It could be the end for me

I was told today by the taxi company I work for that they may possibly fire me as soon as tomorrow. That is because I owe them a tremendous amount of money. They say they don't want to, but the end may be near if I can't fork over serious money ($1,000). I am basically screwed.

None of this is really my fault. The economy has been horrific for the last four years. It is very difficult to pay high lease payments to your company plus gas and still be able to make something for yourself. I have been struggling badly. On most days now you wait about two hours to get a five dollar fare. I can't make it on that.

The company relies on refugees from third world countries who have a high degree of tolerance for poverty. They are willing to work 16 hour days, 7 days a week, holidays and weekends for scant wages. They think they are in high cotton. They are unaware they are in a bad situation.

I cannot do what these guys do. I really need someone to help me, but there is nobody in my life that can. I will miss this. I do remember the good times and the good people that used to populate this.

When the economy went bad, I had to move into a motel. I have to pay these people every week, or I move out. Simple as that. If I lose my job, I will be homeless.

My main concern is where to store my digital photography equipment, TV, stereo and computer. I would like to hold on to that stuff. The rest of my stuff (books, clothes and items I have collected over the years I can throw away).

I really don't know how to live on the streets. I do have a sleeping bag and my sister in law sent me some nice comforters. They will come in handy. I have a backpack, so I can carry some gear around.

Other then that, that's about it. The story of my life, 55 years old and I end up on the streets.

I do have my blogs and my successful YouTube channel. I got a check once from Goggle for advertisements. Perhaps, I one of my blogs gets big enough, I could get out of my homelessness. I can go to the library to edit my blogs. So there may be some long-term hope. There is a mission on Kennedy blvd where I can get a hot meal every day.

Wish me luck

Merry Christmas To All

I would like to extend a Merry Christmas to everyone who sees this blog and those who don't. The seasons, for me, are a time to reflect on my blessings, and imagine what is possible with my life.

All of us have gone through hard knocks. We just need to know there is a cosmic order that will somehow be with us during it all. Merry Christmas to all and a happy new year.

From the "Somebody up there likes me" category: At the United Cab Christmas dinner today I won the door prize. They said it was a gift certificate. it turned out that it was a $250 Visa card. How about that. Maybe somebody up there likes me after all. You could not have known that from the last few years.

Gandy Bob in his Yellow Cab of Tampa

Many long term drivers may know Bob. He used to work only days and only in the Gandy area of Tampa. He switched to nights when the economy went bad in 2008; he has stayed on nights since.  He showed up last night at the Britton Plazza stand as he was waiting for an airport call (Yellow cab got much of our business when our management fucked up last year in thier very shitty atempt to install this nuew dispatch system that drove most drivers to poverty and desperation).
Bob says he pays more in stand dues but he believes he has a better chance of making money where he is at. If it works, stay with it. He was fired from United Cab when he had too many wrecks. He always seems to be in a good mood...kind of a take it go lucky guy.

Paul the shop foreman

Paul in his office

Paul is our shop foreman. Paul was with United Cab of Tampa a few years back, then went off to Alaska to hunt big game. He is a crack mechanic and a very nice guy. He is married with three children. Not only does he make out taxi's run good, he has some good stories to tell about Alaska.

In his office is a trophy of a a moose. Not too bad. They are very large animals and not for the faint of heart to hunt. I have heard that many first time hunters are afraid to shoot one because they think all they will do is piss it off. They may be right. Sarah Palin shot one when she was a girl with her father.

On the wall next to the mount are photos of the hunt. Alaska is a sportsman's paradise with fishing, hunting and camping unlike anything you will find in Florida.

Our boss, Mr. Rob Searcy is a deer hunter but even he will go up to Alabama and Georgia to hunt. I like to camp and hike, so the big game part of Florida does not interest me.

Pedro Says Hi To Larry, and hard times in the Tampa Taxi business

Pedro in the taxi cab

Pedro was a long time special for the now retired cab driver from Tampa Larry. I picked up Pedro the other day and he asked about Larry, and how he was doing. I had a nice chat with him on the way to his job that he still has after many years. I hope Larry sees this post and the cell phone photo of him. It was almost like old times, but not really.

