hungry and … no . Yeah , I tend to get too attached . The worry of losing over powers the optimism of winning . I told you I’m glass half empty . When we had to go to a birthday party with 10 minutes to go , it was a pressure relief . They’re gonna lose ….. but I watch it in the car and when we get to the restaurant it’s on the tv . The other dads are there too . We’re all watching a compelling finish . There’s beer , I get a couple down too . It’s Australian . And then it happens , a win in the very last play to get to the Super Bowl against non other than a team called the Saints . The Saints were robbed too , but this time I dont feel their pain , I’m on the other side . I want to roar out loud , pump my fists and start dancing , but it doesn’t happen this way here . Emotions are contained , the other dads smile and let out a little bit of relief . Did I say there was beer ? … I felt compelled to drain a jug or two ,but maybe it’s not the done thing . Shit , we should be celebrating , but this is LA and a new team with new allegiances . Tribal , it isn’t . The LA RAMS are in the Super Bowl and I told you so .

And to make it even better we’ve been invited to a SuperBowl party ………… Go You fucken Rambaggers

It’s Friday , we’ve just come out of the unthinkable ; 4 days of straight rain . It got pretty bleak ;dark mornings even darker afternoons and almost hour upon hour of precipitation without let up . This photo below is at 4pm on Wednesday night . I don’t remember such constant drizzle and rain over 96 hours in all my time in Melbourne . Sure it rained on consecutive days , but with Melbourne there were always breaks . Of course there is upside to this weather with the surf offering eerily similar conditions seen on the solid beach breaks of the Mornington Peninsula . By tomorrow (Saturday ) the temperature will rise to 23 degrees Celsius after hovering in the low teens earlier in the week . After enduring many flat spells , today it is too big to surf , again . Yes it has happened multiple times of late . Shit this does remind me of home . Not so much the beer ….

yes it’s cheap , yes it’s varied , yes there’s lot of it , yes it’s good , and did I say it’s cheap ? Shit yeah . As my taste buds have adjusted I’m shifting towards the more expensive boutique styles ,creeping into the $12 to $15 range per 6 pack .I can’t help myself , I’m a fucken beer snob , and the boutique beer is top quality . Ahh , but there are still days when you can find good beer for cheap . The sort of stuff you’d never , ever , ever get in Australia .

This pack of 6 bad boys normally go at $12 – $13 , today ….. two 6 packs for $7 … $7 fucking dollars for 12 cans of beer at 7.5% alcohol ! I was quivering at the knees when I grabbed this lot . In fact I had to throw another 6 gluten free pups in for $10 .just for safe keeping . Gotta keep the gut in order . Shit , that’s 18 boutiques for $17 ….. Oh yeah . But there’s contrasts . Just to top it off , on the way out you get a reminder that not everyone can get it cheap . As you see numerous times here , the underclass lurk in the corners . Last month I drove past ; I felt a terrible guilt as I kept driving . Today I looked at my stash and thought , “shit Howie , stop the car and give them your savings . “A family ; mum , dad , young son of about 8 and a baby were begging at the exit of the supermarket. It’s not uncommon , from time to time you see desperate families begging .The sign said they were homeless and would be grateful for anything . I gave them $5 , looked down at my beer and felt terribly guilty . It’s been cold , it’s been raining , the surfs pumping ,i’l be drinking good beer , but others …….. I don’t want to really think about what they’re doing tonight .

This is LA

Melbournesque , that’s how I’d describe it . It’s real this time . I’ve had a lot of fun shitcanning weather reports and predictions in LA . It’s nearly always been exaggerated when it comes to rain and potential storms , but recently we’ve had a pretty good run . Its rained more in the last 2 weeks than it has in the entire 20 months since we’ve arrived , and there’s more to come . It’s pouring down here today and there’s rain forecast for the next 5 days . It’s not just the rain , it’s pretty bloody cold . Right now at 125 pm it is 10 degrees Celsius , with the expected top of just 12. 12 degrees! The traffic is insane in these conditions , our area goes into gridlock and the news coverage of the carnage on the roads here is something to be seen . Of course there’s been a silver lining , the ocean . It’s been beautiful . A sheet of metallic silver with hints of violet and even mauve , only broken by corduroy and slamming slabs of whitewater .

