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Friday, May 18, 2007

DO EMPLOYEE'S OF LIPTON TEA CO.

TAKE COFFEE BREAKS?

Just one of those inconsequential items to ponder.

***
My shift started right out of the gate. As I was loading my crap into ONE-NINE, my cell rang. It was dispatch wanting to know how long before I was going to check in. They had a pupu "ready to go" and I was "it". Made the pick-up at 7:04p. Then I sat for about 40 minutes, until I worked my way to the top of the queue. At 7:52p, the shift really started cooking, for everybody. Long runs, short runs but I don't recall anyone ever leaving the southside.

At 10p we had a scheduled 5 cab reservation from way out in Makena. Just spitting distance from where the roadway ends at La Perouse Bay. 26 people, a wedding party, going from there to Mulligans-on-the-Blue.

The bridal couple were being transported in a beautiful white "stretch" Lincoln Town Car limo. We were taking the rest.

A couple of hours later, we moved those people from Mulligans to their various condos. Most of these folks were from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which they described to me as a "ritzy" area near "Philly".

There are a couple of properties, out in that isolated area of Makena, that can be rented for parties and receptions. They sit right on the water. If you think "Robin's Nest" from the old TV show, Magnum, PI, you'll have a good idea of what is being offered.

Just at bar close, the area next to LAB was closed by MPD and paramedics. I thought there had been a traffic incident (auto vs pedestrian) but later learned it was just some kind of fight. One of the guys had been Tazered a couple of times. He was arrested and near 3a I picked him and his girlfriend up, taking them home to the far north end of Kihei. Apparently, when he got that 50,000 volt (0 amps) "tingle", he had fallen and hit his head. During the ride he kept saying that the cops had stomped and kicked him while he was down and had pepper sprayed him. A caucasian guy that I have seen many times around the "Triangle", usually "plastered". I did learn one thing about Tazers. They sober you up very fast and leave you sore and aching everywhere.

I easily broke $200 on the meter and most of my tips were outstanding. Covered 15 trips for my shift.

Finally walked in my front door at 6:00a, exhausted. That is why this post is later than normal, along with the connectivity issues I was having this morning accessing the web.

Feces occurs.

***
It may just be my old "cop" attitude and suspicious nature (lets face it, it never goes away) but I am strongly concerned about one of our drivers. One of the drivers will get dispatched to a location and before they can arrive, this other driver announces a "flag" from the same pick up location, going to the same destination as the original dispatch. Trust me, it not nice to "scoop" your co-workers. Bad things can happen. This driver has done this to me twice in the past week and at least three other times, to other drivers in the last 3 weeks, that I am personally aware of. "Grapevine" rumors indicate that this is a consistent habit. TMR and I have also seen the driver, with people in the cab, leaving the "Triangle" but failing to announce a pick-up or drop-off. Thus maintaining queue postion and probably not recording the fare on the "Driver's Log Sheet". This is called "poaching" and is theft from the other drivers and most likely from the company, also.

Eventually, this individual will be caught red-handed. Why do crooks think they can get away with this BS? They are opportunistic and lucky for a bit but their greed and stupidity always does them in.

I have a lifetime's worth of experience dealing with these asses.

***
Have a fantastic day, wherever you may be, and stop back by tomorow, if you get the opportunity.

Mahalo

Aloha



THE PICTURE GALLERY

Dick Fiske, USMC
USS West Virginia

Hana Coast
Ka'anapali Beach
Mountains On Kaua'i
***




"Let's all be careful out there!"

Thursday, May 17, 2007

WHAT A WAY

TO SPEND YOUR DAY

image courtesy:
Maui Action Photos


Whenever I open one of Van's (Maui Action Photos) e-mails, all I know to expect is something good. Again, I wasn't disappointed.

***
Sunset At "The Shops"

A pretty good shift. We all stayed busy during the dinner period and also were occupied with moving a couple of wedding groups around.

I never left the south-side, though I should have. Maui Jim (#17) was dispatching and screwed up the SOP for a trip from Maui Meadows to Lahaina. I questioned his choosing the wrong cab.
Details of why are only understandable to us who work with them.
He told me I was wrong.

Hell, I am the one who created the "night rules" dispatching system over 5 years ago. I was NOT wrong! I had said my piece over the radio and don't believe in harping on an issue where everyone can monitor, it just ain't kewl.

About 30 minutes later, Jim asked me to call him. He abjectly apologized and admitted that, on reflection, I had been correct and the Lahaina trip should have been mine. Out of his own pocket he paid me what 40% of the meter (the part I get to keep) would have been.

