The Ups and Downs of Being a Project Manager in Texas (My Experience)

There was a time, several years ago. That I had traveled from Montana to Texas. I lived in Montana and went to Texas for work. The job was something different and new to me. Have you ever heard of a “Project Manager?”

If not, the whole concept of this job was to communicate with homeowners and insurance adjustors to have repairs made on homes that took damage. There was a lot of damage that year. Houston had flooded. There was massive hailstorms. People needed repairs made to their homes. That’s where I came in.

I initially got offered to go to Texas on this venture by my friend James. He told me we would be headed to Texas and stay there for a few weeks. Well, weeks ended up being approximately two months. I was an absolute disaster at the time. But, what could go wrong.

Well… let me tell you.

We left Montana and made way towards Dallas, Texas. It took a while and James was kind enough to feed me along the way. I had nothing when I left. Other than clothes, my phone, my guitar, and my skateboard.

James was like a mentor to me. I didn’t mention that I was his “Go-To-Guy” and he had me working for him on all sorts of odd jobs. Roofing was the main jobs provided. However, I did help with demolition a few times for a car dealership. That was a lot of work.

I initially thought that this “Project Manager” job was going to be a decent gig. I was offered around $700 a week to start. Then, I was going to make commissions on the homes that we helped get repaired. There was a good amount of competition in this field but James and I were a team. I was new to it and he was showing me the ropes. There was a pressure for me to succeed from nearly every loved one in my life. I wanted to do well and turn it into a career if I was good at it.

The first week was absolutely wreck less. We paid for our hotel room and got some booze. James had brought a girl back to the hotel and asked me to leave. Mind you, I had already been drinking and had a really good buzz by that point.

I was kind of upset that he had wanted me to leave. New place, new city. Not even sure what to do, or, where to go. I decided to take a hike so he can get laid. I left the hotel with around $575 dollars or so and started skating down the road. I didn’t travel very far. There was a strip club that I happened to skate in front of. I thought to myself “Well, shoot. I haven’t been to one of these before” and went in.

I ordered a drink and sat down at a bench nearby the door.

Next thing I know, I am getting grinded on by some girl who offered me a lap dance.

This was pretty hot.

She grinded for a bit and asked me if I wanted to pay for a lap dance. I thought about it for a minute and said. Let me get a few more drinks in me first and I will let you know.

The waitress showed up for my drink.

I went to pay for it. And my wallet was no longer in my pocket. I know for certain that it was in my pocket. I told the girl to get off of me so I can find my wallet. She did. Then, I stood up. It was sitting on the bench right next to where I had been sitting.

I picked it up. Only to find that all of my money that I had left with was now missing.

I started questioning the girl that was trying to give me a lap dance. Accusing me of stealing my money. That immediately got the bouncers attention. I let him know what had happened. And of course, he sided with the girl and kicked me out of the building.

I was absolutely pissed. Bad experience in Dallas on the first day. Terrible, even.

I headed back to the hotel. James was outside talking with the girl. Meaning that he had already finished. And he asked where I went.

I told him the full story, similar to what I am stating here. However, I wasn’t as lighthearted as I am in this one about it. I was infuriated. He knew it. He apologized for making me leave. And I told him, “I am never going to a strip club again!” To this day, I haven’t gone to another.

After the first day, it wasn’t really great. I had been a little on the shy side when trying to talk to potential customers.

James had the bright idea of making me taking a couple shots before leaving the hotels from there on out. Stating that it loosened me up a bit and turned me into a more talkative person. Which was true. I did become way more chatty. However, I didn’t stay on subject. I became a more chatty over the things that weren’t helping land sales. And, I didn’t really know what I was doing other than listening to James land those sales.

Long story short. I didn’t really make any money. Everything went into traveling around Texas for James and I to pick up girls, drugs, and alcohol. Which, I wasn’t very proud of after leaving. I completely failed. But, at the same time, I did have a lot of fun.

One of the best things we did was go to a go-kart track. It was about $60 for a few laps around the track. Those go-karts went like 60-80 mph and it was really fun. Even left with a photo.

The most memorable part of this trip was going through all the different states and trying food that isn’t available in Montana. We tried Whataburger, Chick Filet, Churches Chicken (that was really good), Waffle House, and a bunch of taco places sitting on the most random corners in the areas we stayed.

Overall, I had learned a valuable lesson.

Don’t do drugs.

Don’t drink.

And to just be myself.

When I returned to Montana, I had told my mom everything that had happened. I came back drinking more than ever. Which eventually almost killed me. However, I rarely do it to this day. Even though it helps “loosen me up” it has cost me several thousand dollars in restitution and an ankle bracelet for about two years.

I will never forget how lucky I was to have survived.