2009

know it's been a few days since I posted but you know how it is with the holidays and all. You'll definitely see many more posts in the new year. Hopefully 2009 will bring much more luck and happiness. Not sure about that with these hard economic times but one can hope...right?! For now here's a New Year's ... Plus your favorite two writers have been under the weather. I just got out of the hospital with problems at both ends. Wow lost 13 pounds, now a low 321. Not a good way to do it Tim. My co-author is also in the hospital. I am hoping all of you had a better Christmas than we did. But have no fear when Larry is here. Better days are coming.

Hard times for Cabby's

Hi Everybody, yeah I know its been a while since I last posted, I just read something that made me want to post.

OK gas price's have returned to earth so cabby's problems are all gone right? Wrong, things are bad enough with the economic situation, but cabby's getting beat up and stabbed just to make things interesting.

In Southport, UK a taxi driver was repeatedly punched by a drunken passenger who tried to climb out of the window of his moving car, the driver was left with a black eye, cuts on his lip and eyebrow and bruising.

In Auckland NZ, a taxi driver was stabbed several times by a man he picked up in downtown Auckland and drove to Mt Wellington on November 28.

He had only been in the job for a couple of months. Bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds to his chest, neck and back, the driver drove himself to a service station where an ambulance was called.

The driver had major emergency surgery at Auckland Hospital, also had a stab wound to his hand which has been immobilized.Speaking from his Auckland home on Christmas Eve, he was glad to be out of hospital in time for Christmas, but it will be several months before he is fully recovered.

One last thing Ill bet the insurance from his boss will pay all his medical bills, and other expenses and feed his family while he can't work, yeah right.

While doing a Google search for the story's above I also read about University of Mississippi men's basketball coach Andy Kennedy who got int a fight with a cabby in Cincinnati, he punched the driver in the back of the head and hurled racial slurs, this should keep him in good standing with Old Miss.

Merry Christmas to all

74 Zone

I really thought things would be picking up for the cab business by, especially considering that the price of gas is down to $1.60 and lower in some places. Look out United Nancy may want to increase the lease. I had a appointment at the VA Hospital, located at 130th and Bruce B. Downs. I was early so I went to Micky D's on 122 and Fletcher, which is the 74 stand and what is known as the gate. Sure enough there 3 cabs sitting in the parking lot. Ponch, a nickname, and two drivers I didn't know. Just as well as I couldn't understand them anyway. Shame. The point being that at 11:00 in the morning there were no calls in the eastern park of the city. Also a shame. I may drive down to the south part of Tampa and talk to some of the 21 drivers. I may try and try to locate "Gloom and Doom" Tony but hell it is always slow for him. He has been driving close to 30 years and has never had a good day.

The rough times are here

Well folks just checked Tim's blog of the "meter is running". Poor guy needs a pair of shoes. I guess he will just have to put newspaper in them. Regarding his five mile walk to work, he could make a sign and work it on the way to and from work. I guess the days of six pack of Bud is history. Read where Cracker only showed a profit of $280.00 for 70 hours of work. I knew a guy who made that much working 4 hours a day holding a sign. But this are different now, but just as tough.

Winter Baseball Meetings

On Monday, baseball's winter meetings will commence in Las Vegas. Brian Cashman will be there, just like every other GM in the league. Tonight, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao are fighting in Vegas. CC Sabathia will be there to watch the fight. Because Cashman's Yankees are trying to procure Sabathia's services for the forseeable future, he's set up a meeting with the free agent pitcher in Vegas.

I don't really know what Cashman is planning on talking about in this meeting, unless he's just trying to get a handle on whether CC has any plans to accept the Yanks' massive 6-year/$140 million offer that's been on the table for a month now. As the linked Daily News article says, it's rather unlikely that anyone is going to offer Sabathia more than the Yanks have, even with three other offers (the Brewers and two mystery teams) allegedly on the table.

The question for Sabathia at this point is really "Does he want to be a Yankee, or doesn't he?" They've made their big offer and there's not much more to be added to it. Does Cashman trying to horn in a meeting when Sabathia wants to take in a fight hurt or help their chances? I don't really know, but it seems to me the Yankees are getting nervous that Sabathia is taking so long.
This would be a great meeting if the Rays of Tampa would put their two cents in, but I am wondering if any picther is worth $729,166 plus change and minus tax's for B.O. per start?? Any comments on this??

Tim

I emailed him.

Now folks what do any of you think of the Prezz taking his mother-in-law to the white House,. Are we as tax payers going to foot the bill. I guess the elect guy will pay her out of his income? Did I read some where they have a staff of 80 people working their. Do I have some thoughts on this most delicate matter.

Tom Fasano

Tom, I don't know how to reach you. I have sent your brother numerous emails, he doesn't answer me either. I have known Tim for over ten years, before I got sick, I have COPD and am no oxygen 24/7 we used to talk a lot. He got me into putting stuff on his blog before we got our own, even then I would comment on his. The last time I saw or spoke with Tim was maybe 6 months ago when he came out to my house and helped me with my new digital camera. My addy is jewetttampa@aol.com put something in the subject line so I will know it is you. In the mean time I will make some phone calls and see what I can find out.

AMERICA

This post is not about cab driving or a sporting event. The following was sent to me and I would like to share it.



Will you give this to my Daddy?

As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support
'Red Fridays.'

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference.
While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several
people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately
turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of
patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their
camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well
almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their
hands waving and cheering.


When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being
applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm
not the only r ed-blooded American who still loves this
country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for
these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives
on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work
and home without fear or reprisal.


Just w hen I thought I could not be more proud of my
country or of our service men and women, a young girl,
not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male
soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.'


The little girl then asked him if he would give something
to her daddy for her.


The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22
himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to
her Daddy.. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck
of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster
and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name
was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a
Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom
was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her
father, the young soldier began to tear up.


When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her
situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief
second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a
military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with
the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked
back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I
spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He
then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave
her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy
told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and
he is coming home very soon.'

The mom a t this point was crying almost uncontrollably and
as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney
and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from
this entire event.


As the soldiers began to leave, heading towa rds their gate,
people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding
and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including
my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness,
turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling
down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their
families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At
the end of the day , it's good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people
wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support
our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no
longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and
home in record breaking numbers.


We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no
liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our
opinions.. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends,
simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America
supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with
dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and
every Friday until t he troops all come home, sending a deafening
message that.. Every red-blooded America n who supports our men
and women afar will wear some thing red.

DID YOU KNOW

There have been 20 sweeps in the 99 best of seven World Series in baseball history. All other things being equal the odds are 8-1 The Yankee are the only team that have back to back sweeps. They have done it three times, 1927-28,1938-39,and 1998-99.
Lou Gehrig was on the winning ide of five sweeps. Fellow hall of famer Gabby Hartnet was on the losing side twice. TDhe Yankees are also the only franchise to be swept in three World Series.
You won't believe this but the first team to win four world series games without losing one is the Cubbies in 1907 over the Tigers. Ty Cobb went 4-20 for the Tigers and three fingers Brown won the clincher.
After the Red Sox beat the Rockies Denver based Frontier Airlines ran ads in boh local papers saying "Now you know why we don't fly to Boston." "That's all folks."

A little humour

But first to the person who said something about idiot, but didn't have the nerve to leave a name. I was going to publish it but I hit the reject button by mistake. If you want me to publish your dumb statement, send it again, I doubt that you will. Most people who don't want to be known send stuff without a name.
Now for the humour.
A man returns home a day early from a business trip. It's after midnight.
While en route home he asks the cabby if he would be a witness. The man suspects
his wife is having an affair and he wants to catch her in the act.

