KPSP, Solo cross countries done

The weather was great, so my trusty 172 steed and I headed out for Palm Springs to finish knocking out the solo cross country requirements. I'm a Part 61 student, so I have to do the long cross country. After I got north of KRNM, I picked up SOCAL departure flight following to the Palm Springs TRSA. Flew Ramona, over French Valley, to Banning Pass, then on to PSP. Got vectored for the 31L left downwind and was told the controller would call my base and final. They put me in a 360 hold just as I should be turning base (no problem, mon), then got called to base for 31L or 31R (the controller would decide while I was on base and call my final). I flew past 31L, so I figured he would give me 31R. He's shooting the breeze on the radio with some other guy, doesn't call me final for 31R. Finally, after I've overshot final by about 1/2 mile and am about to call a go-around, he turns me to final. Squeeked in, taxied back, and got the hell out of Dodge before tower could do something else crazy to me on another lap around the pattern. Back through Banning Pass, one trip around the pattern at KHMT including a full stop, then back in the air, flight following with vectors through the San Diego class B to home. Another 3.1 hours on the books, 31.5 hours in the log, cross countries done, time to start polishing for the check ride.
Wheels down at 1400 local, gave the steed some go-juice and put it to bed, then came on home. Dinner with my lovely wife, then soon to bed for the start of yet another week. Hopefully, I'll be getting a few hours of flying in next weekend.

Ciao,
BC