The taxi business in Tampa the last few years have been very tough. I am not going to lie. I have a good day every now and then. But most of them are crap. I am hanging by a thread in all aspects of my life and may be facing homelessness. That is something I am trying to avoid.

With no vacation in five years, or a day off in three, I beaten and almost on the ground. I owe the company over $1,000 and that is the point they are letting the drivers go that owe that much.

It is just before Christmas and that would be a shitty time of year to get thrown to the curb. We are only days away from the good time of the year, and my life depends on this. I mean my life. I am too old to be walking down the street with just my clothes on my back knowing that I could be making money, but it was taken from me.

I am very much at the end of my rope. I have no clue what will happen to me. Oh well, I guess the sun will rise and shine and I will come up with something. It could be for the best. At least I am alive and breathing. There is something to be said for that.

Tampa Taxi Shots goes deep into Green Swamp to find Skunk Ape

In the forbidden zone

The forbidden zone is the watershed area for both the Withlacoochee River and the Hillsborough River. I actually believe I found the demarcation point for both rivers. That is where this image above was taken. I was in the forbidden zone and it was one hour before sunset and I was alone. I was miles from nowhere and there were no cyber-bullies, posters, commenter's on blogs that use the work "Bigfoot" or "Sasquatch" in their handles even though they have never been in the woods but want to rip me for taking risk.

Looking into the Forbidden Zone from the camp

Before sunset, I could hear tree breaks coming from this area when I was back at camp (about 200 feet away).  I was able to forge a trail along the river bank and find an area of cypress knees and a fallen tree that if you could, you would find your way directly into the forbidden zone. Do you think that stopped me. No. I put a camera and went back to camp and let it run. There are growls recorded and I will release them soon.

I am alone at this campsite in the Green Swamp

Keep in mind this is the very area a hiker in this Green Swamp tract vanished a few years ago and his body was never found. Subsequently, the area was closed to the public and it has remained that way since.

I am still here in Tampa for now

Things have been a little hard right now. Business has not been the best for this time of year. The cruise industry has saved us on the weekend. Other then that, we would be screwed. I can not stress how bad the economy is here in Tampa Florida. All I can do is hang in and hope for the best.

I just got my cell phone re-connected after a month. I have to make decisions about where I will spend my money. The cell phone is a low priority. My internet connection means more too me.

Tampa Economy and tourism on the rise...I hope

The economy in Tampa seems to be making a comeback, at least the tourist economy. There has been an improvement that is noticeable. Events and conventions seemed to be lined up well into the spring. These are all good signals. In 2008 when the economy collapsed there was no hope. There were no good days; all days were bad. Hope was gone; the suffering was on. I mean that. The tourist economy reached a flat line and it was going to take years to recover.

Weekends are now rocking and rolling. The expansion of the cruise industry has been a benefit for us. Tourist are now calling United Cab from many hotels for rides to the port. This is something they were not doing in the last three years. Multiple trips on Saturday and Sunday can be expected.

Now that our GPS dispatch system is working well, we are getting our regular riders back. The business people that use us to go to the airport in the early mornings are coming back. They had left us last year. Now, when they call for a cab, one shows up.

I talk to people that work in the hotels and they say advance bookings are way up and they are full through March. Major conventions are booking now through the Republican National Convention in August 2012.
I am knocking on wood becasue I may now get my life back and stop living like life was on hold.

Tampa Epoch newspaper is helping the homeless

A street newspaper in Tampa

"This is a noteworthy time for the Tampa community." - proclaims the publisher of Tampa Epoch.

A new Newspaper is now being circulated in Tampa by the homeless community. The newspaper has a unique business arrangement with them. They get to keep the profits off the street sales and the publisher keeps the profits off the advertising. This is a legal (ethical and moral) way for homeless people to make an income, without panhandling.

