Paradise Driver: December 2006

Sunday, December 31, 2006

AND THUS ENDS

ANOTHER WEEK, MONTH, YEAR

Did some finanglin' and have enough to cover my obligations on the !st. So that means that for the first time since I moved to Mau'i, 13 years ago - next month, I will not be working on New Year's Eve. I am also off New Year's Day.

I can't express how happy I am. No amateur drunks, no pukers, no drunk "jay-walkers" (dressed all in black), no screaming passengers who crank the stereo up to maximum volume,. no dodging "Roman Candles" and "Bottle Rockets" fired at "ONE-NINE".

I am going to have a couple of drinks at Judy's, watch our time adjusted view of the ball dropping in New York and listen to the hours of fireworks that are an annual tradition in Hawai'i. I have been in active free-fire combat zones that were quieter than Mau'i on New Year's Eve.

Of course, I live at the end of the world's day. It is already 2007 in Kiwi and Oz and other points in the far east.

If anyone should happen to drop by here today, you can go here to watch the show, activities and "ball drop" in NYC live on the internet. I think the webcast begins around 9:00pm New York time (UTC -5). Check it out.

AND FINALLY...

I wish each and everyone of you
that 2006 be the worst year of you life.

THE PICTURE GALLERY

O'AHU

Territorial Office Building

Tomb Of King William Lunalilo

U.S.S. Arizona And U.S.S. Missouri

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
As Seen From Bridge Of USS Missouri

U.S.S. Missouri, BB-63

U.S.S. Missouri, BB-63
16-inch Guns

U.S.S. Missouri, BB-63
Insturment Of Japanese Surrender

U.S.S. Missouri, BB-63
"Mighty Mo"

U.S.S. Missouri, BB-63
Plaque Commemorating Japanese Surrender

USS Arizona Memorial
Honor Roll
Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor

Wai'anae Mountains
Central Oahu

Waikiki
As Seen From The Top Of Diamond Head

Waikiki Beach And Diamond Head

Waikiki
Looking Towards Diamond Head

Waikiki Rainbow

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Saturday, December 30, 2006

FINALLY!

SOMETHING RESEMBLING "NORMAL"

I have had a pretty decent week, so far. While the mileage has varied quite a bit, the meter has been consistently in the mid-$200's This is about 20% below what I normally got for a night on prior Holiday periods (adjusted as necessary for the rate change on January 6th, this year).

Looks like I'll meet my obligations this month by working New Years Eve. I am so close to meeting my goal, just not close enough. Feces occurs [sigh].

The only lull period last night was between 11:00pm and Midnight. Before and after that break we were "Rockin' 'n' Rollin' ".At some points the wait for a cab did pass 30 minutes, but that was not too frequent nor long most of the shift. While we often had no available cabs, the call frequency was varying enough that we had one "clearing" when the next call came in. That makes it easier for me to dispatch. Waaay easier.

The tourists finally started going out for dinner and bar hopping last night. It was the first night this season that the volume of tourist business exceeded the "local" runs. $10 to $15 fares typically hand you a Twenty and "keep the change". For the $5 to $7 fares it was a Ten with the same instructions. Of course there were exceptions. $13 on a $12.80 and $20 on a $6.50. Hate the former. Love the later.

Not one unusual nor obnoxious passenger the entire shift. Now thats rare!
Even the callers were pretty much intelligent. Only had to [click] one call.

A profitable but boring night.

THE PICTURE GALLERY

O'AHU

Skylight Of The Territorial Office Building

Iolani Palace Grounds

Playing Chess On Waikiki Beach

S.S. Independence

~No Longer In Service~

S.S. Independence
As Seen From Aloha Tower

Southeast O'ahu
Halona Blowhole

Southeast O'ahu
Halona Cove

Southeast O'ahu
Hanauma Bay Entrance

Southeast O'ahu
Hanauma Bay
State Underwater Park

Southeast O'ahu
Makapu'u Point

Southeast O'ahu
Waimanalo Beach Park

Statue Of A Hula Dancer
At The Base Of Aloha Tower

Submarine U.S.S. Bowfin

Surfboards For Rent
On Waikiki Beach

Surfers At Waikiki

Surfers On The Beach

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Friday, December 29, 2006

HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST

ME TO GET THERE?

Picked up two young ladies a bit after 4:00am in central Kihei.

"Where are we headed to ladies?"
"Take us to Fred's."
"Okay, Fred's it is."
"Actually we aren't going to Fred's, our condo is just past there."
"What's the name of your condo?"
"We can't remember but its just past Fred's. We'll recognize it when we see it."
"Not a problem. Just tell me when to turn."
"How much is it going to cost me to get there?
"Gee. Since I have no idea where we are headed, its kinda hard to give you an estimate."
"Thats okay. Just give me a rough guess. I hope I have enough to pay you."
"Lady, the meter trips at $3.50 and then its 30 cents per 1/10th of a mile after that."
"Good. I have enough."

Their destination was about a mile south of "Fred's". Gave me $16 on a $10.10.

They spoke very softly with each other as we rode and one said something about both of them having been good. At least one of them had been very good. The car reeked of sex.

*** *** ***

THINGS TO CONSIDER

When approached by three locals, while walking through an isolated parking lot, who ask you for a cigarette, DO NOT stick your hand into your pocket to fetch your pack. Doing so leaves you with one less arm to defend yourself with as you get "sucker punched" and then kicked and beaten and stomped. You will also get a ride to the Emergency Room at MMMC.
When you meet that great new friend or special someone at the "Triangle", DO NOT accept their offer for a walk, in the dark, along the water in Kalama Park. Unless you really enjoy being gang raped. Gender isn't a factor in this issue.
When patronizing our most popular "locals" bar, please remember that smiling at, speaking to, dancing with, or flirting with any "local" girl will probably result in having your "privates" handed to you by six huge "local" males when you retire to the restroom.
That great guy who is going to sell you some "smoke" would really rather just take your money and run. Anything he gives you will have a THC content of zero. If you should decide to go back to "his place" to "do a couple of bowls", please make sure that you have the name and phone number of your next-of-kin tattooed somewhere on your body. It makes the Medical Examiner's job so much easier.

I hope these handy little hints will make your visit to Mau'i a bit more enjoyable.

*** *** ***

I have no idea what their names are nor where they are from. I had these two pretty girls in the cab recently and they kept taking my picture (well, I DID look like Santa) so I took theirs.

THE PICTURE GALLERY

HONOLULU ZOO

Marker Showing Mileage to Other World Zoos