Paradise Driver

Thursday, March 22, 2007

PARADISE LOST

PARADISE FOUND

I am an absolute klutz!

Getting ready for work, step out of the shower and my right knee decides to go a different direction than normal. I'll leave it as "very painful". Could barely stand on it Packed the ol' patella up in ice and used my cane for the few times I tried to walk around the house. This is the same knee I injured a couple of years back, loading luggage into ONE-NINE. I have to wear a knee-brace because of that, just not when I am bathing. Spent most of the night with it elevated. Of course, when I called off, Kimo (#22) was frustrated.

ONE - he was going to have to cover the "overnight" hours.
TWO - They were extremely busy. That means I probably lost some significant money.

Its been about 12 hours since I twisted the knee and the swelling is almost gone, but not the tenderness. I should be able to do my shift tonight.

MAUI ACTION PHOTOS

www.mauiactionphotos.com
Van Plantinga
167 Iliwai Loop
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753
(808) 205-0811
mauiactionphotos@hotmail.com

Van sent me these random shots, taken this week.

Mahalo Van!

If you see any images on his web page that you like or if you are coming to Mau'i and would like him to take some "action" photos of your activities, just contact him at the above address/phone/e-mail.

"QUEEN" NORA

Princess Leah sent me some new photos of the baby

Isn't it amazing that this:

Eventually becomes this:

I hope what I have presented today makes up for not having any "talk story" about the cab-biz.

Check back tomorrow to find out how this gimpy ol' fart survived another shift.

MAHALO

ALOHA

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Kahakuloa Head
Mau'i

West Mau'i Coastline

West Mau'i Surf

A Beautiful Mau'i Vista

Wild Flowers

The Beauty Of The "Big Island" Of Hawai'i

Wailua Falls
Kaua'i

Westin Maui
Pool And Beach Views

Westin Maui
Waterfall

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

AN AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING

TO A NEW WEEK

~ Jess ~ Alisha ~ Rachel ~ Nikkie ~
From The New York State Communities of:
Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, Lake George

Tuesday nights definitely improved in March. I had 12 trips last night. 7 before 2:00am and, of course, 5 between then and 5:00am. I also went home for a 2-1/2 hour break. The 2 cabs still on, Kimo (#22) and "Crazy" Brian (#09), only had 1 run each during that time. So, I didn't miss anything (didn't think I would).

We had some OGG runs (I didn't get one) and a lot of dinner runs & returns. The 2 day shift holdovers were history by 8:30pm. Alex-TMR (#27) is still on vacation until Saturday and Tina (#05) rounded out the night crew.

The activity at the "Triangle" was zilch. You could actually find parking spaces. Bada Bing's closed very early. LAB and Kahale's stayed open until 2:00am. The Tiki Lounge was done between 1:00 and 1:30am. I have no idea when Lulu's threw the towel in, but I didn't see anyone near there after 1:00am.

Gas prices coninue to climb but, as you can see, the market hasn't settled on the new price. Minit-Stop's gas was $3.249. It wasn't that long ago that it was $3.079

With the exception of the 4 ladies pictured above, the rest of the night's fares were very mundane. Just regular people getting from point A to point B.

Tina told me that she was still in her cab (she had logged off earlier) when I chewed the "Professor" out on Sunday morning. She concurred with everything. Like I said, I am not the only driver that is fed up with him. In fact, I can't think of one night driver that is NOT fed up with him.

tick-tock
tick-tock

A very satisfying night.

It was great having you for company. Let's do it again, tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Wild Orchids

Trade Winds And Sunshine

Ma'alaea Bay

Sunny Hawaii

The Keanae Peninsula
East Mau'i

Little Beach And Big Beach

The Coast Of O'ahu

Windward Side
O'ahu

Waikiki

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

VERNAL EQUINOX OCCURS TODAY

AT UTC (GMT, ZULU) 0007 HRS, MARCH 21, 2007
(ADJUST FOR YOUR TIME ZONE)

For Hawai'i, that will be 2:07pm this afternoon.

Yup. Depending on where you live, today is either the first day of Spring (north of the equator) or Fall (south of the equator).

***

This is Robin. She is always our server when we go to Aroma d'Italia Ristorante, which is where I took Judy to dinner last night.

Robin has a very outgoing and pleasant nature. She is the one I said was the most intelligent server we have ever met on this island. I overheard her tonight give the chef a heads-up about an order coming in shortly that would require special treatment, she remembered Judy's seafood problem. Like I said, she is smart. Oh, and pretty too, as you can see.

So, if you ever get to Mau'i, make sure you go to Aroma d'Italia and if Robin is working, ask for her station. And remember to tip her no less than 20% of the tab, more if possible. She deserves it.

***

They never did find the missing swimmer. All search efforts ended at 5:45pm, local, on Thursday. Here's the last news article.

***

Sometimes when I read the statistics on my counters, I get curious about ones that I don't recognize as regular visitors. Occasionally, someone arrives here via one of the search engines. What were they looking for? Well recently a visitor from the Russian Federation dropped by looking for pictures of "little boys in underwear".

First thought was: "sick".

Second thought was: "what have I ever posted that would bring PARADISE DRIVER's url up in such a search?".

***

I want to thank Cathy of Cathy's Rants and Ramblin's for bestowing on me the Thinking Blogger Award

Gold Version

Silver Version

I am going to have to forego one the the rule's stipulations. I will not be nominating 5 people, because that makes it a "meme" or "tag" and I don't do those. Call it a weird personality trait, but I never have, nor will I ever.

Cathy wrote this to describe this blog:

Paradise Driver....His posts and pictures always have alot of thought put into them. How can one even think of so many beautiful posts and pictures?

Again, mahalo Cathy. I deeply appreciate the nice words and the honor you have given me.

***

Today's 'THE PICTURE GALLERY concludes the travelog of the islands that I have presented over the last couple of months. I hope you have enjoyed it. I thought it would be nice for you to see the islands as they truly are. Starting tomorrow, its back to the "glamour" shots.

***

I very sincerely appreciate your dropping in.

See you tomorrow.

Aloha!

THE PICTURE GALLERY

MOLOKA'I

St. Joseph's Church
Built By Father Damien In 1876
Kamalo