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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

WELL, WE HAD A...

LITTLE EXCITEMENT

A drunk in an older model dark green pickup truck, with way oversized tires, to compensate for his personal "short-comings", had a spot'o'trouble negotiating the treacherous parking lot lights this morning at FoodLand. Of course, he didn't see the need to wait for the police to arrive. And they didn't have far to come from. Thats the Kihei District Station in the lower image. Right there in the corner of the building. They park their vehicles in the back. In Hawai'i, most locals always flee the scene of an accident. It must be a cultural thing. Like the ghetto dwellers on the mainland. Cowards to the core.

As anticipated, it was another dead night. 9 cabs working when I checked in. Between 7p and 11:30p I covered 3 fares and got another on dog-watch. Actually put more miles on the odometer than I put dollar$ on the meter. Part of the reason for that is I must go down to Wailea each shift after 10p to collect the reservations. Can't do it earlier and I must have them before 3a to compile and create the new day's reservation list, which is scanned and e-mailed to the owner and a copy provided to my relief. So, when I don't get a paid ride, I must do a 6 mile deadhead. It is only a problem on these really slow shifts.

Brought ONE-NINE home this morning. A minor logistical problem already had 4 cabs parked in our reserved spaces. If I left ONE-NINE, in a non-authorized space, the hotel would be pissed. No relief day driver, so its a moot issue.

Not hard to pick the most interesting trip. A 4-pax from Cafe O'lei to The Palms, in Wailea. 1 dude from Scotland, now living in Canada, and 2 more guys and a lady, also from Canada. We started taking about accents. Like a lot of folks, they placed me as being from Texas. I do slide easily into a Texas "twang" when I ask people:
"Where y'all from?"
The Scotsman sounded more Kiwi than Canadian and I placed the other 3 as from eastern Canada. They spoke with the broader and softer vowel sounds more associated with Toronto but they were actually from Vancouver, BC.

I help the lady learn to properly pronounce the name of the island that Honolulu is on, O'ahu. Most mainlanders say:
OH-WHA-HOO
instead of:
OH-AH-HOO
People just love to add the "W" sound.

4 fares / 54 miles / 2nd quarter below $100 bracket

Can it get any worse? Sadly, yes. But I'll be out there tonight and I hope you are back here tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Kahana
Mau'i
***





"Let's all be careful out there!"

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

FALL CLASSES FOR MEN AT...

THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.


Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday
for 2 hours
beginning at 7:00 PM .

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00
for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks,
Saturday 10:00 PM
for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor -- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM
for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks,
Tuesday and Thursday
for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks,
Friday and Sunday
7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum.
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights;
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM.
Location to be determined.

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's
12 noon
2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing.
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM,
location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks,
Tuesday and Thursday
for 2 hours
beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights;
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
at 7:00 PM
for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM,
location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

***
Back to work tonight. Wonder how slow it will be? Stop in tomorrow and find out

Mahalo

Aloha


THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hana Area
Mau'i
Kona
O'ahu
***



"Let's all be careful out there!"

Monday, September 17, 2007

WHAT TO DO?

NOTHING TO WRITE ABOUT

Okay, today is just going to be a PICTURE GALLERY day.

Everybody enjoy yourself.

Mahalo

Aloha



THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hana Area
Mau'i
***



"Let's all be careful out there!"

Sunday, September 16, 2007

THE MAUI MARATHON

IS TODAY

Details and other google info about it.

***
I lucked into a "Triangle"/Ka'anapali fare about a quarter til 1a. As I entered Lahaina, there were traffic cones in the roadway and a lot of signs along the edge of the highway. [sidebar]"Highway" is kind of a loose term. On the mainland, what we call a "highway", in our rural areas of Mau'i, would just be a good ol' county road.[/sidebar]

All the way into Ka'anapli. It looked like it might be for some sort of running event. As I started the deadhead back, it was now 1:30a, and my foggy brain finally accessed the right neuron and I realized that the Marathon must be today. A few years back it was in the early Spring and we had to call out cabs to cover the multitude of fares from the south-side to the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center (the "mall" on Mau'i) over in Kahului. If we hustled, we could bet three or four trips. This year we had no reservations and the 1 call I received at 2:45a to get there I had to delay for 30 minutes, I was busy, and they called back and canceled.

