Tampa Taxi Shots

I got a new camera for my arsenal last Christmas. The GoPro Hero 7 Silver will be a huge upgrade to what I am trying to do with my photography. My YouTube channel is taking off and I am now making money with it. I just need to keep putting up fresh content that people will want to watch. This is a video I took and edited as an experiment to see how I could do it.

Trying to put the text under my photo. Check out my spy camera built into the sun glasses. It was a Christmas gift from George.

George got me this cool covert camera for Christmas to film field work. I can also use it in the taxi because it is hands free. It sort of like a GoPro. I think it has great potential. I only had to spend most of my Xmas day figuring it out. The original files are not compatible with Windows 10. I had to find an easy way to convert them. Plus, the record light has to pulse when it working and the directions do not tell you that. Lots of bugs, but I think I have it all figured out.

Santa Tim After the reindeer came down with Kennel cough, Santa was in a jam. He must get those presents out under all circumstances. He had heard of Uber and decided to give them a try. The problem was the "surge pricing" they wanted for the night of the 24th. So he called United Cab after negotiations with Uber fell through. All I needed was cookies and milk, a tank of gas, and we are on the way. If you don't get your presents by morning, call dispatch. You might have trouble getting thru. I suspect the lines will be jammed.

When the new management took over in 2011, we have had a Christmas party every years for the drivers and shop mechanics. It was always a huge spread of food. The fellowship with the drivers was important, and allowed you unwind in a social setting. That is something severely missing from many drivers lives. This year, United Cab has decided not to have it. The reasons are not clear to me. Poor turn out by drivers, too much of a mess to clean up, save money. I also heard they did not want to offend Muslim drivers because there would be ham on the table. I can only  guess. Jean did tell me she would try to get me a dish of her outstanding eggplant Parmesan. Wow! That stuff is good. Anyway, I have good friends and we had our Christmas party last night, with a boat dock and campfire. Life moves on folks. I really will miss the party. Don't get me wrong, United Cab of Tampa has been very good to me over the years. That is one of the things I am actually grateful for this ho...

Tim and Santa Claus on vacation from the north pole The I nternational Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas is having their convention in Tampa right now. We, as cab drivers, are thankful for their business and friendliness. I had a ride today from the DoubleTree Hotel on Cypress. The parking lot and lobey were full of the Jolly Saint Nicks. They did seem to be very charming and nice people. The couple I picked up were going to Busch Gardens. No Santa is camera shy, so my fare posed for a selfie with me. How cool was that! I got my picture taken with a real Santa - the department store one. These were not the "Bad Santas." These were the good ones.

I found this Christmas tribute on Kevin's channel (he is playing guitar in the video below). I had been looking for it. I think it still fits for the holiday season. Happy New Year everyone.

Hoss wishes everyone in the Tampa taxi business a very special Seasons Greatings and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NOTE: this was from last year. United Cab did not have an Xmas dinner for the drivers this year. What a great Christmas dinner we had this year at United Cab. Mr. Rob Searcy has done this every year since he became the manager. It is quite a gesture on his part and I, for one, really enjoy it. There is nothing that says he has to do it - he just does. The food is good and I like socializing with the staff and other drivers. This year it was catered by Steve Brooks (a driver) who did a fantastic job. There was turkey, ham, stuffing, green bean casserole, pie, shrimp pasta, salad, fruit and on and on. YUM!!! In the center of the photo with the white shirt on is Mr. Searcy and his nice wife. The lady sitting in front of them is Jean, who has been the office manager for sixteen years (a true New Yorker). You can also see Lisa, Eric, Joe (standing) Bill and Scott. The guy standing to the right with the white shirt on is Stevie. His catering service really did this right with a t...

May the Christmas season fill you with joy. May 2014 bring you blessings. I have been blessed. The photo on the bottom shows my tent on a cold night. The comforter was a Xmas gift a few years ago from my sister-in-law Sandy. It is the warmest blanket ever. From MEET ME IN ST LOUIS: Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light From now on, our troubles will be out of sight Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Make the Yule-tide gay, From now on,  our troubles will be miles away. Here we are as in olden days, Happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more. Through the years  We all will be together, If the Fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

To be safe durinig the holidays, if you have had to much to drink, call a taxi cab. Just hope the cabbie has not had as much as you! Merry Christmas!