For $100, the cabby agrees.

Quietly arriving home, the husband and cabby tip toe into the bedroom. The
husband switches on the lights, yanks the blanket back and there is his wife in
bed with another man!

The husband puts a gun to the naked man's head.

The wife shouts, 'Don't do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money.
HE paid for the Corvette I gave you.
HE paid for our new cabin cruiser.
HE paid for your season Pittsburgh Steelers tickets.
HE paid for our house at the lake.
HE paid for our country club membership, and HE even pays the monthly dues!'

Shaking his head from side-to-side, the husband lowers the gun. He looks over at
the cabby and says, 'What would you do?'

The cabby replies, 'I'd cover his butt with that blanket before he catches a
cold.

New era?????

In January 2009 we will have a new prezzz', someone told me he said that it is going to be a couple years before these "changes" are seen. Wow changing his tune already, not even 24 hours. Sorry folks I am not for him, he of little experience. He does have the gift of gab. Comments anyone?

World Series and Pedro

Even thro we lost the world series, the whole nation on a whole is proud of what the Rays almost did. I think that a break in one or two places and who knows. When Evan tagged that guy in the butt but (hee hee)was called safe was a huge break for the Phillies. However, the ball should have went to second and then to first for a easy double play. Inning over. There were quite a few bad calls in this world series. This I have been hearing on the radio. Even talk shows that take calls from people in Philly, agreed that the Phillies got a lot of good????calls.
Now for Pedro, a little humour.
It was the first day of school and a new student named Pedro Martinez, the son of a recently immigrated Mexican restaurateur, entered the fourth grade.

The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American history.

"Who said 'Give me Liberty, or give me Death?'" She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Pedro, who had his hand up. "Patrick Henry, 1775."

"Very good!" apprised the teacher. "Now, who said, "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth?" Again, no response except from Pedro: "Abraham Lincoln, 1863."

The teacher snapped at the class, "Class, you should be ashamed!

Pedro, who is new to our country, knows more about its' history than you do!"

She heard a loud whisper: "Screw the Mexicans!"
"Who said that?" she demanded.
Pedro put his hand up. "Jim Bowie, 1836."

At that point, a student in the back said, "I'm gonna puke." The teacher glared and asked, "All right! Now, who said that?" Again, Pedro. "George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991."

Now furious, another student yelled, "Oh yeah? Suck this!" Pedro jumped out of his chair waving his hand and shouting to the teacher, "Bill Clinton to Monica Lewinsky, 1997!"

Now, with almost a mob hysteria, someone said, "You little shit. If you say anything else, I'll kill you!" Pedro frantically yelled at the top of his voice, "Gary Condit to
Chandra Levy, 2001."

The teacher fainted, and as the class gathered around her on the floor, someone said, "Oh shit, we're in BIG trouble now!" Pedro whispered, "Saddam Hussein, 2003."

World Series

If any true Rays fans that are out their and know any good good luck charms, sayings, err I almost said prayers. Say them, wear them or do anything that is legal to help us in our time of need. The fat lady hasn't sang, but she is gargling. Have no fear when Larry is here, just be like the polor bear and play it cool.

One and One

The Rays used old fashion baseball, known as small ball. Two groundouts for a run each time. Than a squeeze bunt. Madon took a huge chance, the first time it was fouled off. No way anyone thought they they would try it again. So Shields gets the first world series win in team history. Wheeler pitched well and the kid Price got the job done. Looks like he is going to be around awhile. Now on the the town of brotherly love, oh boy, here we go.

 


Ha it sure looks like they will have to put the Rays name on that big blue sign. This town is going nuts over the Rays and the Bucs too. According to Vegas the Rays are 1.35 to one to win the series. At the beginning of the year they were 200-1 to win the series. The Phillies have one really good pitcher, that is Hammels, but we have four. Maybe five. I know one thing for sure. In the very near future Price will be a 20 game winner,, numerous times. Wow along with Garza, Kizmar and Shields, Balfour and Wheeler. That is the staff now look at all of the young hitters. Look out I feel a streak brewing. Baseball folks can forget the Yankees they could be history. Opps Sorry Tom. Yeah my Dodgers could be in trouble too. BYE

  The 2008 Rays are going to the World Series. Just like Jamie Shields tried to pop Coco we finally delivered the final blow last night. They got a homerun in the first with no one on and that my friends was all the pitching staff was going to give up this day. If they play like they are capable of playing they will beat the hell out of the team from brotherly love. Be careful out there and GO RAYS

profile photo

This short,. Not feeling well. To the request about Tim #497 still no answer to my email. That is my photo not Tom's He is not as ugly as me. The Rays lost a big one yesterday but tomorrow is another day. We are going to put a whipping on the Sox.

 
Well folks it looks like one more win and they will be selling World Series ticket in St. Pete, Florida, let me repeat that World Series tickets in St. Petersburg, Fl. Now that is not in Russia but Florida. If you would have told someone that at the begining of the season they would have wanted some of whatever you were smoking. But this writer remembers what Boston did last year, they had their backs to the wall and won the next 7 games. But the Rays are destined to win it all. In response to Cracker and Sawbrairs, I have emailed Tim Fasano numerous times. He wont respond, if anyone out there knows Tim know he is a very complex person. He has his days and we all do. In closing my Dodgers are in a very tough situation. We need a Koufax and a Drysdale, rest his soul. Be careful out there. UC Larry 157

Sometimes the long wait is worth it

was driving a cab in a suburb of Boston and times were a little slow. No one was making much money and the lines at the cabstand were long. But this particular cabstand was my favorite, because I grew up right down the street. I was sitting there for almost an eternity, getting more and more angry at my lack of income. After all, we only made money when the meter was running. When I finally got to the front of the line I was hoping for a good, long fare. After about fifteen minutes I got a call to pick up at the local supermarket. I was so angry, knowing that this fare would only be a couple of dollars. I was cursing everyone and everything from the cabstand to the supermarket! When I got to the market I saw her, a little old lady with four or five bags. She asked me to put them in the trunk, which annoyed me even more. Something about her voice was familiar but I was too mad to think about it. When she got in, I noticed that she closed the door not with her arm that was closest to the door but with her other arm, reaching across her body. Then I said in a rather gruff voice, "Where to?" I think she could tell I was upset. When she gave me her address a flood of memories came rushing back. This house was only four or five houses down from my old house, and I knew exactly which house it was and who she was. Twenty-five years earlier, when I was in grade school, my friends and I would always stop at her house on the way home from school for cookies. We could always count on Mrs. Lynch. She always had something nice to say and good to eat. Her husband was one of those guys who was always home but you never saw him. She was in her fifties back then so she had to be in her late 70's or early 80's now. Still spry, and still in that perpetually happy mood. With my tail between my legs I asked her if she remembered me. Well, not only did she remember me, she asked about my brother and sisters, by name, and how my mother was doing, and where did everyone live now, and what was I studying in college, and how many children did everyone have, and a hundred other questions. She told me that her husband passed away five years earlier, and that she lost an arm to cancer. She and her husband never had children and she had a sister in a nursing home. She lived alone. Well, when I finally had her groceries in her house, unpacked, and put away she thanked me and paid me for the fare. I put the best two bucks I ever made in my pocket, said goodbye, and went back to the cabstand to the end of a very long line. Good memories are hard to come by in this day and age,. As I get older they become more important. Maybe some driver here in Tampa Bay will get lucky too.