The publisher of the newspaper is Bill Sharpe. I have not been able to interview him yet, but I would believe that his main concern is first amendment rights. The homeless have been marginalized by local politicians who have made it illegal for people to express their right to free speech. They said that holding a sign informing others of  your plight was a crime. It is free speech; It is protected by the Constitution.

Now, homeless (and formally homeless) can get around what Bob Buckhorn wants, and still find a way to make a living - the only way they can right now with an unemployment rate close to Great Depression levels.

The newspaper I bought today was from a vendor at the 'Occupy Tampa' sight. I felt the dollar was worth it and in twelve pages it had more content then the Tampa Tribune (which will soon be out of business). I support this effort and wish them well. The vendor seemed very happy to make a sell and I was happy for him to provide a service to me.

Street newspapers work well for the homeless and there are over 100 world-wide. They provide employment for the unemployed (something Obama has been promising for years). They provide information to the public that they will not get anywhere else. The main thing is they financially help people. Tampa Epoch is sort of a stimulus plan.

Way to go Bill Sharpe. You are one guy that is trying to make a difference by helping people that others have giving up on.

Taxi Business Good Right Now For United Cab Of Tampa

The Westshore Marriott Tampa

For the first time in years I have spent a weekend without the wheels of my taxi stopping (I have been able to get my internet back up). There are some reasons for this.

I think the tourism that has been lacking since the economic collapse in 2008 is now coming back. I also believe that the new computer dispatch system we use makes us more efficient then any other cab company in Tampa. I have told people to call 911 and then call us, and we will get there first. That is good.

If things continue like this, I should be able to get my life back in order. I am so far behind. I hope it is not just a good weekend. Hell, like I said, I have not seen one of them in years. The Super Bowl was good in 2009, but you would expect that.

I am also working the hotels more because that is where the people who have money and credit cards are staying. You can work the old ladies at the grocery stores, or work people who may really be going somewhere.

Tampa Taxi Shots Has A YouTube Channel

Tune in everyday and see the new videos of the Tampa Taxi driver Tim Fasano as he shows you Tampa Bay in the only way a cab driver can. You have no idea what you have been missing. Tim goes all over the place to give you first hand insight on what is really going on in Tampa. Check it out.

You can find the site at: http://www.youtube.com/tampataxishots

My internet connection has been down for the last few days. That is why I have not been able to post much. I am back up and running. I hope I can keep it up this time.

The Storm Before The Calm

We may not see clouds like this until May 2012..I hope

The tropical system that is hanging around Florida should soon be out of here and leave nothing but great weather for the next several months. That, will also mean, money for the taxi drivers of Tampa. Things should be picking up this Saturday night with the Guavaween festival and parade. This used to be a real money maker for taxi drivers. In recent years it experienced a slump, as they took away aspects that people wanted

They are getting back to the more adult part of this festival that allowed the even to grow to over 100,000 people. When they tried to put a lid on bad behaviour, attendance dropped to 10,000. Go figure.

I will be out until the wee hours of the night. I really need the money. You have no idea.

Taxi Stand Hyde Park is full of surprises

The Hyde Park taxi stand

We don't have taxi stands anymore but many of the drivers still sit on the old Hyde Park 21 stand. The stand is at a city park that is centrally located for getting calls. There is shade, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, and some cool wildlife. The retention pond behind the chain link fence is now the home of many migratory and wading birds. Richard says they eat frogs, which are plentafull in the lake.

A wading bird

This pond  has formed its own eco-system and I would not be surprised if there were now fish in it. Every time I stop by, I see different birds. They know there is food in there and they are patient enough to wait it out. There is something else that is going on out there as well.

You can see the "Obamaville" thru the fence line

A 'hobo camp' has been set up behind the pump house. These guys are not hurting anyone and they don't bother people for money. The camp is along the railroad line where it is open and provides them with some security. They have collected some mattresses and and a sofa. Hell, at least they don't have the rent I have. I guess you call this an 'Obamaville.'