That was a "class act" on his part. Then he announced on the radio that he had been wrong and I was right, so the issue shouldn't come up again

I don't always like Jim, but I have always respected him.

And that was the only interesting event of my "day".

I covered 15 runs and metered in the mid-high 100's.

Not really bad at all for this time of year and, especially, THIS year.

***

Usually, when I am being screwed, I also get a kiss or two.

We haven't even reached Memorial Day yet. Do you think we'll be over $4 a gallon by The Fourth Of July? I do.

Has anyone else noticed that the really high gas prices, in the States, are in those which went "Blue" last election. Odd.

***
Oh, if anyone should ask.

This conversation never occurred.

Mahalo

Aloha



THE PICTURE GALLERY

Isolated Beach On Kaua'i
U. S. S. Bowfin
WWII - Submarine
Navigation/Control Room
Galley
Aft Torpedo Room
***




"Let's all be careful out there!"

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

MOST OF TODAY WAS SPENT

IN THE SMALL ROOM DOWN THE HALL

Which is not much fun.

Called off from work about 2:30p.

Enjoy the pics and "I'll be back" tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha



THE PICTURE GALLERY

In The Surf
Waikiki
USS Missouri


Officer's Club
Wheeler Air Field
***




"Let's all be careful out there!"

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

ONE EPISODE TO GO!

HEROES SEASON FINALE NEXT WEEK!

Who are the "Good Guys" and who are the "Bad Guys"?

What will the season ending cliff-hanger be (you know there will be one)?

Straight out of the Saturday Matinee serials of the '40's and '50's. How will the hero(es) survive? What can vanquish the most vile of enemies?

This show has definitely drawn heavily on this classical format and, IMO, has done a perfect job.

You haven't seen it yet? Probably because it is up against "24" and "Dancing With The Stars". That is some stiff competition. Yet, every week it draws a larger audience. In the February, 2007, TV-Sweeps Month, it was in the top 25 of all shows. "24" was the #1 show. Getting such high ratings, while going against #1, is unprecedented!

The Sci-Fi Channel repeats Monday's episode as part of their Friday night line-up. Check your cable/sat listings for exact time.

NBC-TV also provides broadband viewing and downloads of the episodes. Just [click] to access the show's webpage.

It has international distribution and is translated into many languages.

I know Lugosi is a fan. Anyone else?

***
Dinner at Judy's, as usual. She cooked for me tonight. Nothing fancy, just good "tummy stuffing comfort food".

She gave me a crock pot/slow cooker that she doesn't use. So, next week, I am going to make a hearty beef stew and take it to her place. I can also do up a pot roast for me during the week and cut back on greasy "choke'n'puke" drive-thrus.

***

How was your Monday?

Tsk, tsk. That bad, huh?

Sorry.

Finish today and you'll have just 2 more and a "wake-up" to go.

For me, its back to work tonight.

Thanks for coming by.

See you tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha



THE PICTURE GALLERY

Ho'okipa Beach Park
Hilo Bay
Kona Coast
Spinner Dolphins
Wild Orchids
***




"Let's all be careful out there!"

Monday, May 14, 2007

ITS MONDAY!

AIN'T THAT A BITCH?

I mentioned earlier that I signed up to be a beta-tester for JOOST TV.

~ click pic for video ~

Now I can send "invites" to others who also want to become a beta-tester. You must have a broadband connection. If interested, send me an e-mail and I'll send out your invitation. I don't know how many I can send but I'll honor all requests "as long as supply lasts."

***
RADIO STORM

One of the better free Internet radio stations.
Check it out!

***
CRACKED POT
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only o ne and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out al l the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

***
Van, of Maui Action Photos does more that just "beach pics". Here are some from Maui Taekwando.





A great way to burn off some of that energy that 7 & 8 years olds are infused with.

***
Tina, one of my fellow drivers, sent me these:

Tina, on the backside of Molokini
Riding an outrigger at Waikiki
Kayaking off of Makena
Waikiki sun worshipper

***
Mike Weldon, one of my erstwhile readers, sent these in:
Garden Of Eden
Above Haleakala

Near Pa'ia
"West side" sunbather
***
Sending wishes for a great week to each and every one of you.

See ya back here tomorrow?

Hope so.

Mahalo

Aloha



THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hana Coast
A "Shower Tree"
***




"Let's all be careful out there!"