Cyrano Chess

I have gone back to playing chess on the Gameknot website. I do this to take my mind off off how bad our business sucks and that it is 83 degrees in Tampa in the middle of December and freezing up north, and we have no tourist in town. What would it take? Ice age? Anyway, back to chess.

For the last three years this guy called Cyrano (Afro) has been the dominant player on this website and currently has a rating of 2643. He received a FIDE Masters rating twenty years ago but disappeared from competitive chess. He is rarely beaten by players that I am sure are using the strongest computers in the world but he crushes them. This guy is a real gentleman in correspondence I have had with him. On the chess board, he is an enigma.

Florida Gulf Coast Sunrise

I got an early morning trip out to Treasure Island near St. Pete Beach and took advantage of it. I shot this video and put it up on YouTube. I hope you enjoy what a wonderful place this is in the Tampa Bay Area in December.

Tiger Woods: Poor Self Esteem?

“You’re a racist” my fare (a black man) accused me of after I pointed out the billboard on Cypress Ave in Tampa that had a Tiger Woods ad on it. I was surprised to see a Tiger ad, since I had been told that all of Woods ads had been pulled.

My fare told me that Tiger was just doing what every man would do if he could, and there was nothing wrong with his behavior. “After all,” my fare said, “Hugh Heffner has had bevies of babes all of his life.” True, I thought, but Heffner never claimed to be something other than what he was. Tiger has claimed to be something much more than what meets the eyes.

Are people being racist about this issue?

I ask this because of the racist responses I have been getting on this topic. White people clearly believe that Woods is a scumbag. Black people believe that Tiger is doing what is “human” and “natural” He cannot be faulted for this. It is as if he is simply a “player” out of a rap video.

I have been saddened by the black response, if not shocked, until I realized where it is coming from. What is going on with Tiger is a combination of addiction, poor self esteem, and deep rooted insecurities caused by an infection from modern Black Culture, an infection as deadly as H1N1. Let me explain.

Beyond the base instincts of man, we have what is called civilization and morals. It is not normal for a man in the modern world to simply screw any women that comes his way when he has a wife and children at home. What is normal is for a man to remain with his women and be a provider and father to his children.

One fare told me that his actions go back to slavery when the Master forced the slaves to breed. That behavior has been carried on to modern days, as this logic goes, by black men who sire 10-15 babies from various women. They cant’ help themselves. Apparently Tiger just can’t help himself because of Nineteenth Century Plantation owners.

It is a fact that the majority of Black Men in this country are not married. The percentages are decreasing to the point that a traditional marriage is now rare among black people. That is sad and detrimental to their own community. This was not caused by slavery. It has been caused by open ended welfare implemented by the Democrat party in the 1960’s The black family was eliminated, and fathers were substituted with a monthly check. This apartheid of warehousing Negros in projects insures future votes for the Democrat party. Hence, promiscuity results in a payday!

I don’t believe this promiscuity excuse for Tiger, but I do know what poor self esteem is all about. When a black man limits himself to white, blonde, blue-eyed women, there is something going on. Clearly he is trying to elevate himself with his conquest, to alive deep rooted insecurities. Black Culture is all about "us" and "them." Blacks need to overcome Whites. One of these ways is to bed thier women, but not just any women.

There are many beautiful women in the world of all sizes and colors. Tiger, true to form, goes for the kill. The Playboy Playmate White blonde type is the modern standard of beauty. I don't even think he is aware of what he is doing. How could this be Black anyway, he ignores his own people.

Does this guy need help?

Counseling would be difficult. He has more money than the Emperor Nero. His attitude would be for everyone else to go screw themselves. Sad. I don’t see his future being bright at all.

Girls, Football, And A Good Weekend

At least one Tampa football team has a winning record. The Tampa Breeze is one of the best teams in the Lingerie football league and they sell out! I was picking up people this weekend that where in Tampa for the Clemson v Georgia Tech ACC Championship, and they said the lingerie football game at the St Pete Times Forum had sold out! Does that mean it will be on TV? One mans 13 year old son was very disapointed about that. Thats a good father who would take his son to this event.

I guess it was good that the Bucs where in Carolina. How 'bout those interceptions... Remember Vinny?

A lot of people came to Tampa this weekend and it was one of the best couple of days that I have had in years. Maybe, things are starting to turn the corner. I can only hope.

