Paradise Driver

Friday, January 11, 2008

@#$%&*!

OCEANIC CABLE

I should have stayed home yesterday. I wasn't feeling good and my body was aching. Obviously more than just hay fever.

The shift was beyond quiet. After sitting for 131 minutes I finally loaded out of Wailea to OGG. I may have been the only member of the night crew to make it out of town last night.

6 fares / 79 miles / 1st quarter $100 bracket

Then I get home, all ready to write this post, and our Time-Warner system, Oceanic Cable, is dead in the water again. Kept trying to connect for almost 3 hours and then finally fell asleep. The internet gods make sure its working for the "day" people but us nightowls get screwed.

I still feel like crap. I'll make my decision about whether to go in or not in the next 90 minutes or so.

Everyone have a great weekend.

Mahalo

Aloha

THE PICTURE GALLERY

***

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Thursday, January 10, 2008

IT WAS A NIGHT...

OF "EXTREMES"

Quite a few nice "Keep the change" fares.

$40 for a $17.60
$45 for a $21.50
$20 for a $7.70

Then there was the foursome I returned to a resort, from Sarentos On The Beach, who handed me a $20 for a $9.20 and asked for $10 back.

Last night was a miserable chore. Only because of the great tips did it reach "worthwhile".

My best fare of the night was at the end of my watch. From far north to far south Kihei. It was an even blend of residents and tourists and not a single one was sober. Thank goodness that none were obnoxious or slovernly, either. A bland night.

Damn hay fever has kicked in again. All the recent rain has generated a lot of plant growth on the leeward side where I live.

Found out that I shouldn't have to dispatch this week. My slot in the rotation will be next Tuesday. That was a pleasant surprise.

9 fares / 85 miles / 1st quarter $100 bracket

Reading the cab-blogs from around the world, it seems like Mau'i isn't the only place with a dramatic drop in taxi business.

I know a way to help our American economy rebound. We'll follow the latest business trend and out source the government to some company in India.

Think of all the money we'll save.

Mahalo

Aloha

THE PICTURE GALLERY

***

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

YOU KNOW. IF I DIDN'T HAVE...

TO EAT OR PAY RENT...

I'd be really well off.

The first run was at 7:25 PM. The second wasn't until 9:25 PM. Thats a lousy start to the night. Then 10:00 PM hit and things started churning. A few were from the resorts in Wailea but the majority were either residents or tourists staying in condos. While I really don't like drunks, I have to admit that they are my "bread and butter" and tonight they saved my ass. Started taking them to the bars and rolled right into taking them back home. Stayed active from 10p until 2a. The dog watch added two more fares.

The strange ride of the night was also my only trip out of town. Dispatched to a residence in far north Kihei, one man going somewhere in Kahului. Pull up to the house and it is empty and up for sale. Advise dispatch and await instructions and confirmation on the address. Out of nowhere, this little Filipino guy appears and wants to go to the Kahului Industrial Park, a commercial/light industrial area. Collect the deposit and off we go. He wouldn't give me a street name or business name, so it was verbal directions as we got closer to the destination. Finally was told to pull to the curb in the middle of nothing but blacked out buildings. Gave him his change and he stepped out and faded into the darkness. The only thing open was a Filipino bar about 3 blocks further up the street. During the trip we tried to carry on a conversation but his accent was so thick I only understood maybe one word in ten. His sentence structure was pidgin, which obscured his meanings even further.

But my translation of "tourist speak" was better. Got everyone home, even though the majority didn't have the foggiest idea of the name, or address, of their condo. As much luck as skill, to be honest.

13 fares / 125 miles / 4th quarter $100 bracket

I have no idea what type of groups are at the resorts this week but I sure hope that they start going out to do things. Soon.

Stop back by tomorrow. Maybe it will get better.

Mahalo

Aloha

THE PICTURE GALLERY

***

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

DAVEY JONES' LOCKER

DOWN TO THE DEEP BLUE SEA

So, you want to see the sea but you really don't feel comfortable doing the snorkel or scuba thing. Not a problem. Try out Atlantis. A modern submarine that regularly dives on the sunk Carthaginian II.

***

My friend Van, of Maui Action Photos, has developed an affinity for our new wave rider, Da Rush. An avid surfer already, he is honing his skills on this new adventure. He is also the official photographer for the activity and if you stop by, you just might get to meet him. Tell him I sent you.

***

Well, back to work tonight. Hopefully we'll see some good groups at the resorts. High rollers, not those cheap-ass multilevel marketing types.

Its now the high winter season. See you tomorrow after work.

Help keep Hawai'i green
Bring lots of cash

Mahalo

Aloha

THE PICTURE GALLERY