Tampa Taxi Shots

I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. This is Tampa International Airport at 5 in the morning. I have never tried to work the airport this early. I hear there are some red eyes that come in from Los Angeles and you can get some good runs out of here. I will let you know how all this works out.

We did the Xmas camping trip and now I'm

I have to leave where I'm at tomorrow because I can't afford to keep this modest roof over my head. Our business has been devastated by Uber. They have taken it all. We are down to poor neighborhoods and the airport. That's it. George and I will be camping over the Christmas holiday. I will forget my troubles and enjoy the campfire and holiday dinner. I do wish it was a little cooler, however. After Christmas, I will be living in the taxi. At least I won't have any rent payment. Try to think positive, right? The only thing holding my head together right now is my exercise. That's it. If not for that, I would have nothing. posted from Bloggeroid

I heard from our shop supervisor Paul that as of Thursday, the HCPTC was back in action giving tickets to illegal Uber drivers. They said it was in the interest of public safety. So far, no media outlets have picked up on this. Something must have changed to give them clearance, or Victor Crist finally made a bold decision. I am hearing stories that Uber drivers in the Tampa Bay area are not making the money they used to. Uber has saturated the market and that slice if the pie is getting thin. Good. I knew that would happen. posted from Bloggeroid

I just had an intense 10 minutes of Boot Camp with Sworkit #Sweaty #BestFeeling posted from Bloggeroid

This is Elena's front porch with the intricate Christmas lights she strung with care. She is very creative and gifted. This shot was taken around 6:00 this morning. posted from Bloggeroid

Elena wanted me to post photos from Gabriel's first birthday party. Sorry I did not take more images but my phone went dead. Here is a stressed out hippy mama. You got to admit, Gabriel is a handsome young man. posted from Bloggeroid

I wrote this on March 5, 2007 when Julliane Lea died: "I lost the love of my life today. I found Julianne's lifeless body this morning in her condo in Hudson. I had not heard from her since last Thursday. She did not call over the weekend. I am very busy on the weekends and she knows this but always calls. Monday morning I had a bad feeling. This was unlike any other feeling I had ever had. At first, I thought she had found a man in a bar and was with him. Unfortunately, that was not the case. When I got there today after work, the condo was the same as I left it. The curtain and blinds had not been moved and the light in the hallway was still on. I was very alarmed. I found the maintenance man of the association and he had a master key for the door. It would only work for the door handle and not the dead lock bolt. I knew she was in trouble and kicked the patio door in and from the sliding glass door you could see her body lying on the living room floor thru a crack in

Ybor City Stogie blog had these photos posted of yesterday's event. You can see me in the yellow shirt.."Same ride..Same rules." posted from Bloggeroid

Today at the hockey arena in downtown Tampa, all of the local Tampa Bay state representatives and senators gathered  for the transportation hearing. What was first and foremost on the agenda was the subject of uber and its relationship to the Tampa Bay community. Both sides offered their reasons many of them anecdotal in nature. (Senator Jeff Brandes from St Petersburg, the one Center in the picture, came across as an arrogant asshole. He was rude and belligerent and combative with all speakers. This is an example of someone who bullied his way into a political position, no doubt. Sorry for the sidebar). State senator Arthenia Joyner was the best of the lot. She asked the most pointed questions and dug deep into the real issues. She pointed out to the room that seemed surprised to find out that all of the fees that apply to the cab companies by regulation uber has none of that. There are insurance requirements, licenses and fees, and fees associated with the airport authority, m

NOTE: this post was from 2006..."This morning I got a ride out of Tampa Airport to clearwater beach and the way back on the causeway there was this spectacular sunrise. Of course, I could not resist getting a killer image. Later in the morning the back office called me to say I had won the door prize drawing from the TBT* event yesterday and that I had some mail! Cool! Addison Phillips sent me a copy of photoshop! I took it home and immediately got into it. I have already found out what the magic Lasso is! The potential of this is off the chart. Keep in mind that I have always maintained that you need a good image first. The sunrise shot is publishable in anything. No photoshop can give you a great image it is up to the artist to do that. Thanks Addison. You are great! posted from Bloggeroid

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons today in a close contest. I work the game because there is money to be made at the game. While I was waiting in the taxi holding area I could see the jumbotron from by Taxi and could hear the audio very well. I watch the Bucks come from behind and win the game and then people began leaving the stadium. I picked up several rides today from the stadium beginning at the end of the first quarter. I have always been amazed at how early people begin leaving NFL football games. You would think, since they have a lot of money invested in tickets, that they would at least stick around to watch. But it seems, people have their reasons and they need to get to other places. Such as this group of guys that were more interested in going to a whorehouse than watching the rest of the game. They of course, relied on the experience cab driver, me, to take them to a local cat house. I took them to one that uses the guise of massage. The reason was be

