Go Bucs

The Bucs just gave their owners a vivid job stimulus package to consider.
Coming off last week’s drab 26-3 loss to the Jets that dropped Tampa Bay to 1-12, players, coaches and Buc executives faced an uncertain future. The club responded with a 24-7 triumph at Seattle’s Qwest Field, where the Seahawks had been 4-2.
The Glazers, seeking a tangible sign of progress amid the gloom, saw the Bucs reel off the final 24 points for their first regular-season win on the West Coast since 1999.
It was a gratifying effort for players who are already fighting for their place on the 2010 roster. For GM Mark Dominik, the lopsided win was a sign that the organization is going in the right direction.
And beleaguered rookie coach Raheem Morris was all smiles in the closing moments, knowing he had taken a significant step in showing ownership that the club was progressing.
“Job security is not an issue for coaches,’’ Morris said Monday. “We don’t have any. You just go out there and present your best self every day. That’s all I can do. We make decisions based on how do we beat our next opponent. There will be no decisions based on serving Raheem Morris, Mark Dominik or any player.’‘
Buc players fighting for jobs appeared to want the game more than their Seattle counterparts, who were badly outplayed in the second half in front of home fans who raced for the exit gates early.
“There’s always guys on the bubble,’’ Morris said. “There’s always coaches on the bubble. How you respond to being on the bubble is what defines you as a man, as a coach or as a player. Those defining roles will come out in the next two weeks.

BUCS VS SAINTS

The Bucs started this year 0-7 and were the only winless team in the NFL. Tampa Bay had played so poorly, many were starting to wonder if the Bucs could finish this season 0-16 before they defeated Green Bay a few weeks ago.
New Orleans is on the more positive end of that spectrum.
The Saints are 9-0 and one of two undefeated NFL teams (Indianapolis is also 9-0). Many football observers are starting to wonder if New Orleans can finish this season 16-0. As New Orleans prepares to face Tampa Bay (1-8) on Sunday, the Bucs are hoping to spoil their rival’s perfect season.
“There’s no secret — I’m sure [Sean] Payton [New Orleans coach] is telling those guys, ’Hey, this team has beaten us three out of the last four times we’ve met,’ ” Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. “I’m sure he’s telling them that. I’m sure he’s getting those guys motivated in the same way. It’s a division game — that’s one. It’s guys that don’t like us and we don’t like them. There’s no secret there.”
There is also no secret why New Orleans is undefeated.
New Orleans has the NFL’s top ranked offense, averaging 37 points a game. S Darren Sharper has made an immediate impact on defense, recording seven interceptions this season . But I can remember a few years ago with the Vikings came in here 8-0, alas they left 8-1. Stranger things have happened. But no, I wouldn't put the farm on it. Antino Bryant is due to start. Looking forward to see how Antino and Josh Freeman can and if they can hook up. Keep in mind Josh is only 21. Have fun out there.

Dodger blue

It has been said that Tom Lasoda bleed blue blood. Ha that is hard for me to believe. But the following is taken from his web site. Enjoy grew up in Norristown, PA, which is just outstide of Philadelphia. I'll never forget going to Shibe Park for the first time to watch an actual Major League game. I found out that the nuns were going to take the local crossing gaurds to see a Phillies game so I became a crossing gaurd.
I stood out in the cold snow, sleet and hail to help kids cross the street. Finally we go to the game and we saw the Phillies play the New York Giants. The nuns took five of us. I bought a program for 10c. Can you imagine a program costing only ten cents?
I also made up a book for autgraphs. In the old Shibe Park there was a twenty foot stretch where the visiting team players would have to walk with the fans to get back to the clubhouse. I asked one player for his autograph and he pushed me out of the way.
I was heartbroken. Major Leaguers were my heroes.
I looked up his number in the program and read his name: Buster Maynard.
Years later I was pitching in Sally League in South Carolina and the PA announcer said the next batter's name: Buster Maynard.
That's the rat who pushed me out of the way and wouldn't give me an autograph!
He stepped into the box and with the first pitch I dumped him. He got up, brushed himself off and got back in the box. I dumped him again. He yelled at me to stop throwing at him, and with the third pitch he went down again, but this time when he got up he came charging out after me.
I cleaned his plow in the free-for-all.
After the game was over someone came to our clubhouse asking for Tom Lasorda. I wanted to know who it was and the person identified himself as Buster Maynard. I told him that I cleaned his plow on the field and that I'd do it again. But he didn't want to fight. He just wanted to know why I was throwing at him.
I told him the story, and he couldn't believe it. When I became the manager of the Dodgers I would tell my players the same story about old Buster with the moral being that if a kid asks for your autograph you better sign it because he may grow up and come back to get you.

No men allowed in Pink Taxis

A fleet of hot pink taxis are hitting the pavement in Mexico, and it's all in an effort to give women a safe ride home.
The Associated Press reported on October 19 that 35 female-operated cabs are now patrolling the streets of the city of Puebla. The Chevy compacts not only refuse to pick up men, but also come with a GPS tracking system, an emergency alarm button, and a beauty kit.
Pink Taxi driver Aida Santos told AP: "Some of the woman who have been on board tell us how male taxi drivers cross the line and try to flirt with them and make inappropriate propositions." "In the Pink Taxi they won't have that feeling of insecurity, and they feel more relaxed," Santos continued. Not everyone, however, is enthusiastically hailing the new service. Some believe the bubblegum-colored cabs are just a way to sugarcoat the real problem of sexual harassment. Vianeth Rojas of the Network for Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Puebla told AP that the cabs "are absolutely not helping eradicate violence against women" and are simply "saying women have continued worrying about beauty and nothing more." Still, the taxis are opening doors for women in an overwhelmingly male-dominated profession. Forty-year-old taxi driver Lidia Hernandez called the taxi service "a new and attractive source of employment." Before getting a job with the pink taxi service, Hernandez had been working at a gas station. The privately financed Pink Taxi service cost about $440,000 to start up, with the Puebla state government providing licensing and training to female drivers. Similar services have been catching on other cities world-wide, such as Moscow and Dubai. If the program is successful, it may be expanded to other cities as well. Now so far as I can tell beautiful Tampa Bay is not going to be invaded by PINK TAXIS.

2009 WORLD SERIES

This will be short. Congrats to my co-writer. I really didn't care much for the series this year. No excitment at all. Ya folks it was a forgone conculsion who was going to win. Hard to beat 217 million dollar payroll. Jeter, A-Rod and Mark what his name are all going to the hall of fame. Not next year of course. But I would venture to say within in 5 or 6 years after they retire. I probably won't be here to see the last two. Matsui MVP??? Sorry I disagree. Jeter had the better series, in my humble opinion. I also know that I can't remember when someone on the opposing team won the award. But Chase Utley had a hell of a series. 5 home runs off their top of the line pitchers. Well boys and girls the season starts in April of 2010. Is anyone interested in my picks? No, thought not. Have a good winter. In closing keep in mind that the Los Angeles Lakers will repeat. I know Chick Hern would agree, rest his soul.

2 MILLION MILES

After 62 years and 2 million miles on New York streets, 82-year-old "Jack the Hack" Dym has parked his cab for the last time.
Fresh out of the U.S. Army, he began driving a cab in 1947, following his father and three brothers into the business.
It was an era of hulking DeSoto, Packard and Checker cabs, a lush Manhattan street life, and cheap gas. His own cab, a Packard, became his entrée to people of every station and to improbable friendships.
"I am friendly and I love people," he said. "That’s it in a nutshell. But I decided to leave because I have been in the industry, you know, since 1947."
In his early days, "hacking" was decidedly low-tech. The only GPS was a cabby’s steel- trap mind, and Dym liked it that way.
He is no fan of the partitions separating driver from passenger either, preferring an unencumbered connection to his passengers. To his kids’ consternation, he feels the same about seat belts.
While other cabbies moved on to new careers, Dym kept driving. He and his late wife Harriet were like so many others after World War II: A house in the suburban Howard Beach, a commitment to education, a warm family life.
He married relatively late, and the couple had their first child in the early 1960s and then three others in quick succession.
Financial success was the missing piece in the suburban idyll. "I struggled," he admits. "I was always in trouble financially. But I have four diamond kids, and I am the richest guy in the world."
He did work for a time as a dispatcher, a chauffeur and co-owner of a taxi fleet. But he always seemed to end up back behind the wheel of a taxi.
Over his six decades of driving, accidents were few and far between. "I can count on my hands the little incidents that I had over all those years," Dym said. "I never drove fast. I always drove safely. I used to get comments from my clients about this."When his kids began reaching college age around 1980, he sold the major investment of his life. It was his cab medallion, the official New York emblem granting the right to operate a cab. It brought in about $65,000, and he used much of the money to send his kids to college. It could be worth as much as $700,000 today, he said. He says his children haven’t forgotten him today and support him financially. One consolation of his life on the streets was a view of New York available to few others. He gave rides to celebrities like Jack Lemmon and Sharon Stone. Jacqueline Onassis rode in his cab a number of times.He developed friendships with business executives, and every now and then one would offer him a job as a driver. The media seem to know he was close to the Manhattan’s heartbeat. At least one documentary filmmaker has tapped into his wealth of knowledge. And the late Dennis Duggan, a Pulitzer Prize winning Newsday writer, once built a column around interesting people who had traveled with him. His daughter Ilene gave a trip with "Jack the Hack" a special cachet during the 1970s. An art student, she began decorating the back seat of his cab with her drawings of flowers, and suggested that he give copies to his passengers as a way of brightening their day. She also created a sign saying "Sit back and relax and enjoy a safe, pleasant ride with my dad, Jack the Hack."On one occasion, his daughter’s art may have kept Dym from being robbed. As he dropped two passengers off on a secluded street, they admitted to him that they had been thinking about robbing him. But they were dissuaded by Ilene’s flowers and warm message.As it was, they simply left without paying him. 'Lock your doors and get out of the neighborhood before we change our minds," one told him.After financing his own children’s education, Dym finally got the opportunity to attend his own high school graduation -- more than five decades after being drafted right out of high school to help meet urgent manpower needs late in World War II. "My mother was beside herself," since his three brothers were already in the military, Dym said. "I had two months to graduation." She had been hoping that his slight build would keep him out of the service. "She used to say, ‘You’re so skinny, you stand sideways, you look like an umbrella."But seven years ago, Dym wrote to his old high school in Brooklyn, explained his situation, and asked to attend their next graduation. Officials agreed, and he even capped off the experience in 2002 by attending the prom with his wife Harriet She died several years ago, and he now spends much of his time on local Masonic activities. Since the 1960s, he has helped his lodge expand a relationship with a counterpart in Idaho – the only Masonic Grand Lodge in the U.S. to publicly decry Hitler and the Holocaust in the 1940s, Dym said. As a result, he has developed friendships with ranchers and potato farmers in that state, and visits every year. He also dances and practices yoga at a Queens senior center. At his retirement, New York City honored him with the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award, saying he represented "the living history of the taxi industry."Dym still drives a 1994 Toyota and doesn’t plan to give it up any time soon."I haven’t been on a train or bus for years," he said. "If I don’t have wheels under me, I feel like a guy who doesn’t have feet under him."

