4.52 and the sun has just set.The weather has shifted , almost at the turn of a switch .Day light savings ended last Saturday and the temperature has dropped at least 10 degrees(Fahrenheit), it’s still shorts and t shirts but it cools quickly late in the day .A stillness creeps in at about 4 pm , unless you are moving ,a chill attaches itself to the back of your arms . We are still 50 days away from the shortest day of the year . It’s going to be weird to see the days turn to night by 430 , it’s a phenomenon I didn’t anticipate . It is fall ( autumn) and it does have that April type of Melbourne light to it in the afternoons . The sunsets are beautiful .You see it sink into the Pacific Ocean and you picture it  rolling over Hawaii and Fiji , wishing you are on the beach with a piña colada . Ahh , but you’ve already forgotten how sick of  the heat you were . The weather is close to perfect , days in the mid 20s with cool nights and mornings . Still, even here you look ahead and think of winter as a time to hybernate . I’m worried , I might need to wear pants for a couple of weeks . Shit , I ‘l need a holliday in the sun . Australia here we come , 6 weeks time . 

Who said this joint was united . 17 states are currently suing the federal government. Can you believe that happening in Aus? Actually taking you’re own elected government to court by your other elected government , really ? Everyone knows this is a litigious society . You only have to see the adds on tv , it is dominated by lawyers selling their expertise. When it comes to my hobby horse (guns) I was shocked at what I read .California voted to enforce a new law to prevent ammunition rounds be limited to 10 bullets per round . It s thinking was that it could give the good guys or victims a chance to run or overwhelm a would be mass shooter while they reloaded .Incredible that this has to be the main line of argument for this type of control. When you mine down , there can be no other reason for sellingcontinuous rounds to the public other than to kill multiple civilians. … This is where I shook my head and laughed in defeat : the gun lobby sued the State of California and has a temporary block on the action from November last year !    There have been 50 massacres in 10 years , 89 in the last 30 . The math is simple ……..     Crazy .

We are going there for a holliday on Thanks Giving long weekend . I don’t know what Thanks Giving is really all about but i’l get back to that in a few weeks . We took up the cheap airfare options and thought Denver , Colorado looked pretty cool . This will be our first taste of real America , old school style folk . Should be fascinating .We don’t know much about it . There’s a big brewery culture , the Denver Broncos ( playing away that weekend), The Rocky Mountains , drive through marajuana chains and a liberal gun culture .Old school hospitality , coupled with a snow mountain backdrop will be a treat . I don’t get paranoid about guns here but you are aware that they’re out there. Just recently a guy killed 3 people in a Walmart rampage in Colorado . The cops couldn’t find him at first and he escaped the complex . You see when the shooting went down and the calls came in ,the cops converged on the joint and surrounded it . The scene was total chaos as several patrons were crouched taking cover with their guns drawn . The police didn’t know who was the bad guy . Tragic , but hilarious. What ya do ? The NRMA claimed it as an example of how more guns can help , as it probably thwarted the gunman from killing more . Sadly they’re probably right.They had to trawl through the video over 5 hours to identify their man , who had long escaped .   All I can say is : I will not lose my temper and complain about service , even when going through drive through , especially the green drive through. Experience tells me that this is when youre most on edge , just before the green stuff is placed in your hand .  Yep we’re going on a holliday with our eyes wide open , can’t wait . 

“How ya goin ya mother fuckers ? “I greet our good friends .They don’t quite hear me at first .”  How ya going , beautiful day “, I say it louder this time . You know when you don’t like someone and you see them when you’re out and you pretend not to see them? I was about to do that the other day , but my opposing number beat me to it .Ahh  , you fuckn old pricks  you’ve given me the higher ground . It emboldens me to greet them with a smile . They look down at first , look up and then look down before finally looking me in the eye  to reply that they were”fine , thanks ” . It’s the the 3rd time in 24 hours that I’ve said hello . Love it.       While I was at the park with Leroy ,Tex and his mates got in the pool . You must be 14 and over to be in the pool unsupervised. ( they’re all 12)They were asked to leave the pool area by one of the older residents, he proceeded to take a photo and sent it to central management . We were informed that this was our 4 th complaint and fined $150 . The next and final complaint will result in a $500 fine .This time it wasn’t me old mate ‘Doug the miserable ^*+t’. It was his good friends next door , another older retired couple . Immediately you think that the action by this older couple was a bit over the top ,but it’s easy to smell an alliance. And there it was today ,when I ran into ‘ ‘Doug the miserable *^+t and his wife with their good buddies, the other older couple . Ohh yeah , you fuckers , now we’re walking head on and there’s no avoiding passing each other . They all look down , but I’m quick to greet them . They hate it but are forced to say hello . I’m gleeful , gotcha ! Team old fucks …….  It makes my day , almost feel like dancing like the Joker in Batman . It’s funny we are in the wrong and we admit that,  but our accusers (all 4 complaints ) emit guilt . Tex did the wrong thing .Was it a major sin? No.Did he throw us under the bus ? Yes . Maybe I’m in denial about our behaviour but one things for sure , ‘Team old Fuck ‘ are not , and they’ve been there just at the moment anything goes down . …,.., It’s pretty obvious they want us out . ..,.,. Guess what ?    I’m up for the fight ….. and lovn it .

