Update on Stanford Job

So here is an update on the Stanford Temp Job.

I was originally hired to work for the month of October. The job then got extended through the month of November. The end of November then became the end of December. A coworker told me that this is very common for the office. They will hire a temp and just keep extending the termination date until they can longer classify the employee as a temp. I think they could technically keep me until October 2009. After that they would have to get rid of me or make me a FT employee.

I didn't mind the job initially. The novelty of the workplace and the assignments I would be working on made the job semi-exciting and interesting. I would spend my days working on various administrative projects for the 8 different employees that worked in the Vice Provost office. Such tasks included filing, making copies, and working on Excel projects.

As of now, the novelty has completely worn off! I have finished the major projects they originally hired me for and now have me working on very RANDOM and very MENIAL tasks. It started off by just taking the cardboard boxes that piled up to the dumpster and running mail and messages across the campus (b/c they are too lazy too put it in InterDepartmental mail and want it sent instantly). It the slowly turned into manual labor (which you know Joey G is not liking too much. Anyone remember my Starbucks stint?) 

For the past couple of weeks they had me working in another building across campus, which is acquiring new furniture and more employees. In order to accommodate these changes I have been asked to perform some pretty demeaning and insignificant tasks. This included moving furniture (desks, closets, tables, chairs), cleaning out closets, and vacuuming. I did this under the supervision of a 60y/o woman who LOVES her job and everything about it. This makes it even harder since I couldn't feel more the opposite and it is hard to hide my irritation (as much as I try). 

I have done some pretty low level jobs in the past. I have put in my time and have experienced my share of menial jobs. I appreciate their necessity but I am way over qualified to be doing such tasks. 

My plan is to work here until I the school closes down for winter break (even if I have don't have another job). In order to keep my sanity, I have to move on.

Tickets

There is always an adjustment period when you move to a new city. Among other things, transportation and parking have been issues that have taken me a while to adjust to. 

I never have really driven in a major city before (downtown WPB dosen't count). Besides the hectic traffic, bikers, and one way streets, I had to get used to concept of parking meters and street cleaning. I had been exposed to these things in Boston but never had to deal with them on a daily basis since I didn't drive. Thus far, I have received over $200 worth of parking tickets. Some for legit violations and some for really stupid reasons. I got $50 parking ticket for sleeping through street cleaning at 8AM (legit), a $60 parking ticket for parking in a residential parking zone (semi legit; there were no spots left!!!) and a $50 ticket for not turning my tires to the curb when I was parked on a hill (RIDICULOUS). I understand that the meter maid wants my car to hit the curb should it ever be bumped, but $50 dollars. Really? I have an E brake for a reason and the hill wasn't even that steep.

Aside from the parking tickets, I have had a bad experience with the CalTrain, which is the commuter rail that serves all the Bay Area. During the first week of my temp job at Stanford, I used the CalTrain to get to and from work. I bought a weekly pass that gave me ten rides on the train. On the ticket there are ten empty spaces that are used for stamping the date and time for each ride. Before you get on the train, you are supposed to get your ticket validated at this machine that stamps the ride time.

Towards the end of my first week, I forgot to get my ticket validated for my ride home. The Stanford shuttle bus that takes me to the CalTrain was running behind and it arrived at the station just as the train was pulling up so I didn't have time to get my ticket validated before getting on. So when the attendants came to check tickets I had to explain what happened. I guess she was having a bad day (or she didn't like me) and starting getting sassy and condescending. She was preaching up a storm saying that I need to be more responsible and that she was no way of knowing if I paid or not. Mind you that this train is headed back to SF and is packed with people. All eyes were on me and the sassy conductor for a good fifteen minutes. 

After the lecture ended, she finally issued me a ticket. I just assumed that I would have to pay the the price of a one way ticket or even the price of a day pass. NO! I got a letter in the mail saying that I owed $200. I know!! Get over yourself CalTrain. Could you be even more unreasonable with your prices? I mean that amount is completely disproportionate to the offense. The ticket displays the dates it is valid for (five days in total) and I don't think anyone is going to take the CalTrain more than twice in one work day. 

