Shoe seen in Ybor city by a jogger |
What a cab driver will do to make a living is beyond what most people can handle or comprehend. One thing we do is go into very bad areas of town and pretend it is normal. At least I still think it is normal. Like the Pakistani store owner who sells smokes, beer, lotto tickets and blunts to the people who walk in his door while all the time hoping he doesn't get shot, you begin to think this is normal. I got this call about 4 in the morning today. Things got a little weird. Not to bad, but not what I was expecting. It was the Downtowner Motel, one of Tampa's swankier joints. Its the kind of place that has "weekly rentals" and calls them apartments; imaine what kind of crowd that will draw. The dude was on the balcony and very anxious to get going, a clear sign that someone wants to buy drugs. I guess his buzz has worn off and he needs to get more. He and some chic with sunken cheeks and a glazed stare get in the backseat. They seem to have a bunch of nervous ene...
Well, haven't visited your site in a while...glad to see you are hanging in there.
ReplyDeleteYou, like several cabbies I have known are qualified for better things but due to issues beyond your control have gotten stuck in a bad situation.
I drove for Nancy for a few years...it was still good at that time but I could see the handwriting on the wall and left for better climes. I remember Tony and Sam and a few others whose names escape me at the moment.
The big problem that was developing when I decided to leave was the 'super shuttle' and how the airport allowed them to take so many of our long rides. Now it appears that 'uber' is the newest problem....never any good news for cabbies. I suppose the thing that will really make cabbies extinct is the 'driver-less cars' that will be a few more years though.
I do not want to sign off in negative mode....one thing that keeps me from getting as negative as Tony always was is to read 'surival books' how many have beaten the odds and survived....I always say to those who are on the road to being overwhelmed by the 'negatives' learn to appreciate the 'small' things in life which are really not that small if you really learn to appreciate them....a good cup of coffee, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, people who can make you laugh, cooking a good meal, reading a good book, a good movie(I have given up on hollywood movies for the most part--did appreciate "Nebraska") I prefer foeign movies...they can tell a good simple story without all the special effects b.s. Always something to appreciate in life if you really look for it.
Bottom LIne: do not neglect your spirituality....and to preach a little bit...get a personal relationship with Jesus...get born again. Best advice I can give anyone.