NOT FEELING TOO HOT

SO I CANCELED DINNER

Which is a big disappointment. Monday is the one day I have all to myself and I relish the time I get to spend with Judy. But I broke a rear molar last night and the pain is incredible. Plus it left a needle sharp pinnacle that just loves injecting itself into my tongue.

Ouch!

If I had insurance, I'd see a dentist but, alas, that isn't the case. So, endure until the body makes its necessary adjustments to this new situation. And it will.

***

High School "Coolness" Test

Take it and find out if you are as "cool" now as you were in high school.

***

PAINT JAM

Pump up the volume and enjoy.

***

Enjoy the pix and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Halloween - 2006
Front Street
Lahaina

Kailua Beach
O'ahu

Last Swim Of The Day

Haleakala

Rainbow

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

SUNDAY DISPATCH

SMOOTHING OUT THE EDGES

Started with a 6-cab fleet, 1-reservation and a very nervous owner. It was another high $$ value weekend for everybody. I am not a gambler by nature but I am a very adept tactician. I triage good runs from the bad and try to utilize and maximize each driver's capability. I know that some drive faster than others, thus making it easy to anticipate when they will become available for another call. My goal, when dispatching (mobile on Friday / fixed on Sunday), is to earn the most that I can for the company. I give the hotels honest answers as to time estimate for pickup and am seldom wrong. Yes, I do pad it a bit to allow for unexpected contingencies, but when we show up early, it makes me and the company look good. Never panic and never let the bastards see you sweat. Good street rules that translate well to business.

I also don't accept fares that I know that I cannot cover in a reasonable amount of time. Had to turn down a Four Seasons to OGG, couldn't get a cab there in 15 minutes and I also had other conflicting requests. Likewise with a Speedi-Shuttle hand-off.

Speedi-Shuttle has a major problem with their dispatch procedures. Their vehicles are tracked by GPS, so they know where each one is at any given moment yet they always call in a panic because one of their nit-wit operators can't figure out in advance that they don't have a van to pick up that flight crew. My analogy is watching a butcher with missing fingers. Yeah, they do the job but they don't do it well.

When I do screw up, and I do at times, I don't fret about it. Thats just a waste of time and energy. Its the proverbial "spilt milk". Correct the problem and move on. As any General will tell you, the first casualty of war is the "battle plan". Its what you do to adapt to the fluid events that determines the winner.

90 phone calls / 247 radio calls

I was glad when it was over though. I was wearing down rapidly. Calls diminish rapidly on Sunday night and there are quiet periods. The bar close is the final death rattle of the shift.

Dinner with Judy tonight.

See you tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Upcountry Mau'i

Halloween - 2006
Front Street
Lahaina

Keawakapu Beach
Kihei

Haleakala

Ka'anapali

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

I WONDER IF BMW COULD

ASSIST THIS POOR LASS?








"Let's all be careful out there!"

BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

GAS DROPPED 14-CENTS PER GALLON

I literally did a "double take" when I saw this last night. I must only presume that some form of hidden tax was eliminated. Thats going to help our "bottom line".

***

Another active (and profitable) night.

142 miles / 15 fares / first quarter of $200 bracket

My co-driver, "Murph", left me a "special" at 8p to OGG. It was my second fare of the shift. Followed by 3 dinner returns. 6 bar rush and 4 bar close. Zilch during my solo hours. Day shift was busy yesterday and are swamped this morning.

$$KA -CHING$$

***

Our favorite brain-dead blond cab pisser is back in Wailea. She's been seen in a couple of the hotels. Sporting a black wig.

A phone call from the "Twin Cities" first alerted me. Backed up by some passengers who had seen her and later verified by people in the two hotels she likes to frequent. Due to her gross misconduct, 19 months ago, she'll have to find other means of transportation. She used to use us on every visit.

I guess she needed a little R&R after her arduous 3 weeks in the Los Angeles County jail. I heard she found "religion" while incarcerated. Yeah. Right.

***

Dispatching from home again tonight. Figured out some ways to refine and simplify the paperwork and thus make it a bit easier.

See ya soon.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY
images above asteriks
courtesy: Bill Bowen
Mahalo!