BUC'S

Emotions surged just before halftime when Carolina CB Dante Wesley inexplicably leveled Bucs return man Clifton Smith with a vicious and illegal hit. As Smith looked up while waiting for a Jason Baker punt to arrive, Wesley launched his forearm into Smith’s head, apparently knocking Smith unconscious. A melee followed, fueled by the ire of Smith’s teammates, and Wesley was ejected from the game. The above was quoted from Buccaneers' web site. I am wondering if any of you football fans have some comments on this hit. There has been a lot of stories about injuries to football players, from high school to the pro's. As of yet I have heard nothing about any fine other than was normally comes with a ejection. Granted football is a tough sport and you should be on guard at all times. However, it is my opinion that he should be suspended for the reminder of the season. Any comments????

I was just reading about the robberies in Robles Park. Last month was bad for a few of the drivers for United Cab. One got robbed twice, in the same area????? Reminds me of the guy who had a problem with jaywalking he just couldn't help himself. He liked to see how close he couild come to the cars without getting hit. The end of the story of course he finally got hit. What did that driver think was going to happen when he got robbed once already. Go back and take a chance for a few dollars. Melesia said she had friend who lived in Robles, good, damn let her go get them and get her tail caught in a crack. Why in the world take a chance, I realize that there is not much in the line of good fares, but it is going to change. Now getting to the world of sports, doesn't look like the Bucs are going to do very well this year. I was and still am a fan, I can recall the first and second year. That was when there were only 14 games in the regular season. Good thing if there were 16 like now, we would have lost them too. The first coach was John Robinson from USC fame. Student body right, didn't work in the NFL Coach Robinson got a five year contract and said he would have a playoff team in five years. He was asked what would happen if he got a 6 year contract he said than he would have a playoff team in 6 years. Bless his soul. Be careful out their, Go Buc and Dodgers.

Buying the door

There is big problem in Miami Beach called buying the door, it is a practice of some cab drivers paying door men for choice rides.

Hummm sounds familiar hotel's like the Hyatt Westshore, and others in and around Tampa, where certain drivers seem to get the better rides, and the dispatchers in jest (we hope) are always telling some drivers that the Hyatt needed donut's sandwiches etc etc etc.

I had a call from the Harbor Island Hotel a while back, the fare was standing outside I asked there name and it matched the name that I was given by dispatch so I loaded there luggage and we about to pull away when the door men came running out, he asked my fare "don't you want the cab I called for you"?

The fare told him we never asked you for a cab and and they called themselves, at that point a cab plus pulled alongside and right after that my fare told me they where going to Orlando with the doorman right there, I smiled at him and said oh now I get your game and left.

So make no mistake people this goes on each and every day and it happens everywhere and anywhere, and with how bad the economy is it is with out question it is worse now then it ever is, so lets watch out and be safe out there everyone.

The Rays

The following is from Roto World that is sent to me every day.,
Wade Davis followed up his excellent big-league debut with a rough outing against the Red Sox last week, giving up eight runs while recording eight outs. He bounced back in a huge way Thursday with a complete-game shutout of the Orioles, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 10. He also threw 124 pitches, which is a high for any Rays starter this season, so keep an eye on his next outing. With that said here are a few of my ideas for next year. I am still hoping that the Rays can go on a huge winning streak. But if they don't I really think that they should find a way to do something with B>J> Upton. I still think that he can help the team. Maybe a fire under his ass. With his speed he should be able to beat out a lot of those slow roller to the left side of the diamond. Pete Rose vintage, run like hell on every hit ball. If he doesn't want to sit his butt on the bench. It is esy to see why Longeria's batting average is creeping up, he has played through the pain since he came back from DL. But of course that is what great players do. I am wondering why folks aren't starting to compare him to the vacuum cleaner. Yeah first name "Brooks"

Something special happend last night

Above is the grapic shown at Yankee Stadium last night after Derek Jeter hit a line drive past the diving first baseman of the Orioles for a single to right field, for his 2722 hit of his star studded career in pin stripes, it put him past Yankee great Lou Gehrig the "iron horse" for most hits by a Yankee.

You can hate the Yankee's all you want, I did growing up in Brooklyn and my co-author does but you have to give this guy his due, he plays hard every day, runs out every routine ground ball and pop up, who does that these days, not many.

Some feel he has a chance to pass 4000 hits and maybe Pete Rose, though I don't think he is the type to "hang on" for a record or the cash for a year or more if he feels it would hurt the team, for those who don't get it he is all about the team, an example of where his head is at, on Wednesday after his third hit of the night which tied him with Gehrig, he was worried all the fuss had showed up the Rays.

I don't know how many more good years he has left in his 35 year old body, and after last season where he failed to hit 300+ for the first time in a while, this year has been a pleasant surprise he is batting 331 and will hit about 20 home runs and 80 RBI's.

All I can add to this is I hope he does pass Rose, but most of all he leaves on his terms and with the dignity he has always brought to the game.

His mom said so

Tampa Buc's news Cadillac Williams didn't learn of his place atop the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running back depth chart from his coach. He heard it first from his mother.
"Yeah, she called me all excited and told me and I was like, 'Wow, where did you see that?' '' Williams said of his mother, Sherry, who lives in Alabama. "She said it was on the crawl on TV.
"I had a lot of people call and text me and I just said, 'I wasn't informed, guys, but I guess so. I can't confirm it.' ''
It's confirmed now. Williams, who is trying to bounce back from a second major knee injury, will start Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys.
The promotion comes as a bit of a surprise because of who else the Bucs have in their backfield. Returning starter Earnest Graham topped the depth chart during the preseason and Derrick Ward was obtained in free agency.
It's a crowded backfield, but the Bucs believe they can wear people down by rotating all three backs.
That Williams likely will get the ball first is a testament to his hard work in coming back from a second patellar tendon injury.
"Yeah, it was a surprise," Williams said of earning the top spot on the depth chart. "But I knew if I could come in here and show some of the old flash and compete, I was pretty comfortable with my chances.''
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Don't drive near this place

This is Jericho, Arkansas a typical small southern town of 150 people with 7 cops.

Now most people would think 7 cops in a town of 150 is an awful lot of cops, but they are needed to man all the town's speed traps and to keep the peace.

Yes the police of Jericho have many duty's, what you may ask?

Oh like shoot the town's fire chief in front of a judge over one of the many speeding tickets given out hard to believe but true, you can only imagine what they would do to a wise cracking cab driver?

The very best thing about all this is no one can remember which of the 7 cops did the shooting and the only charges D.A. could come up with was a possible misdemeanor for the fire chief for the scuffle that preceded the shot being fired.

If you would like to read the zany story its at: www.boingboing.net/2009/09/04/speed-trap-happy-cop.html

Be sure to read the comments!!

A few things to think about

I just found 3 story's among my Google news alerts that caught my eye, yeah I have not been posting much and some of these are a week old.

It seems the electric cab's-cart's may be on there way back, I think there has been some political arm twisting behind closed door's, because the Public Transportation Commission has rewritten the rule's on these cart's since according the law's they had no jurisdiction with them in the first place.

We may not agree with all this but are stuck with it, I also have to say some drivers dislike of short runs back when things where better may have brought this on.