You can see the discarded furniture that makes up this camp

Occupy Tampa Protesters Are Being Harassed by Tampa Police

I stopped by the Occupy Tampa movement downtown at Curtis Hixon Park. I wanted to talk to the demonstrators and find out some of their views. Where they a bunch of liberals hanging out in the park? Where they a bunch of unemployed college students who voted for Obama in 2008, and now, can’t find a job? Speaking of Obama, why do none of the signs across America not mention Obama? I wanted to find this out for myself.

Notice the red tape on the sidewalk

I found a parking space (Sunday the only day you can do that) and walked over. I met a group of people who had set up a make shift open air office and logistical center on the sidewalk in front of the park. The people seemed friendly and easy to talk to.

I noticed the amount of food, sandwiches, and bottle water they had. They said many people come by all day long and give them supplies. Without that, they would not be able to camp out. I asked them if they needed anything and blankets was something they could really use. The last few nights have been cold. That was not their primary concern, however. It was the Tampa police.

They told me they were clearly the victims of police intimidation tactics. The police were making up the rules as they went along. There were clearly maked boundries on the sidewalk where they must sleep. The protestors don’t like sleeping there because they are afraid a car might jump the curb at night and kill someone. They have had a beer bottle thrown at them which hit a girl. They want to be able to sleep further back on the grass, but for some reason, the cops won’t let them. Someone does not want them there.

Most of the people had an individual story of being under employed or out of work. Many had large student loan debt and were finding it hard to make payments on a seven dollar an hour job. They were frustrated with an economic system they felt was corrupt with the deck stacked for the privileged.

Nick with a hot coffee donated by the publc

I talked with this young man Nick, who after college found himself delivering pizzas. His belief was that the pizza company was raising the price of delivery (which cut into his tips) to cover the cost of insurance that Obamacare was requiring him to pay. Nick believed all companies would only pass the cost of doing business onto the customers, so nobody benefits. He clearly did not have good things to say about Obama. That surprised me. They 'End the Fed' signs they had are from the Ron Paul Alex Jones playbook.

some of the signs they are using

I asked him why none of the signs mentioned Obama. Another guy interrupted by saying the ‘illuminati’ runs people’s lives. Nick and others were Ron Paul supporters and he believed that was true nationwide. Obama has been marginalized by other forces, and is a non-player at this point. Interesting.

Nick, and others, are followers of Alex Jones and his website Prison Planet. This was not what I expected.

A Nature Trail Near Tampa

A butterfly garden on a nature trail

I took advantage of the first cold front of the season that made its way into central Florida by going out on a nature trail that I have not been able to access for months because of the bugs and the heat index. I do nature photography and I saw a Monarch butterfly. These insects are not easy to photograph because they will not just stop and pose for you. I had my camera on a tight macro setting and waited for the butterfly to make its way onto a flower and took many stills to make sure I got the one I wanted. Most of the time butterfly shooting fails.

Is Occupy Tampa Over?

This morning after sunrise I noticed about fifty 'Occupy Tampa' protesters standing around with blankets wrapped around them. These protesters had slept in the park all night and they were cold. The first major cold front of the season came in last night and the temps dropped into the mid 50's.

An article in the Tampa Tribune said that these protesters were being harassed by the police at night by being awaken and told to get off the sidewalk. I will be there in the morning and see if that is true. I will get that on video and put it on YouTube if it happens.

Ground zero for the 'Occupy Tampa' protest
Do you see anyone?

When I went back to Curtis Hixon park in the afternoon, there were only about ten people standing around and no protest going on at Gaslight Park. Is this movement dying on the vine? There was nothing going on and I did not bother to park and go over. I was wanting to interview some of the protesters like they are doing in many of the major cities. Now I feel like Tampa is not holding their own. Come on Tampa, lets get with the program.

It could be the weather.

As I was leaving downtown this afternoon, I saw a truck leaving ahead of me with "Occupy Tampa' painted on the back of it. I guess they were going home and would not be sleeping in the park tonight when the temps will be very cold.

