A stranger in my own country

Marijuana is semi-legal in California. You can grow up to 25 plants and more if you are growing them for people with a medical condition with a valid prescription for it.

It was Homecoming yesterday for Mt Shasta High School and the parade came through town to showcase the footballers before they played their 'arch rival' team later that night. It has been almost 10 years since I graduated high school. As I watched this parade I felt old and I laughed at how cheesy high school can be. This was a very American moment for me that reminded me of my youth.
Last night I went to Roxy's Vet's Club to hang out with friends, make new friends and to have some fun. I ended up watching everyone else have party as it was a dramatic change socially for me. As the rap music blared and rounds of shoots were ordered I felt like the odd one out. This bar is a far cry from an average pub back in London. However, everyone is very friendly, extremely generous and not afraid to be outgoing or to dance. Above is one round bought by a friend - 10 double shots of Hennessy.

I am off to San Francisco tomorrow to watch the San Francisco Giants baseball team play The Cubs - I cant wait to see the big city and be in that great American sports atmosphere.

Music I am currently listening to: Nirvana is playing on the juke box at the bar.

One week (to the day) in the USA

My new home...for now... the guest house at my Aunts house.

The local bar that has been in Mt Shasta for years - now called Roxy's Vet's Club. My best childhood friend is the head bar maid there.

Some guys belt buckle. I thought it was very 'red neck' but apparently that star and the guns mean quite the opposite.

The medicine isle at the supermarket. UNBELIEVABLE. Americans have so many ailments! I guess you have to have all this choice as no one can afford U.S. health care.

Highlights to note:

• All American news channels instill fear and anxiety in viewers. Its so dramatic and doom ridden its unbearable to watch. There are at least 10 news channels all talking about the same thing - Obama and the American Health plan - will ever happen?! It has to.
• Local Mt Shasta news paper headlines reads: "Pot Hauled off Rainbow Ridge" - Sheriff's transfer (via helicopter) 39,115 Marijuana plants out of the country side worth 1.25 million dollars. I feel so bad for the guys that spent all that time growing those plants only to be burned or sold over the boarder to Mexico (and back to the Americans again!)
• The cost of groceries here is shocking. I thought London/England was expensive. $20 dollars will get you 3-4 things if you are lucky. I can appreciate the town I am currently residing in is expensive; but shit! Its cheaper to eat out!
• Everyone is too nice - I am not used to it. Everywhere I go I get told I am pretty, smiled at, checked out, talked to etc - it can be overwhelming at times. I can't even walk into the local bar without having to tell my tale about moving over here from London repeatably. The stereotype about over-the-top American customer service is true.

Music I am currently listening to: 'Cathart' by ISAN

Mt Shasta - 'God's Country'

I have arrived in Mt Shasta, the town I grew up in until I was 8 years old on Friday. The beauty of this area of Northern California still blows my mind and can be quoted as 'God's Country.' However it doesn't take long before my family and all their drama start to take the edge off for me.

My brother was very surprised to see me ("What the fuck!") and even though the secret was blown for my Mom she was still happy to see me and gave me a big hug. Her first words were,"Well if you are home for three months when are you going to come to Oregon and see me?!" (The answer is never or hardly at all, but I had to appease her with by being flexible.)
Saturday was my step sisters wedding at the Mt Shasta Resort. My brother was one of the best men and my step Dad naturally walked her down the isle. It was a beautiful afternoon with the Mt Shasta mountain as the back drop complimented with bright blue sky. The weather here is unreal at the moment. It's a combination of being at almost 5,000 ft in elevation, little pollution and the bright sunshine.

Yesterday a touching moment occurred at the wedding between my brother and I. He explained he loves me more than his own life. He clearly had to much to drink but still warned me that he will 'kill any motherfucker that ever hurts me' past or present. His behavior over the two days he was in California was pretty bad. He drank too much and got in trouble with a couple guests at the wedding and at the local bar in mt Shasta. He is currently on probation and has several legal restrictions for him to enjoy himself that way. I think being out of state and a part of the wedding gave him an urge to enjoy himself...even if it was too much. I am thankful he is back in Oregon under the supervision of his parents and parole officer now.

Currently I am nerding out on my computer via WiFi in the local bar that has been here for years now called, 'Roxy's Vets Club.' I have hooked up with my best childhood friend who is the head bar tender here and everyone is yelling at the TVs because there are two US football games currently on: San Diego Chargers v Baltimore Ravens and the San Fransisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks. I am so out of touch with US sports. I am having a hard time getting into it.