Tampa Taxi Shots

I've seen this guy at Tampa airport before. He is the Party Cab Guy. The inside even has a disco light and he plays club music as he takes people out to party. Paul Hinton, manager at United Cab, said he remembers the guy from St. Petersburg. The Party Cab dude is personable and the chicks dig him. Paul thinks he is from Turkey and has a beautiful wife. I noticed he was wearing eye liner. Just another eclectic guy that drives taxi for a living. I saw him again today and he gave me his card. Thus dude is high energy and he puts a lot into it. It shows real ambition. Strange. Taxi driving is not an ambitious man's pursuit. However, I think he is independent which means he pays no high lease to the taxi overlords.  He is expending that energy in something that will really pay off. Good for him.

These images from downtown Tampa were taken on the day I ran out of gas. They tell a story about prosperity in this econ omy. This is Joe who helped me when I ran out of gas. He is a mechanic at the United Cab of Tampa shop.

I was coming back from Clearwater and noticed a Bats taxi behind me. He must be headed for TIA. Those guys get a lot of airport trips from across the Bay. The problem for them is they give it at half price...ug.

New Orleans 3 - Tampa Bay 0 We are in a delay because of lightening. It is striking all around my house. Sky to ground...very dangerous. Check out @TBBuccaneers's Tweet: https://twitter.com/TBBuccaneers/status/379338425066745857

A blogger friend of mine, with great seats in the air conditioning at Raymond James Stadium, just sent me this photo. The Saints are playing the Bucs at a 4:15 kickoff. Its sunny and hot and the stadium is sold out. The game will be televised live in the Tampa Bay area. I did good today taking people to the game and now I am home too watch it. I hear many other games this year may be sold out. That will be good for business. Now, we hope the Bucs can return to winning football.

When taxi drivers drop off at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, they get a $10 gas card at Shell. I finally got a ride since the promotion started and went straight to the gas station. It helped and I wish more businesses would appreciate what we do. There used to be more perks in this industry. Remember the monthly hot breakfast and box lunch? I have not seen that in years.

Business has been slow. I'm not going to beat around the bush. I need shoes and shoe strings. I am broke and struggling. I am tired, frustrated, and dealing with real anger issues. I need time off, money, and rest. I can find none of this. My entire situation sucks. I want to blame someone. What compounds all of this are drivers willing to work around the clock for scant money (that forces me to do the same). I am exhausted and wish I could get a break. I do think one is coming up. United Cab is doing all they can do but the economy has greatly increased their expenses. I do hope to have a happier post at the end if the day.

I am tired. After working all weekend, I managed to squeeze in a camping trip. I needed a mental break and set up camp in a place that is basically under water because of summer rains. I found a dryer site, sprayed on OFF, and cooked over a campfire. Kevin and I should be back out here but that will be November. I did enjoy myself and star gazed before falling asleep.

China has no military bases in other countries. They could care less what others are doing. They focus on themselves. I suggest we do the same. I found this on a foreign policy website. "Chinese foreign policy emphasises non-alignment and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. That makes any need or desire for overseas bases unlikely and, in fact, the PLA itself has recently stated that China "has no plans, nor is there a necessity, to establish overseas military bases".

David Bradford isn't your average New York City taxi driver. His days "at the office" are directed by the skill that sets him apart from other taxi drivers: he's a photographer. Bradford's canvas is New York City as he sees it throughout his day, from a behind-the-steering-wheel vantage point. He has published several books, most notably "Drive-By Shootings: Photographs by a New York City Taxi Driver," and he was recently the subject of a New York Moment video, featured above. Bradford started out as a visual artist with an emphasis on drawing from photographs and a degree from Rhode Island School of Design in illustration. When he moved to NYC after graduating college, he began photographing NYC, originally as fodder for his drawings. But Bradford soon discovered that his photographs stood as pieces on their own and began pursuing the art form.

I ran out of gas in downtown Tampa and I had a special call me for pick up. I was in a tow zone, and needed help...I called Joe! Joe is the go too when you need help. Lock your keys in the car like I did the other night or need gas, road help, does not matter. Call the Joe hotline and he is on his way. Remember, he works for tips so I took care if him. I have his cell on speed dial.

I hate holiday weekends. Its slow, no money, and the office and shop are closed. My AC is on the fritz and nobody around to fix it. In all these years I have never broken down when the shop was open...massive dose of Murphy's Law. Now its raining like hell, AC barely alive, windows fogging up. The good thing is its the first business day of the month. We should be busy. Plus, at the airport, we are on the side that moves. It needs to be busy this week. Lets hope.

After working 16 hours yesterday, I locked my keys in the car. I got a hold of John Kerrey (not the Secretary of State) a tow truck driver friend if mine who's on his way with a slim Jim. Cars are more difficult now to break into. I tried.