I received a warning from Google that Blogger hosted blogs using a private URL will not be HTTP protected anymore. I do not really know what that means and if I really need it. Below is what a search found..Does anyone know anything about this? HTTPS  (also called  HTTP over  TLS , [1] [2]   HTTP over SSL , [3]  and  HTTP Secure [4] [5] ) is a  protocol  for  secure  communication over a  computer network  which is widely used on the  Internet . HTTPS consists of communication over  Hypertext Transfer Protocol  (HTTP) within a connection encrypted by  Transport Layer Security or its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer . The main motivation for HTTPS is  authentication  of the visited  website  and protection of the  privacy  and  integrity  of the exchanged data. In its popular deployment on the internet, HTTPS provides authentication of the website and associated  web server  with which one is communicating, which protects against man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, it provi

I just got back from seeing the movie Creed. It was a really good movie. I think people my age may relate to it more. Rocky is old and waiting to die. The son of Apollo Creed comes into his life and Rocky now has a reason to get out of bed in the morning. The film really takes off as Creed trains to not only fight the world champion, but to claim a legacy from a father he never knew. Personally, I am getting old and NEVER had a real relationship with my father. I could relate to both characters. I may be the only one to feel this way but Creeds success against Pretty Ricky Conlin seems not a connection with his father, but an affirmation of the now. Today is all we will ever have. I loved this movie. Stallone will win best supporting actor. He us really, really good in this role. Someone else directed it. All he had to do was act. posted from Bloggeroid

It was thanksgiving day and all thru the land, people ate turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and ham. A beautiful plate, from a friend, I ate, covered with fixings and marvelous treats. Its the cab where I am, biscuits and jam. As I enjoyed and gave thanks, it must be a hank, the pitter patter of feet, off of my flank. To my surprise, a feline arise. RSVP not the order of the day, this food smells better than the mouse in the hay. She jumped on the roof to the passengers side, gaining entry...she was so sly. I said what the heck, there's none around. Twill share with the girl with the short black hair. A purr so loud brought warmth to my heart, being thankful for the love of animals is common I thought. Enjoy the seasons and the time we have. Lets be happy. No need to be sad. She wanted all the fixings. She found her way inside. She was happy at last. posted from Bloggeroid

This is my freestyle sprint workout for masters swimmers. Do this workout once a week and see your 25 and 75 times drop. Short sprint training Adult/Masters - Sprint Freestyle Author: TIM FASANO 11/28/2015 Yards Rounds Sets 400 1 X { 1 X 400 Warm-Up (Mixed) SKPS 14:50  /60% 300 1 X { 4 X 50 Swim (Freestyle) Build Up 1:30  /80% 1 X 100 Swim (Freestyle) EZ 3:25  /60% 150 1 X { 6 X 25 Sprint (Freestyle) 60 seconds between reps 0:40  /100% 100 1 X { 2 X 50 Drill (Freestyle) Golf with fins 1:45  /80% 600 1 X { 8 X 75 Swim (Freestyle) Form and trunk rotation 2:10  /80% 100 1 X { 1 X 100 Warm-Down (Choice) I like backstroke 3:45  /60% Total Yards:  1650 Time to Complete:  ~63 minutes  (2 minutes rest between circuits) * All time intervals are estimates. If they seem unreasonable please adjust the intervals to your individual skill level based on the percentage of your maximum effort the set recommends.

A woman used a campus safety app to call for help when her Uber driver grabbed her butt, ultimately leading to the driver's arrest. A student at USC called for an Uber on Saturday night. The driver took her to the University Park neighborhood near 30th Street as she requested, but when she went to get out of the car, the driver allegedly grabbed her butt, the L.A. Times reports. The student used the app LiveSafe USCTrojan Mobile Safety to alert authorities. The app is available for students and staff at the school and allows them to contact police with one tap. Police can then use the app to track the individual's location, and the caller can then speak or text with 9-1-1. Students can also choose to share their location with friends. After the student launched the app, campus police went to where she was. Meanwhile, LAPD found the Uber driver, 24-year-old Rodney Davis, and arrested him on suspicion of sexual battery after the student and a witness identified him. Davis

Its not about Turkey. Its about the love of animals. It certainly cannot be about how the taxi business in Tampa has collapsed because Uber has taken all of my rides. This is the direct result of the HCPTC being unwilling to enforce the law. What purpose does this commission serve? All they do is shake down cab drivers and collect outrageous fees for petty shit. Speaking of shit. The head of the transportation commission Victor Crist is pure shit. I should say...pure pussy. He has feet of clay and will not enforce the law. He needs to go now. posted from Bloggeroid