My New Ride

This van will  make me money during the upcoming 'tourist season' in Florida. I can handle large amounts of luggage. And it gets twice the gas millage as that Ford Crown Victoria I was in that was blowing smoke and needed a ring job. This van is conferable and all the gadgets are in front of you. Plus, you are ridding up high and have a better view of the road. That should make things more safe.

One of the best things about this is you don't have to pick up old people. They don't go far and they are slow. Just like me.

Pam Callahan Nature Trail Is Closed because of toxic hazards

Pam Callahan Memorial park Town & Country

I have enjoyed the Pam Callahan nature trail for years. I never knew that it was once part of an old Army Corp. bombing range and that there were toxic chemical in the ground. That may explain why I got very sick the last time I went when I took these photographs. 


Between 1940 and 1947 it was part of the Drew Field bombing range. According to the Army corps of engineers the surface water and soil sediment now pose a "human health and ecological risk." In fact, test show there may be unexploded ordinance in the park! I never knew that while I was enjoying a very peaceful fall day on the hiking tail.


The trial head in on Memorial Highway but it is not easy to see. Many people live and commute for years and never know it is there. I have never seen anyone else out there. 


You have to park on the side of the road and there is a gate that is locked but you can easily go around it. This seemed to be a maintained trail. It looked freshly mowed. The trail goes strait into the wet lands that are along the bay. One thing you notice is after only a few hundred feet off the main road, you think you are in the middle of nowhere. There is an apartment complex to the right and a major airport nearby, but you still have that isolated feel.degrees, a very nice day. I took a lot of pictures on the 0.7 mile hike out to a plaque the memorializes the lady that the trail is named after. It is posted on a large granite rock and points out that she spearheaded a grass roots efforts to save this part of Tampa from the land developers. She was able to "Fight city hall." Unfortunately she passed away in 1993 and did not live to see this trail named in her honor. I could look around from the end of the trail and still could not believe how close I was to civilization.

Taxi parked at the trail head

I noticed fiddler crabs on the path (I am glad I had on hiking boots). I also saw a hawk swoop down, but I did not have my camera ready to take his photo.  There are several side trails that expose hardwood pine areas. I got some photos of some interesting flora. I have no real idea what it is. I am sure there is poison ivy out there. so be careful.

If you are driving by and have some time. This is a real peaceful hike. Just watch out for the fiddler crabs!

I have made a new photo album of this shoot. You can go below and see the images of the trail.

Lingerie Model Shot At Nudist Resort Pasco County Florida

This is a video of model I shot a couple years ago at a Pasco County nudist camp. After all, Pasco county is a hotbed of Bigfoot activity and also a hotbed of naked bodies. I put this up to break the monotony of serious Bigfoot research. I could not show you more because YouTube would not allow that (you know what I mean).

"Occupy Tampa" Protesters Invade Tampa...Not Really

The protesters began to show up after the lunch hour. I thought they would be out all day; I thought they would be camping in Gaslight Park. I hear the police will not let them, so they have to leave and return the next day. No problem, this means they can drink in the bars all night.

Most of them seem to be coming from the University of Tampa. Could it be they are just young, bored and looking for a little excitement? They should be studying finance so they can become part of that 1% they are railing about.

Hippy protesters seen from the taxi downtown Tampa

I picked up a fair that wanted to go downtown Tampa and see the protesters. At the time we were there, we really had to look hard to see them. I think for this demonstration to work, they will have to really "Occupy" the downtown area but that would mean they cannot drink, screw and order pizza. Protesting comes with sacrifice.

The movement is new and perhaps it will work, with time. I am already making some money off of this event, so that is cool. I shot a video and put in up on Youtube. You can see it here.

Heavy Rain Before The Atlanta vs Tampa Bay Game

This road is under water. My fare was one block away. I cold not get them

This was bad. The rain came down in buckets two hours before the Atlanta game. This is the time when we count on to make money. I was getting calls but I could not get down many of the streets because the water was up in peoples yards. There was no way I was going to flood out my car. If you do, you just bought yourself a car as far as the taxi company is concerned.

