Okay so a slightly longer update (I haven't had internet in some time, but I should have it fairly regularly from now on).
The drive to Texas blew because of Oklahoma. Seriously. We payed more to cross Oklahoma on it's one damned highway than we did for lunch. And we got lost. We almost ran out of gas because I didn't know it was possible for a highway to have 47 miles between exits. Luckily while frantically searching for gas we found a Sonic with gigantic drinks.
As I said before we went to the Annheiser Busch brewery in St. Louis. It was pretty cool. (photogaphic evidence below). In the main area where the bear ferments, they have these things that look like giant kegs. GIANT. KEGS. it's impossible to explain, but think kegs where the sides are one story tall. Apparently the beer sits in those kegs for like 21 days.
We had kind of a hard time getting tickets for the Cardinals game - they apparently sell a lot more tickets than the O's. We started searching 2 tickets in the cheapest area and then moved up and up until we found a pair, in the 34 dollar zone. They were insanely nice seats tho - equivelant to 'Club' level seats at Camden Yards. Side note, future wife, my first child's name will be Camden. Male or female.
The best part about Texas was the food. We ate at what the internet assured us was the 'Best BBBQ in Amarillo', at a tiny place called Dyers. It took us forever to find, and I must say, the people in Texas were very polite and helpful - a stark contrast to Kris other experience in Texas (Basic Training).
Dyers closed at 10, but let us in when they were cleaning tables at 9:30 to seat us and treat us to a meal. It was delicious. Cole Slaw, pickle, texas toast, bbq beef, brisket, st louis style ribs, onion rings, mashed potatoes, and apricots. 13.99. Also, not pictured, one large glass of Fat Tire which has quickly become my favourite new beer, which is convenient since it's all over the Western United States, and Yuengling is not.
From there we went on to Tucson, Arizona, and stayed with a friend we hadn't seen in a couple of years. She works on a ranch, taking care of horses (and some cows, 2 cats, 2 dogs - one of which is adorable and the other of which is roughly the size of a shetland pony, if not bigger).
If you haven't figured it out yet, our cross country trip was basically to eat. We continued this in Arizona - I had the best hummus I've ever had at a tiny bar there (jalapeno + cilantro!) and then we went to a whole in the wall deli with some of the biggest portions I've ever seen.
I got totally screwed by a cop in Arizona. Leaving a traffic zone, in the slow lane, being passed by more or less EVERYONE on the road, I was pulled over for speeding - pretty much because I had out of state tags. The officer swore I was going 70 in a posted 55, and issued me a ticket. The first sentence he spoke? "I see your from out of state..." He told me I could "return to arizona to contest the ticket" etc etc etc. Or take traffic school. The ticket is a lot of money. Traffic school is more. Alas I can't have points, so online traffic school it is.
The worst part? I pulled over more or less instantly and was very courteous. Where was I pulled over? Right next to (literally, 10 feet) a 75 MPH speed limit sign. The officer very politely informed me that 'just over there' I could continue onward at my previous speed.
Vegas wasn't for me. Call me strange. Call me whatever. Anywhere it's 109 degrees at 2am is not somewhere I'm interested in. There were entirely too many people there for my taste, and not near enough hand lotion.
The 'short' drive from Vegas to LA took me almost 7 hours. I sat in traffic for four of them - welcome to California. At an inspection center it was inquired if I had any oranges. I did not. I was also informed that it was illegal in california to talk on my quote "mobile handset" end quote. I promptly hung up on my mother.
The first week in Los Angeles has been....interesting. I'm job searching.
For those of your curious, yes, I did hear the news about Sherril being traded and Tillman and Matusz coming up. Sam has MLB.TV, so we watched both of those games - albeit on a little bit of tape delay. Matusz looks amazing - I can't wait to see him pitch again Sunday.
I am continuing to look for a job. Wish me luck. Offer me a job. Ship me food. You know, whatever.