My public transportation "initiation" took off to a rocky start but hopefully this will be the end to my tickets.

I hate you CalTrain!

Balance Act

It has been a little while since my last post. This is a result of having the FT temporary position at Stanford. Working 9-5 every weekday with an hour commute decreases the amount of free time I have. I am sure all you employed people out there know what I'm talking about.

Over the past month and a half of having this job at Stanford, I have been forced to become more strategic and methodical about my free time. I try to balance gym ("working on my fitness"), grocery shopping, running errands, job hunting (most importantly), and going out with friends. Its defintely a chore trying to balance life, work, friends and love. I honestly don't know how Kelly Ripa does it.

But like everything else it becomes easier with practice. 

Temporary Position #2

STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Office the Vice Provost and Dean of Research
Palo Alto, CA
10/06-10/31

And back for #2!

Since the temporary agencies I applied to in the city were not being so helpful, I had decided to apply with the temporary service at Stanford University. They loved all the extra BU activities I had done and were really helpful landing me this gig.

It's not the most glamorous job in the world but I do get paid pretty well. Officially, I am the Administrative Associate to the Vice Provost and Dean of Research. The office is pretty high up in the rankings of administrative offices (which will be great for connections).

In terms of my actual workload:

• Work Monday through Friday 8AM-5PM
• Perform general administrative tasks for the various staff members

The position technically lasts until October 31, but there might be a possibility of it lasting longer. I would definitely consider working this job for another month but I wouldn't take the full time position. The job is very basic and I would end up leaving it once I found a consulting job. Regardless, its a job and a paycheck.

Folsom Street Fair

Tis the season of festivals and fairs in San Francisco. I swear these past couple of weekends have been packed with them. This past weekend, for example, there was the Castro Street Fair (hot tranny messes parading the streets of Castro), Oktoberfest (drunks stumbling on the streets), and Lovefest (everyone dancing on Market Street).

The most memorable festival I have be

en to however would have to be the Folsom Street Fair. It was two weekends ago and the name gives ABSOLUTELY no justice to the actual events that occurred. It's the LARGEST LEATHER FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD. Naturally, San Francisco is home to such an event.

The fair spans six city blocks and is filled with tents featuring sex swings, flogging demonstrations, and the classic spanking over a person's knee. Any type of sexual domination you can think of was in full display.

The leather afficionados were not afraid to show their love for the fabric. I would say about 1 in every 4 people there donned some article of leather clothing (mostly chaps or some form of underwear). 

And if the people were a little hot, they would walk around completely nude. That's right....Completely naked walking the city streets. Before I got to the fair I had a "Penis Count" game going with my roommate to tally th

e number naked guys I saw. After 17 we both lost track.

Its pretty funny to think that some of these people that were naked (or close to be being naked) or that were involved in one of the "domination demonstrations" could be the city's lawyers or doctors or schoolteachers. Some of these people could be high profile in their industries but yet have some kinky sex fetish and take advantage of the once a year outlet to express it. 

Well it was an experience... Below is some of the photos I took at the fair. 

Things Might Be Going Right For Ole' Joey G

I am so happy that I decided to stick out here. 

To be honest I had some apprehensions about whether I was going to make it and fit in here. I think those thoughts inevitably come with the territory of moving to a new place. But the past week has been filled with progress, new friends, and satisfying immersion into my surroundings.

Employment

I think my efforts in being persistent and consistent with my employment search is paying off. I am finally getting temporary assignments to keep me busy and to help earn some extra cash. The temporary agencies are actually CALLING ME and wanting to put me to work. I think the season of recruitment is beginning and that all the consulting companies I have applied to will hopefully begin contacting me and setting up some interviews.