Yeah , it’s been pumping .Sceptical to say the least , was my thoughts on cold winters and good surf here . Everyone kept telling me that the last winter was one of the warmest and just about the worst for waves in living memory. In fact everyone was saying that about the last 18 months . Shit , that’s when I got here . Am I fucking cursed or is this more likely the ‘talk up factor ‘ that I’ve become tired of hearing about ?I had formed the conclusion that good waves , rain and cold weather were just a little bit exaggerated. I stand corrected .At 49 I still picture myself at 25 . I’ll check the spots I like to surf and then see myself having my way with these soft Californian waves . Only thing is ;they haven’t been . This is the most beat downs I’ve experienced in a lifetime . That’s another factor that is very misleading about conditions here . The water always looks tranquil , manageable and rarely intimidating . It doesn’t have that roar edge that you instantly identify when scoping out surf on the Mornington Peninsula . You know what you’re up for most of the time in Victoria, here these waves don’t show their teeth until you’re out there . The water temperature is still a pretty pleasant 16 degrees Celsius , actually warmer than the air itself . Booties are not required , but the cold off shore winds are bone chilling when you sit still . The heart rate has been pulsing like a blender at times . The sand bars are not solidly formed , a soft wave may come from one direction only to be followed with a rolling bus surging from the opposite . There are nearly never any rips but now they’ve surfaced and it is these conditions that create the best waves . The waves tend to break right through a middle of a rip , back home the rip would be in the Chanel where the soft water lies ( hence their extreme danger ) .You’l often find yourself paddling like a madman to get closer to shore only to look around and see a couple of large bombs rise up out of nowhere , you then have to scramble back out to try and get under these waves . I’ve had a couple of serious hold downs when caught in this situation . These type of conditions can actually hold some serious size ,6 to 8 foot wedges would scatter the pack , rattling ones confidence . The lulls would then produce excellent , comfortable riding conditions . Gaining composure has been key , a couple of times I was shaken up enough to nearly concede . Out of the woodwork a procession of hot young kids has been regularly surfing my breaks . It’s fair to say I know I’m 49 . My back , shoulders and knees know they’ve been busy , so has the heart and the sphincter valve . ….. Winter , it’s real , even in LA , so are the waves .

Why not champions ?

I’m getting up tight . Nit picking things that Emma says . Yeah , I was known for my white line fever , but it’s in the past isn’t it ? Isn’t it ? Yeah , I’m a bad sport and the winning and the losing , yes the losing . Did I say losing ? .. Hate it.

Thought I’d drop my bad habits . I’m in LA , right ? I’ve got new teams to follow . The Dodgers , I’m on them . Ok they came 2nd two years consecutively, and they lost when it counted , and I did send a text with many expletives to a fellow dad here that may have revealed my true colours . Possibly painting a poor light on us Aussie men . I think there’s a suspicion that we’re a bit unsophisticated. Ok, you fuckers , you don’t care , but I do . I’m finally on a team with power , money and expectation. Give me a title to celebrate , pleeease . That brings me to my next adoption.

The Rams .., this is different. I adopted them on a tv interview . Their new coach was the youngest ever and he was from Manhattan Beach . Had no choice . Surely you follow the local . He must live close to us . In fact , Manhattan Beach starts just 500 meters from our place . ..And they were a shit team , an underdog. …..Fast forward 18 months .

Everyone’s picking the Cowboys … What ? Those motherfuckers , no . I’m here only 20 months , dude . What’s the matter with you ? Who cares ? Nah , if they lose I’m throwing the toys outta the cot . In fact I’ve already thrown a couple out when the Cowboys score early . I’m severely reprimanded by Emma for inappropriate language. .. By half time the Rams are on top and shouldn’t lose .

“Troy , do want to go to North End bar to watch the 2nd half? ” , asks Marcus . Ohh fuck , here we go . Ole mate is onto me “Ahh , no. ” 3 messages later and I relent . “Let’s do it . “