Play offs

Now comes the time for a trip to the World Series. It is still so hard to believe. I still can't find out who is starting for the Rays. I have to assume it will be Shields. For the Redsox, who knows. My other team, the Bums are going with Lowe and then Billinsly. I will try and give my humble opinion of each game. Be careful out there.

SHIELDS RELAXED AND READY

IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT DAY IN TAMPA BAY. THE RAYS WON THE DIVISION AND I THINK THEY ARE PLAYING THE RIGHT TEAM. I FEEL THEY MATCH UP BETTER WITH THE WHITESOX THEN THE TWINS. AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING MY DODGERS ARE UP 6-2 WITH THE CUBS. LOONEY HIT A SLAM WHEN THEY WERE DOWN 2. MY CO-AUTHOR IS A LITTLE BENT OUT OF SHAPE AS HIS YANKEES DIDN'T MAKE THE PLAYOFF, HE KEEPS MUMBLING SOMETHING ABOUT "WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR". IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS WHAT I, A TRUE DODGER FAN, AM USED TO SAYING. SHIELDS, KAZMIR AND THAN I HOPE GARZA, WHO I FEEL IS THERE BEST PICTURE. AT ANY RATE HE HAS THE BEST STUFF. THE BUMS ARE GOING WITH BILLINGSLY THURSDAY. CRACKER GLAD YOU LIKED THE PREVIOUS POST. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD STORIES ON THE INTERNET. THAT GUY FROM SCOTLAND NOT ONLY HELPED THAT WOMAN BUT IN DOING SO HELPED HIM SELF. WHEN I SEE A HOMELESS PERSON I TRY TO HELP. IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I KNOW THE FEELING AS I HAVE BEEN THERE. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.

TAXI STORY FROM SCOTLAND

John from Scotland writes: Hi folks and yes, I am about to share the secret to life with you. I will start with a story for you which is still fresh in my mind as it happened tonight. Yes it is true and yes it is exactly the way it happend. I am a taxi driver from Fife in Scotland. I work the back and nightshift and this story is of what happend to me a few weeks ago. I had started work at around 6pm. I it was a pretty quiet night tonight and any and all conversation was greeted with extreme enthousiasm. The night passed well and it came to around 4am. I was thinking about coming home and getting some sleep. I was sent for a local hire a few miles away from base. I picked up two you females and proceeded to take them to their destination. I had the usual short journey conversation with them, "How's your night been", "Oh, not bad, could have been busier" etc etc. I dropped the first female of at her home and the remaining female asked me to take her a few streets further on. As I started driving the girl started to speak to me. Broken sentances, "Not my fault"........"I didn't mean it"......"I don't know why their not speaking to me"......... at this point I stopped her and told her I didn't follow a word she was saying. We got to her door and I offered her a cigarette. She accepted and we proceeded to chat. Normaly I would close the conversation off and get my fare but it was the end of my shift and I had this strong feeling that this girl just really wanted someone to talk to. She continued to tell me how she had had a misscariage three weeks previous and she just HAD to speak to someone. Her boyfriend had left her, her friends didn't understand, she couldn't talk to her family and she didn't know where to turn. ( One of those places that we all get to where we just have to share something or we will burst ) I listened, told her what I thought and then listend to what she had to say. The actual words which we exchanged are irrelivant. She thanked me for listening and then left the car. Whats the point ? She left smiling !!! I am a qualified computer programmer and engineer and I know I could be making a lot lot more money than I am presently doing. When I speak with hires and the subject comes up the first thing I am told is "Why don't you just make the money ?" money is not ANYTHING in life. If I had a million pounds in my pocket would that have mattered to this girl last night. I never even got her name, she didn't ask mine. Could I have changed anything for this girl with money. What mattered was I listened. People put too much value in what they have in life. Do you do it ? I do ! Just look at your life at the moment and place money, honestly, on your list of importances. We all do it. In that brief moment tonight it didn't matter. I changed someones night. She might wake up depressed tomorrow, she might get hit by a car next week.......who knows what will happen to her. What does matter is that when she walked away from me she felt that bit better within herself. This made me feel so much better too. That's why I don't work with computers. Would I get the chance to do that if I was in an office. no. Please carry this final thought with you throught today. If you meet someone who isn't smiling then please tell them a joke, if someone isn't happy cheer them up, if someone is sad, listen to their story. take a few minutes from your day to make someone smile. Its worth it. Who knows, that person who you make smile could go home in a good mood and finaly propose to their woman, may not snap at the kids........the possablities are endless. The one thing that is guarenteed is that nothing bad will happen when someone is smiling. You will feel better, they will feel better and you will have found a purpose to your day. Well, there you go. I have shared the secret of life. Make others happy, listen and help when you can. Do this and you will be the happiest people on earth. Trust me.

ONE DOWN AND TWO TO GO.

Hey, hey, can you believe it. A lot of folk are out there that didn't. When the season first started I told my friend Tom and co-author I would be satisfied if they just made the play-offs. Now that they have done that, of course I am a very greedy type of person. One is nice, two is better ( American League Champions) three is World Series Champions. Stranger things have happened. Remember the 1969 Mets, and the Marlins. This is a team without a 20 game winner, unlike Baltimore years ago with 3 20 game winners. Without a big time closer, Troy is good but not a guy like the Angel's have.
Again any thing can happen. Thinking about the Giants. To bad they weren't from California somewhere. They are sold out they should have been sold out a long time ago. They have been either tied or in first place for 100 days. If the numbers are somewhat off oh well I am sorry. Ex-cabbie are not perfect. Almost but not quite. Be careful out there. That first round pick Price is starting tonight. From what I have seen and read he is a sure shot for the big club in next year. Even if he is there now it is not quite the same as starting 30+ games.

The new free ride in downtown Tampa

Hi folks, I got my moving done than my DSL went out. Now I am back. I noticed on the TV news that those electric car are in full force in downtown Tampa. The drivers are doing it just for tips. The dumbass that started it never took into consideration how he is killing the cab drivers that are trying to feed his family, send his kids to school and keep clothes on their back. These little funny looking cars that hold about 4 are even picking people up at the Hotels and taking them to places like the Convention Center and channelside. What happens if some drunk has had to many on his lunch break and knocks the hell out of those little bugs?? If you are downtown think before you get in one.

Think about this...

I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

<>'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

=0 A
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into th e dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.


My Sister sent me this, she sends me lots of stories of all kinds as does Larry I read them but I don't dump the contents of my address book and send them along, but after reading this I had to post it here.

I have posted previously about the need for the rest of the world to walk a mile in our shoes, in other words get paid for what they do as apposed to the way they do know because then they would understand what we go through to make a buck.

Having said that many of us have had rides that we have helped people in one way or another, it may not have gone as far as this driver went to help this woman.

Several times I have had a woman with young children in the cab and when we got to where we she was going she didn't have the full fare or nowhere near it.

Yeah I could have called the cops and yes this may have encouraged her to do it to someone else but I still would not have the money and the cop may have just told me to have a heart.

TAXI STORIES

Hey there, sorry about the previous post. I hit the wrong button. As we have a LOT of Spanish speaking folks here in Tampa who refuse to learn our language I have been surfing the web looking for funny things that have happened to cab drivers. I found the following from a web in San Diego.



