[sammyg2]

There are some really nice areas in Bakersfield but you can't say that about oildale.

Back in 95, the company I worked for went teets up so I started a consulting bidness and landed a big contract, in Bakersfield.

I'd drive up there early Monday morning and work all day, then get a hotel room at the sleazy 8 off the 99 and rosedale hwy. I could have stayed ay the La quinta across the street but it was too 'spensive at the time.
I'd stay there until Friday afternoon when I'd drive home.
Did that for almost a year until I got sick of it and sold the contract, longest year of my life.
Made good money on the deal but it really wasn't worth it.

One night I woke up to what sounded like a gazillion firecrackers. Seems some suspected bank robbers tried to run from the LA cops who chased them all the way to bakersfield, then then local boys forced them off the freeway right in front of the hotel and then they opened up on the van.
The rumor was that there were a whole bunch of cops and they all re-loaded several times.