Housing and Roommates

I LOVE MY ROOMMATES! We all get along really well and are engaged in each others lives. There is Shea who is the sweetest and the most kind hearted lesbian I have ever met. The girl has a heart of gold and is great to talk to. There is Nat who is a very laid back musician who is also great to talk to. He is actually going to teach me to surf sometime. Should be pretty interesting. And there is Lauren. She is kind and funky girl who loves her soul music and dance parties. 

I really enjoy living here because everyone is so laid back and friendly. Its great that I am able to stay here for the month of October (I can't believe that September is almost over). If given the chance to live here for a couple more months, I would take it in a heartbeat. I mean how could I give up this great view...

I know right? Its a great view of downtown SF. This was shot from the balcony of the apartment. I actually have this view from my bedroom (Almost as good as the view of Boston I had in Stuvi). Speaking of the bedroom...

This is where the magic happens. I am really slumming it, let me tell ya. And yes that is an AeroBed and Alex's old TV on the floor. Furniture is a luxury right now.

Friends

Hanna Mark has been AMAZING by introducing and including me in her social circle. I have been able to meet so many friendly and smart recent college grads. 

For example, last night I went to a wine and cheese party at one of Hanna's high school friend's apartment. I was able to mingle and meet a bunch of UVA people, some of which have had similar experiences to what I have had. Some of them made the cross-country road trip to SF. Some of them are still unemployed. And some are in the same position I was in two months ago (brand new to the city with no job, limited friends, and plenty of free time).

I knew that I couldn't possibly be the only the person that did the big move to the West Coast with absolutely no attachments to the city. But I really don't know too many people from BU that have done it. I am so comforted and glad that I was able to meet people that I can really relate to and learn from. 

All in all, I think San Francisco and I have a future together. 

I LOVE IT HERE AND I INTEND TO STICK IT OUT FOR AS LONG AS I POSSIBLY CAN. 

Temporary Position #1

SALESFORCE 

Mail Room

Financial District

9/24-9/25

It official people! I finally found a source of employment in this city that has been resisting it since I arrived. Even though its temporary and pretty petty in its significance and the actual work involved, it's a sign of progress. It's an indication that things may start getting better for me. It may also be an indication that my "break in" period is reaching its climax.

I say that the "break in" period might be ending because after being at the job for a little less than 4 hours, I was contacted by THREE of the other temporary agencies I had applied to. Pacific Placement had called me in the morning at some point to see if I was interested in a week long position. Unfortunately, I missed the call. Then, I was contacted by the temporary office at Stanford University. Unfortunately, they ended up giving the position to someone who had worked there previously. Finally, I got called from Searchwright who ended up giving me another temp position at Salesforce for next week.

I guess the saying is true. It's easier to get a job, when you have a job. 

The job was just what I thought it terms of the duties I performed. I logged in packages when they came into the mail room and then logged them out when the various employees would pick them up. Needless to say, I picked up the routine of things pretty quickly.

Aside from the tedious work, I was able to network a little bit. I shared the mail room with two other employees. Josh is a young and kind guy with a dry sense of humor (we ended up having some banter back and forth by the end of the first day). Elisa is middle-aged, sweet lady. She is "that woman" whom EVERYONE in the office knows and that you have plenty of two minute small talk conversations with. It was a great work environment for the time being though. 

I Thought The Day Would Never Come...

Yes, ladies and gentleman:

Joey G is employed (at least temporarily). After a little over three months of calling and emailing temporary agencies, I was finally able to land myself a temp position. This agency called Searchwright has a close connection with a CRM Managemnt Software company called Salesforce. Its a huge company in the Bay Area with over 3,000 employees (most of whom are in their early to mid twenties).

I got the call this past Monday from my girl Kelli (yes, we are BFF's, even if she dosen't know it yet). It is a two day stint in Salesforce's mail room. I am assuming that I will be logging in and logging out packages that I recieve. It pays $15/Hour and is located in the Financial District. Hey, I will take whatever I can get. I mean no harm in networking a bit within the company and earning some extra cash.