The "greenbacks" were good last night. Not REAL good, but good. We weren't that busy and had more cabs than we needed, as usual. Started the shift with a run from the Kea Lani to OGG, after waiting an hour. Then the normal series of bar-rush fares. The dog-watch coughed up some extra change.

Sadly, I had to pass on to "Murph", my relief, a trip to OGG from the Four Seasons. A really nice couple who had specifically requested me but "Murph" and I share ONE-NINE and it would have made him lose an hour of his shift. I was exhausted, it IS the end of my week, and I knew he could use the money. The other 2 early cabs also had fares across the island and the early part of today looks rather active for them.

8 fares / 135 miles / 4th quarter $100 bracket

***
I have today off but next Sunday I'll start dispatching from 6p to 2a again. I need the money but I am going to have to pace myself so I don't overdo it. My energy levels aren't full.

No interesting e-mails this week so I don't have the slightest idea what I'll post tomorrow. It'll be a surprise for all of us.

Mahalo

Aloha


THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hana Area
Mau'i
***





"Let's all be careful out there!"

Saturday, September 15, 2007

ONCE AGAIN

GRAVEYARD SAVED THE "DAY"

Two major differences between last night and Thursday night. Business was way down and the day drivers held over through the "good" portion of the night. Diluting the income that the night crew received. When the owner transferred the phone to me at 9p, he told me to tell "prima-donna" (#18) to go home. I did. She refused. Stayed until almost 11p Pissed at me, of course. When she eventually called "10-2" my response was just "finally".

Almost the entire crew at night is seriously considering just quiting. Makes no sense to come out if you can't earn an income.

On three of my four dog-watch fares, when they called and I told them that I would be at their location in 10-15 minutes, they bitched. Thought that was too long to wait for a cab. Yeah. Whatever.

I was 7th up when I logged on, out of 9 cabs. Finally got a Four Seasons to Aroma d' Italia (one of my favorite restaurants). A newlywed couple from Queens.

One hour and 45 minutes later they were my second fare when I returned them to Wailea. They agreed with my opinion of Aroma. One of the best Italian restaurants I have ever eaten in. Anywhere.

When I dropped them, another guest at the Four Seasons "flagged" me and I had a return to the "Triangle" area.

Another 90 minutes passed before it was my "turn" again. Like I said, slow. A couple of bar-close and 4 during the "dog" hours.

Finally turned ONE-NINE over to "Murph" at 4:45a and slithered home.

10 fares / 100 miles / 2nd quarter $100 bracket

May this weekend be relaxing for all of you. See you tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha


THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hana Area
Mau'i
***





"Let's all be careful out there!"

Friday, September 14, 2007

SOMEWHERE BETWIXT

HEAVEN

Meet Ryan and Christine. They "tied the knot" yesterday. From Kula, upcountry Mau'i, and a friend had donated his apartment for their honeymoon.

Newlyweds, sigh, I just love them. Their faces agleam with dreams of their future. Thats the nice things about dreams. Sometimes they come true.

AND HELL
This is Mercedes. She has just passed out in the driveway of the wrong house. She is covered in her own vomit. Let me tell you the story:

Around 12:45a I respond to a call from the Sports Page. One person headed into Maui Meadows. A small cadre of folks were milling around two young women seated on the walkway to The Page's entrance. My passenger was the tall, shapely blond with an attractive face. The brunette girl assisted Mercedes to her feet with the assistance of two of the male "millers".

Oh boy.

This is gonna be a fun ride, I could tell already.

They load her into my right rear seat, asking her if she has money. As soon as she told/showed them "Yes", I asked for her address.
"Maui Meadows."
"Sweetheart. Maui Meadows is a location. Not an address."
Brunette stick her head in the right front passenger window.
"She's really drunk."
"Thats why I am asking her these questions. She'll be unconscious two minutes after we start moving.

Sweetheart what is your name?"
"Mercedes."
"Mercedes, where in Maui Meadows do you live? The exact street address."
"Kapu." (fake name-Wil)
"Where on Kapu?"
"1-4-4."
"Mercedes, there is no such address as '1-4-4' on Kapu. Think hard now. What is your house number?"
Brunette butts in with,
"She already told you. 1-4-4."
"There is no such address on Kapu. They are all 4-digits. Not 3."
"Oh. I see. What's your address Mercedes?"
Poor Mercedes is totally confused. Her face showed the obvious evidence of very strained thought. The synapses of her brain desperately seeking connection to one another. With minimal success.