There has been several cab drivers getting beat up and robbed in Trinidad, I would have thought before starting this blog with my co-writer that all that went on there was sea, sun and fun, but reading the alerts from news outlets from around the world I know violence vs cab drivers is at an epidemic level everywhere.

Patrick Kane and the story that can't seem to go away or stop being a thorn in the side of any cab driver who read about it. The latest I have read (and its several days old) if from his team, the Chicago Black Hawk's just one line from this latest story tells it all "we are so happy this is all over it have been very difficult on Patrick and his family", do I need to say more.

Worst game of the year

To start with I am still a Rays fan. But last night was the worst that I have ever seen them play. To quote the "animal" of 620 WDAE, gold glove my ass. Why Joe Maddan started Andy Sonnanstine in such as important game beat the shit out of me. Made 91 pitches, to the tune of 8 hits, 5 runs of which 3 were earned. This folks in just 4 innings. Wow a ready made triple play, na, Evan Longoria bobbled the ball, than made a bad throw to first, when the ball should have been thrown to second. Than a two hop ground ball to Iwamora for a ready made double play, opps missed it. Not to be left out Pena after hitting a deep shot for a homer, missed a routine grounder. Lets not forget Carl Crawford our MVP of theAll-Star game, missing a fly ball that he normally catches while writing a letter home. 7th inning I believe bases loaded with none I say none out. Not even the hint of a run. Lastly B.J. Upton. How long will they put up with his lack of anything, other than being able to run down fly balls. 141 strike out for a speed murchant. Than when Crawford found the infield pulled around to the right Whih his burning speed, why square around to bunt rather than drag it down the line. The only person who could have thrown him out would be Brooks Robinson. But as I said in the beginning I live in Tampa and I will pull for them when they play.

I could have told you...and I did

Three weeks ago I wrote about Patrick Kane the 20 something Chicago hockey player who beat up on the 50 something cab driver, in Buffalo.

I had said we should all feel sorry for Mr Kane as he was about to become a victim of probation, well you can stop singing sad songs for him, his high priced mouth piece got the charges reduced to disorderly conduct, that is an insult.

Wait it gets better, all he has to do is write a letter of apology to the cab driver, no talk about paying for hes medical bill's, his glasses or heaven help us the man's lost wages, all this scum bag could say he was looking to put this all behind him and he looks forward to moving on.

What makes this even crazier is nearly all the comments on Chicago based WGN.com was pro Kane, go figure and lets be safe out there.

Tampa Bay Rays/Tipping

Let us first talk about the Rays. The bull pin let the team down again. Nieman had pitched 7 great innings. He left with a 3-1 lead. Granted the relief corps did it yesterday but more oftain than not they have messed up a nice game. They traded Kazmir for who I can't find out. They have 17 very important games coming up with New York, Bostan and Detroit again. I notice Upton got two hits today, whoppee. The way he runs out grounders or long fly balls Billy Martin, rest his soul, whould have his ass. I recall a quote from Don Drysdale regarding Sandy Koufax. Sandy pitched one of his no hitters, Drysdale was hurt and wasn't there. However, when he was told about the no hitter, he asked if Sandy won. In those days the Dodgers offense wasn't to good. But the Rays offense is good. But they need a big time closer and sit up man. Now folks about tipping cab driver.s. I took this person and his wife to the airport and he was from out of state and we got into a discussion about tipping. He said that the fare on the meter should be good enough, Oh my here we go. I asked him he tipped the waiter or waitress when he goes to a resturant. He said sure. I asked him why, they don't cook the food all they do is bring it to your table. Now with a cab driver you and your wife and maybe a couple of kids are going to the airport to see Grandma and Grandpa. You put your life and the life of your wife and children in the cab drivers hands. You are hoping that he is a safe driver. Don't you think you should award him for getting you there in one piece. The meter amount is for the car and gas. Think about that folks. Be careful out there

Here you go buddy "keep the change"

I just read a story from Myrtle Beach, SC, on tipping cab drivers, it talks about people giving the driver $700 for a $680 ride and telling them to "keep the change".

The writer Linda Sullivan challenges her readers to try giving a 20 cent tip to a waiter or bartender and see the looks you get.

It also talks about the hours a driver spends behind the wheel each day, and how little they end up with for all those hours.

The story is titled "Cab drivers worthy of decent tips" you can read the story at: http://www.thesunnews.com/opinion/story/1033835.html

Reading this reminds me of something that happend about 10 years ago, I had picked someone up in the gate and to him on a ride that was $305 and the guy asked me if I wanted the nickle, after thinking for a second I asked him if it was $ 295 would he want the nickle?

He answered yeah sure, and then thought about it and said no, I told him too late first answer was yeah so I want it also, a tip whats that. =)

Baseball Season

Well good readers the baseball season is approaching a end. My Dodgers are still in first place after having taken 3 out of 4 from the Cubbies. The Rays are still in the hunt for a wild card in the junior league. Excuse me the American League. The Yankees have been playing some great baseball since the All-Star break. Good game tonight, CC vs Beckett. But the Rays remind me of the old Bucs a few years ago, they are fun to watch. Now with the Yankees I am not surprised, not with all of the power they bought, along with CC and AJ. But anything can happen, that is why Baseball is such a great game.

20 cents

Reading Tom's post about the 20 cents reminds me of a situation 3 or 4 years ago, I took a call taking a Doctor from the Howard Johnson on North Dale Mabry to the medical building on Sligh Ave on Dale Mabry. The fare was $7.80. Now this fine Japanesse Doctor gave me $8.00 and yeah you guessed it, he wanted his 20 cents back, along with a reciept. I gave him his 20 cents and the reciept. As fate would have it I got this sucker again a few days later. Same amount $7.80 and he gave me $8.00, wanting his 20 and a reciept. This time I put the amount on the reciept, $7.80. The ending of this little story gets better. A week later I went to Howard Johnsons but this time he came out with three more doctors. When we got to the Medical Building I already had the reciept ready as the channel two dispatcher told me it was a Doctor. The ring leader of this group wanted some blank reciepts, I told him no, not unless he wanted to pay $7.80 for each of the other Doctors. They got out without another word. I thought for sure I would get a call from the office. but no not yet. I would have given him a book of reciepts if he hadn't wanted his damn 20 cents. I really think that most professional people always tip, say 95% do. As their company normal pays the tab anyway. Be careful out there. There are still drivers out there that are eat up with the dumb ass.

All this over 20 cents

The star of the Chicago Blackhawks James Kane was arrested after an incident involving a cab driver in Patrick's home town of Buffalo.

When they reached the destination Kane gave the driver $15.00 for an $13.80, the driver gave him a dollar and told Kane he didn't have the 20 cents, Kanes then took the $15 back, punched the cab driver in the face, grabbed his throat and broke his glasses, seems like a reasonable thing to do after Kane was robed of 20 cents.

He also kept telling the driver "you don't know who you are dealing with" I have read that many times as big time athletes are being arrested, thinking the cops will be impressed, but the cops still arrest them and the courts make a joke about it and give only probation, or a fine that is also a joke, as it is penny's compared to what they make.

Didn't anyone ever explain the theory of tipping to this genius, who as a hockey star makes millions and can't afford to, or won't tip.

The only other explanation like many other athletes of today he is on roids and this was just roid rage.

Maybe we should just feel sorry for the soon to be victim of probation, you really didn't think he would get jail time, did you?

Pitch count what pitch count?

I read a sidebar story about the 15 inning classic Friday night between the Yankee's and the hated Red Sox.

It was about a game played 46 years ago between Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants and Warren Spahn of the then Milwaukee Braves.

It ended when Willie Mays homered of Spahn in the bottom of the 16, both starters pitched the entire game and both had a pitch count over 200 and Marichal was over 220, both pitchers are in the Hall of Fame as is Mays

Warren Spahn won 363 games in 21 years in the big leagues with an era of 3.09 and 2,583 strike outs.

Juan Marichal won 243 games during his 15 years in the majors with an era of 2.88 and 2,303 strike outs.

Willie Mays played for 22 years and was an all star 20 for 20 of those years, he played all but the last year with the Giants in NY and SF, he finished up back in NY with the Mets.

Willie was a life time .302 hitter with 660 home runs and over 3000 hits, all this plus he was a 12 time gold glove winner, he is known for the over the shoulder catch nearly 500 feet from home plate in the 1954 World Series vs the Indians.

Rays Sweep

If any of you folks follow the Tampa Bay Rays know that they whipped up on the Red Sox, that is red as in Boston, which is home of the Celtics, whom I detest almost as much as the Yankees. My co-author has just told me that the Boston press said something about the Redsox being down the tubes since they got bombed last night. I hope so that will push the Rays into a race with those guys from the Bronx, not sure but I assume that is part of New York. Hee, hee.