Then a weird thought hit me. It's going to be strange to actually be employed. I got into the routine of just focusing on my own contrived projects and assignments and working on them on my own schedule. Now I would be commuting, meeting new people, and working on other projects.

I am definitely ready for the next step but its just going to be a transition. One that I am anxiously awaiting!

Stay posted for how the temp job went!

Joey G The Candy Striper?

The days are very long when your unemployed. I used to be able to pass the time with random personal projects but my motivation isn't as high and I can't stand planning my entire day around a trip to Starbucks. With no temporary or part-time jobs in sight, I have decided to volunteer at the local hospital.

I did internships like this when I was in high school so I figured I would have lots of experience. I decided on Kaiser Permanente hospital in the inner Richmond. 

So, I went on Monday to interview. I filled out some paperwork, gave them my resume, and talked about what duties I would feel comfortable doing. After Marvin (the interviewer) laid out all the possibilities, I decided on being the front desk attendant. My primary responsibility will be to go to all the rooms, talk to the patients, and survey them about their experience in the hospital.

(+) Side: I get to talk to all the patients. I mean, I'm a pro at small talk (Student Leader Hello!!!)

(-) Side: I'm going to be THAT guy that has to hear about all their complaints.

No complaining though!! I will take whatever I can get. I JUST WANT TO BE BUSY.

But here is the funny thing (this stuff always happens to me). In order to volunteer at Kaiser I have to get a couple of shots and have some bloodwork done. No problem I thought. The TB shot only takes two days and the bloodwork can't take much longer. 

But of course, the nurse who took care of all this informed me that I needed two TB shots. The first takes a week to get the results and the second takes a couple of days. This means that I am still not going to be doing anything for another week and a half.

I can really only laugh about it at this point. Its so ridiculous that SF keeps trying to prevent me from working. 

Calm yourself SF. Its going to happen!

Et Cetera

While I wait for that dream job to come along, I have been looking and applying to "random" things in the city. By "random things" I mean anything that's on Craigslist under the ETC section. By endlessly searching the posts I noticed that there are a couple of different positions I would be qualified for: administrative assistant, personal assistant, and bar-back.

I know what your thinking. Joe, your a student leader and an engineer. What do you know about working at a bar? 

And to answer your question, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. But it can't be that hard. You take orders from the bartenders, bring out glasses and bottles, and then take some more orders from the bartenders. So with the encouragment of various friends, I fabricated some past bar-backing experience, put it on my resume, and started going to open call interviews.

I went to one today actually at a gay bar called The Transfer (I figured I might as well work the gay angle here!). I swear everyone in SF must want to work at this bar. The line was out the door with at least 35 people; 1/2 hot, chiseled guys and 1/2 sexy, curvy girls. Don't get me wrong. I was strutting my stuff too; rocking my J. Crew button down, dark jeans, and Converse sneakers.   

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised though. I went to one of these open interviews before (at another gay bar) and they had the same number of people. This fact confirmed my suspicions that there are a lot of unemployed people out here and most are looking for a second job (or even a primary job). It was pretty sad too b/c there were some thirty y/o people there too! They need work too.

Anyway, I don't think my interview at the Transfer went very well. The lady who interviewed me was so boring and uninterested in me. I mean how can you be so boring and lack a personality when both your arms and neck are covered in tattoos. Blows my mind, so I won't hold my breath on this one.

Not the most interesting Sunday afternoon but I did get some excitement on the MUNI (the transportation in SF). See the pic below:

I will call him the Asian Antennae.  

Favorite Quotations

"Jenna: Oh, I'm not worried. Because I have something that the other actors don't. A secret weapon.

Liz: Don't say your sexuality!

Jenna: My sexuality.

Liz: Oh God Jenna, when has that ever worked?

Jenna: Umm. When hasn't it worked?

In a restaurant 

Host: It will be a 45 minute wait.

Jenna: Ohh, will it? (unbuttons her shirt).

Host: Umm. Yea. Yea, it will."