The company uses Ford Crown Victoria's. They are a model that takes on water because the air intake is down low. I would not take the risk and went home.

I am still waiting for next Monday Night. We just may have a sell out so the game will be broadcast on local TV. That is the best time to drive a taxi.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers May Sell Out The Monday Night Colt Game

The best situation for a Tampa taxi driver is a sold out stadium. You simply get more action. More people go to the games and more people go to the sports bars to watch on television because the games are not blacked out. Cab drivers can make more money. That is what it is all about. 

I also believe the more any product is put in front of a possible customer base, the more tickets they will sell in the future. Success feeds on itself. The best thing about the Buccaneers going to London this season, is that game counts as a home game and it will be telecast. The things you have to do to avoid a blackout. 

Personally, I think the blackout rule is arcane and was invented in a time when most televisions were in black and white and people used rabbit ears to see only three channels. Today, with alternative media and internet, people can pick up streaming video of the blacked out game, and any other game they want to watch. There is just to much competition now for the NFL. They need to reconsider what they are doing and become more creative and developing fan bases.

 "Might the Tampa Bay community stain of blacked out Bucs games come to an end in 10 days when the Colts come here to face the Bucs on Monday Night Football?

Rick Stroud, of the St. Pete Times, apparently is hearing that good things are on the horizon, so he Twittered this morning.

@NFL Stroud - With a good week of ticket sales, Bucs Oct. 3 Monday Night Football game vs. the Colts will most likely be a sellout and televised locally

As Joe has written, there’s something dreadfully wrong if a “football town” with a good team can’t sell out a Monday Night Football game early in the NFL season. That might happen here, and Joe expects this will come down to 11th-hour sales. But Team Glazer really would be missing the boat if it didn’t do whatever needs to be done to make sure Monday Night Football is available for the many hundreds of thousands of locals who will sit home and watch it.

Joe’s desperately hoping it gets done by any means."

via www.joebucsfan.com

I was wondering how long this blackout would last. That would be nice on a national televised game, that we could sell out so the announcers will stop talking about how poor Tampa Bay sports fans are.

$1.89 in gas..poor customer service for United Cab of Tampa

I hope my first fare does not go very far; I have very little gas in the tank. I used dimes and pennies too buy gas this morning (my quarters are gone). After going three days without my blood pressure meds, a driver lent me the $4 to get it. I owe my company over $600 and my landlord $1,200 (he is ready to put me on the streets). I have been waiting two hours this morning but there are no calls. Every day they sign up more and more refuges from turd world countries to drive cab. "Yes we can." "Hope and change?" Life is so good right now.

I ran into 'Big Mike' today. He is a long time cab driver of over twenty years. He is not making a living. He tells me all of the old guys are not making a living. In fact, most of the taxi drivers in Tampa OWE money to the company. By rights, if the company just let the ones go, there would be a balance point of the correct number needed to sustain his market. The owner of this company does not see it this way.


He has not read the newspapers or watched cable news. He has no clue that he cannot expand and flourish in the economy. The tactic he is using is foolish, and in the long run he will have a weaker company for it. He should let his GOOD men make money, so that when things get better, he can hire the number he wants.We will have a larger customer base by then, and he will be richer becasue ot it.

He wants it now...there is no now...that may finally be sinking in.

If the 'Big Crash' hits. It will all sink. Those leases that are charged to drivers will have to come down, or the number of drivers will have to come down. Sorry, but that is an economic reallity.

Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'sullivan Nude In Florida During Tarzan Movies

Most people don't know that the outdoor scenes in the Tarzan movies were filmed in Florida. North of Tampa is the Silver River where in 1932 the first Tarzan movie starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'sullivan as Tarzan and Jane was filmed. Florida was a natural setting because the jungle terrain is similar to that found in Africa. Plus, the nice climate allows the actors to wear skimpy outfits.