I don't speak Spanish, but I've picked up a little bit along the way. A Hyundai Tiburon drove by a cab stand and I said the car is okay, but why does it have a nonsensical name? A Mexican-American driver said it means "shark" in Spanish. I had absolutely no idea. I thought the good folks at Hyndai had tried to invent something! Does anyone know about the Buick LaCrosse in Montreal, or the Chevy Nova in South America?I've been using tiburon on the radio lately. We have some yellow taxis, some blue, and some white. When business is slow drivers will identify themselves as "el bandito azule" for the blue ones, etc. One guy has the ID "el mejor", meaning "the best", on account of getting long rides. When I hear these IDs, I'll say (please forgive the spelling), "Jo soy el tiburon!"On a related theme, I remember when a Mexican driver taught me to say, "How are you?" He said, and again please forgive the spelling, "Comme es ta, culo?"I said that to a few drivers, but thankfully not to any Mexican customers, before somebody explained that it means, "How are you, asshole?" The joke was on the gringo.

Getting back to Tampa, or should I say NPC, meaning New Port Richey where I now reside, I spoke with a driver yesterday driving a County Cab in a parking lot of a Sweet Bay market, she related to me that it is very slow here to.

Will it ever get better, we will just have to wait and see. Gas is going down. But I am fearful for you guys out there that the company (Nancy) will have to help by lowering the lease. Ha fat chance.

TAXI STORIES

NEW HOME

Sorry I haven't had any great words of wisdom for a few days but I am in the process of moving. That to the left is a picture of my new front room. The Dodgers are holding their own, but the Rays have lost four stright. The last two by one run. That walk off grandslam by the Blue Jays really, really hurt. Better to walk in a single run than give them four with a pitch down the tubes. I will try to get back to a regualar schedule around Tuesday. It would be nice to have a few comments from someone from greater outdoors. LarryUC157

all in fun

In was the first day of school in Tampa, Florida. A new student named Suzuki, the son of a businessman, entered the fourth grade.
The first day of school the teacher said "le's begin by reviewing some American history." Who said give me liberty or give me death? She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Suzuki who had his hand raised. Patrick Henry, 1775, he said.
"Very good! Who said Government of thre people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish form the earth"
Again no response, except for Suzuki,"Abraham Lincoln, 1863. The teacher snapped at the class, you should be ashamed, Suzuki who is new to our country, knows more about its history than you do.

She heard a loud whisper, " Fu$k the Japs" Who said that she demanded, Suzuki stood up and said "Lee Iacocca, 1982'"

At this point, a student in the back said "I am going to puke." The teacher stares at the class now "who said that?" Again Suziki says, "George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991.

Now furious, another student yells, "s%ck this, Suzuki jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, Bill Clinton, 1997.

Now with almost a mob hysteria someone said "you little s&it, if you say anything else, I'll kill you. "Suzuki frantically yells at the top of his voice, Gary Condit to Chandra levy 2001."

The teacher fainted. And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said. "Oh sh*t, were f*cked now!" and Suzuki said, "The Taliban, 2001.
It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.

An end of an era

September 21 is the last regular season home game at Yankee Stadium, and barring some last minute heroics, it will be the last game at the Stadium.

It opened in April 18, 1923 across the Harlem River from the Polo Grounds there former home and then home of the New York Giants Base Ball Team, who asked the Yankees to leave as they where playing better then and out drawing the Giants at the gate.

Since that 18 day of April in 1923 it has been known as "the house that Ruth built", "the Stadium" and "the Big Ball Orchard in the South Bronx", it is the only major league stadium that does not have a street address, its mailing address is the New York Yankees Bronx, NY.


The Yanks are hated by many me included, growing up in Brooklyn and yes a BROOKLYN Dodger Fan in the 50's, and to this day I can still say 10/4/1955 is one of the greatest days in my life, it was the date of game 7 when the Dodgers at long last broke through and beat the Yankees in the World Series, and all of Brooklyn celebrated. It will be an end of a another era, starting with the 94 season the Yanks have made the playoffs 15 years running while winning 4 World Series in 5 years.

GOOD OLD DAYS

Hey out there does anyone remember how much gas was when these cars were popular. 57' Chevy, 57' Dodge and a 55' Merc. I had a 55' and in 1958 at Pismo Beach this writer become a man. Went into the United States Air Force but still could buy a beer. Gas stations still had people that would come to your car, check your oil and wash your windshields. Now 90% of them don't hardly speak English.

There is a Chevron on ther northeast corner of M.L.K. and Arminia. I went into his store for a bag of 99 cents chips. He said in very broken English that will be $ 1.06. I told him like shit, there is no tax on this item, it is eatable. I told him not I am not going to pay the 7 cents. I started for the door and he said he would call the police , ha go ahead. He then told me to leave. I did with the chips. It was not the 7 cents, it was principal. Needless to say I have never went back in there. That afternoon I talked to the day manager of a Kash and Karry, now SweetBay, if I was right, he said hell yes. It is bad enough that these people from another country come here and don't even try to learn our language but rip us. Now I would like to say that not all of the people who come here are like that, I have met a lot of good men and women that are trying to raise their famalies, in a country that have so many oppertunities to make a good living. UC157 Larry

GAS PRICE

Well drivers that looks better. But in order to get the $3.40 you have to buy a $50.00 gas card from Radiant. They give you a $1.00 back so you are only paying $49.00 but you get $50.00 worth of gas. I have been thinking of some of my older fares. The first one really wasn't a live person, all of us driver who worked stand 52, remember the blood runs. We would either get the blood samples from St. Joe and take them to Kincade, I believe it has changed its name a few times. The actual trip, milage wise was less than a mile. dBut you had to park, walk to the elevator, go to the basement and give them the blood viles. Sometimes it would be just the reverse. All in all it usualy took about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how fast you walked. All of this for $4.00. Another fare comes to mind, there were 3 ladies that lived at the Moon River Apartments. The usually called five days a week. In the beginning the fare ran about $6.00 but the kicker was that they lived upstairs and would come down one at a time, one would get in and then I would have to wait for the other two. After this happened a few times, I thought piss on this. When the first one got in the cab I turned the meter on. I told them time is money. They paid me and hurried up the next time and from than on. Finally the Indians from Arbour Ponds on Dale Mabry, just south Columbus. They went $5.25 worth, that wasn't the problem, one would call and we would have to go to two or three apartments. United has the saying one pays the same as four. However, each one of them would call for a cab, whoever got there would get all of them, than the next cab would get a "NO SHOW", wasted time and gas. Finally we talked the dispatcher into flagging it. Inotherwords, we would know there was a fare waiting in front of the complex. Those Indian folks didn't like it much, for sometime they would have to wait a long time. But I used to tell them it was their own fault. Not only that they didn't tip. United Cab 157 Larry

DE' PLANE BOSS, DE PLANE

This is the plane that Obama took the American Flag off the tail. $500,000 to redue the inside. I wonder how many trips to St. Pete, in my good ole 157 in order to make that. Now he has picked a running mate that can't even write his own speachs. If by some uncanny way that he is elected well I had better not comment on that. UC157 Larry

DISGRACE!!!!

I don't think I need to add anything to the below information.




Subj: Is This a Disgrace?


Obama The Patriot - Removes American Flag From His PlaneThe Patriot Room Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:11:07 AM by Bill DuprayBarack Obama recently finished a $500,000 total overhaul of his 757. And as part of the new design, he decided to remove the American flag from the tail...What American running for President of the United States would remove the symbol of his country? And worse, he replaced the flag with it with a symbol of himself...

More on the WTC

Just to follow up on Larry's post, just after 9-11 lots of e-mail's where flying around, many where totally off the wall but some where believable.

I don't know if it is true or not, but this is how I remember it.

An Islamic High School Student in a school near the East River in Brooklyn was looking out the window of the school.