• It’s weird, it’s your birthday and you’re  on the other side of the world .You’re  alone , for me this is quite comfortable. I don’t deal well with the attention of a birthday . I feel kind of embarrassed. It’s just me , I’m no different yesterday or tomorrow . If I was home I’d keep it to myself . I’m awkward with compliments or good sentiment but the irony of this situation is that everybody knows it’s your birthday .Im on the other side of the world , your birth date gets stretched through the time zones. 36 hours of ‘good wishes’, it’s kind of cool , I guess.It sounds like an admittance of loneliness that you’re not at home to celebrate your special day with friends . The thing is , they wouldn’t of known anyway as I would keep it hidden . No Facebook required , I was dead against it . I’m in the US and I’ve got to admit that social media has been a godsend. You probably know a lot more about me now than you ever did . Don’t worry I’m not getting a big head , when your over here you can post stuff and know you re not going to run into someone down the street.  To all those that have wished me happy birthday , I really appreciate it . I actually feel better for the sentiment , and that makes me cringe a bit .  I will see you all soon enough .To those that didn’t wish me happy birthday , it’s all cool , cause you get sick of  wishing everybody a happy bday . I’m bad at that , so don’t be offended .  Oh gosh folks , I feel  the good vibes projected across the Pacific , I’m a bit embarrassed. I fought with myself to delete this blog , but I’m pressing send ……………….. Now.     Fuck it , now I’ve revealed too much .

Take today , you’re normal , just another face in the crowd , but there’s a thread that connects us . I’ve found a place that does Australian style coffee , it truly matches up . I had to have two, it was that good . That’s the trick . A double shot with steamed milk . It’ll get you out of trouble if you’re over here and you’re desperate.Today we were at a little joint that was casual , un crowded.Why ? I don’t know , I’ve been here before and found it really good , Australian like . It’s uncomplicated , maybe that’s it . Not elaborate enough , funky enough , whatever . Everywhere else was crowded , this was casual . We are sitting down and the big guy arrives . He’s there with his baby and wife . We’re talking aloud , comfortable . I look over and he nods and I say , how ya goin ? Trade mark …..  that’s our thing . Doesn’t matter what you do , we’re from the same island at  the bottom of the world . His body language is open but he’s guarded , he doesn’t wants to be star fucked . The accent gives us up , he knows it  but there’s a connection .He wants to look . So do I , it’s a bit awkward . The second coffee has kicked in , I’m anxious . Fuck it , I’m going to do it .‘Gday Andrew ,as an Aussie I wonder if you’d mind if I get a photo of you with my son Leroy ‘.   ‘Sure ‘, he replies . …. You don’t get carried away , he’s copped this a thousand times , but I’ve no doubt he wanted the connection . It’s magnetic , … we’re Aussies and we want the best for each other . I apologised for drawing attention to him , but deep down I think he would of been puzzled if we didn’t say hello . …. That’s what we do ……… I wish him good luck .                  