Now on a sadder note, if any of you follow Tampa Taxi Shot know that the writer of that blog drives a cab. I have know Tim for over ten years. Due to the slow taxi business he may be homeless in a few days, yep that is what he said. His cell number is on his blog so if you happen to need a cab give him a call I am sure you will enjoy the ride. Now about this guy (homeless hank) He says he is homeless, I guess he uses the computer at the library or maybe a friends. PayPal. Yeah right. With a beard like that would be kind of hard to make a good impression in a job interview. I don't think it should matter but I am afraid the person giving said interview might not think that way.
Also if you folks happen to have a few too many don't forget to call a cab or a friend. A lot of news print this week on DUI's people are getting killed out there. Take care

Airport Security Precautions

On 60 minutes tonight, they had a segment on airport security. This post does not have to do with the security when attempting to board a airplane. They have all kinds electrical equipment, including x-rays. I remember just after 9/11 when they were stopping cars. I am sure any you folks going to the airport remember that. Of course I was still working at the time. One fine day I had picked up this fare and had just got to the approach into the airport. My fare and I both noticed that they were stopping cars on right side of the road. As was my habit I was in the left lane. I commented to my fare look at those police over there what a joke. Wow he got pushed out of shape. He asked me "didn't I believe in security", I told him damn right if it is done properly. I than asked him if he took cabs to the airport very oftain. He said three or four times a month. I than asked him the clincher. "How many times has the cab he is riding in get stopped?" I already knew the answer. Zilch, nada, and zip that is how many. I had asked numerous drivers if they have ever got stopped. No they hadn't. I have been stopped once, but that is another story.

Does anyone take responsibility for there own actions?

I just read a story about a Boston cab driver who was suspended from his job because the 6 "adults" he picked up at the airport forgot they had a child with them and left him in the back seat when they got out, the strange thing is I remember this happening in I think Chicago a few years ago.

Should the driver have checked the back seat for sure, but so should have the 6 adult passengers.

I don't know how long the driver will be out of work, or if this is the last straw, its just another way the world sticks to cab drivers, if you want to read the story the link is below, while there read the comments they are about 80% pro driver, that's a surprise.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20193223/detail.html

No Hitter's

I am sure most of all baseball fans are familiar with the term no hitters. But even more of a feat is the Perfect Game. Most folks remember the Don Larsen gem in the world series. Where my favorite guy Larry "yogi" Berra jumps into Larsen's arms. I was watching the Rays game when Burhele of the Chicago Whitesox did it to them. He was on fire, of course that great catch by thier center fielder, who was put in for defense. One of the Rays announcers, Kevin Kenndy, I believe put up names of previous pefect game pitchers. Koufax not only threw a perfect game, but struck out 20 men in the game. Can you imigine 20 of the 27 went down. It has been said that Sandy had three pitches. A fastball, a curve and change up. Some say that if two of his pitches weren't up to par that day, no matter he could beat you with the last one.
As I was raised in Burbank, California I have seen Koufax pitch at Dodger Stadium. When tickets were cheap. Behind home plate his curve ball was like falling off a table. If he was on, I swear that pitch was unhittable. I think he was the best pitcher to ever play, in his prime. The following I took from Google. I saw this game in person.Sandy Koufax's perfect game was the first one pitched at night. It was nearly a double no-hitter: Cubs pitcher Bob Hendley gave up only one hit, a bloop double to left-fielder Lou Johnson in the seventh inning that did not figure in the scoring. The Dodgers scored their only run in the fifth inning: Lou Johnson reached first on a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, attempted a steal of third, and scored when Cubs catcher Chris Krug overthrew third base. The total number of base runners in the game—2—is the fewest in major league history

From the you've got to be kidding department

Cab drivers form the small town of Bournemouth, England have been getting letters from the local government there, telling them they will be getting tickets for dropping 10 year old severely disabled boy in front of his school.

For the boy to get into school he needs a "frame" (could be what the Brit's call a walker) and two teachers, that is why it is so vital that he be dropped as close to the school as possible, but the city council can't seem to figure that out, all they can see is a cab is stopped in a no stopping zone.

The local authority said the camera car operated a zero-tolerance approach on parking offences in the interests of safety to schoolchildren, I guess the town needs the 70 pound fine (about $120.00) in this difficult economy and that's that.

What kind of bullsh*t is this

I have posted many story's from newspapers around the world on rights that cab drivers have elsewhere that Tampa drivers don't have, this is a switch cab drivers in the Canadian city of Ottawa don't have the right to ask for cash up front.

The taxi union there had asked 2 years ago to change the law and where turned down flat.

Yusef Al Mezel, the president of the union representing Ottawa taxi drivers is looking to reintroducing the law after an Ottawa cab driver was badly beaten last Friday, all they are asking if to be permitted to get cash up front on calls after midnight, sounds reasonable to me.

But not Linda Anderson, manager of bylaw and regulatory services for the City of Ottawa, says she is open to discussing advance payment, but doesn't know if it would have made a difference in this case.

Anderson also notes that the bylaw regulating taxis says that the passenger is required to pay the fare displayed on the meter, "I don't know how people can pay in advance if they don't know what the fare is going to be," she said, she must be a real genius, if she was a man her Mother would call her sunny for sure.

It should be a right of any cab driver everywhere on any out of town call, or a call that gives you that funny feeling in the back of your head or the queasiness in your gut to say, "yeah I want cash up front" and if the customer says he or she won't pay up front, say good bye!!

Be safe out there everyone!!!

Help for cab drivers with the swine flu in Singapore

The government of Singapore and the taxi union's there have combined to help cab drivers there who come down with the H1N1 flu.

The drivers will be subsidised for there medical costs and for lost time do to the swine flu.

As the saying goes don't try this at home, meaning don't wait for this to happen anywhere near
Tampa, anytime soon, but it sure would be nice if someone would do something-anything for the cabby's of the area, but we won't hold our breath.

Tell us something we didn't know

A study commissioned by NYC Councilman Eric Gioia found that 52% of all NY cab drivers have no medical insurance.

I don't know how much of the tax payers ca$h he spent (you really didn't think he or any other politician would spend there own ca$h with all the free stuff around, did you) I would have told him that for free, and I tend to think his number is a bit low.

OK now that Councilman Gioia has this little nugget of information what does he plan to do with it, keep it under his pillow for safe keeping, or is he going start a low cost health care plan for NYC cab drivers.

Maybe its just worse in Tampa but in the nearly 9 years of driving for United I knew no one with
medical insurance.

I drove a cab for over 20 years between Tampa and elsewhere and never had health insurance during that time, it was not untill I went on disability and got Medicare, when I had to go to a DR back then and that was the only time I would ever go, it cost me big bucks.

The clothing cop's are coming

I just read a story about a cab driver in Brisbane, Australia who was given a $100. ticket because his socks where too short.

The dress code for drivers in Brisbane states the driver needs to wear a uniformed shirt that is tucked in, business trousers or tailored shorts with long socks pulled up and dress shoes.

The cop listed the offence as and I quote "WHT/runners, short running socks", Queensland Transport's management calls it a petty offence, there have been a rash of questionable tickets for things a $400 fine for not having a 2009 version of a street directory, or for allowing a car's window tinting to peel.

I had a somewhat similar situation when I was still driving, while sitting on 23 the old public transportation (not the new SS Boys) stopped by to check out the cabs there, when he got to me he asked me where my sock's where, I opened my sneaker and showed him.

He told me I had to have sock's that went above the shoe line, I then asked him nicely where in the rule's and regulations it said that, he smiled and said nowhere.

I had another interesting dress code incident, I picked up a woman at the downtown Hyatt, as soon as she said airport I could hear her Back Bay Boston accent, and as soon as I start to pull away from the curb I hear "I can't believe you are wearing shorts", yes I am I answer.

Now its summer time and 95 in the shade, and she asks is it OK for drivers to wear shorts she asks, yes it is I say, did you notice the doorman at the Hyatt was wearing shorts, as where everyone we passed heading to 275.

She went on and on about the shorts, more then one time I told her its Florida not Back Bay Boston, the weather is different so are the rules.

At one point I had enough of her nonsense and asked do they still ware those vest's and funny hat's where you come from? Her answer was there is nothing funny about the hat's or the vest's they are proper attire for cab drivers every ware. It was very heard not to laugh in her face, but I told her if we had to ware anything like that here there would be no cab drivers in state of
Florida.

Don't laugh too much and keep cool and safe out there guys.

The Rays want a new stadium...again

We all remember last year the Rays wanted to build a new open air ball park on the bay front in downtown St Pete, not to be payed for by the Rays but by the alleged profit from the sale of the Tropicana Field property.

Fast forward to this year and now the Rays want a retractable dome stadium that will cost between 550 and 600 million and not much is being said where it will come from or where it will be built.

Now the Yankee's have built there 1.5 billion Taj Mahal, which will be paid in full by the Yankees, but is being financed by tax free bonds, which have many politicians and the Media there howling.

The old Yankee Stadium was 85 year's old and a structural time bomb a few years ago when the Yanks where on the road a 30+ foot beam fell out of the upper deck, and had other problems.

The dome in St Pete is less then 20 years old, yeah I know it could have been made better, without the cat walks and all but is still a relatively new ball park and the team has a contract to play in St Pete through the 2027 season, and I would think where they are now.

I think the city and county needs to show some back bone and think of the tax payers first for a change, let the Rays get at least another 10 years out of the dome and let the team pay for part of a new stadium.

I do have a question has the city and county paid off the old stadium yet?

Now we learn the truth, I guess

This is a follow up story to Friday's post, there are two articles in today's alerts about the Oklahoma City taxi company.

In the first article states, A-1 thought nothing could stop them from creating a positive name for themselves while increasing profits 500 percent in four years.