Sunset Canoe
Big Island

Lava Bridge
Volcanoes National Park

Orchid
Lava Tree

Silversword
Haleakala

Tikis
City Of Refuge
Big Island

***

92523




"Let's all be careful out there!"

"GOOD MORNING"

"ROYAL CAB"

The following occurred between 1:24a and 1:36a, this morning. While I was "under fare".

man (making a failing attempt to not sound drunk): "I need a cab to take me from here to Kahului."
ME: "Where are you at, sir?"
drunk: "I told you. I am here."
PD: "Where is 'here', sir?"
drunk: "I told you already. I want a cab to take me to Kahului."
PD: "Yes, sir. You want a cab to take you to Kahului. Where should I send it."
drunk: "Kihei."
PD: "Where in Kihei?"
drunk: "Here."

[click]

1 minute later...

PD: "Blah, blah, blah..."
drunk: "I need a cab to take me to Kahului."
PD: "Yes, sir. Where are you at?"
drunk: "Kihei."
PD: "Oh, good. I have a cab in Kihei right this minute. Go outside and hop in."
drunk: "Okay."

[click]

5 minutes later....

drunk: "You said the cab was outside. I can't find it."
PD: "I am sorry, sir. Where exactly in Kihei are you?"
drunk: "Here."
PD: "Sir. Where do you want to be picked up from?"
drunk: "The bar."
PD: "Which bar, sir?"
drunk: "The one I am in."
PD: "And the name of that bar is...?"
drunk: "I don't know."

[click]

1 minute later....

drunk: "I need a cab to take me to Kahului."
PD: "Friend. we've been through this multiple times. I know that you are extremely ethanol challenged at the moment but I can't assist you if you fail to cooperate. I need to know the name of the bar that you are at. Without that vital data set, I have no idea of where to send the cab, to pick you up and take you to Kahului. Work with me, okay. What is the name of the bar that you are in?"
drunk: "It the sports bar."
PD: "There are three sports bars in Kihei, sir."
drunk: "Huh? There are? I'm gonna have to check out those others. Where are they?"
PD: "Lets table your future plans for the moment. In order to get you home, I need to know the name of the bar you are at, right now."
drunk: "Okay."
PD: "And the name is....?"
drunk: "I don't know."

[click]

3 minutes later....

"I need a cab to take me......"
PD: "Where are you at?"
drunk: "Lulu's."
PD: "Finally! Sir, we are unable to access the parking lot at Lulu's. We'll pick you up in front of Bad Ass Coffee."
drunk: "Where the fuck is that?"
PD: "Sir. Walk downstairs from Lulu's. No, better yet, take the elevator downstairs from Lulu's. We don't want you to fall and break your neck (like hell I don't). Turn towards the street when you get to the parking lot. Wait on the curb and I will have a cab there for you in about 5 minutes."
drunk: "Huh?"
PD: "What part of 'walk to the street' didn't you understand, sir?"
drunk: "You'll pick me up on the street?"
PD: "Yes, sir."
drunk: "Street. Okay. I want to go to Kahului."
PD: "I know......uh, sir. I know."

[click]

5 minutes later, Hardin (#25) made the pickup. I told him to get a deposit up front before accepting the fare.

By this time, the 30-ish couple, who were my fare, were in stitches. Tears running down their cheeks. Since I use a blue-tooth on the company phone, they were able to catch bits and pieces of the drunk's words and all my Q&As.

"How do you stay so placid?" The male asked.
"I only do when I have passengers." I replied.
"That was the best 'free' comedy routine I have ever listened to." The lady laughed. "Tip him good."

And they did.

***

It was a full-moon last night. I didn't even have to look up at it's radiant beauty, in our clear tropical starfield, to know that.

It was as busy as I anticipated. Logged in at 6:59p and was on my way to OGG at 7:01p. Took control of the phone at 7:07p. No reservations for the night and no available cabs. But the Fates were sticking their tongues in my ear and biting my earlobes. Doing what ever was needed to make the night a fun one. 7 cabs on the road but only 6 "on stage". "Maui Jim" (#17) had taken a fare to Mama's Fish House, over in Pa'ia, and stayed to cover their return. That is sensible, since it is a 45 minute trip, each way, and he would only have about 20 minutes in Kihei before he needed to go back. A waste of gas to do that. About 9:30p, Lee (#09) went "10-2" (end of shift). That left me with my five cards (cabs) for this hand of "draw" poker.