Tiger Woods Mistress On A Florida Radio Show

I was listening to the "Bubba The love Sponge" show, 102.5 Tampa, this morning as I was driving my cab. A young women called his show and asked for "protection." (That is when the producers of the radio show disguise the callers voice so nobody will recognize it). She claimed to have been a former worker at an Orlando country club and was a mistress of Tiger Woods. Her story was intriguing and did not immediately come across as a hoax.

She said she had met Woods when he would visit the club for practice rounds of golf. He would always play with the club pro. It sounded like she was a waitress at the club, and she was only 24 years old. They became friends and started a relationship over a two year period that involved sex and text messages.

She said she was in love with woods and had no clue that he had other women. He had only said that his marriage was not the best, and that there may be a future for them. She sounded emotional and her voice broke at times. They would talk most days and text one another. She says she has the cyber evidence to support her claim.

She also said that she could identify Woods by a mole that he has on his left butt cheak..amazing.

Bubba's show is a little over the top, and "Ned" asked her if Woods was hung. She did notconfirm that, but said it did not matter because she had such strong feelings for him. She was in love and believed they had a future.

When Bubba the love sponge played the audio of Woods asking one of his women to change her voice mail intro, she broke down and began sobbing.

Bubba has his lawyers contacting her to make a final determination as the validity of her claim

"LIfe's Fine But It t'aint easy"

Today is the one day I try to forget my problems and just remember how tough things were for the early Pilgrims. Face it, they had no Publix supermarket to shop at like I did today.

President Obama wrote an editorial about giving thanks for our blessings. He wrote about how the Pilgrims believed in providence and understanding thier blessings. You have to look to see miracles and perhaps the benevolence of the Indians was a gift. Their own survival was cause for thanks.

That is truly how I feel today.

A feast of spiral ham, turkey breast, green bean supreme and mashed potatoes with gravy await me while I watch the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Oakland Raiders. No Thanksgiving would be complete without that.

The Pilgrims had to go out and hunt. They looked for Tom Turkey or a large buck to feed their family. Hunting is still popular as sport. I hope it is still allowed beyond 2012.

Anyway, I'm alive; I made it another year. Things should get better.

Mackerel Sky And Mares' Tails

"Mackerel sky and mares' tails make lofty ships carry low sails. "

The unmistakable herringbone pattern of mackerel sky and the long, wispy cirrus which is mare's tail are all high-altitude indicators that a moisture-bearing low pressure system is moving in from the west. This usually means an increase in wind speeds, a shift to blustery easterly winds, and increased cloud and precipitation within the next 24 hours or so. A wise captain avoids torn sails and damaged spars by taking his sails in.

I saw this cloud pattern Friday Morning. I predicted that by Sunday we would have a front move thru the Tampa area. It did, but it did not bring any cool weather with it. I am still running the air conditioner. Man, I really would like to see some cooler weather by Turkey Day.

The Individual vs The State

The issue of individual liberty will be settled in the 25th century

A Black Cat, Friday The Thriteenth, UFO's And Water On The Moon

I knew something like this would happen. Today was Friday the Thirteenth and on my way to my first call after sunrise, a black cat shot out of the bushes on Palmetto street and ran under the fence going into the Arbor Ponds apartments. Man, I did not need that.

You see, luck is vital to a cab driver. We are not paid a salary or an hourly wage. It is pure commision. If we get bogged down with short fairs, we are screwed. We owe our company a lease not matter the quality of our fares. I was a little nervous after this very black, without any white chest hair, made his dramatic move in front of my cab. He seemed to bring me luck, however, I had a very interesting day despite the cat. I also made a little bit of money.

The only weird thing that happened was I had a time call going to the airport and when I got there, I could see the customer had a vanity license plate. It dealt with the subject of UFO's. Never seen that before.

The customer explained that he was part of the UFO community and that he had been abducted 20 years ago in North Florida. He did not seem nuts, he lived in a nice south Tampa neighborhood and his story seemed credible.

Considering that NASA just announced that the missile fired into the moon last month did, in fact, find water on the moon, and lots of water. I think that pretty much nails down that the potential for life elsewhere in the universe is limitless. The mans story seems less nutty than it would have been yesterday.

Why Free Taxi Cabs, why Now?