The second stated that A-1 cab company received a stern warning and 180 days’ probation, but will keep its license after employees admitted they refused service to potential clients whose destinations would generate less revenue.

So it was the company's employees not its independent contractor drivers that where the problem, who would have thought that would have been the problem?

"Independent contractors"

I just read a story about a cab company in Oklahoma City, called A-1 is being suspended for refusing to take calls in certain areas.

The owner who is fighting this is is naturally claiming its the driver's fault because they are independent contractors. Why are we independent contractors, surely its not our choice, we didn't hire the company it was the other way around.

Why does the company want us to be independent contractors, for starters they don't have to collect income tax, which they would have to hire one or more workers in the office for this purpose.

They would have to pay for disability and medical insurance, unemployment, and all that costs money.

This is not the first instance that an owner puts blame on a driver for any problem using the excuse they are independent contractors nor will it be the last, you can bet on that.

Overloaded taxi goes off a cliff and kills 11 of 18 on board

Just over 2 week's ago I wrote and joked about a grossly overloaded taxi in South Africa and today I read about a crash there that killed 11 people, and that's no joke.

In the story of 2 week's ago I made all kinds of stupid jokes and included a picture of a car with people sitting and standing all over the outside, but 11 dead riders is very sobering.

We have talked about many issues on this blog that concern cab drivers such as violence against cab drivers, and the problem that is world wide of too many cab's in a municipality's.

Cab drivers have to act responsibly, as I said in the earlier post, I have allowed at times a passenger above the posted limit, and have had some wild rides with passengers that where drunk or close to it.

The driver of the cab was both lucky and unlucky to survive this crash and faces charges, the legal amount of passengers is based on the number of seat belts, so lets be smart out there guys.

DRIVER DETAINED

A Louisiana driver has been stopped and detained for having a "Don't Tread on Me" bumper sticker on his vehicle and was warned by a police officer about the "subversive" message it sends.
NOTE: What happens if you are driving your car from New Hampshire? On the tag is the state motto; "Live Free or Die!" And if your car says "One Nation Under God...! You go diretly to jail! What the hell is going on in this country?
I got the above from the VETERANS POST, July, 2009 issue. It is placed at the VA Hospitals.

If you think you have had a bad day, wait until you hear about this woman

A woman in Brisbane, Australia stole a cab and then rear ended 2 off duty cops, a start to a very bad day.

To make a bad situation worse she tested out at nearly 3 times the legal limit for blood alcohol, wow she must have had a "few" of those extra large fosters, you know those mini kegs.

Along with all her other problems the 2 cops where treated for soft tissue injuries and pain, I think she will be seeing lots of the officers in the court's, you think?

Look out big Brother is watching!!

Its really bad when you can't stop to pick up or drop off a passenger without getting a ticket, I just read a story at address below.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/06/29/taxi-calgary-parking-tickets-cab.html

One thing that caught my interest was the fact that the company sends someone to court to fight the tickets, could you just see that happening at a cab company in Tampa, no I could not either.

In the past year, Associated Cab has seen an increase of 80 per cent in tickets or about 130 tickets every two months, issued by the authority against the company but about half of them are annulled in court, said general manager Jeff Garland.

I guess city's have to raise ca$h any way in these hard times.

How to tell when a cab is available

I just read something that reminded me of when I drove a cab at night in Tampa and would get flagged many times when my cab was all ready occupied.

I would turn on my inside light so they could see that yes I already had a passenger, and at that point I would get cursed out more often then not, it would all start all over again as we passed the next bar in Soho.

I would often tell my fare if I ever get rich Ill take out a full page ad in the Trib and explain when the light is out you need to find another cab, why is it people who go out each and every weekend can't figure that out?

Big Foot???

Hey boys and girls, ha just like the ESPN PTI. I was reading Tim's new web site, something about a Skunk Ape, whatever that is. Nice picture of Tim, head band and back pack. I don't have the foggiest idea if he drives his cab like that.

Now about a little baseball. My Dodgers are still surprising a lot of folk. Considering their top hitter is still on suspension they are doing quite well. The good teams always seem to find someone to pick up the slack when there is a problem. Now in the Eastern division, most consider the toughest division in baseball, which I concur. The Red Sox are playing well, the Blue Jays are fading, which doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is the Yankees losing two out of three to the Nationals, the last by being shut out. Also the Rays losing two out of three to the Rockies. I have to admit that the Rockies are playing well. The Phillies won the last title so they should be considered the team to beat. They are the Champions until they are dethroned.

A few words about people riding a cab who like to bring all of their kids, grandma and a few cousins so they can save a few dollars. I had a situation like that a few years before I got sick, this lady and her five screaming kids two of them which were under five. She used some words on me that I didn't use even when I was in the Air Force. She got rather upset when I refused to take her to the store. It was only a few miles away. But if something happened it would be hard to live with it. Have a good day folks, be careful out there

So you think your customers want to over load your cab?

Yeah I know by law you are only allowed to pick up 4 passengers at a time with a sedan, but sometimes you might let 1 or 2 more in rather then lose the ride on a slow night, but then you get an idiot that wants to put 7 or 8 in that same cab and you ask where are you going to put them?

It seems a very special cab driver in Cape Town, South Africa found room in his cab for 122 passengers, in a cab built for 26, yeah I know you would love to borrow that baby for Friday and Saturday night's working in Ybor or Soho.

While they where all kids, your paper work does not distinguish between adults, kid's or munchkins, 4 means 4, at least that's what I have been told.

Its really too bad there are no pictures of the 122 kids in the cab or just the cab, I would like to see a cab built to carry 26 people. Maybe it looked something like this.

Pedicab Slams Into a Taxi in Brooklyn

Sometimes you have to just scratch your head a wonder what some people are thinking, if at all.

On Thursday four people where hurt when a pedicab Slammed Into a Taxi in Brooklyn when coming off the Williamsburg Bridge, on a trip that started in Times Square, a trip of about 3 miles.

I have seen pedicab's in Ybor back when I still drove for United cab and wondered how safe they where, but driving in and around Ybor is one thing, and driving on a bridge is another, but most of those trips where short, such as taking people to there car.

The Williamsburg Bridge is very much like our Sunshine Skyway, high in the middle and low at each end, which means when you get over the hump its all downhill from there, and the driver loaded down with 3 passengers could not control his speed and hit the Taxi.

The driver got the worst of it, he flew over the taxi on impact and is in Bellevue Hospital in serious condition.

Its so typical, but Fridays paper asked if there should be tougher laws regulating pedicabs, yeah the horse is out of the barn so lets lock the door.

You can read the original story in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/nyregion/11pedicab.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

No, they where not kidding!!

A few months ago I wrote about the plans of the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County to start a water taxi, in and around downtown Tampa.

Then it looked like just another build it and they will come plain, as it still does, such as the railroad station that the city spent 5+ mil on a few years ago that still has but 1 train per day, the city will remind you that most of the money is from the fed's, but it is still our tax money at work, or not.

Another bright idea was to take down the art museum and build a new and bigger building, not to worry about the fact that the old one could not support itself, just pour more money into the hole.

How about the trolley, has it paid for itself yet? Maybe they just need to make it bigger, why not what else would they do with our money...I don't know, maybe make the buses as well as the government work for the people of the county, and stop waisting more money on build it and they will come pipe dreams in downtown.

2 story's that sum up the way things are for cabby's right now

Between the way the economy is right now and the fact the price of gas is creeping up and ridership is down and today I read 2 story's that make me wonder how much more can cabby's take.

The first story, is from Fiji, where you would think the biggest problem would be to pick which beach to go to.

I wrote about a story a month ago from Australia about a cab driver, who ran over a fare beater, it seems to have happend again in Fiji.

This driver as well as the driver in Australia where both arrested, so please don't try this at home as they say, you go from being the victim to being the bad guy in a heart beat.

The second story is from North Kent, England, a cab driver was beat and robbed and it took the cop's 30 minutes to arrive, despite 4 calls to 999 (there 911 I guess) and a take out joint hitting there alarm which has a direct line to the cop's.

What makes this even more amazing is the police station is 1 half mile away, the injured driver feels the closed circuit cameras that have been installed in the cab's there have made the cop's feel that is a substitute for quick response time.

The good news is the 2 assailants have been caught and are awaiting trial, where we can only hope they get something other then probation, be careful out there.

So you want to drive a taxi

If you want to drive a taxi there is no need to sign up with a company and give them an outrageous amount each week, or get a permit from the local city or county government, just get a sign and a meter and go pick up people.

This is part of the reason there have been taxi strikes in Ireland and other places
too many legal cab's and more illegal ones daily.

For 850 euros you can buy a meter and a sign that looks like the real deal, what a deal, that's less then 2 weeks lease at most cab company's.

Here is a link to read the story from the Times of London.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6445980.ece

What's next??

Among the dozens of stories about cab drivers getting robed, beaten and yes killed around the world in the Google news alerts I receive every day for cabby, cabdriver and every variant I can think of, today comes a story about robot cab drivers.

Yeah along with the the price of gas going up, the economy still heading in the wrong direction and more cabs on the street then needed with the number always on the rise, we now have to worry about being replaced by a robot, above is what it could look like.

My only question for the world in general is...who will you have to tell your troubles to then?