Tampa Taxi Shots is not giving up. The taxi cab companies and transportation commission seem too have. They are incapable of stopping Uber. I can't carry their useless water anymore or even give a shit. I am moving on with a persona more befitting of who I am.. THE HOWLING HACK . No matter what I do or where I live, I will be the big mouth hack. The game has changed and it will never go back to cab companies owning the business. This is a good othing for it is time for me to protect my interest and move on. Check out www.howlinghack.com posted from Bloggeroid

I started using Creatine yesterday to augment my sprint training as I get ready for the Spring nationals. I understand that monohydrate is the more common form. I like that you don't have to load with Hydrochloride. Felt good the first day. I will let you know after next Friday's sprint workout. posted from Bloggeroid

I had nor been in the woods since February. My subs on YouTube are jonesing for new videos. Buts its still just too hot. I'm over this man. I need to get back to regular posting but climate change won't let me alone. posted from Bloggeroid

Ten years ago tonight I launched "Tampa Taxi Shots" on the TypePad platform. Blogging was in its infancy and new blogs were coming on line daily. There was no Facebook back then, so if toy wanted to get your story our, you had to blog. The first two years were great. Then, the economy fell apart like a three dollar watch. I was just getting going then disaster hit. I lost my internet connection and my TypePad subscription. It was all over. I eventually got blogging again but my original account is now no more. It does exist on the wayback machine. Now, I am on Blogger. All of the original Tampa bloggers are now gone. Moved on, lost interest, facebook, life, and other reasons got in the way. At least I am still alive and kicking. I still can't believe how fast things have changed. I do remember Blog Lassiter. His blog was very popular in the final months before his death. Anyway, this photo of me was the first image I had up on Tampa Taxi Shots. My hair was longer

(I wrote this in 2009 on the original Tampa Taxi Shots. I still stand by in now after the Paris attacks) At today's press briefing, when asked about President Obama’s plan to reverse a Bush policy related to abortion, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dodged the question with a joke: “As a part of my overall career advancement, I've found it useful to get out of the way of the principal, who might be making news on certain subjects later on in the afternoon.” But the word is already out that Obama is expected to sign another executive order today, to end the Mexico City Policy (also known as the “global gag rule”). The policy bans federal funds from going to international health groups that provide, or talk to women about, abortions. Passed by George W. Bush in 2001 on his first day in office, it’s one more policy that Obama, with the stroke of a pen, can undo. Dr. Ana Langer, president of the global health organization, EngenderHealth, said that the global gag rule has bloc

I say its blonde. My friends say its grey. Either way, it is no longer the brown hair I had when I started working out last April. I am stepping up my training in a more focused way because I want to race in a Masters meet in the Spring. My race pace training program should have me ready. posted from Bloggeroid

I seem to make it to St Petersburg on national holidays. Today, I did a workout at the North Shore pool and beat the times I did on Father's Day. Cool. It is quantitative evidence that my fitness is improving. posted from Bloggeroid

I have been in the woods camping with friends. We had no idea last weekend would be the hottest Halloween on record in Florida. This fire is beautiful but it only made things hotter. I have also been swimming. Now, the pool is extending its hours and I will be able to work out six days a week. My training program is coming along and its now the most enjoyable aspect of my day. posted from Bloggeroid

I get these request all the time. Just what all young women are looking for...and old man. I think they want a suger daddy. Believe me, if I had a lot of sugar (with her) count me in! posted from Bloggeroid

He is a huge Uber supporter and leaves the taxi companies to twist.  Victor Crist is a political coward. After an un-distinguished tenure in the Florida Legislature, he is out to save his current job while former political enemies attempt to shut the HCPTC down. I attended the transportation meeting the other day and found it to be a rigged deck. The commission is charged with regulating all for hire vehicles in the Hillsborough County. They distribute medallions and make sure cars are in running order and proper insurance has been issued for cars. They are also charged with shutting the gypsy cabs down. Now, a giant gypsy cab operation has hit Tampa and they don't have any way to deal with it. I photo bombed the commission with by beautiful mug Uber has taken all of our cash business. They are a gypsy cab company. Crist admitted he must now placate certain politicians, or his board with be shut down. So be it. The cab companies may soon shut down because Crist took the

I had to renew my hack license today. In addition, I found my original hack in a file today. The cab commission told me I was one of the longest term drivers they have on file. I'm proud of my hack. Taxi driving is the only thing I have stayed with in my life. It shows I can commit and I have integrity. Too bad Uber driver violates the law and is never cleared by this law enforcement agency. The public has no idea Uber drivers have are not safe. In fact, I have to be fingerprinted again this week so they can run me on the NCIC crime computer. This is nothing Uber driver goes through. Anyway, this old hack is my mist prized possession. posted from Bloggeroid

