May Gray, June Gloom

June Gloom (also May Gray) is a California term for a weather pattern that results in overcast skies with mild temperatures during the late spring and early summer. The condition is prevalent in many parts of the world where marine stratus or stratocumulus clouds are common, particularly off the western coasts of continents—especially off Peru, Namibia, Western Australia, and California. Such cloud systems are persistent year-round off the coast, yet in certain seasons they blow ashore and create the gloomy "May Gray" effect on land. The June Gloom phenomenon has also been known to occur during the early autumn in California.

Last week marked my first experience in California. Prior to going everyone I know assured me of just how much I would love CA – the weather, the people, and just the overall atmosphere. However, for me the theme seemed to be “did that just happen.”

The trip began by being delayed over an hour on the O’Hare tarmac when we were the next in line for takeoff. No biggie, more time to sleep. I arrived at the hotel with another coworker, Judy, and ran into my boss’s boss (we’ll call her Linda) in the hallway. Now let’s give a little back story on Linda – she’s a fairly shrewd person whom you should never really trust not to stab you in the back while your sleeping, but that I got along with all the same. And, Kristie and I always assumed her to be a drunk. Anywho, when we arrived at the hotel judy decides to hug L, which then forces L to give me one of those awkward and extremely uncomfortable hugs. O, and she and Carol (Kristie’s previous boss) had just had a bunch of injections done so her face was all swoll.

Moving right along, first afternoon of work was fine. That night we decided to be good employees and join our coworkers for dinner. This turned out to be pretty painful because Sam accidently invited my least favorite coworker. So, afterwards she decided repay me by buying me a drink at the hotel bar. After a bit Sam starts whispering that L is in the bar but not to look. Obviously I had to look, and I’m so glad that I did. L decides to take a lap around the bar holding on to her older boyfriend’s arm to keep from falling over. On her way back she spots Sam and gives us the old gunshot hello, and then asked what time we had to work in the morning. In my head, I was laughing hysterically and responding “don’t worry about it, we’re clearly no where near your condition and I’m sure we start later than you.” Classy.

The next night Sam and I decide to venture out into the Gas Lamp district after getting a little buzzed from the chardonnay we chugged at the Welcome Reception. The area was cute, but I found the people to be rude and condescending. The first restaurant we went to wouldn’t seat us on the pretense that their kitchen was too backed up. Ok, we’ll move on. The second restaurant/bar seated us, but not before they gave me the once over. Let me just state, that I was wearing a relatively cute outfit. Not slutty, but still decent. After $90 worth of drinks and appetizers here, we decided to head back to the hotel…