Cabby's never get a break

I found the following on the interest this fine day in Tampa, there a few articles about shootings, robbery and all of the regualar stuff. One driver claimed to give back $10,000 some drunk left in the back seat. The way the econamy is I tend to take that with a grain of salt. Possible yeah I guess.
Anyway this comes from New York, why readers doesn't that surprise me.

Gov. George E. Pataki has vetoed a bill that would have given a Long Island cabdriver the chance to become the first Lotto winner in the state to be awarded a prize without a ticket.

The cabdriver, Howard Reid, of Hempstead, said he tossed a winning lottery ticket in the trash before realizing it was worth millions of dollars. The bill vetoed Friday by Mr. Pataki would have given Mr. Reid a hearing before the State Lottery Division.

Mr. Pataki did leave the door open for Mr. Reid to collect eventually, instructing state lottery officials to develop an administrative review process ''through which clear-cut injustices can be addressed.''

''I remain sympathetic to the plight of individuals who can demonstrate convincingly that they purchased but misplaced winning tickets for substantial prizes,'' Mr. Pataki wrote in his veto message.

The bill would have applied only to the May 31, 1997, lottery drawing. Mr. Reid claims he held one of four winning tickets for that $70 million drawing. He said he had picked a lump-sum prize of $7.4 million.

Under current law in New York, a person must have a valid lottery ticket to collect. Other states, including Connecticut, have procedures for those who misplace tickets.

Mr. Reid's lawyer, Jerrold Parker, said his client was disappointed but remained hopeful.

A version of this article appeared in print on Sunday, August 9, 1998, on section 1 page 30 of the New York edition.More Articles in N.Y. / Region >

Intesting huh, I know if I had a ticket and I play every week, there is no chance that I would lose it, as I wouldn't have in my hot hand very long, just long enough for the Lottery to verify it.

Humor time

We all need a little humor to help us in this world like it is today.

This is about a little green snake.

Garden Grass Snakes also known as Garter Snakes (Thamnophissirtalis) can be dangerous. Yes, grass snakes, not rattlesnakes. Here's why.

A couple in Sweetwater , Texas , had a lot of potted plants. During a recent cold spell, the wife was bringing a lot of them indoors to protect them from a possible freeze.

It turned out that a little green garden grass snake was hidden in one of the plants. When it had warmed up, it slithered out and the wife saw it go under the sofa.

She let out a very loud scream.

The husband (who was taking a shower) ran out into the living room naked to see what the problem was. She told him there was a snake under the sofa.

He got down on the floor on his hands and knees to look for it.. About that time the family dog came and cold-nosed him on the behind. He
thought the snake had bitten him, so he screamed and fell over on the floor.

His wife thought he had had a heart attack, so she covered him up, told him to lie still and called an ambulance.

The attendants rushed in, would not listen to his protests, loaded him on the stretcher, and started carrying him out.

About that time, the snake came out from under the sofa and the Emergency Medical Technician saw it and dropped his end of the stretcher. That's when the man broke his leg and why he is still in the hospital.

The wife still had the problem of the snake in the house, so she called on a neighbor who volunteered to capture the snake. He armed himself with a rolled-up newspaper and began poking under the couch. Soon he decided it was gone and told the woman, who sat down on the sofa in relief.

But while relaxing, her hand dangled in between the cushions, where she felt the snake wriggling around. She screamed and fainted, the snake rushed back under the sofa.

The neighbor man, seeing her lying there passed out, tried to use CPR to revive her.

The neighbor's wife, who had just returned from shopping at the grocery store, saw her husband's mouth on the woman's mouth and slammed her husband in the back of the head with a bag of canned goods, knocking him out and cutting his scalp to a point where it needed stitches.


The noise woke the woman from her dead faint and she saw her neighbor lying on the floor with his wife bending over him, so she assumed that the snake had bitten him. She went to the kitchen and got a small bottle of whiskey, and began pouring it down the man's throat.

By now, the police had arrived. Breath here......

They saw the unconscious man, smelled the whiskey, and assumed that a drunken fight had occurred. They were about to arrest them all, when the women tried to explain how it all happened over a little green snake.

The police called an ambulance, which took away the neighbor and his sobbing wife.

Now, the little snake again crawled out from under the sofa and one of the policemen drew his gun and fired at it. He missed the snake and hit the leg of the end table. The table fell over, the lamp on it shattered and, as the bulb broke, it started a fire in the drapes.

The other policeman tried to beat out the flames, and fell through the window into the yard on top of the family dog who, startled, jumped out and raced into the street, where an oncoming car swerved to avoid it and smashed into the parked police car.

Meanwhile, neighbors saw the burning drapes and called in the fire department. The firemen had started raising the fire ladder when they were halfway down the street. The rising ladder tore out the overhead wires,=2
0put out the power, and disconnected the telephones in a ten-square city block area (but they did get the house fire out).

Time passed! Both men were discharged from the hospital, the house was repaired, the dog came home, the police acquired a new car and all was right with their world.

A while later they were watching TV and the weatherman announced a cold snap for that night. The wife asked her husband if he thought they should bring in their plants for the night.

And that's when he shot her.

Is this the real NY Yankees, and if not where have they gone?

Not since the wild boys of the 50's has there been a Yankee team like this, and all Mantle, Martin and Co did was drink themselves to death.

Antics like post game on field shaving cream pies to the face are not in the DNA of the corporate look NY Yanks that I know.

So who are these guys who went all nut-so behind the mound yesterday after coming back from a 4-0 deficit with the Phillies, did we win the division, pennant or the World Series yet?

Like the song says where have you gone Joe DiMaggio and Ill add Derek Jeter, the 2009 version of the NY Yankees are like nothing I have seen in nearly 40 as a Yankee fan, where is captain courageous these days?

Some would say they that playing loose is a good thing and I agree, but between all the young players from the farm system and other new arrivals from trades and free agents there is a drop in average age and that could be a good thing, but only time will tell.

I can only hope they save one more bit of craziness in the middle of the diamond for late October, to quote another song "it don't mean a thing if you don't get that ring" and we ain't talking about AL championship rings here.

Just someone to talk to

I got this from the internet, I think the "punt" is sort of like the Indian Reservation.

On Saturday afternoon at the racecourse a middle-aged punter opened the door. “I’m too pissed to drive home” he told me, “and just want somewhere to stay overnight.” I told him to get in.


"Any luck on the punt?” I asked. After taking a deep breath he said, “I just dropped ten grand...but it’s only money, isn’t it?”


Then he proceeded to tell me his life story and given he’d chosen a classy hotel some distance away, I was a captive audience. But I didn’t mind as he was relatively upbeat and intelligent, without being boorish like some drunks.


“Basically, I’m a drunk,” he stated. “Because of the drink I’ve lost my wife and my family.” He explained that the problem began whilst chaperoning his teenage son around the country playing cricket.


Though the kid had been successful and reached State representation, my passenger turned to alcohol to help while away endless four day matches in cities and towns with only strangers for company.


“Then I started drinking back at home and after a few years it got so bad my wife decided she’d had enough. Now I’ve got no family, no friends, nothing. Nothing except work, drinking and gambling.“


It was apparent that he especially regretted losing his son and agreed that this really hurt. Yet he seemed surprised when I suggested he was headed for a lonely death, like he’d never considered that possibility and he fell silent as we reached the hotel.


We chatted for a further five minutes and with another passenger waiting I decided to force the issue with some brutal honesty. “Well, mate," I blithely stated with a smirk, "if you’re going to drink yourself to death, you might as well save time and end it now !”

Immediately I regretted the comment and had visions of him plummeting from the top floor of his hotel. Fortunately, however, he chuckled at the black humour and conceded, “Yeah, I know, it's bloody ridiculous, I have do something. Got any suggestions?”


“It’s probably too painful for your family or friends to do the heavy lifting,” I said. “But if you want to regain their respect, start with a professional.” Grabbing a pen and taxi card I jotted down, ‘Gambling, Drug and Alcohol Clinic’. “Ring your local Health Service,” I told him, “They have free counselling on Medicare.”


He was so thankful for the advice he shook my hand three times in gratitude...then waited for his $3.50 change. It was my turn to chuckle.


Now the ending has happend to me on numerous occations. I hope the author of Tampa Shots has found the free virus protection.

Love Bugs/Dodgers etc

In reference to Tim's of "Tampa Taxt shots" post about the love bugs, I have heard from a good friend who used to live in Philly, she tells me never heard of them till she moved here. Also a high school buddy living in Michigan that there either. Guess just here.
After last nights win the Dodgers are sporting the best win-loss record in baseball even with the lost of Manny for 40 more games give or take a few. I believe July 3 is the day he is coming back. Even without his bat they are scoring runs. The Rays came from 7 runs down to beat the Indians 8-7 with a homerun from B.J. Upton.
A few days ago I went to Sweet Bay and it was really hot. As I was coming out of the store with my oxygen tank in tow, a fly by night cab was sitting in the fire lane ( I used to use it too )but there was a old and I mean old lady putting her packages in the trunk of the cab, while this cabbie, not from the good ole USA was on his cell phone ssistting in the A/C car. A few years ago I would have told the bum what I thought of him. But I am afraid that I have seen United and Yellow drivers do the same thing. I bet 21 stand drivers would even like the cat lady now. Oh one more thing, the Yankees won with three runs in the bottom of the ninth. Well everyday can't be perfect.