-30 Rock

"There are only two ways of telling the complete truth--anonymously and posthumously"

    -Thomas Sowell (American Economist)

"A Hospital is no place to be sick"

-Samuel Goldwyn (Academy Award Winning Producer)

Review: Where Did Alex Go and Who Does Joe Even Know in SF?

Most of you know what happened with Alex Moore and San Francisco but some of you don't. I just wanted to talk briefly about what happened for the blog's completeness and to clear up the record.

TIMES WERE TOUGH IN THE SLUMS OF BERKELEY!!!

Alex and I weren't able to find any sort of employment (part-time, temporary or even full-time). This fact put a damper on our motivation and spirits.

Adding onto that was his financial situation. We both had expected to find some sort of job and be able to, at least partly, finance our living out here. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. Money was tight and Alex wasn't in any position to obtain money from his parents. 

Adding onto that was the fact that Alex and I weren't going to be able to find a sublet together in the city. A two bedroom sublet is pretty rare and hard to come by. If Alex had stayed we would be living in two different sublets in random areas of the city. 

Summing all of these conditions together was the reason that Alex left. He could have hypothetically stayed out here for another month (thanks to the generous donation of his stepmom) but he decided it would be better to head back home to live rent free and save up money. 

It was a pretty huge shock that he was leaving. The dream of both of us starting our young professional lives in San Francisco was shattered.  Then the reality of being completely alone in SF set in. I am not gonna lie....the first week or so was pretty rough without Alex.

Luckily, I knew a couple of BU people that live and had moved to San Francisco. My friend of four years, Hanna Mark, has been AMAZING in introducing me to her posse of high school and home friends that live in the city. She has also been great in helping me deal with the all the emotional and job issues I have been dealing with. Hillary Thompson is my other friend out here who lived on my floor freshman year. She has also been GREAT at helping me get acquainted with SF and introducing me to her group of friends.

It's really sad that Alex has left and I do miss him but its really comforting knowing that I have some BU faces out here. I know now that I am not COMPLETELY alone out here. 

Review: Why Don't People Hire Me???

Despite all the "fun" Alex and I had, we relentlessly sought employment. I had researched some consulting companies in San Francisco while I was home in FL and continued applying while I was in Berkeley. However, the days were long and we had so much time on our hands so Alex and I looked for temporary and part time employment.

I applied to five temporary agencies in the city in hopes of finding some Administrative Assistant position. I went to each firm, interviewed with the personnel, and gave them my credentials. I thought applying to all of these agencies was overkill and that I would have no problem getting temporary work. God how I was so wrong.

It seems that I applied to the agencies at the perfectly WRONG time. 

1.) Summer is typically not the best season for recruiting. Most companies have their budgets in order closer to the end of the year.

2.) California is trying to alleviate its large deficit by cutting tons of temp/part-time positions. 

3.) Economy in general blows.

4.) I also think I applied to the wrong agencies.

Out of all those firms and a month of waiting, I literally got called twice for potential work. One of the opportunities I missed out on b/c I called back 10 minutes too late. I didn't get the second opportunity b/c they went with a previous hire. 

Ridiculous? I know. I mean I was pretty diligent and consistent with my pursuit and contact and I turned up with nothing!!! 

A month of unemployment inevitably leads to reflection and self doubt. It becomes frustrating knowing that you are very qualified, skilled, and willing to work and yet you end up with nothing. You begin doubting your abilities and aptitude and begin to wonder if there is something you are doing wrong. This led to me having doubts about any type of future I might have of working in San Francisco and that maybe traveling the 3000 miles was a complete waste of time.

The thoughts ran through my mind every now and then. It especially hit hard on Sundays and Mondays. This is the time when employed people prepare for and actually go to work.  

It took a lot of venting and talking with friends, family, and people I met in San Francisco to realize that making it out here is very tough! I knew it was going to be difficult but had NO CONCEPT of the time span and the emotional toll it might take. I have talked to various people in the city who said they have lots of unemployed twenty-something friends who have sometimes waited up to five months to find work. 