The North End . A bar that is 200 yards south of our our place . A cool joint. We walk in and snag a couple of seats right at the bar. Perfect , of course Marcus doesn’t have any money . I end up offering to shout him a meal . He of course chooses the most expensive meal on the menu .$14, still cheap but there’s principle in being humble when someone offers to buy you dinner . This doesn’t apply to ole mate , fortunately he doesn’t drink as he is an alcoholic ( of course he is ) . This is what I love about US team sport , most cities have only one or two teams as a maximum per sport . It means that at your local there’s a whole group of patrons united . The North End was rocking as my Rams got the job done . Ole mate was his annoying self , talking across the top of me , trying to chat up the bar staff for free drinks and even getting a guys phone number who had asked for mine . We had struck up a conversation on the back of my accent. Tony is a Pom and logistics manager in the movie industry. He wanted to get my number so we could meet up next week for the next Ram game , but ole mate had to be included and immediately started embarrassing me by asking for a job . I knew he’d be a nuisance. Poor Tony will now be pestered with texts and phone calls from ole mate . Emma warned me . Good luck Tony , hope to see you next week but I understand if you don’t turn up after ole mate calls you 20 times over the next 7 days

Hey , I woke up feeling good .You know why ? Winners are grinners GO YOU fucken RAMS.

New Year’s Eve . Just spent the day catching up with Aussie friends ; Scott, Roxanne and Jamie . We caught up at Venice Beach , had lunch and then parted ways . It’s often fleeting catching up to old Mornington friends . They’ve got an itinerary to meet and we’ve got our normal life duties to attend to . It has to be this way and in reality it’s no different than when back in Australia. Still , it’s weird to catch up in Venice Beach , California. To watch Jamie play a game of 2 on 2 with the local African American / Rastafarian style locals on the basketball courts ,alongside muscle beach . To people watch a vast array of characters and to even see Collingwood footballer Adam Trealoar playing hoops . Of course we’d see someone . You always do here .

We get home as the sun starts to set , racing down to the park to have a quick round of hoops and a kick of the footy with Leroy . He says the days been all about us and now it’s his time . It’s already gone New Years in the Southern Hemisphere . I’ve read the many posts from friends and family and have vowed not to write a thing . I don’t want to get caught up in all that soppy stuff , as it’s already been said .

I follow Leroy down to the park . It’s quiet , just a few people down here walking their dogs in the the cold chill of dusk . That’s when I hear it ….. ” Follow , follow the sun , and which way the wind blows , when this day is done “. Immediately I get goose bumps . I know that song . I look around the park to find a beautiful girl sitting cross legged on a mat with her music speaker . She is a yoga instructor with a small group of followers setting there intentions down for the new year . I was desperate to go over and talk to her about that song , but it felt rude to interrupt . It’s not often , in fact never have I heard an Australian musicians music played here who isn’t internationally recognised . I know this song well but embarrassingly I had forgotten it’s name and artist . Although I could see his face clearly as I pictured him singing it .

Leroy and I kicked the footy until dark , all the while I hummed that tune to myself . ….. Xavier Rudd , follow the sun. How apt on New Year’s Eve . Cheers to the Clemmies for the catch up . What better way to think of home on New Year’s Eve than listening to this song and watching it’s film clip .

Xavier Rudd – Follow The Sun [official music video] – YouTube
— Read on m.youtube.com/watch

It’s early Saturday morning and Emma is already up . A dull grey morning with predicted rain and rising surf . I turn on the kettle , wait for it to bubble and then flick the tv on . I use the kettle to muffle out the often sudden sound of voices that jump out of the box . The early news stories flash by in silence after I’ve turned the volume to low . I’l catch them soon after I’ve checked social media and the news feed from Australia ; notably the Aussie cricket sides continuing carnage .

Rewind to last night . “Hey , Leroy guess who’s party you’ve been invited to ?” , Emma announces . ” It’s Owen G. And do you know where the party is ? It’s at a bowling alley .” It’s funny that this came up , as Emma recently suggested it’d be fun to go bowling . We wondered where the closest alley would be ? Shit I dunno . Hmmm , it’s something that should be big here . It had me thinking , a bowling alley would kill it around here .

I look up at the tv and it’s the usual news stories that have quickly become the norm . Shootings , car accidents and weather , but wait ………… I’m pointing at the screen , but it’s already flashed off to the next story . I’m sure I just saw what I saw but I have to wait . It’s 657 and it’s time for the news shifts to change . A dozen adds later and I’m ready for the biggest news story for sometime .I look at Emma and shake my head with a smile as the main , big story is the weather forecast and the pending gloom of possible rain later today . It’s a huge story . Then there’s the next story “Ahhh shit , is that where Leroy’s going bowling for Owens party “, I ask Emma . ” Hmmm, probably not now ” , Emma replies . Poor Owen , we can still go there ,it’s 2 weeks time , cmon the metal detectors will be up by then …. won’t they ?