Getting away from it all was in order this weekend. While most cab drivers worked, my friends and I headed for the Green Swamp. Our timing was great. The first cold front of the year moved through and the temperatures dropped into the high sixties at night. I used the camo comforter and pillows my sister in law sent me years ago. I was snug as a bug in a rug. I have more images to share. O just wanted to touch base and let you know what is going on. It was good to go two days without thinking about Uber or the cab business. posted from Bloggeroid

Its bad folks. I'm invoking the almighty for help. Don't worry. I'm fine. Everything in my life is great. I just don't have a job to support me. That will change by spring when I get my car. Just think "Uber Confidential." posted from Bloggeroid

No level TWO BACKGROUND CHECK like cab drivers in Tampa TORONTO — Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 41-year-old Toronto Uber driver in connection with an alleged sexual assault. Toronto police said that a 21-year-old woman used the ride-sharing service for a trip from Church Street and Wellesley Street area on June 20. The driver allegedly picked the woman up, drove her home and sexually assaulted her in the car when they arrived at her destination, police said. READ MORE:  Police seeking Uber driver after passenger allegedly sexually assaulted in Toront o

The state of the business is sunk so low that I am facing homelessness. This was something that I debated  whether I should reveal that. I am out of fares, out of money, out of luck, and out of a place to live. The very forces I was counting on to come through for me, have failed. The transportation commission seems to have no power or authority to do anything about Uber. With Tea Party politicians and corrupt judges on Uber's side, we have no chance. The only good thing is I ddon't owe the company any money. I have managed to pay United Cab the daily $100 leases six days a week, plus gas. After coffee and food, the end of a 10 hour day leaves me with basically nothing. It should not be that way. I am 59 years old and on the streets. I am not lazy. I work 70 hours a week. Because of Uber I make peanuts. Someone said go driver for Uber. I would if I had a car. I have the lease cab and twenty bucks in my pocket. Not gonna do much there. Maybe tomorrow I can make enough to

The night air has a certain quality to it. Over the years I have seen people become intoxicated by it. Everything changes at night. Qualitative and quantitative perceptions change after the midnight hour. Soon, a quite sets over the city; people vanish from their pursuit of the vain and tawdry. A stillness overcomes your perceptions and your observations become keenly aware of activities not seen during daylight. The ubiquitous scrum of traffic no longer dominates the urban sprawl. As a night driver in the city, you develop a relationship with your surroundings. The delivery man unloading milk behind the supermarket becomes your friend even if we have never spoke. This is where I often sleep while waiting to be summed by the $2.40 a mile idol starring at me from the dashboard. Strangely, he has never been my friend. More like a prison guard, always watching but only capable of doing what its been told to do. Seems appropriate for cab driving becomes a form of incarceration. All i

One of the cabs in this photo has been checked into the zone for three hours and the other cab for two. They are turning down calls offered to hold their position. That means customers are not being served because of the desperation of taxi drivers. The people in that house on Fern st must be nervous about the vultures hanging out in the neighborhood. I really don't want to do this. I served this lady seven days a week for over a year. I was even the Godfather at her sons baptism but that means nothing to the company. I have sacrificed a lot for this account and I believe the company should give me respect. Now, vultures have found out about it and are behaving like desperate prison escapees. Its a humiliating experience. And it lacks dignity. There are no winners. At least Uber driver can maintain his dignity and not have to act like a street beggar. It pisses me off that at my age the people in charge (HCPTC Yellow and United Cab) can't protect and provide for me when

Check out the larger images on the new Blogger My twitter has been updated along with this blog. I am headed in a new media first kind of way. Daily Vines and Twitter updates allow me to use this blog more effectivly then the Typepad format. I am also tiered of paying for the Tampa Taxi shots URL. Tampa Taxi After Dark is perfect for what I am trying to do....and its free on Blogger. Leave a comment Uber guy.

I will have a full essay on this soon. The claim made by the Tampa Tribune this morning was that Uber was picking up the ignored and the disenfranchised. Without Uber, these people would never get a ride from taxi companies. Wrong. The Tribune had it backwards. Uber only cherry picks hipsters and white people. Since they are an outlaw company, they are not compelled to work the urban street calls that taxi companies must. If not for us, black people would not be picked up by the racist Uber and Lyft. Gypsy cabs came about because they actually provided a service. There was a real demand. With Uber, the need was being filled by taxi companies. Uber is just do you want bib lettuce or Belgium Endive for the same price. Uber just cannibalizes off what was already there. They add nothing but the distruction of jobs and an industry. posted from Bloggeroid

A little ding on the left side of rear bumper I stopped for an ambulance today was hit from behind by a lady that was knocked into me by another motorist. The Uber driver that hit her left the scene but we got his tag number. The cops later found him at home and he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Basically no damage to my car and I was soon on my way. The Crown Victoria is a pretty tough car. posted from Bloggeroid