AND THE WINNER IS:

"Dog Bait"

At the intersection of Lipoa Street and South Kihei Road. 10:24p. After 12,838 miles and 84 days the goal was achieved.

Congratulations, DB!

And mahalo to each of you who participated. I hope everyone had fun.

Now watch my reader stats plummet into the basement.

***

It was a very busy night. The resorts in Wailea have filled their spaces with "groups". Fortunately, all of them are "high-rollers". Obnoxious, in-your-face, hyper Type-A personalities. With lots of cash.

Its a trade-off that must be accepted to earn a living.

Never left town the entire shift. And seldom stopped moving. I was running the show from 9p on. By 11p there were just 3 of us left. The same as Thursday.

Riddle me this:

We have 4 cabs scheduled thru bar-close on the slow Tuesday and Wednesday nights. On our busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights we only have 3 cabs scheduled. Does that make sense?

We moved a lot of people, in groups of 10 to 30 people at a time. When we had the nine cabs at the start of the night, we managed. After these groups finished dinner, we moved some back to their resort but most went out to party. We had nearly 80 people scattered between the 12 open bars in town. From the far north to the far south. At bar-close, everyone called at once. Ready to go "home". And there was just the three of us, with a maximum total load capacity of 17 bodies. Plus all our regular bar crowd. Everybody that stayed where they said they would be eventually got a ride. We finally cleared the night around 2:30a and "Crazy" Brian and TMR bailed. I added another $50 to the meter during the "dog-watch".

20 fares / 149 miles / 3rd quarter $200 bracket

***

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and I hope you can stop in tomorrow.

Maybe you can leave a "Congratulations" comment for DB.

Mahalo

Aloha

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

Ka'anapali Beach

***

100100



"Let's all be careful out there!"

49

MILES TO GO!

If no one uses ONE-NINE today, and no one is scheduled to, then sometime during tonight's shift we will have a winner. 49 miles is a bit of a toss up as to when it will happen. If I only get pu-pu runs then it could be right around midnight. One OGG is 34 miles, roundtrip. If I am lucky enough to bag one of those, then it will be closer to 900pm.

Of course, I could get hit by a semi when the odometer reads 099999.9

Barring any unforeseen difficulties, I'll snap a pic of the dashboard, with the time/date stamp activated.

Like this:
"Bob" is probably wishing that I have a really atrocious shift and "Dog Bait" is wishing the most hale of shifts, at least before midnight. "Lori" doesn't care about the picture, she just wants someone to get a long run in ONE-NINE, on a "sedan request", this morning. That would be to Kapalua, the Ritz-Carlton area. About a 75 mile roundtrip.

We'll all know tomorrow.

***

Logged in 1st up in Wailea and got the first run of my night at 7:25p. While it was just a pu-pu, it dove-tailed into another fare that took me further north into Kihei. And that synced-up with a third fare from town back into Wailea. $38.70 on the meter by 8:15p.

30 minutes later I get an OGG out of Wailea.

Things are looking good!

Back into Kihei and I get a "flag" out of Azeka-Mauka Shopping Center. Just a short pu-pu. Clear that and dispatch advises that there are 2 folks waiting for me at Safeway, going into Wailea. I get back into Kihei and within 10-minutes I am assigned another pu-pu. A bar-rusher. As I dropped him at LAB, 2 young ladies approach, wanting to go 1 mile up the road to Star Market. As soon as the guy got out, they hopped in.

Take a break at Star for a few minutes and then return to the bus-stop in the FoodLand parking lot. Buses aren't in service after 9:00p. Sat about 5 minutes and 2 guys ask if I am available. A nice long run from there up to a condo in Ma'alaea.

By midnight I had $165 on the meter.

Get sent down to Mulligans on a "10-13" (no load/no show). Had to have at least one of those to keep "reality" as part of my night. By that time, only #11 ("Crazy" Brian), #27 ("TMR") and ONE-NINE were on the road.

Next run was a pu-pu from the Page (Sports Page Bar & Grill) to a nearby condo. Things then started getting quiet.

Back out to Mulligans where half of the "10-13" was finally ready to go. Picked her up and it turned out that her hubby had become impatient having to wait the 10-minutes it took me to arrive the first time. He had taken off on a "walk-about". After tagging along for a bit, she knew that it was a 5+ mile trek to their residence and had returned to the bar. Stupid-drunk hubby called just as we started moving. He was somewhere close to The Shops At Wailea. Actually, it took about 4 or 5 different calls before that was actually determined. Wifey was pissed but had it all under control.

"Sounds like you just might be getting the start of a 6-month headache." I joked.

"Definitely a migraine." She replied.
"I love him but he gets stubborn and stupid when he drinks too much. Besides I am too old to get divorced."

She was early 30-sumptin'

We waited at The Shops for about 10-minutes for hubby to appear. Long enough to draw the attention of the rent-a-cop on duty there. Dropped them just before 1a at their home.