This bar will take you home.

It seems that customers are still packing the bar, "MacDinton's, and they are teaming up with a taxi service called Zingo. They have this little fold up scooter that will fit in the trunk of the customers car. Thsis of course if they have had to much to drink. With the recessin looming and money getting tighter, the co-owner of the bar Barry O'Conner, has come up with this idea. This company Zingo will supply a driver, this driver will drive the drunk home, He puts his little scooter in the truck and when he gets the customer home, he gets the scooter out and drives back to the bar.

Zingo members pay $10.00 for a pick-up and $3.00 a mile. United Cab has or had, they did when I was driving a program called Cab Alert. We would go get the the customer and take him or her home. I got my information about this new company, Zingo from the newspaper, TBT. My only question is who foots the bill if this designated driver has a accident. Are their insurance as good as United Cab, even if United's insurance won't let me drive, they are good. Even if the before mentioned partier is saving a few dollars to get home. Will it be worth it if, God forbid, something happens. I, as a former drinker, vote for calling a cab.

A question about Tampa

I find it a bit unusual that I get close to 100 story's a day from Goggle News Alerts, using key words like cab driver, cabby and etc, about cab drivers getting beat up, shot and killed all around the world, but never in Tampa.

Is Tampa without crime against cab drivers or is it just covered up and by who, the last story I read about cab drivers was the jack ass from the EPA that stole a cab, on the strip just before the Super Bowl.

Edmonton is a much smaller city then Tampa and I would think they have less crime in all categories then Tampa.

If the last paragraph is true why is Tampa not putting up dividers as Edmonton is.

This has to make you wonder, do the powers that be in Tampa care more about the image they sell to visitors or the safety of cab drivers.

Do I really have to say it...you tell me.

To my good friend Tim, and new contributor Matt

Thank You Tim for taking the time from your busy day to comment on our blog, and as I always say any comment is a good comment.

First of all one can not be too careful and this strain of flu seems to be everywhere, and some schools in Tampa have been closed according to Larry.

As I said one can't be too careful, like getting cash up front before taking a long run like somewhere like...Sarasota, nuf said eah.

Yeah the Yanks are taking there lumps right now, but like I have been told before, a baseball season is not a sprint but a marathon, so we will have to wait till September.

Matt first I have to thank you for your 2 comments unfortunately I lost one of them.

The cab business can be tough just about all the time for a new driver, and with this down economy this is not the time, there will be days you will have a hard time making your lease, before you make a dime for yourself.

I don't know how bad things are for you right now or how bad Atlanta is for "regular jobs", or how the cab business is there, I would talk to as many cab drivers who work for the company that you are talking to, and see what they have to say.

One more thing to thing to think about, unless you are willing to work between 15 and 18 hours per day and do that for 6 or 7 days its going to be tough.

On your other topic what can a driver do about when someone runs off without paying, in Tampa you have the right to ask anyone who gets in for cash upfront, and I did this on all long runs, after getting burnt once or twice.

As for running after them you better hope they don't have a knife or worse, its just not worth a buck or two, just chalk it up to experience and go get another call.

Matt if you have any questions write me at gentom727@yahoo.com.

Swine flu is becoming a world wide problem

Two cab drivers are quarantined in a Hong Kong Hospital because they drove a Mexican Man who in inflicted with the swine flu, also
quarantined are the hotel he stayed in and one he visited.

In the movie the Godfather when things got tough they went to the mattress's with the swine flu getting tough its time to go to
surgical mask's and rubber gloves, be careful out there.

Cab driver strikes back

I like the South Australia Taxi Council don't condone the driver running down the teenage boy who ran out without paying the fare, but fare beats are becoming an epidemic in this down economy.

It is very sad that the young man lost his leg but I can somewhat understand the drivers frustration.

Story is from ABC News.

The Taxi Council of South Australia says it does not condone the actions of a taxi driver who allegedly ran over a passenger who tried to run off without paying.

The teenage boy was hit early on Sunday at Woodville Gardens and has had a leg amputated because of the incident, which happened in First Avenue.

Police are still seeking the driver involved.

Wally Sievers from the Taxi Council says fare evasion is a big problem for the industry.

"There's a lot of it that goes unreported but it would be a significant number, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, but we do not condone in any way the alleged incident where a driver took the action that he did," he said.

Mr Sievers says the taxi industry will provide any help police need in their investigation.

Updates on two posts from this past week

The first update is from last Sunday, on the story of the 50 cents surcharge on all cab rides in NYC.

It seems much of that money will be going out of the city so Mayor Blumberg is now fighting the plan.

The second update is on my last post, about the woman who robed the bank in Sun City Center, then was dropped at the near by Wal-Mart, as of yesterday morning she is still out and about.

I can only wonder if the Hillsborough County Sheriff's, bothered to check the video tape for "getaway car". Why else would she go to Wal-Mart, I don't think she hung around there for too long, would you have?

Woman rob's bank in Sun City Center and escapes via a taxi

Here's a something you don't read about every day, a woman robs bank in Sun City Center and escapes via a taxi.

From Tampabay.com

SUN CITY CENTER - Deputies continue to search for a woman they say robbed a Superior Bank and fled a taxi Wednesday.

The woman arrived in a cab, walked into the bank at 4842 Sun City Center Blvd., and handed the teller a note demanding money, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office.

After getting some cash, she left the bank and got back into the waiting taxi, directing it to the Wal-Mart at 4928 State Road 674.

She's described as a lighter-skinned black or Hispanic female, about 5 feet 4, 150 to 160 pounds with straight black hair - most likely a wig - and wearing a black dress with a white design.

Anyone with information about this robbery can call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-873-8477.

Ole Miss coach makes plea deal

You may remember a post a while back about the head basketball coach at Old Miss, while in Cincinnati for a game he was arrested for punching and throwing verbal insults at a cab driver.

On Monday he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, and was given 40 hours of community service and (big surprise) probation.

How is Old Miss punishing there coach...there not giving him a contract extension, oh wow how harsh would have they have been if he went to jail for 6 months which the original charge carried.

Now the AD who swore Kennedy would be cleared once all the facts where known, all he has to say now is he thinks this will not hurt recruiting, what a laugh.

Watch after next season he will get his extension like nothing happend, and the joke is he still has 3 years on his contract.

So what does all this prove? Its fair season on cab drivers, and that is the truth!

RE: 60 years of knowledge

First of all great post Larry.

I too used to listen to ol Vin, only it was back in the 50's in Brooklyn and he has only gotten better.

My Yanks are as responsible as any for the crowd in the booth, in there home opener Thursday at times there where 4 in the booth, I have to wonder if one of the reasons for the new stadium was they needed a bigger booth.

The only person close to Vin's league is Bob Costas, too bad he is into too many other sports, he should stick to Baseball

DL's and time off

This post is going to be short. I am a Rays and Dodger fan. Look at all of the players the last few years go on the DL for a muscle pull cramps or some other "ailment" or perhaps just taking some time off for some kind of problem. My question is this, do you suppose that players like Cal Ripkin,Jr. ever had some problems at home, maybe one of his kids was having problems in school. Was he ever hurt. Did he ever have a sore shoulder maybe knocking a catcher over to score a run or get hit by said catcher. But will he play the next game, youbetcha. I am afraid that his kind of breed is no longer playing the game that we love.

60 years of knowledge

I found this in the new web site called "Circling the bases" It is about Vin Sully, announcer for the Dodgers for 60 years. When I grew up in Burbank, California I can remember hearing him on the radio. I think I could pick his voice out of all of the announcers of Major League Baseball.

Vin Scully threw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium yesterday. In a world where broadcast legends are dying, pretenders to the crown don't mind embarrassing themselves, and sideshows seem to be the order of the day, it's nice to have something solid like Scully to latch onto.

As Aaron noted in the Link-O-Rama yesterday, Scully is incapable of being anything other than note-perfect. He works alone while every other organization crams an increasing number of announcers into the booth. He'll go silent for long stretches while others yammer in the mistaken belief that the unadorned sounds of the ballpark constitute dead air. When he does speak he uses the number of words necessary to communicate the thought rather than talk a concept up, down, in, out and around, with the heart of that practice being the assumption that his listeners are not idiots. How novel.

The kicker to all of this is that none of the things Vin Scully does are done by virtue of some supernatural talent. Indeed, he'd probably be the first to tell you that his abilities were learned and honed with experience as opposed to being God-given. Sure, not everyone could do it, but there are certainly would-be announcers out there who, if allowed to work alone and encouraged to keep things simple, could develop into a poor-mans' Vin Scully if given the time to do so. Why no team has even experimented with such a setup in recent decades is an utter mystery to me.

Pick a team any team

Oh my buddy Larry, he can't make up his mind which team he is talking about.

First it was the Dodgers who should have changed its name to the oil dollars, after all that is the reason they left Brooklyn.

Now its the Devil Rays oh aaa Rays, another team who can't make up there mind what they want to be called.

The Devil Rays oh aaa Rays who like the Yanks are 3-3, and for your information Kansas City is still playing major league as a mater of fact they made a run for the division last year before injuries caused them to fall out of the race.