When the teacher came over to see what he was looking at, the student asked do you see those two very tall buildings (WTC), and the teacher said yes, the student told him soon you won't see them any more.

This is alleged to have happened on Friday 9-7-01.

I know for a fact a few blocks from this school is a very militant mosque, which was involved in the bombing of the World Trade Center in the 90's.

To Lon

I tried to find you on the web site but could not, please contact me at gentom727@gmail.com tks. Tom

AL EAST Chronicles

At this point many including myself being a Yankee fan, thought the Rays would have cracked and dropped out of the race.

Many of the so called national pundits predicted the quick fall of the rays by mid August or earlier, but the Rays keep getting great pitching and defense and enough runs to win one game after another.

For most of the season the Rays where just about injury free, up until about 2 weeks when 3 of there front line players went down (Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and Troy Percival).

Despite all this and the Problems with BJ Upton the Rays have kept things going, I and all Rays fans received huge surprise with the return of Rocco Baldelli.

Who is the surprise of the year for the Rays, when I heard about his muscular problems in the spring, I am no doctor, but it sounded very much like Lou Gehrig's Disease, which is life threatening and has no known cure.

Since Rocco's return he is hitting .308 with 2 hr's and 4 rbi's in 8 games

September is just around the corner and if the Rays are going to fall they will fall to the Schedule of September, it is a killer 26 games in 27 days and all but 7 games with top teams.

It all starts with the Yanks on the 2ed at the Trop for 3 games, then the Rays go on the road to Toronto for 3 with the Jays, the Rays then head to Boston for 3 with the Sox. After there only day off in the stretch on the 11th, they then they head to NY for 3 with the Yanks, its then 3 in Minneapolis with the Twins.

After all that its home with 3 games with the O's and 4 with the Tigers.

If the Rays finish the road trip, in 1st place, not only do I think they will make the playoffs I think they will go deep into them.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A man who survived the terrorist attack on 9-11, as he worked in the WTC, noticed that when he passed the Millenium Hotel there were no cabs in the circle. He claims that normally the circle is full of cabs.
Further, it is said that the Ferry terminals in South Manhattan had no cabs waiting to take folks to work. It is suggested that the middle eastern cab drivers, who normally work that area, got non-specific information to avoid the area that morning.
No proof nor will there ever be but this is just food for thought.
My Dodgers lost but the Rays did their thing again, come from behind again, whipping the White Sox, 5-3. They have opened up a 5 1/2 game lead over the Red Sox. Over the Yankee's , too many games to count.

The other shoe falls at last

Its been all over the local news the last two days, it seems the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission has "lost" approximately $400,000 from a contingency fund.

The best part of all this no one knows if it happened before or after Greg Cox was fired er quit, he was facing accusations of lax financial oversight.

It seems Mr Cox acquired $12,000 in what is called unauthorized allowance pay, which was forgiven as part of his severance package, along with three months of his pay which was $25,298, don't we wish we received that from our cab company when we leave?

The County Commissioners are promising an investigation, as we all know they are politicians, I can only hope they keep this promise better then there campaign promises, only time will tell.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE WITH THIS GUY?

I will tell the second story at a later date. By the way I was born and raised in L.A.


Taxi Horror Stories
Well, I have two taxi horror stories to relate. Once, in L.A., a shuttle driver promised me that he would get me to my hotel in under 20 minutes from LAX. During early rush-hour traffic, he realized that he wouldn't be able to both keep his promise and obey conventional traffic ordinances. He not only ran red lights, failed to stop for pedestrians in the street (cause, you know, nobody walks in L.A., after all), but he also jumped the median separating the north and south bound freeway lanes and began to drive the wrong direction on the shoulder of freeway next to us. Then, upon jumping back to our proper northbound lanes, he had to immediately stomp on his brakes so he could then back-up on the freeway to take the exit we had just passed. My God, I truly didn't think we would make it alive. But, he did make it in under 20 minutes!

AL East Chronicles

The Ray's continue to not just hold onto 1st place but add on to there lead.

The Sox have dropped to 4 1/2 games and are 5 game down in the loss column.

My Yanks despite a modest 2 game win streak have fallen 10 games behind the rays.

The Jays who I thought where starting to make a run, are now 12 games out.

The Rays seem to not be missing a beat despite a small rash of injury's.

The Sox and Yank's have been hit much harder by the injury bug but are still within striking range

If you have not been keeping up with the Little League World Series, Citrus Park went 2-1 in pool play has moved into the quarter finals, and are 2 wins from the championship game.

CITGO IS CHANGING(SNOPES verified)

In Orlando last week, at a CITGO station regular was priced at $3.82 per gallon, across the street it was selling for $3.85 per gallon and all of the pumps there had cars waiting tgo fuel.

Have you noticed how the CITGO signs have disappeared in the past 7-8 months? This is a very clever move by Chavez. But guess what CITGO is changing it's name to? This is serious Americans....Make sure you read.

Chavez is NOW getting a Russian Weapons Factory built by Putin. The Russians are building an AK-47 Kalashnikov Assauolt Rifle factory in Venezuela to give armament support to Communist Rebel groups throughout the Americas.

Chavez now has Iranians operating his oil refineries in Venezuela for him. It is likely only a matter of time, if not already, before Chavez has Iranian built LONG Range missiles, with a variety of warhead types aimed at...GUESS WHO.
CITGO is now in the process of changing its name to PETRO EXPRESS due to the loss of gasoline sales in the USA, which was due to the recent publicity of ownership by Chavez of Venezuela.

Every dollar you spend with CITGO or PETRO EXPRESS gasoline will be used against you, your basic human rights and your freedoms.

What would the world be like if everyone got paid like cab drivers do?

That's right its called get paid for what you do, not hourly and not salaried.

How would that change things, to start with when you can't find something in Wal Mart 2, 3 or more employees would just about trip each other to help you, instead of just stare at you like 1 they know what you want or 2 don't care.

If we still had full service gas stations (for those that don't know what a full service gas station is, people would really pump your gas for you) 3 or more people would come running out to pump your gas check your oil, your wiper blades and your tire pressure.

What would be like, it would be is if every worker in every business would act like they own the business.

TAXI STUFF FROM AROUND THE WORLD

This story is good. It came from a taxi library.

