KFC parking lot

One of my reading spots when it's slow.

Making money but...

I never knew driving a cab would be so rewarding.  My day job is spent catering to the wealthy and/or self-important.  It's where I make money to pay my mortgage.

But cab driving - providing transportation to those who really need it, or to those who just don't want to drive... with real people in the back seat.  Some of my 'regular' Saturday riders whom I saw yesterday were:

- Dialysis patients.  They're just trying to stay alive and enjoy life at the same time.

- An 83-year-old schizophrenic woman who goes to Mass every Saturday and prays in the backseat when the voices get too loud.

I'm not making tons of money, but the money is enough for me.  Sure, a lot of people just want a ride - but a good majority also just need someone to talk to.  Someone to understand them.  How awesome is it that I can get paid to listen for a little while?

February already?

Where does the time go?  Let's see, who can I remember driving?

There was an old guy who told me a long story about Latvian refugees in Pennsylvania.  This funny old Jewish lady with a rough voice who, as she was getting out of the car yelled out hoarsly, "Okay, baby, thanks alot!"

Oh the Potato Lady last week.  She got out, talked my ear off while I got her cart.  She was as miserable as ever, complaining about everything.  But then she couldn't find her house key.  It was after dark, and she went into a panic.  Oy, the drama!  We found her key in the bottom of her purse eventually, by the light of the headlamps.

A lot of cranky people in the winter, and honestly I haven't had good tips since Christmas.  Last Saturday was 10 hours of driving and only $13 in tips.  This past Wednesday was 4 hours of driving and a whopping 75 cents in tips.  Thank God I get paychecks too!