As for the Dodgers, they are 4-3 and that sounds good untill you find they have only played teams in the NL West, the division that only had 1 team above .500, and 2 weeks before the end they where below 500, a great team in a great division.

My good buddy you are the only person that is not interested in the history of sports, yes you always say what have you done for me lately, but ESPN has a channel caled ESPN Classic, the new MLB network runs replays of world series past, the 2 weeks before the super bowl the NFL Network shows all the past super bowl.

As for Todd Jones, if "you" post it its like "you" said it.

So Larry decide which team you want to talk about and lets get it on!!!

Baseball 2009

It seems my co-host wrote this post a little early today. His hero Joba lost. Now the great Yankee's are only 3-3. They got beat by the KC Royals. I didn't know that the Royals were still in the major leagues. The Rays bombed Baltimore 11-3. The same Baltimore that took two out of three from those Yankees. I agree the CC is a great pitcher, too bad he only can pitch every five days. Oh folks did I mention that the Dodgers won today and have a 4-3 record. Let's face the fact that it is early in the season. But I can understand in into consideration the season that the Yankee's had last season, it is nice whenever they do something right. Please Yankee fans don't tell me about all of the stuff they have done in the past. Who said yeah but what have you done for me lately. By the way I got the information on the Dodegers winning the World Series from Todd Jones a former relief pitcher of the Tigers, who has been writing for the Sporting News for a few years. GO ANYBODY BUT THE YANKEES

WS Dodgers

My co host thinks the Dodgers will win the World Series, that makes me laugh.

Larry yeah they have a good chance to win the division, but that is only because it is the weakest division in the history of sports.

If they where in the AL East last year with there great record of 84-78 and just 4 games above .500 they would have finished a distant 5th.

There is very little chance of the Dodgers making the WS let alone winning it.

Since you brought it up, CC won yesterday going 7 and 2/3 giving up 6 hits, no runs and struck out 6. Lets go Yanks

Baseball 2009

Well boys and girls, another season of America's pasttime. Lowe of the Braves is about the only pitcher that did well in their. I am referring to the big money guys. CC went down the tubes. Webb and Cy Young winner Lee got beat up Newly retired Todd Jones, formly a relief pitcher from the Tigers had these remarks. Manny Ramirez will run for governor of California after batting clean-up for the 2009 World Series Dodgers. In closing Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez will have 19 saves at some point this season. Now my co-host will love this Derek Jeter will be a sleeper this season because there will be a leaguewide small ball played this year. It will take 39 games for Bobby Cox of the Braves to get ejected.

Why put it on the backs of cab drivers

Things are tough all over, and NYC is no different.

It is a long standing practice for all drivers not just cabby's to foot the bill for people who ride the subway and bus, with high tolls (now $5. one way on tunnels and a few bridges), ridiculous gas tax's and high car registrations.

With the economy being what it is, the city needs to raise cash to pay for the bus and subway, but does not want to increase the fare's too much and after some State Senator's blocked the plain to charge tolls on bridge's that have never had tolls, some idiot came up with the idea of adding 50 cents to all cab ride, guess where that will really come from, yep cabby's tips.

So besides paying for very high gas tax and all the other garbage cabby's have to put up with, they will now help to keep the price of a bus or subway ride low (which was $2. the last time I was on one in 2002).

Its cash up front in Eau Claire Wisconsin

In sort of a follow up to yesterday's story, all customers in Eau Claire WI will have to pay cash up during the hours of 10 PM to 6AM.

This no doubt is a sign of the times, and shows how bad the economy is, if they are having a problem with fare beats in a town the size of Eau Claire, what is going on in large city's.

The story comes from WQOW of Eau Claire Wisconsin.


Eau Claire (WQOW) -- Taxi cab drivers are no longer idling when it comes to unpaid fares. Soon, taxi customers will have to pay-up before going anywhere in Eau Claire.

Police say there has been an increase in people skipping out on fares lately.

They hope a pre-pay system will to save them time and the cab drivers money. It will be in effect city-wide from 10pm to 6am starting Thursday.


Sgt. Scott Barton with the Eau Claire Police Department says, "What it does is it eliminates calls for service at a peak hour for the PD and a peak hour for the cabs."

Elisa Stelzer, from A-1 Taxi says, "They'll have to tell the driver where they're going and then the drive will be able to tell them what the fee would be to get them where they want to go."


There will also be a designated taxi stand at the corner of Water Street and Fourth Street. Anyone who parks there between the hours of 10pm and 3am will be ticketed.

Another long ride with no ca$h up front

A few months ago I wrote about 3 cab drivers that took a guy from the train station in Detroit to Washington, DC and when they got there he had no money, well this is got that beat.

A driver picked up a man in Tokyo who wanted to go to Fukuoka 1,100 km or just under 550 miles away, but wait it gets better.

The next day when the meter got to 359,230 yen (about $3625.00) the driver stopped for gas and at this point he got suspicious and called the cops, it took him this long to get suspicious?

When the cops caught up to them they found out the fare had only 500 yen (about $5) which the driver gave him to buy snacks (are you laughing yet).

Enjoy the story its from Japan Today.com


TOKYO —

A man who took a taxi from Tokyo to Fukuoka was arrested Monday for failure to pay the fare which totaled 359,230 yen, police said Tuesday.

According to police, the suspect, identified as Takeshi Utsunomiya, 49, got into the taxi near Shinagawa station in Tokyo and asked the driver to take him to his hometown, Kagoshima, on Saturday March 28. The driver told police he was dubious, but decided to set off on the 1,100-km drive to Kagoshima anyway.

On the following day, when the taxi stopped at a gas station, the driver got suspicious and called the police to report the incident. Police caught up with the taxi driver and his passenger at Dazaifu in Fukuoka Prefecture, and took Utsunomiya in for questioning.

At the time of his arrest, Utsunomiya, who is unemployed, had a bag, two broken cell phones and roughly 500 yen in his possession. The driver told police the 500 yen in loose change was his because he had loaned Utsunomiya some money to buy snacks along the way.

While on the road, Utsunomiya borrowed the driver’s cell phone and asked his relatives to pay the fare. Although all of his relatives said no, he pretended that he could manage to borrow the money from one of his relatives once they got to Kagoshima, police said.

PGA TOUR

It would have been better if the media told the whole story. Yes Woods had a good round. But Sean just had a bad round. It the that the King!!! did that well. Why does the media think this guy can walk on water.

The above is as letter I sent to PTI ib ESPN. I am wonder if they or any of you out their would care to comment on the Arn old Palmer turny.
I remember when he first became a pro. Made 30 million before he picked up a driver for the first shot. Just my opion folks. Be careful there.

A prince among men

I have been told it takes all kinds to make the world go around, but try not to laugh or cry too hard when reading about this jerk, this guy takes the cake!

This story is from the Salem News.

SALEM — They say there's no such thing as a free lunch or a free ride, but a Salem man managed to find both — at least for a while — police say.

Louis Siriani III, 39, of 201 Lafayette St. was arraigned yesterday on larceny charges stemming from an incident that started late Monday night, when he called to order a pizza from Mandee's on Essex Street.

The shop was about to close when Siriani told the delivery driver that he had forgotten his cash and needed a ride to get some, prosecutor Caleb Weiner said.

The driver agreed to give Siriani a ride to his "grandmother's" house. When they pulled up, Siriani suddenly asked if he happened to have change for the $100 bill his grandmother would be giving him. The driver pulled out a total of $90 and Siriani grabbed it and the pizza, telling the driver he'd be right back.

When Siriani didn't come back, the driver and his manager called police.

Turns out, the police were familiar with Siriani, Salem Detective William Jennings said yesterday.

He'd been pulling a similar scam on cab drivers for months and was also a suspect in a similar theft from a Chinese restaurant, Jennings said.

In May 2007, police got a call from a Boston cabbie who had been stiffed out of a $50 fare. Siriani was not charged after he agreed to make restitution.

A few months later, he did the same thing to a Salem cab driver who said Siriani asked to be driven to his "grandmother's house" on Highland Avenue to get cash for the fare, then disappeared inside. A charge of evading a fare was dismissed after he agreed to pay $50 restitution.

In December 2008, another Boston cab driver was stiffed twice by Siriani, who first couldn't pay his fare and exchanged cell phone numbers with the driver, then called him back and said he could get the money if the cabbie would take him to his grandmother's on Highland Avenue. Once there, he disappeared inside.

And in January, a Salem cab driver learned a hard lesson when he picked up Siriani for a ride to Revere and was asked to stop on the way at his grandmother's to get money. This time, he asked if the cabbie could break a $100 bill he was going to get.

Jennings said he's concerned that there may be other victims out there who are too embarrassed to come forward.

When police went to his apartment yesterday morning to arrest him, Siriani called 911, wanting to make sure the men pounding on the door were really police officers.

As for his grandma? Well, police spoke to the current resident of the Highland Avenue apartment, and there's no generous elderly woman doling out $100 bills there — just a new tenant who thinks Siriani must still have a key to the building.

Siriani's lawyer, Heidi Shore, called it a case of mistaken identity.

Salem District Court Judge Richard Mori set Siriani's bail at $1,000 cash but also revoked his bail in the January case — meaning Siriani will be getting a few more free meals and free rides courtesy of the Sheriff's Department.

He's due back in court on April 23.