Then nothing for the next hour. Bar-Close was a complete washout.

Finished off the night with 2 "dog-watch" trips. A long one from Mulligans, taking some employees home and then a pu-pu in central Kihei.

13 fares / 135 miles / 2nd quarter $200 bracket

***

We had rain in Kihei yesterday!

Its been rather sultry of late and the "trades" have died off for a while. The convectional heating of the island in the day caused a huge build-up of clouds. I woke up about 3p to do my laundry. Felt refreshed. Opened my door to go to the laundry and "Damn! Its raining". That wasn't a statement of dismay but one of shock. It has been a very long time since Kihei has received rain. It wasn't a downpour nor a sprinkle. Just a warm steady fall. By the time I left for work, it had stopped. Only a few light sprinkles during the night. Might happen again today. I hope so.

***

Our friend Lugosi, of Mirth, Musings and More, posted this video last week.


The video was recorded in 1994. Listen to the reasons Cheney gives for why the US shouldn't have gone into Iraq during "Gulf War-I". Every one of the reasons he cites had not changed by 2003.

Read Lugosi's take on all this HERE.

The end of this "error" can not come too soon.

***

May my weekday only visitors have a great weekend. Everyone else, lets get together again tomorrow and find out who won the contest.

Mahalo

Aloha

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

Ka'anapali Beach

***

99951



"Let's all be careful out there!"

IT WAS REALLY SHITTY

UNTIL BAR CLOSE

Two runs between 7p and 1a. A total of $19.30 on the meter and 15 miles on the odometer.

Give me a fucking break!

Almost half-past one, this morning, I snag a "flag" from the "Triangle" to Wailea. As soon as I return to Kihei I get dispatched to Bada Bings. Three people but no destination given. Make the pickup

DESTINATION: The Pride of Hawai'i in Kahului harbor!

That more than doubled the meter for the shift.

Get back to Kihei and am assigned one from FoodLand. One male, no destination given.

Get there and Kimo meets me to pass over the phone. You guessed it.

Back to the harbor!

And that was the final fare of the night.

My second run last night was a "regular". A musician that plays until 10p at Kahale's in the "Triangle". Its only a 3/10ths of a mile trip, metering exactly $5. Usually he gives a $5 tip. During the short jaunt he was telling me how slow it was at the bar. He usually rakes in a "C"-Note, or so, each night. He only got $20 last night. He still gave me $1 over. A kind gesture.

5 fares / 87 miles / 1st quarter $100 bracket

***

Okay, Aerosmith is playing at the 10,000 seat War Memorial Stadium, Kahului, on September 26th. Ticket range is:

$125-$85-$65

Now think about this:

You've always wanted to visit Mau'i. Right? Airfare is cheaper then. All activities are on Deep discount. Condo's can be rented for a song.

So why not come over. Enjoy some classic entertainment, under the warm tropical stars. Maybe even hire me on occasion.

Yeah, I know. A blatant plea for business.

Have a "fear of flying"? This won't help it any.


FREDDYBEACH CABBY has an interesting post about those of us who have a natural affinity for the night.
Also associated is this site:

THE NOCTURNAL SOCIETY

Interesting.

--- --- ---

Michelle, the host of THIS FARE CITY is a unique person. Articulate, artistic, and a "tough cookie" with a heart of gold.

When I read this STORY , it almost tore my heart out.

The followup/closure was heart wrenching.

Among other time passing activities, she sketches on her shift deposit envelopes:

***

Borrowed this from Brent (LAW AND DISORDER), a LEO in Iowa.


We didn't have Tazers. Lack of cooperation meant brute force tactics. With the incidental torn uniforms, bruises, etc.

***

Enjoy your day. Hope you can stop by tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Wailua Falls
Kaua'i

Moloka'i

Maui Marriott
Ka'anapali

Ka'anapali

***

99816



"Let's all be careful out there!"

WHO FORGOT TO TELL THE TOURISTS

THERE ARE STILL TWO MORE WEEKS TO THE SUMMER VACATION SEASON?!

~ The Burnett Family ~
Toronto
Sunday and Monday must have been as slow as last night was for me. "Murph" only drove 175 miles over the two days. I added 62 more.

All but 1 of my 7 fares tipped very good. The problem was that there were only 7 fares. Smallest run was $10.10 and the biggest was $17.90

That sweet family above was a short return from Sarentos on the Beach to Wailea. Dad loaded 2 strollers into the trunk and when he went to enter ONE-NINE he said:

"Aw. I wish I had a camera."

I was just settling into the drivers seat, heard him, and immediately grabbed my camera and spun around.

I hope they like the shot. I e-mailed it to them.

***

271 miles to go. Since it is soooo slow, I have no idea how long it will take to burn up those few remaining miles. Who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll get three trips to Kapalua and a dozen or so end-of-town to end-of-town fares. And a late night run or two to the harbor.