Suddenly, the light behind her eyes glowed a brief glimpse of cognitive thought.
"3404 Kapu. I live at 3404 kapu."
"Thank you Mecedes. I know that somewhere along the road you are going to need to throw up. I am putting all the windows down. If the feeling hits you suddenly, just stick your head out the window. Okay?"
"Okay."
At 12:51a we start moving. 1/2 block, 30-seconds, later she says,
"Pull..."
I am at the curb. Stopped.
"...over."
Light up the interior and she is just sitting there, getting greener by the second. Facing me.
"OPEN THE DOOR!
STICK YOUR HEAD OUT THE DOOR!
NOW!"

She turns, gets the head out and lets loose. About 45 seconds later, she turns back into ONE-NINE, closing the door. I hand her some napkins and a paper bag from an earlier "choke-n-puke" dinner I had.
"I am better now. Thanks. We can go."
She gave me a very pretty smile and immediately fell across the rear seat. Out cold.

We get to the address. I illuminate the interior and turn to wake her up. She's vomited on the leather seat. I call her name, loudly. She starts to raise her head. Got it about 1 inch (2 cm) off the surface and then the entire contents of her stomach erupted. Covering the entire rear seat, her face and hair. A large mass sliding down the front of her shirt, both inside and out. Continuing down to her micro-mini skirt. Covering it, along with her thong panties, and finally resting on her thighs and knees.

She jerks upright.

I go around and open her door. She collapses as she tries to assume an erect position. I take her arm and stand her against the right rear quarter panel. And get her purse and cell phone out of the pond of wine and what appeared to be "hot dogs" on the seat. There is a small wad on money lying there. I could see that there was enough to cover the fare, so just left it where it was.

I take her by the arm which was awkward, she was about 4-inches taller than me. Start leading her to the residence. We get about 10 feet before she crumples to the driveway, as shown above.

I gave up. I knew I couldn't leave her like that, against my personal "Code of Honor".

I advise dispatch that I am going to be out of service and the reason. You could hear the sympathy in his voice when he responded. She had told me that her roommate was at home so I decided to pound the door and get some assistance.
"WHERE THE FUCK AM I?"

Ah. She was sitting upright, conscious( in the most liberal of definitions).
"This is where you wanted me to bring you."
"I told you 3404 Kapu."
I point my handheld spotlight at the mailbox.
"This is 3404 Kapu. See?"
"Oh."
Long silence as the remaining 13 neurons in that cute head tried to download this new dataset.
"Maybe its 3604."
"Your address is 3604 Kapu?"
"Yes."
I help her back into ONE-NINE. She started to get in the front seat but I told her that I really didn't feel like cleaning more than I had to.

She climbed into the back, her skirt hem now above the waist line and plopped, literally, into the puddle.

Guess what?

Kapu stops at 3563.

My options are swiftly fading. Start back the other direction on Kapu. Now she becomes "chatty"
"You're my hero. You saved me tonight. If you had left me....
I love you! I really, really love you. Can I fuck you? I really want to get fucked tonight. I give great head. And I do anything, everything.

My house! That's my house! Stop!"
We were at the complete opposite end of Kapu. The beginning of the 3100 block.

I already had her money, wrapped in a paper napkin, on the dashboard. I just stopped where we were and she opened the door and fell to the road.
"I am okay. I am okay. I just slipped."
And she stood up, took 4 steps across the street and walked straight into the side of a black car parked along the edge of the road. Under the street light. Bounced off it. Veered left like some kid's toy and staggered down a driveway, through the car port and then into theback yard.

It was now 1:17a.

Went home and got my cleaning materials.

It was a great night, despite the puker.

14 fares / 140 miles / 3rd quarter $200 bracket

The owner kinda suggested to the day shift that they should come in earlier and not stay out so late. He is short cabs some early mornings and most of those runs are not half-bad. Ergo, we had the night shift and one holdover. We stayed busy and everyone on the night crew made money. I even made it to OGG.

***
A three chapter collaboration between three bloggers.

You have to read it! It is awesome and excellent.

Chapter 1 - THE COP

Chapter 2 -THE PARAMEDIC

Chapter 3 -THE NURSE

***
Have a great day everybody!

Mahalo

Aloha


THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hana Area
Mau'i




***





"Let's all be careful out there!"