This is not the time for taxi companies to offer complimentary cab service in the vital downtown Tampa and So Ho areas. Most taxi drivers are broke and struggling in this economy. We cannot offer free rides. It would not be practical and we are regulated in this part of town at $3 a head from 2 to 4 riders. I guess Minartti (the owner of Yellow cab) got Keven White to let him do this for a kick back. White is a very corrupt County Commissioner and he should be voted out of office. Oh, he likes mixed-race ass by the way.

I saw a group of "hybred" green cabs at what is left of the old Yellow Cab compound on n. Oregon ave in Tampa. They were locked up behind a chain fence. Just keep them there.

Google Searches And Josh Freeman

I have been getting some interesting Google searches...One was "Is Josh Johnson gay" I don't know if he is gay, but I do know that he has four starts and has lost all of them. He is trying but I believe his days as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer starting Quarterback are over. Josh Freeman will be the starter now for the next ten-twelve years. He came in late in the London game against the New England Patriots and I don't think he will be headed.

Another Google search was for the minimum age for a cab driver in Tampa. That would be 26 for insurance reasons. you also have to get a Hack permit that will cost you $100! I am not Joshing about that.

This is a photo I took of Josh Freeman at a gas station in Tampa a couple months ago. He seemed to be a nice guy not really full of hmself.

Don't Know What's Going On

It is getting strange...in a sort of Good way. Unlike last year when the United States Economy was falling off the edge of the Earth, we are now having some good days thrown into the mix. The back office and the dispatchers say the call count is beginning to go up. That is good news. However, why are more and more people losing their jobs and foreclosures are going up. I have no idea.

You may have heard the term "lagging indicator" as the unemployment rate is vulgarly refereed to. Tell that to the people that can't pay the bills. I am not going to beat this into the ground. I can only say....knock on wood....that I have been gaining some ground in the last few days...that is it. That is all I care to say at this point.

Is it all going to come to an end tomorrow when the United States blows up a nuclear bomb on the moon on Friday October 9, 2009 at 7:31 Am? Who knows.

Jerked Around

It was hard to get to mad at this guy today. He was just trying to survive like I am. I have been driving for 14 years and I have regularly picked "Dave" up over the years. He used to live on Wisconsin ave until he was evicted. I picked him up today at the Crosstown Inn, a sort of rundown motel at Dale Mabry and Gandy.

He needed to go to Metropolitan Ministries because that is where his mail is now being delivered. I agreed to take him and pick up his Social Security check and then, take him to Amscot. Sounded simple. It got a little complicated.

He went inside the Mission, which was crowded with people picking up boxes of food and waiting in line inside for what the sign on the door said "food, money, living expenses" and other things like that.

I could not help but notice that the parking lot was full of new and late model cars. Go see for yourself. Just go by. That really pissed me off.

Many time in my life, I have had to sell a car or other things to get money to eat. These people are not making sacrifice. The ones I saw were duchies. Sell your Goddamn Car and your family can eat tonight. I don't even have a car, and I don't BEG.

The guy came out and said his check was not there and we needed to now go back to south Tampa to the Post office. He was completely ignoring the $25 on the meter.

I'm sorry folks. I am sensitive to his plight, but I cannot run the meter up to 50 or 60 bucks just on speculation that I might get paid. I took off and left the schmuck behind.

I shortly got a real fare and collected MONEY!

603 Otis Ave Tampa Florida

A Seminole Heights man says he has talked to a neighbor about piles of trash and a house in disrepair. He says he has called the police and code enforcement. Stephen Cain says none of that worked, so now he's turned to the Internet to document his dilemma.

This guy got so pissed when he could not get the Tampa Code Enforcement to do anything, he started a blog on Blogspot...6003otisave.blogspot.com

He has posted photos of burnt piles of wood and mattress remains in the backyard. His neighbor seems to make a lot of noise and his "girlfriend" lets her kids camp out in the backyard which annoys the shit out of this guy. I can see why

I went by the place and took a photo of this dilapidated place. I could see swing sets and slides and monkey bars in the yard, and junk that I didn't even know what it was.

He believes that the owner of the house at 603 N Otis Ave is letting homeless people live with him. I thought we lived in America where people could try to help others. My bad.

I have had, in my lifetime, problems with neighbors. Often, the only recourse is to move. They will never change, and I realized that. The only thing that I can control is myself, so I got out of the intolerable situation. That may be something that the blog publisher may want to consider.