Your guess is as good as mine.

7 fares / 62 miles / 4th quarter below $100 bracket

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hyatt Regency Ka'anapali

Ka'anapali

Westin Maui Ka'anapali

Ka'anapali

***

99729



"Let's all be careful out there!"

AEROSMITH

IS COMING TO MAU'I

News Story.

These guys are getting as long in the tooth as the Stones. I can't decide which one is uglier. Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler.

Steven vacations here a couple of times a year.

Back to work tonight. I know, "Deal with it".

Received this interesting link over the week-end.

Would you want one? I could see a use, but not at that price.

A very peaceful day. Already looking forward to my next "week-end". When my calendar will be just as uncrowded as this set of days off were.

It'll be interesting to see what the mileage is on ONE-NINE when I get to work tonight.

See ya tomorrow, after work.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Wailea
Kaho'olawe - Upper Left

The Beauty Of Simplicity

Wailea
Kaho'olawe In The Distance

The Lush Tropics

Shore Diving
Wailea

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

A DAY OF JOY

A DAY OF FUN

My landlords' son has a birthday tomorrow. Yesterday he had his birthday party.

I love the sound of kids just being kids. Laughter, squeals, screams and excitement. Games played, songs sung. gifts given. No better elixir than the joy of life.

A lot of guests complain about there being children making noise at their resort. I don't get it. They must be the most self-centered individuals alive. If I have my druthers, I'd rather hang around the kid's pool than one reserved for adults only. The energy is contagious with the kids. Their world is still fresh, alive, mysterious. Full of adventure.

If anyone disagrees, just keep quiet and do your own thing.

Happy Birthday, Austin!

***

Slept. Ate. Slept. Ate

That was the sum total of my day. And one that I relished immensely.

Let me check my schedule for tomorrow.

Yep. More of the same.

The recovery from my back problem of three weeks ago is still in progress. The Quasimodo look is disappearing. An old injury has flared up in my shoulder again but will eventually go away. It always does but each recurrence and recovery take just a bit longer than the prior time.

Nothing interesting in the local news. No good funny stories arrived in this weeks e-mails.

So here's an old "war story":

It was around midnight. I had a partner with me. Just cruising our beat. Radio traffic very quiet.

Get waved over by a citizen. He had seen a young man sitting at the base of a traffic light pole on an island in the middle of an intersection a few blocks away.

Sitting with his back against the pole was a mid-teenage male, clutching a silver tea service tray to his chest, hunkered over. Unconscious.

My partner taps the kid on the shoulder. The kid opens his eyes and slams the tea tray into my partners face. Cartoon style. You could almost see the face highlighted in the flat surface. He wasn't "out for the count" but he was out of action. Kid tries to run away. I tackle him. Back then I had great upper body strength, I could bench press about 250 lbs. (115 kg). I didn't care how big the opponent was, all I had to do was get them on the ground and I could easily handle anyone except a trained wrestler or martial arts expert. This kid was neither but no matter how hard I tried to control and subdue him, nothing worked. I hit him across the knees with my baton. No reaction and "Holy Shit!" he grabbed the baton, breaking the leather strap, and tossed it into the street. Attempted a choke hold and he easily shoved my arm away. Maced him, and he didn't even feel it. My partner finally rejoined the fray and the two of us wrestled the kid, rolling into traffic lanes as John Q's, with family in tow, slowed and watched the show as they passed by.

Most physical altercations are done in 30-seconds or less. This one easily passed the 5-minute mark and only my partner and myself were showing any signs of exhaustion. And it was far from over.

I finally got him face down in the dirt, shoved my Mace canister into his mouth and emptied it. Thats not a slow process. I felt like I was riding a Brahma bull in a rodeo. Just as the canister emptied, his body went limp. He was gasping for air. Got the cuffs on him and found an ID.

Just barely 17 years old. A long juvenile record of burglaries and narcotics use. That night was my first experience with an individual on PCP, which is a pig tranquilizer. In a human it creates a high that gives the individual almost super-human strength, as I found out the hard way.

He had committed a burglary in an adjacent city, taking cash and the Revere silver tea service tray. Very expensive. The intersection was as far as he had made it, about 4 blocks, before falling unconscious. The burglary hadn't even been reported yet. Took him to "Juvie" via the Emergency Room at County Hospital.

He was released to his parents custody before I had even started to write my report.

He didn't show any bruising or other identifiable marks of the fight. My partner and I had destroyed uniforms (torn shirts, ripped pant's knees), black and blue marks everywhere and a couple of minor, but tender, bite marks. My partner had a broken nose. Smashed flat.

Added that one under the "Learning Experience" column of my life.

***

Thanks for stopping by. Check back tomorrow. Maybe I can find something more interesting to write about.

Mahalo

Aloha

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

The Un-Official State "Symbol"

Makena Shore

North Kihei

Napili Bay

Molokini & Kaho'olawe

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"