That bone crunching/popping sound you hear is my arm joints protesting while I try to pat myself on the back for the excellent job I did last night. I had everything working like a well oiled gear. The other drivers sensed it too. Everybody played like a professional sports team. I was proud of them. None of the night crew got off until 2:30a. We were THAT busy. We only had 3 or 4 "10-13"s (no load/no show) the entire shift. Everybody made good $$s. The tips were top notch also. I actually averaged about 55% of the meter in tips.

1 OGG / 8 bar rush / 2 bar close / 5 dog watch

When Wally (#05) checked in, I was still moving. Thus he started his shift with 2 decent fares before we could meet up and pass over the phone. Just as I was turning ONE-NINE over to "Murph", Wally announced that he had a fare to MMMC from Wailea. He has a great start for the day. Passed on a large number of reservations. Day shift is going to be slammed.

16 fares / 140 miles / third quarted of $200 bracket

***

Enjoy the weekend.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Luau

Rainbow Over Our Power Plant

Interesting

Silversword

***

92242




"Let's all be careful out there!"

WEDNESDAY NIGHT REDUX

WITH A BETTER SUNSET

The sunset last night was breath-taking. The fire, on the "west-side", continues to burn. Traffic management along SR-30 (Honoapi'ilani Highway) is still chaotic and the emergency shelter is still open at Maui High School, in Kahului, for those folks stranded on this side.

I shot these images between 7:10p and 7:35p, from the Wailea Lookout.

As the almost full moon rose over Haleakala, we were treated to some outstanding views. I actually took 29 photos and then narrowed it down to these 6. I hope you enjoy them.

***

After sitting for an hour, I finally was dispatched into town for a return to Wailea. One hour later was my next fare, also from Kihei to Wailea. All the drivers were antsy. This is summer and it was D E A D ! I told them not to worry. Our business was going to come during the bar rush and bar close. Hardin (#25) didn't believe me and bailed by 8p. All but one of the day drivers were gone by then also. As I predicted, the phone went crazy at 10p. Everybody at the hotels were ready to get "shit-faced" and we were glad to oblige their endeavor. The bar rush earned me 6 trips and the bar close added 2 more. 3 additional on the graveyard rounded out the night.

Two of the grave runs were interesting. The first was three 18 yo girls from Los Angeles, California. Enjoying their freedom on Mau'i, they had hooked up with some fellas and started out to party last night. As soon as they were in the guys' car, the boys started passing around a fifth of Seagrams. The girls declined to indulge. After watching the driver take a healthy swig from the proffered bottle, they began to fear for their safety. Smart cookies! At the first stop, a convenience store to replenish supplies, the girls got out of the vehicle and started walking. They were NOT! having any part of this bullshit. Somehow, they eventually ended up at a condo near the Safeway Store, which is where I gathered them up. Took them to a private residence up in Maui Meadows. Even though it was past 2a, all three ladies were stone cold sober. Their parents should be proud.

As I was dropping them, I received a request from MPD. 4 people going from FoodLand to the Kea Lani.

Arrived and it was four young ladies, also from Los Angeles. All approximately 21-22 yo. They had enjoyed a night at the "Triangle" and didn't know how to get back to their hotel. Big city people do have a problem realizing that we aren't as flush with cabs as they are accustom to. The MPD-Kihei District Station is next door to FoodLand and they stopped an officer driving past and asked for assistance. During the time it took me to arrive, about 10 minutes, he had arranged to meet up with them at Liquids tonight. He will be off-duty and he is good looking and single, I think. Well, he'll have a 1-in-4 chance of "scoring". All four expressed an interest in him, during our journey.

13 fares / 128 miles / top end of the $100 bracket

***

By all indications, tonight should be very busy. Its a full moon. Payday. The end of the month. The start of Fourth of July week. Oh, and my night to run the show. I figure that all hell will probably break loose.

Check back on Saturday, those few of you who stop in over the weekend, and see what happened.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Sea Front
Lahaina

Luau

Tiki God

Waiting To Get "Shot"

Rainbow

***

92102





"Let's all be careful out there!"