I am not insensitive to his plight. I am just being real.

Flying A Sign And The Homeless In Tampa

I see it every day in Tampa. They seem to be at every intersection. Their pleas for help are drawn on the back of cardboard and they seem as common as the traffic lights themselves. Who are these people? What led them to the streets? Should I give them money? Whatever is going on in America is driving people to the street corners, and in Florida, the broiling afternoon sun to try and survive.

Some people subscribe to the Urban Myth of the homeless guy “Flying a Sign” and making a couple hundred a day and then going home to his spread in the suburbs. I don’t know about that. Flying a sign does not seem to be a very profitable activity, considering the competition today. Some people believe we should give them a bag with some lame ass crackers and directions to a social center inside instead of money. I think the condition that exist today cannot be solved by directions to a county office. It is more chronic than that

A few years ago, I considered these people to be bums. Nowadays, I’m not so sure. Driving my cab for 12 hours a day, makes me familiar with these people. I don’t think they are bums, they are the homeless and the unemployed. The ones I have talked to HAVE NO JOB. Simple.

A homeless guy named “Billy” hangs out at the Hyde Park taxi stand #21. He talks to the drivers and seems normal. He is just “down on his luck.“ He claims to have been homeless for years and often panhandles for money. He survives, but that’s about all he does. He has found places around downtown to get food. Some are better than others, but most will feed you and give you some sandwiches to take with you. That helps them for today. What about tomorrow.

Billy goes on Sundays to an old venerable church near down town called Hyde Park United Methodist. They feed the homeless on Sundays with a hot buffet of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, hotcakes, juice, fruit and so forth. The dichotomy this creates is that this act of kindness is in the shadow of swanky high rise condominiums and Bayshore Mansions.

Many of the people that eat at this church, hang out and sleep on Bayshore and many of the buildings in East Hyde Park. They are now calling this area Homeless Hyde Park. It is a problem that is getting worse as time goes on. The homeless women Missy Sjostrom was killed by a hit-and-run driver in this area one night while crossing the street at the base of the Davis Island bridge, another area were rich people live. The young women that hit her has rich parents and they hired a good lawyer to protect her from the legal system.

What these people need is HOPE and CHANGE. Maybe, one day, someone will come along and actually do something that will give real hope to these people, like a job and a place to live.

My understanding is that we are in the worst economy since 1936. Over 250,000 more people lost their jobs in America last month, and there seems to be no end in site. The unemployment rate is 9.8% and climbing. There are no jobs. Face it people.

The homeless people need work, money, health insurance and drug counseling. Giving them some lame crackers thru the window of your car is not helping them. You say you don’t want to enable these people since they may have an alcohol problem. You might be, but you are enabling them to live and keep going on. That is more kind.

Cypress Point Park Tampa

Cypress Point Park Tampa

For some reason, I am getting many Google searches for this nice little park at the end of Cypress ave in Tampa. It is locacted behind the Homeland Security Office, which is really the Immigration office.
There is a nice beach and picnic area at Cypress Point, as well as, great fishing on the long beach.

Autumn Is In The Air, My New Hack Permit

October is my favorite month

A touch of Autumn is in the air and I am loving it. After six months of extreme heat, this is a welcome relief. Many people have commented to me about how nice this change of weather feels to them.

I am able to go to work in the morning without my shirt sticking to me and read the morning newspaper with the windows down and enjoy the fresh air. It is about time.

I believe that this type of weather calms people down. They don't seem so snappy to the cab driver like they usually are.

My New Hack Permit

I had to renue my hack permit this week before the end of the month. The new price is $75. Wow! What a rip off. The old fee was only ten bucks. Why such an increase? I believe that is only to support the corruption of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commision which is a division of the Hillsborough County Commission itself.

Josh Johnson Is Dynamic For The Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers almost set the NFL record for going without a first down in a football game. They were going nowhere against the New York Giants today in Raymond James Stadium, until Josh Johnson came in. In the the 4th quarter Ray Morris put in Josh Johnson from San Diego State to play quarterback, and it was clear that he added a dynamic that has been missing from the Tampa bay Bucs since Steve Young was here. I believe they should start him next week and forget about Josh Freeman until they really need to play him.