In Korea, we actually made the mistake of asking the driver to get to our destination quickly. He did. At the start of the journey, I had black hair...
But at least he was only doing what we asked, although we did not expect his eyes to light up with quite such glee nor his driving to take us so close to the edge - the edge of the road, the edge of other cars, the edge of trucks, the edge of lunacy, the edge of life itself.
But my Qingdao driver - let's call him Charles after Charles Bronson of the Death Wish movies, because he certainly looked a bit like Bronson and he most definitely had a death wish - had no such instructions.
Leaving the Olympic yachting venue, I uttered only one word: airport. Charles apparently took that to mean that I was in a hurry.
I have heard breathless stories from other travellers about catching a taxi in some Muslim countries because some of the drivers there believe totally that their death is a matter of Allah's will - and therefore they drive like men who are totally unafraid of death; which they are.
I believe those stories too for I have driven in Malaysia many times and have seen that philosophy at work - and to the driver who nearly wiped me out by overtaking on a blind corner near Mersing a few years back....I can only believe that you have been subjected to Allah's will already and pray that no-one else was involved.
But Charles...well, it came to me during this hair-raising trip that China had missed a trick at the Beijing Olympics. They could have instituted a series of new Olympic events at which the US would be absolutely crap and which might spell the difference between beating the Americans in the medal race and not.
Here they are:
1) Lane changing. You do this without warning and at speed, including dodging into a gap where there doesn't seem to be enough space for your car.
2) Horn blowing. You blow your horn for everything, especially when changing lanes and especially when not changing lanes. If you cruise up alongside another car, you sound your horn - because you can't be sure the guy alongside you won't change lanes just as crazily as you do. Finally, you blow your horn when you stop at the lights (Why? I don't know) and you blow your horn when the green light comes on. You do this even if the guy in front of you has already moved off.
If we'd put Charles into the Olympics, China would have had two gold medals, no danger. Whoops, now there's a misnomer.
The third event would be Road Kill (otherwise known as pedestrians). I do not know why Chinese pedestrians cross the roads other than at crossings. They stand in the impossibly busy roads, for all the world like targets, sometimes standing in the lanes, not even the white-line middle of the road. The taxi drivers then drive at them, often changing lanes to do so and always blowing the horn.
How more people don't die like this is beyond me. The onus of avoidance clearly seems to be with the pedestrians.
Charles' other talent was to gob off ferociously in Mandarin at other drivers who were apparently infringing the road code in some way; a code that never seemed to apply to him.
Charles was separated from me by one of those armoured-car partitions between front seats and back, so my frantic hand signals and shouts for him to go slower were ineffective.
When we arrived, I handed over some money, only for Charles to signal that he had no change. Truly, a death wish. But I was so pleased to still be alive that I weakly waved him away.
I just hope the tip finds its way to his wife and kids in the certain, inevitable fact of his death in a road accident.
Paul Lewis
Pictured above: Cars drive on Beijing's second ring road. (AP Photo / Greg Baker)

Comments
GT
East Tamaki
11:16AM Friday15 August 2008
Excuse me T hainlighe, you call NZ drivers civilised? Please. How many people don't indicate properly on roundabouts? How many even know how? How many people tailgate on the motorway just so noone can merge in front of them? How many people run red lights in Auckland? This is not to mention the road rage, the speeding, and the drink driving. Is the pot calling the kettle black?Most Chinese drivers I've seen in NZ are actually very slow and somewhat overcautious. Could the reason behind all the accidents be all the impatient tail-gating local drivers? The people who've been to China actually comment on how few accidents there are (chengdu_gavin & CareyA). I recomment taking a good look in the mirror.
Anthony Cheong
Birkenhead
10:04AM Friday15 August 2008
Yes, it really is an eye opener. I spent 2 month in China last summer travelling around states and I always found it very peculiar where pedestrians decide to cross the road. In one case I saw pedestrians climbing over and onto the state highway to cross when cars are travelling at over 100kmph. But lo and behold, I have not witness a single accident with my own eyes. I always wondered how they did it, it all seems so anarchic to me.
kukman
China
2:25AM Friday15 August 2008
Paul Lewis.we loved reading this.we live here in BJ.have also lived in 3 different Provinces in China over 5 years.had a car myself in Nanjing.sold it after 6mths & still had some hair left! Had a motorbike in Yichang.awesome.craziest drivers there. getting a motorbike here in BJ soon.feel safer on a motorbike than in a car.especially, as you say those (some) taxi drivers. talk about clinging to the seat & saying "excretement". subway is the safest form of travel here but not as much fun (?!?!).But you're right. beep beep!Anyway loved your humour. I'm one of those dangerous road crossing pedestrians I must add.only way to get across is to take the chance.& pedestrian crossings are not as they are in NZ. traffic is not required to stop for pedestrians. early lesson for me when I was a new arrival 5 years ago. standing at those white lines cursing the endless stream of non-stopping vehicles! Funny! You just have to laugh, huh?
Sad
Wellington City
1:04AM Friday15 August 2008
Haha, just another proof that kiwi should never travel overseas but keep stucking their head in their little hole! Only if kiwi can learn just 1% of the skill and humanity of the Chinese, there will be no fatality on the NZ road, and they won't be famous for being the worse drivers in the world.
T Hainlighe
Beachlands
8:56PM Thursday14 August 2008
Excuse me James Stewart, but it seems people from that side of the world can't handle driving like civilised people and cause 90% of road crashes in Auckland - ask any driver.

I am a day late but not a dollar short

I wanted to write about this yesterday but I hade
something a bit more burning to write about.

How does a team come back from a 10 spot in the bottom of the first, it beats the heck out of me.

The Texas Rangers had all the reason's in the world to tank Tuesday nights game at Fenway, down 10 they where a team going nowhere, but they fought back.

They scored 2 in the second 8 in the fifth, that brought them to with in 2 of the Sox, the Rangers with 5 in the 6 th pulled in front by three.

But the Sox pulled it out with one in the 7 th and four in the 8 th made the score 19-16, all the Rangers could muster was 1 run in the 9 th.

Baseball is a game of stats, more then any other sport on the planet, yeah I know other sports do keep stats but in baseball its a passion.

The game on Tuesday nite was both a stat keepers dream and nightmare.

The combined line score was, R 36 H 37 hits and E 4.

Texas had 7 players with 2 or more hits Boston had 5, Marlon Byrd and Dustin Pedroia each where 5 for 6

Both pen's got a workout Texas used 4 relievers and Boston used 5.

Its good the game started at 4 pm because if it started at 8 like many do, the game would have ended just before Midnight.

Its a shame more games don't start at 4 pm, its hard to get up in the morning and go to work when a game ends at midnight.

The baseball gods don't care as much for the fans in the stands just the ones in the luxury box's, and corporate sponsors .

They care for the "regular" fan just as much as the fleet owner cares about cab drivers.

Violence against cab drivers is on the rise

Yes violence against cab drivers is on the rise, and not just locally, but world wide.

In KwaZulu-Natal South Africa a driver was shot in what is believed to be a random attack, while sitting in a cab stand.

In Melbourne, Australia a 23-year-old Indian taxi driver was verbally abused and attacked by a passenger here, latest in a series of targeting cabbies from South Asian countries.

Lakhvir Singh who picked up a passenger late night on weekend was attacked by the commuter when he got out of the car to close the door left open by the man.

In St Louis the St. Louis police are still searching for a stolen taxi after the assailant robbed the driver and forced him to strip before taking his cab.
The incident happened about 1:30 a.m.

Tuesday. Police say the Yellow Cab driver picked up the customer, who robbed the driver of money, then forced him out of the vehicle and told him to disrobe, leaving the man wearing only his underwear.

The customer then sped off in the cab. The driver was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Two teenagers robbed a taxi driver and stole his taxi in a remote area east of the Jeddah expressway.1st Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq, security spokesperson of Jeddah Police, said the two 17-year-old boys stopped a taxi at night and asked the driver to take them to the remote area where they attacked him.

The taxi driver reported the robbery and police then arrested the two. They admitted to the charges and have been referred to the Commission for Investigation and Prosecution.

In Northen Echo UK, a Woman saw taxi driver's struggle 6:16pm Tuesday 12th August 2008

A MOTHER has told a court how she saw the fatal struggle between a taxi driver and his passenger.
Cabbie Raymond Quigley died of a heart attack as he tried to restrain Dale Patterson before he could make off without paying his fare, a court has heard.
Mr Quigley, 72, had picked up Mr Patterson, 18, from Newcastle city centre to take him to Sunderland in the early hours of September 2.

All this plus the price of gas, and don't be surprised if the $1. surcharge is dropped like a hot potato soon.