THAT IS JUST HOW THE CITY IS!

There are some many people searching for jobs. There is a limited number of positions. And the only way that the jobs can be rationed is through people's skill and the amount of time they wait. 

With that being said, I know that there are forces beyond my control that are dictating my current employment status. I know that by being persistent and resourceful I will find a great job and be able to start my life out here. I have given myself six months in SF to find a job. If not, I hop on a plane back to Beantown. 

We will see what happens......

"Good Morning Opportunities"

Review: Castro Sublet

After my sublet in Berkeley, I wanted to move in the city. I was able to find a one month sublet in the neighborhood called The Castro. For all you straight people and those not familiar with San Francisco, The Castro is THE gay neighborhood (some consider all of SF to be THE gay neighborhood). Rainbow flags, adult sex shops, and clothing boutiques line the neighborhood streets. Along with every gay stereotype you can think of:

In the gay melting pot, you have your:

• Bears
• Twinks
• Gaysians
• Muscle Gays
• Leather Gays
• Straight Bait 
• And even naked gays (You can literally walk down the street stark naked and no one will say anything and you won't be arrested). 

The neighborhood was overwhelming at first but of course after a month of living there I got very used to the scene and even made some friends (i.e. the teller at the Bank of America and the barista at Starbucks). 

My sublet was pretty nice. I got a pretty big room in a four bedroom apartment. I shared it with two lesbians and one hippie. The girls were really sweet and we got along pretty well. I took over the room from a tranny (woman-->man) who had decided to move out without informing his roomates. There were some awkward moments and some drama in the house for a couple of weeks.

I enjoyed my time in the neighborhood but I don't think I could ever live there. The Castro residents are mostly older couples and I don't really need or want to be surrounded by gay dudes all the time. But I will definitely come back to the neighborhood during SF pride and Halloween. I'm told the Castro is the place to be for the best costumes and the best parties.

Below are some random pics of my sublet:

Front of the House:

 

My Porch 

Sunny Day:    

Foggy Day:

Review: Rocking the Slums of Berkeley

After our five day stint in Tiburon, Alex and I moved to our July sublet in Berkeley. The place wasn't what we were expecting at all (in terms of the room conditions, neighborhood, and the landlords).

Here is the rundown of the place. We lived on pretty sketchy street  in a two story duplex house; the landlords occupied the top floor and Alex, myself, and

the landlord's son Sulliman (pronounced "Suley-Man") occupied the ground floor. When we moved in the place was pretty dirty. I'm talking dust bunnies, spiderwebs, and everything in between. The previous occupants were pretty sloppy (just like Sulliman). The guy's floor was completely covered with clothes, randomness, and left over plates of food. We tore through two packs of wet and dry Swiffer cleaning pads just cleaning our two rooms. Granted, Alex and I might be a "tad" prissy when it comes to this stuff so my description may be a little dramatic.

In terms of the neighborhood, we were living in the GHETTO!! Alex and I never went out at night alone (or even together). We even heard the calming sounds of gunshots somewhere down the street one night.  This reduced out nighttime activities to watching the complete first two seasons of the O.C. and random power hours. The power hours pretty much went like this: We made a pretty hot mix, drank and danced around for an hour, went outside and drunk dialed people, and then passed out. All within the time span of about two hours. What can I say? We know how to party.

Finally, we had the most ridiculous landlords. In true Berkeley fashion, they were hardcore hippies. Nells (Yes thats NELLS) was a scrawny, creepy computer programmer who reminded us of that guy in high school who no one talked to and had the potential to shoot up the school at any moment. Ellen was his wife and the main person I dealt with to get a sublet. One of the most cynical, unkept, and rude person I have met. She did have some redeeming qualities, the lovely feathers she wore in her hair and the pretty bee garden she kept in the backyard by my car.