HCPTC Charges Illegal Fees To Taxi Drivers

This is a ticket for $30 written by Joe Halberstran (sic) of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. It was for having a shirt on without a collar. Can you Believe that! With all the services I provide this community and the aid and help I give to tourist, the only thing this prick is interested in is a shirt collar. What a cocksucker.
I have received E-mails from people who say that HCPTC has no legal authority to write dress code tickets. Hence, they are acting illegal

The NIght Taxi In Tampa

I begin my taxi shift very early on any given morning. I love the early hours and how the city looks and feels at this time. I want to continue doing this, but I don't know how much longer I can go on. The recession has been very bad and I can't pay my bills. I am behind in every area, including my responsibility to my company. They are thinking of letting me go.

In the cab business, you pay a lease. I have fallen behind on that. I am not to bad, a little over $100. Considering that I am 53 and have been doing this since my '30's, it means nothing to them.

I had to have the head of Drivers Relations, Amy, go to bat for me. She convinced the owners to not "fire" me. I have another day to try and reprieve myself. I wonder if it is really worth it.

I make no money. I could do better panhandling or flying a sign on a street corner. I don't know. I am really at a crossroads and trying not to think of myself as just another victim of the economy.

The irony of all of this, is that things are about to get better. I have managed to hand in there for three years and I am only just a little behind. 2010 should be the turnaround. That is what I have been waiting for.

I may not get the chance. That would be tragic.

I won't go postal..I will just go quietly into the night.

Tony The Italian Has Passed...Cab #440

Tony Cartarapoli has passed away. A new comment from “Sawbriars” was received on the post “Tony The Italian Has Died” of the blog “Tampa Taxi Shots”. Sawbriars is currently driving cab in Las Vegas and used to driver taxi in Tampa Florida and knew Tony well.


"I worked the bird with Tony...I saw him just about every day for the 3 or 4 years I drove a United Cab in Tampa. I always considered him a friend. He was a very likeable fellow...had a great gift of gab. I remember once complaining to him about some of the assholes that got into my cab and thought they were tooooo good to converse--he replied "everybody that gets into my cab talks"...he made them talk--one way or the other. Tony was a 'classic' Cabbie--he would have made a great N.Y. or Vegas Cabbie--he almost came to Vegas once but backed out for some reason. Regarding his outlook on life...I think he was a realist. I do think he enjoyed life-- to some extent anyway. I have always prefered people who had a 'sour' outlook on life...I think there is more truth in them. ...he did go to prison because he refused to pay his wife child support-or was it alimony? I forget now but I think it was child support. This no doubt contributed much to his negativism regarding 'life'--but in truth that is the way life is--who really gets a fair deal? Not many and especially not cabbies. He was very tight with Anthony the 'loan shark' at the port--always in hock to him. I think Anthony helped Tony a lot...it was a sort of love-hate relationship but they were very funny and always entertaining to watch how they interacted and kidded each other. Tony sort of held 'court' at the airport...a flock
of his admirers would always gather round--- as he sat on one of the picnic tables there expounding on life or whatever. Also it was amusing how he interacted with the negroes at the port...he would not hesitate to call them a 'nigger' to their face if they did something stupid..though I do not think he was anymore a racist than anyone else...one of his best friends was a negro driver--i forget his name now. In a nutshell Tony was someone that will be long remembered by those who knew him--a true character that deserved much better than he got..especially from Nancy. "

Poor People Will Go To Jail Under Obama Health Care Plan

I saw the interview on ABC between Obama and George. I think the President is making a hugh oversight. He is forgetting why there are 48 million people without health insurance. These people will never be able to comply to the regulations that Obama will be handing down. They will punished for simply being poor.

The President was trying to state that $2,200 a year for health insurance was a good thing for the American public. That may be true for the middle class and the nuclear family, it is not for the people that fall between the cracks.

The uninsured are POOR Mr. Obama. They are PAUPERS (these two more words you can consult the dictionary on) People of meager means will never come up with he money that will extort from them. They thought you were on their side.

People who do not have the money will be fined $3,800 and then be subject to having wages garnished and possible jail time.


Can you imagine that, poor black people being sent to the camps because of the first African-American President. Wow, and I may live long enough to see that.

Switching To Shift Work

In the 14 years that I have been driving a cab for United cab of Tampa, I have always been a 24 hour driver. I am now switching to a 12 hour shift driver. The reasons are easy to explain.