• It’s a dog of a job . No matter which way you look it at it , your at the mercy of something that doesn’t speak English . Canine is the speak , and that’s not the problem ! …. Californians they love their dogs , adore them , put them on a pedestal.Yard space is at a premium , hence most dogs live inside . This is where the problems begin.Dogs of all sizes live in apartments ; labs, ridge backs , shepherds and then a large range of smaller dogs .They don’t like any restrictions in California, that includes their pets . Train them ….  no !! .. We want them to be free to be themselves , to show their true personality . Havn’t seen a single dog who sits at the curb or walks quietly beside their master .Theyre stuck inside and only see the outside world on a walk .      I’ve done 15 walks ;10 good, 5 bad. It’s a small sample size , but I don’t like the ratio. A day can go from good to bad quickly when your doing multiple walks . Take yesterday This little boy was a legend . Afterwards I felt good and took on another walk close to our house .On the moment of entry I knew this was going to be a test of my nerve . Spike was a big arse lab cross who wasn’t happy at all , he was petrified with hair raised and a guteral growl . I inched towards him with an out stretched closed hand but he kept backing away , barking all the while .I finally cornered him in an upstairs bedroom . Once again I crawl in with an out stretched closed fist with the lead placed close to his feet. He was in flight or fight mode . Fuck it . What do you do ? Howie you gotta get close .Hes gonna bite me .As I touch his chin he explodes with a volley of desperate barks .Im squinting , readying myself for the piercing shock . Nup , its quiet . Fuck it , here we go . I reach in and pat his chest . He quivers and let’s me close in . Done , I’ve got him on the lead and he’s a transformed dog . I get him out on the trail and he walks well .Afterwards I’m buoyant, not many would of persisted , a lot would of walked away . Fuck it , what’ve I got to lose but a hand or two , i’l take this last walk on . What could go wrong ?Firstly , the actual owner makes contact before I even set off .He calls himself ‘Oshies Daddy’. This doesn’t normally happen .He wants to touch base as his baby has an extra bubbly personality .I pick Oshie up ( another young lab)from a small dark apartment . She’s excitable . I get her in her harness . It’s difficult , these dogs with harnesses don’t like being straddled ( best way of putting them on ) by a complete stranger .I get it on , but I think it could be tighter , but of course Oshies Daddy has set it up this way for his baby . Don’t want to make her uncomfortable, do we . 15 minutes in , alls well until a sudden noise startled her . In an instant she steps backward , contorts herself so that she releases her front leg and is out .FUCK!! I grab her by the tail and wrap my arms around her . She has no collar , so I have to get the harness on any how I can . At the same time she is grabbing my forearm with her teeth in an attempt to release herself . It’s all roads here ,so stakes are high .Shes on , the harness is on all wrong but I’ve got her tethered . She’s limping as I have her front leg restricted but this bitch ain’t getn away this time . But she does it again !!! She’s out , I’ve got a mad hodini fuckn dog . I’m fucked up with panic , I bear hug her and crab walk her homeward . Just as I’m 30 m from her gate she busts out of my grip and starts scoffing down these palm nuts that drop to the ground . She’s eaten 10 in 30 seconds before I bear hug her again . I get her back home and I’m exhausted. Fuckn bitch might die of a bowel obstruction now . As I get in the car I’m all shook up , the owner texts me again an asks how his baby went ? He’s already got the information through the questionaire I fill out in the dog walker app , but he wants to know more . You tell them it it all went well because you don’t want to upset them but some of these owners are fuckn clueless and are the reason why their dogs are neurotic messes. If they’re a problem walker or don’t like strangers why get people like me in to go through hell? .., They’re fucked up …..  your dogs aren’t perfect …. and their a fuckn pain in my arse . I’m the one who goes down if I get bit or they can’t walk on a lead and get hit by a car .   If I’m still doing this in 6 months i’l be a nervous wreck and will have aged 15 years . They don’t get it ….  they’re dogs not people .

Ok the Dodgers lost . No big deal, yet . Good on Houston , they had never won before .It is different living in a massive city like LA  , where most of the population follow one or two teams . That has been the reason the allegiance towards the Dodgers grew so quick , its infectious . After a big night trick or treating we headed out for dinner ( Tuesday night) . The place was full with all TVs telecasting the World Series. Every bar and restaurant in the area was doing a roaring trade on the back of the Dodgers , and this is week nights .We sat down to dinner , with myself somehow being positioned with my back to the tvs . ROARRRRRR!!!!!!!! WTF! The place is all of a sudden jumping as everyone are on their feet .I look around and patrons are up , urging on a runner charging for the home plate . It’s totally contagious and uplifting when everyone is invested like this . He gets home and ties the score up . I give a little fist pump , just at hip height…… Howie have a look at yourself; you didn’t even care or like this game 2 weeks ago now your on the bandwagon ….. Just like that … I’ve become a Dodgers man . How can you not when everyone who lives here ,are? I have watched the last 3 games and have found it engrossing . When the stakes are high this game is played on a knifes edge , its way better than I ever thought . …..,, shit I have to say it . ….. It’s a good game 

It delivered.Elaborate , over the top and totally embraced . The yanks love it ..,,, and they put on a show . A beautiful sunset introduced the night in spectacular style . No wind , eerily still , lit up pumpkins and decorative lights stretching through the shadows . A magical atmosphere.The effort put in by the residents is gob smacking . A haunted house set up on the footpath for the kids to walk through , women dishing out sangria to the passing parents , music and light shows, and an endless procession of out fits worn by kids and parents alike .You never expected any other way ..   but it still surpassed my expectations. Gotta give it to the Yanks , they’re all in when it comes to celebrating the big calendar days of the year.

The biggest celebrated day so far . It’s pronounced Hollow een . Any dress up will do , not just horror stuff . Costumes represent either the good or the bad . Super heros, princesses , any good doer for the good spirits and anything associated with the bad guy and death is the alternative .That means you can wear anything . I write this this morning and it’s first light at 7am . It’s grey and forboding , the coldest day so far with the odd shower about . Dark clouds even !! Oh yeah , just a little like Melbourne . The kids are up and we’re watching tv and guess what is on ? A live pursuit !! A deranged mental patient has escaped and stolen a sheriff s patrol car and is on the rampage through the streets . No ,   It’s really true , I wish I was making it up but I’m not . It looks like Jason has escaped for his special day of the year.Yep it’s the big one . Pumpkins , spiders ,webs , skeletons , everything . Police have visited schools to set the ground rules , this afternoon should bring the witching hour . … p.s the police shot Jason , you knew that didn’t you ?   The Dodgers play game 6 , hope it’s not a horror story .