Break the rules and you go to prison, break the prison rules and you go to Alcatraz

Last weekend, which was Jo's last day in San Francisco, I thought it was finally time to visit Alcatraz Island. Jo, Dave and myself all went across to the penitentiary prison and of what fun we had. First off, for those who've never heard of Alcatraz is an island, located 1.4 miles from San Francisco. We took a ferry across to the prison. It was cool, you could just walk around the grounds and see things like what the prisoners did when they where bored etc. It was also great to see what you saw in the movies, got you geared up to watch 'em too like 'The Rock' and 'Escape from Alcatraz'. There was an audio tour which guided you through the cell blocks but wow was it intense it was realistic with sound effects and you walked around the cell blocks hearing a range of different stories that went on in that very room ranging from crazy escape attempts to mad prisoners rioting ... it was an unreal tour and I could probably do it again! Anyway enough blabbing on ... here's some pictures ... check out the view of the bay ... and the solitary confinement.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes - How do you measure, measure a year?

Wow...well its been a year at Extranomical...what a year! Where'd the time go? It flew in... It feels like I just arrived here yesterday :( I've grown so much as a person, I wouldn't know where to begin describing. This has been a great experience for me and it's sad that it has come to an end. Anyway my last day of work was on Friday ( July 31st)... And its now VACATION! woohooo! I got a week in San Francisco hanging with the homies that haven't left yet, then a East Coast to Philadelphia ... then I hit the heat in Arizona for Chelsea's Birthday(its gonna be HOT) in Phoenix, then Tucson with some friends from camp (hopefully) then to Las Vegas once more (with Chelsea) then last stop is Miami were the beaches are at :) I'll keep you posted if I manage to have some free time at the airports :)

There is a few things I would like to say before I take off gallivanting around San Francisco. I've left the Vantaggio ... I'm not the only one to be checking out this weekend... all of my Family there have left... and the 'next generation' of students have arrived. We had a party on Friday ... super fun drunk times ... like always ... the party at Vantaggio was off the hook ... great food and great drink and great times. The party started great ... Roly made some GREAT pasta... and then Jo had made her famous Sangria ... the Irish in the Vantaggio ... now 4 of us, decided to start singing (like the Irish do after they've had a few) ... then we're greeted with two guys ... in Uniform ... haha yep the cops. There's a saying somewhere that goes something like 'you know the party is good if the cops show up' so yeah... we were too loud apparently ... anyway they left... and it was all good, the party still continued... everyone got happy VERY happy... some even fell asleep because they were so happy! Those who where still awake decided to go to the Temple Bar (which was only a block away) for a karaoke sing song. I hadn't sang at Karaoke since I've been in San Francisco... I love it :) anyway after that it was time to call it a night ... I had to check out of the Vantaggio and go to Alcatraz (that's a post to follow) the next day...

Just a few words now... sob...

Extranomical Adventures - Thanks guys, I had a great year and met a lot of really great people. It was a pleasure working with everyone there and I will miss you all... I hope that my job in the future involves as many cool people as you guys. Your support throughout the year has been great and the opportunities provided I feel are once in a life time. Thanks a lot to everyone at Extranomical.

Vantaggio Suites - My main home throughout my stay... I made lots of friends there to whom are friends for life... I've already mentioned my goodbyes as all my really close friends have already returned to there home countries... First of all, Jo, thank you so much for being a great friend, you're a great person, I will miss you but I will see you you are a friend for life and I'm coming to Venice to see you soon! (you're coming to Belfast too). I love you Jo! Then the staff at the front desk, Megan, one of my chums... a learned a lot from her and times did get tough through the year ... we helped each other out... thanks Megan! Sen, (works the grave yard at Vantaggio) I would come home from a night out on the piss and have serious drunken conversations(he'd be sober of course) with sen... Funny times!

Dave - My roommate for the year. Being totally honest when I say this, I don't think I would've asked for a better roommate. You where extremely understanding and it was great hanging out and talking with you. We'll hang out one last time before I leave San Francisco. Thanks Dave!

So I've checked out of the Vantaggio. My closest friend, Tony, has provided me with a room for a week. So I got somewhere comfortable to sleep for a week. :)

Like I said the next post will be Alcatraz... but below are the pictures from the parteee!

Sitting on the dock of the bay....

Today I took a stroll to The Embarcadero. The Embarcadero is the eastern waterfront roadway of the Port of San Francisco. I walked the whole way from one end to the other viewing all the piers and boats ending up in Fishermans Wharf...the weather was nice, so i enjoyed the stroll...you could say its the Blackpool of San Francisco? Touristy and stuff...was nice had a clean atmosphere and alot of little shops ..there was one of those antique shops, that sell likes of signed movie posters and plaques and stuff and there was a LEFT HANDED SHOP (thought this was funny.. im not left handed so i hope no ones offended)...they also had a Bubba Gump Shrimp(but thats old news now)...but then i heard clapping and this voice over a speaker...there was some kinda show running...so i walked towards it and it was this little stage where this girl was acting and stuff...and there was 2 ppl from the audience up there...she was hilarious...she was a street performer...you can see the video ive put together of her... below...so i carried on with my journey...to where i could see Alcatraz(Just about)...it was foggy out there...couldnt really see it :( booohooo same with the Golden Gate Bridge...could only see the top of it...so i carried on round passed the sea lions(or seals) sunbathing...back onto the road...and theres break dancers...which were cool i guess...i got them on vid too...so i walk on up and theres only JOHNNY ROCKETS burger joint place thingy...but i dont have enough cash (i had 10 bucks)so i keep walking for a wells fargo or an ATM ... no luck...so 4 or 5 blocks up the road... IN AND OUT! Amazing(another fast food place...to which i could afford with the money in my pocket)...so fed and watered...i decided to head home...up leavenworth...on my journey home i pass lombard street(the windycrooked one)...i didnt take a pic tho cos 1 i was on the phone...and 2 ... i know i'll see it again...so watch this space :) mannnnnnnn was this a long walk home...up and down hills...burnin off my dinner...and wow am i tired...was considering a movie but think i'll leave that til tomorrow night maybe...we move on sunday/monday...so gotta get ready for that...fun times...anyway enjoy the pics vids...peace out

Scottie