When you are a 24 hour or weekly driver, you are essentially married to the cab. Every day you awaken, you are on the hook for the lease. I am very tired of that. What happens is that years go by and you realize that have never taken a day off. Your life is slipping by.

Not for me.

My going shift, I can work when I want. I can make my own schedule, and I am not married to the cab. When I drop my stand dues at the end of the day, I am not commit ed to another day in the taxi. If they never see me again...oh well.

Since my 50th birthday has come and gone, I realize now that there are things I am infinitely more interested in doing then spending everyday of my life driving this taxi to make other people rich while I suffer.

I will be better off mentally and spiritually for this move.

The HCPTC is a corrupt organization and has Barnie Fife working for them.

Kevin White Needs To Go...Sooner Rather Than Later

The next episode in County Commissioner Kevin White's sexual harassment case could play out on a public stage.

A majority of county commissioners said Monday they want an open discussion on how to limit taxpayers' liability in the wake of a jury verdict that White sexually harassed his former aide, Alyssa Ogden. County Attorney Renee Lee had planned to hold the discussion in private during Wednesday's regularly scheduled commission meeting.

What about the cab drivers liablity from the laws he has enacted that punish Tampa Cab drivers who do not wear a collared shirt and have to pay a $30 fine. That money, we now know, goes into the HCPTC slush fund in which Kevin White took out over $400,000 dollars and then said there should be an investigation to find out where that money went. We know where it went. It went into his sexual get some young ass fund. I for one, as a Tampa Cab driver HACK #303362 am tired of this harrasment.

The decision to open the meeting came on the same day commissioners learned attorney fees related to White's trial could soar higher. Lee informed commissioners Monday afternoon of an opinion from the Florida Bar Association that the county attorney cannot appeal any issues related to the case in order to reduce its financial responsibility and cannot negotiate with Ogden's attorneys over their fees.

That means the county's outside legal bill for the case, already at $170,000, will probably balloon. The county is also potentially liable for $216,000 that Ogden's attorney has asked for in legal fees and court costs, and $75,000 in damages the jury awarded Ogden.

"It just keeps bleeding," Commissioner Jim Norman said, referring to the county's liability. Norman said he will only vote to hold the White discussion openly if Lee can assure him statements made publicly will not hurt the county's chances in future appeals or lawsuits.

Rose Ferlita was the first commissioner to demand that Wednesday's discussion be held in public. Lee had proposed a closed meeting in a Friday memo to commissioners. She cited the state statute that allows legal discussions to be exempt from the Sunshine law

Amanda Beard Nude

I have been getting many search hits on Google for Darra Torres Nude. Amanda Beard is the one that is nude! She has gotten nude for several photo shoots and took it off for Playboy Magazine. The irony of all of this is that Amand Beard's swimming days may be over, while the old girl Dara Torres keeps swimming along and setting world records and making Olympic and USA national teams...wow. Speaking of wow...check out the very naked picture of Amanda Beard. Not the little girl in Atalanta Olmypics anymore.

Taxi Tim Philosophy: Going The Distance

Using the motivation of a Rocky Balboa I posted this on YouTube

Should Cab Drivers Be Held Out If They Break Down?

I waited for an hour and half on stand 32 this morning. When I got my call, which was going to the airport, my cab would not start. I could not get it to work, and had to call dispatch to be taken off the call, and they called for a tow truck.

2 minutes later, I got the car to work. The hook was canceled and I drove it into the shop.

When I returned to work, Bash, our channel one dispatcher, told me he could not hold me out even though he was bidding one when I got into the cab.

That was not right. I had already been on a call and had a mechanical problem. What would have been the problem?

I ended up going over his head and the back office agreed with me. But it was to late. Because of all of this, I had a very bad day.

As you can see, United Cab of Tampa has a new phone nuber which should be easy to remeber..813-777-7777 Now How Coll is that!

UFO Fireball Seen Over Tampa Florida

In the classic sence of a UFO meaning an unidentified flying object, this fit the bill. Nobody in Florida was ready for this. I was pulling onto Fair Oaks blvd, looking for my fare, when I saw this illuminated plume in the distance. It could not have been the Space shuttle because it was not scheduled to launch for months. What was it? It turns out that it may have been the Delta 2 GPS satillite that the Airforce launced and that explains why it was not on the NASA website