[jdubya]

1: Not harsh. I hitch hiked here with no money and lived on Ocean Beach in SF for the first month I was here. I found a job, yes found, no nepotism or anything involved. I knew no one here.

2: There are a lot of startups here if that is what you define as startup heaven. Keep in mind that if you are starting a company you need to execute. If you are not executing and evolving your vision, no one will be interested in your shit unless they just want a paycheck and paycheck people are unreliable as hell. I have started and sold two companies here and this is what I have seen several times.

3: Good, bad, ugly... State income tax? You can make it as ugly or as awesome as you want.

4: Apartments in San Francisco are pricey. Buy vegetables in chinatown or sunset/parkside area. Chinatown is probably more convenient. Beer is good and cheap at the toronado room from 4 - 6 pm (I think)

If you are actually in Silicon Valley then I recommend ISO Beers, Bierhaus, Original Gravity and Whole Foods in Cupertino for good beer.

Beer is important.

Other than that I would say that you alone define your destiny. Fuck the tips. Just move and make shit happen. Nothing will fuck up your plans as nicely as life happening while you are planning some shit.

That is my platitude injection for the month.