The A-Trfain

Mark your calendar, October 19, 2008 is Mike's day. I for one will miss the excitment that he brought to the Buc's for ten years. Forget when he was hurt, back, neck and probably stuff the public didn't even know about. Thanks for the memories Mike. You will be missed in the huddle, need a yard give it to Mike.

The junk pile

A friend of mine sent this to me, remembering that I used to drive a cab. Subject: Law of the Junk Pile> >> > One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the> airport. We were > > driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car> jumped out > > right in front of us.> > My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and> missed the other > > car by just inches!> > The driver of the other car whipped his head around> and started > > yelling at us.> > My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I> mean, he was > > really friendly.> > So I asked, "Why did you do that?> > This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the> grave!"> > This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call,> "The Law of > > the Junk Pile."> > He explained that many people are like junk piles.> They run around > > full of junk; full of frustration, full of anger, and> full of > > disappointment. As their junk piles up, they need a> place to dump > > it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.> > Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish> them well, and > > move on.> > Don't take their junk and spread it to other> people at work, at > > home, or on the streets.> > The bottom line is that successful people do not let> junk piles > > take over their day.> > Life's too short to wake up in the morning with> regrets, so...Love > > the people who treat you right. Pity the ones who> don't.> > Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety> percent how you > > take it!> >

All kinds of games going on

Right now we have the start of the baseball stretch run going on, the Olympics has started and preseason football is up and running.

Last night after watching my Yanks going down to defeat again, I did some channel surfing.

I watched some swimming in the Olympics, I also watched some of the Buc's game but mostly I watched the LL World Series marathon that was the Great Lakes Region.

The game was between Jeffersonville IN and Mt Vernon OH, a border war for sure, the game went 11 innings which is like a 14 inning big league game.

After 2 innings and the score tied a 3 a piece it looked like it could be a high scoring game, but only 1 more run was scored by each team making it 4-4 after 6.

I have to tell you I turned of the TV and went to bed after the 10th, and I am glad I did because the final score of 11-4 was not the game I watched.

Just in case you have not kept up with the games or watched any local news in the last 3 days Tampa's own Citrus Park LL has advanced to the LL World Series in Williamsport PA.

Along with everything else I watched last nite I also watched some rugby, yeah its another one of those sports the rest of the world is crazy for and we don't give a rats behind for.

Rugby is different, while ill admit I don't have a clue what's going on most of the time, it is football in its purest form. It is football of the 40's and 50's before it became a world wide enterprise.

Ball carriers don't run out of bounds or fall down to avoid contact and a 4 or 5 players don't run in and out after each play.

I can understand if you hate soccer or cricket, they move so slow you have to keep blinking to see if something is happening, but if you spot rugby on the tube check it out.

More AL East Chronicles

Here we are the start of the second week of August getting well into the dog days and the Ray's are still the top of the heap in the best division in baseball. They are 2 1/2 games in front of the Sox and 5 1/2 up on the Yanks, and now the Jays have climbed within 9 1/2 games.

4 of the 5 teams in the AL East have a 500 or better record, compare that to the lowly NL West that have only 2 and just 10 days ago there where none, no other division in baseball has more then 3.

I like many have wondered how the new guys on the block would do during the August and September stretch, we will just have wait and watch to see if they run out of gas or make it to the playoff's.

The Sox have played well since the blockbuster trade but can't seem to close the distance with the Rays.

My Yanks can't seem to get out of there own way, its 1 step forward and 2 back, the injury list is starting to resemble the population of a small city.

Now Joba Chamberlain is on the injury list with rotator cuff tendinitis, any time you start with the rotator cuff its not good, and with how hard Joba throws this could change the type of pitcher he will become.

The Jays have picked things up with new manager Cito Gaston, but have also been hit by the injury bug, but have won 4 in a row and are now within striking range of the Rays but will have a tough clime over the Yanks and Sox.

A NICE CAB

Hi folks, the news carried the information that oil is below $120.00 a barrel for the first time in months. That little car to the right could hold three people. Now I wouldn't want to have a head on in it. ButI have always taken pride in my driving ability. Ha, Mrs. Pancake even like to ride with me. I recall when I was driving in Little Rock that I picked up this elderly lady and she wanted to go to the airport. It seems she came down from Chicago for a family reunion. They surprised her by buying her a ticket on a flight home, as she came to Little Rock on the bus. Now the Little Rock airport is not very big, the lady kept asking me if I knew where I was going? I told her yes and in fact we are almost there. She looked at and said "boy this is not a airport" The poor thing was thinking about O'Hare. It was hard to convince her that one of those airplanes was going to take her home. Butg I learned a lot about her family and all of the kids that she had. I guess they didn't TV. I really hope you drivers are taking advantage of the lower gas price. Get it while you can, it is my opinion that if Ob is elected it will not be good. That is what is so great about my country, the USA, we can say what we want. Be careful out three. UCLarry157

AL East Chronicles

I would first like to thank Cracker for his kind remark on my last post, I am sorry it took me so long to respond.

The pennant race in the Al East is starting to heat up, The Rays are still looking strong and are 3 games up on the Red Sox as we enter the dog days.

There are 2 other teams still in it my Yankees and the Blue Jays, 5 1/2 and 11 1/2 respectfully.

If you think the Jays are out of it just because of a double digit deficit, lets go back in history.

Thirty years ago the Yanks where 14 1/2 behind the hated Red Sox, with the Sox in town for 4 games (that is when 2 games where played nearly every Sunday and 1 ticket got you in for both of them) and got swept.

Back then the Yanks and Sox really hated each other and there was a real fight nearly every game and in that series there where 2 or 3 per game.

Many of the pundits said the Sox would be foolish to trade Manny and they would not get back value, well using the theory of less is more and the Sox didn't need more of Manny he was getting to be more of a distraction plus the addition of Jason Bay it looks like the Sox did well in this trade.

The Yankees have not made as big a splash during the trading deadline but did make 2 trades, they sent 4 low level prospects to Pittsburgh Pirates for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.

The Yankees then sent Kyle Farnsworth to the Detroit Tigers for Ivan Rodriguez, Farnsworth became expendable with the addition of Marte and young arms coming out of the farm system and the need of catching help.

The Rays have been quiet during the trade deadline, this can be taken two ways.

Wether or not a team makes trades at the deadline the players and fans have reason to think management is behind them or not.

I do think in this instant it is different, the Rays farm system is loaded and they believe they can get help from there.

The Yanks where in a similar situation last year they needed pen help and they brought up a kid named Joba Chamberlain, do I need to say more.

NEW TEAMS FOR GREAT PLAYERS

Manny Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a new number of 99 on his back. He had chance to be a hero in the ninth, but hit into a double play with the tying run on first. Ken Griffey, Jr. did better he drove in two of the four run that the White Sox scored. Junior said after the game that his nerves should be ok after a good night sleep. It seems that Jason Bay had the best reception, he got a standing ovation when he was introduced 15 minutes before the game. More on this situation later, be careful out there.

Tourists cont:

Don't know what happened, but 3/4 of the post got wiped out. I am going to try and remember what I said, fat chance. I was at the 23 stand, Burger King at Columbus and Dale Mabry. There were 3 cabs on the stand, it was around 2:00PM, the first of the month on a Friday afternoon. 23 not moving, sad, sad. I didn't know the drivers so I got my salad and left. I made a good living working the 23 stand, the drivers that knew me knew it for a fact. But I am sorry to say that things have changed, higher gas for one. I hope you city guys have a good weekend. Going to do a post on the blockbuster trade. My Dodgers getting Manny. I still like the Rays, they are my American League Team. It is nice to have Tom back into the fold.