Regardless of the crappy conditions we were living in we ended up having a great time. We had plenty of BU friends come by and crash. We literally had a different guest every week (except the first). Daniel Huynh came up from Fresno for a couple of days (we even ventured down there for the 4th of July weekend), Eric Brassard came up from L.A. for a weekend (we ended traveling to Palo Alto and Napa Valley while he was here), Alex's cousin Alex and her b/f came up for a couple of days as well. The BU faces were definitely necessary being so far away.

All in all the Berkeley experience was just that: an experience. It opened us up to a different area with a very distinctive, liberal, and earthy perspective and way of living. We experienced the harshness of the job market and how hard it is actually find any type of work. 

Review: Road Trip

As most of you know, I am not the best at keeping people updated on the "events" in my life. Its a flaw that I'm trying to work on. So for those of you who are not familiar with what has been happening the previous two months, let me tell you a little story...

Once upon a summer (specifically June 15th), two BU student leaders decided to embark on a Big Gay Road Trip across the United States. Alex Moore and I packed up my 2005 tan Jetta and set off from my home in West Palm Beach, FL. 

We were on the road for nine days and made a total of 7 stops. Here is a little synopsis on each of the stops we made:

Gainseville, FL: We stayed at my brother's condo by the University of Florida. We were able

to chill with his bulldog (Turbo,  with a face only a mother could love), meet up with one of my
high school friends (What up Sconz?), and discover my obsession for Rock-Band (which has to be the most addictive video games ever made. I'm not too bad on the drums). 

New Orleans, FL: N.O. was interesting. We had great food (gumbo, jumbalaya), great drinks (Hand Grenades and water),  and a great strip show. Well, that's a stretch for the latter. The strip show was actually pretty depressing. It was the first time for both of us going into a strip club and we expected some hot dancers and some hot jams. We ended up getting really depressed and feeling nothing but sympathy for the strippers. "What are they doing with their lives? She don't love herself!" Probably not the best people to go the gentleman's clubs with. 

Houston, TX: I have driven through some pretty bad storms in my life (coming from FL) but nothing compared to the torrential rain we drove through in Houston. Once we made it into the city however, we ended up staying at a ridiculous house, tanning at a ridiculous country club, and hanging out with the coolest Houston mom. My experience there completely validates the phrase "Everything is bigger in Texas." 

The drive THROUGH Texas was even bigger and longer than I thought. We were on the road for 14 hours, from sunrise to sunset and through the night. I got horrible highway hypnosis, I was looking busted, and it was pretty hot. 

My advice: Skip Texas if you ever go on a road trip. The scenery is boring and the drive is unbearable.

Las Cruces, NM: We just crashed at the town's Marriot. Not too exciting.

Tombstone, AZ: I was able to see my aunt Sandy, her husband Chris, and some distant 

relatives that I haven't seen in a couple of years. Sandy showed Alex and I the "town" of Tombstone. This is the site of the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holiday. If your not familiar, I won't be too surprised. Alex had no idea who they were either. Must be northeast thing.

Sandy is really popular in town and we were able to do all the touristy stuff for free (mine tours, coach ride, free drinks at the bar). What can I say? I am well connected in Tombstone.

San Diego, CA: Once again, we were really spoiled in terms of the places we were able to crash. We stayed at Alex's friend Claire's second house in La Mesa. We both had a blast here. Went clubbing in San Diego's gay district, had my first meal at In & Our Burger (I'm all about the protein style now), and explored Balboa Park.

Tiburon, CA: We finally made it up to San Francisco. We ended up staying at Alex's cousins amazing house a little outside the city. Once again, we were very spoiled with the location and the house. 

All in all the trip was definitely worth it!

I went to some states and places I never even thought I would go to. 

I tested my endurance by driving the ENTIRE way (even though Alex did a great job of staying awake the whole time). 

I was able to do a classic trip with with one of my best friends. 

Total Distance Traveled: 3239 Miles

Amount Spent on Gas: $540

Amount Spent Per Person: $600

Total Cross Country Experience: PRICELESS