Tourists up 3 1/2 %

I just heard this earth shaking information on the radio. In the same breath the guy says Florida is in a resession. Damn could have fooled me.

Hoping to get back to normal

Hi as Larry told you a month ago my Mom was in the hospital, she has been in and out of the hospital and rehab, she passed away on Monday July 21 at the age of 93.

Trying to get back in the swing of things I am going to put in a trivia question.

What MLB team started the use of colored uniform top during batting practice.

Today many teams use this top during games as a 3ed uniform but not the team that started using them, (that's a hint).

Time for Crawford to step up

Carl Crawford has been with the Rays for a long time. It is this writers opinion that the Rays need a closed club house meeting. The talent is there. The same guys are their that were there before the all-star break. They need to get thier ass in gear. A great player in Evan, someone has to step up and take charge. Anyone out there with a better idea. Or are the "fans"just fans when things are going right?????

GOING TO ADD ANOTHER NAME

Well folks it looks like our Rays are still in the running. Granted they aren't playing as well as they did in the first half, but they are holding thier own. They are going back and forth with the Red Sox. Boston has all of the experience of a winner. Now the Rays on the other hand, this is a first for them. The Rays are showing that they can come back when behind. Can you believe Josh Hamilton of Texas, he got his 100th RBI and it isn't even August. I think everyone in the baseball world should take their hat off to him, what he went through when he was out of baseball for two years. This is the stuff movies are made out of. Going to try and find some trivia for the next day or two. Still not feeling great but I am still hanging in there. UC157 Larry

Can of Warms

I am sure that I am going to open up a can of worms with this short post. I remember I was sitting in a sports bar when the headlines blarred that Tiger Woods was turning pro after winning the last of three of his amature titles. All well deserved. My question is does he derserve 30 million dollars from Nike before he hits the first ball as a pro. Now the second part of this equation, I have just read that he maybe the first "athelete" to be worth a billion, that is a BILLION dollars. I am really sorry folks but no one, I say again, I say again, that no one "athlete" is worth a billion dollars. Thee are too many hungry people in this world and the United States that go to bed hungry every night. So to make us look good we give this "Tiger Woods" all this money to hit a little white ball and then go chase it. But please don't insult my intellengence by asking me would I take the money if I could.

Be careful out there

On Friday night they parked in a public parking area. As they drove away he noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When he took it off after they got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily his friend had told him not to stop as it could be someone waiting for them to get out of the car.Then this email was received:'WARNING FROM POLICE ...BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKING (NOT A JOKE)'Heads up everyone! .... Husbands, wives, kids, everyone!!! Please, keep this circulating.... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys.Your home and your whole identity are now compromised! BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USEDIf you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later.And be thankful that you read this e-mail I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong handsPlease keep this going PO Derrick Lemmie Community Liaison Officer District Three Police Station 2333 N 49th St Milwaukee, WI 53210 414-935-7238 Djlemm@Milwaukee.gov
Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime you're online. On Friday night they parked in a public parking area. As they drove away he noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When he took it off after they got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily his friend had told him not to stop as it could be someone waiting for them to get out of the car.Then this email was received:'WARNING FROM POLICE ...BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKING (NOT A JOKE)'Heads up everyone! .... Husbands, wives, kids, everyone!!! Please, keep this circulating.... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys.Your home and your whole identity are now compromised! BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USEDIf you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later.And be thankful that you read this e-mail I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong handsPlease keep this going PO Derrick Lemmie Community Liaison Officer District Three Police Station 2333 N 49th St Milwaukee, WI 53210 414-935-7238 Djlemm@Milwaukee.gov
Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime you're online.

i AM STILL NOT QUITE THERE.

Sorry folks I am still not quite up to snuff. The bad news is the Rays have lost 8 out of the last ten. But the good news is the Red Sox have lost 3 ub a row. My Dodgers are tied for the lead and the Rays lead by a 1.5 games. Go figure that. I don't know what that Doctor did but I belly is not working like should. But it had to be done.

Baseball

I'm not a big fan of the All-Star Game determining home-field advantage for the World Series. The main idea of the All-Star Game is to celebrate and showcase the game and the stories, not impact who has home-field advantage in the biggest games of the year.

ESPN researcher Mark Simon notes that since 1985 the team with home-field advantage has won 18 of the past 22 World Series -- the exceptions are the 1992 and 1999 Braves, the 2003 Yankees, and the 2006 Tigers. Also, the past eight times the World Series has gone to a Game 7, the home team has won each time. (The last road team to win a Game 7 was the 1979 Pirates.)
Tuesday's game is a perfect example of that.
This year it's all about the final season of Yankee Stadium. It's fitting that Mariano Rivera -- whether it's in a win or a loss -- should be the last pitcher on the mound for the American League. That would be the right thing to do for the fans, Yankee Stadium and the history of the game. However, that may or may not happen, depending on the situation of the game.
This takes me back to the whole premise that this game is meant to showcase the sport and its stars. I look at one NBA All-Star Game as a perfect example of this. After Magic Johnson announced he was HIV positive in 1991, he still took part in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds and was named the game's MVP. Memories like that make All-Star Games special.
So, if you want to doctor something, change the rules as they pertain to the All-Star Game, but don't let it determine something as important as home-field advantage in the World Series.
Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: July 13 July 10 July 9 July 8 July 7 July 6

First an update on Larry, I went to St Joe's yesterday and he is doing great.

I am not a big fan of all star games or things like home run and slam dunk contests, but the shots hit by Josh Hamilton where of epic proportions.

I have been a Yankee fan for nearly 40 years and I have never seen a ball hit the wall behind the bleachers, and he had at least 2 off the wall.

Hamilton had 28 in all in the first round and few if any where just over the wall, many where deep into the upper deck, in the right field bleachers or in the black seats.

After such a exciting home derby I was thinking the all star game would be a let down, but it was equally as exciting as the home run derby, going 15 innings.

A note to Red Sox fan's, did you really think your players where not going to get booed? If so you really don't know anything about Yankee fan's, do you.

If all goes according to plans Larry will be home in a few days and back to writing, I am also hoping to get back into it soon. As Larry wrote my Mom was in the hospital for 3 weeks and is now in rehab to get her strength back.

Good afternoon, I am going to be just like the Rays and Dodgers going to take a few days off. Going to St. Josephs Hospital for a little surgery. Hope to be back Thursday. Be Larrydareful out there. UC

Years gone by

Of course the photo in the previous is that of the co-host of this blog. Not Tom but Larry

BOBBY MURCER

All of Major League Baseball is saddened by the passing of Bobby Murcer, particularly on the even of this historic
All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, a place he called home for many years." commissioner Bud Selig said. "Bobby was a getleman, a great ambassador for bseball, and a true leader both on and off the field. He was a man of great heart and compassion." Bobby succeeded Mickey Mantel, played in pinstrips with Don Mattingly and Lou Pinella, and watched proudly from the broadcast booth wehen the New York Yandees returned to power. In closing fi the Angels keep their winning ways, their closer Franco Rodriguez has a shot at the closing record, of 57 saves. Franco already has 34. Troy Percival of our Rays had 19 when he went on the DL. Speaking of the Rays this writer has no idea of what is happening to them. They have lost 8 in a row. The ace Kizmar is going today. He has got to be the stopper. Oh yeah the picture in this post is not Bobby Mercer it is me, the world famous cab driver many years ago. QUESTION; If it takes 6 men 6 days to dig a 6 foot hole, how long would it take 3 men to dig a half a hole. Be careful out there. UC157 Larry