The weather was great and the watter was warm (at the time of filming alligators were an endangered species - today those waters are infested with gators) and in one scene they both swam naked in the Silver River. Unfortunately, the year this move was filmed was when they came out with the motion picture rating code and the nude scenes had to be cut. The current DVD release has the scenes added in.

Believe me, if I had Johnny's body, I would go naked too. I'm straight; don't worry. I was his age once.

Pasco County Florida to this day is the nudist capital of the United States. Many naturalist come to the Tampa area to enjoy the lifestyle you can experience here. In fact, Florida is the tourist capital of the world. It is not just Micky Mouse.

Tampa Slut Walk Is Off The Mark

College Sluts In Downtown Tampa

The issue of 'date rape' on college campus has always been an issue. The issue of fashion is not the point. Fashion was conservative in the 1950's and women were still raped on dates. It has much to do with the women's behavior. If you are out with a man and drinking and giving him major green lights, don't be surprised if he tries to make a move. No means no, and that is where it should end but don't try to blame it on alcohol the next day, and say you were raped when it may have been very consensual at the time.

A sexual predator belongs in jail. If a man is told no, that should be the end of it. In most cases, it is the end. Just don't get on your high horse and think showing all your body parts, combined with poor behavior, will not get a reaction out of a man.

The feminist movement of a generation ago never intended for women to show themselves as meat on display at a butcher shot. Personally, I think young college girls need to show less flesh and approach men on a different level. They just might get more respect.

This issue is not just on men. Women have come along way. They need to not let the way they dress and behave ruin this.

Tampa SlutWalk brings attention to victims of sexual assault - St. Petersburg Times: "Dressed in fishnet panty hose and short-shorts, Ale Martinez wanted to make a statement.
"The way I dress is not a yes," she read from the front of her T-shirt.
The Florida State University student joined hundreds in downtown Tampa Saturday for the SlutWalk, a protest to raise awareness of the treatment of sexual assault victims.
"No matter what I look like, I'm not asking for it," Martinez, 19, said. A victim of sexual assault, she hoped to help others by participating in the walk.
Men and women, young and old, marched through Joe Chillura Courthouse Square Park, some wearing homemade T-shirts, others in skimpy outfits, and many holding signs denouncing victim blaming. At the end of the walk, sexual assault victims shared their stories and offered inspiration to others."
'via Blog this'

Is Gerald McCoy A Bust In Tampa Bay?

Gerald McCoy was the 3rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was projected to be a starter at defensive tackle from the fist game of the season. His performance has been less then what a top pick should produce.

That really is the problem. He has been OK. That is great for a walk on, unrestricted free agent or a 5th round pick. McCoy was one of the top picks and shows no real muscle in the middle. Season one was cut short by a bicep injury. He is healthy now and complaining about how hot it was by the third play of the Lions game last Sunday.

We have seen this before in Tampa with Eric Curry and Gains Adams. They were top picks with no upper body strength. Guys that cannot bench press can't move anyone out of the way. McCoy may just be too weak for this type of job.

I say, by the end of the year if he is not a dominating presence in the NFL, get rid of him. I know that sounds cruel. Life is cruel.

A Stripper, Greyhound Bus, And A Cabbie Cop

Heading down the interstate towards downtown, she starts talking on her cell phone. She seems to be arguing more then anything. I have often noticed that people who live marginal lives seem to exhibit a lot of frustration, and of course, poor communication skills. Even after many years of driving a hack, I find it amazing how much people will talk about their personal lives in front of a total stranger. I guess that is the point. We are invisible. We don’t really exist. We are nobody to them.
We pull up to the Greyhound Bus station and there is nowhere to park. There never is anywhere to park. The front spots are reserved for taxis and they are always taken. The bus station is located on Cass Street. That used to be a cable car street back in the day. It also has train tracks running down the middle headed for the dock area. I am left with now choice. I park next to the first out taxi and pop the trunk.
This is the point when the fare will usually pay you, or get out and help unload the luggage. She did none of this. She took off and went inside the bus terminal. That left me with the task of unloading her stuff onto the sidewalk. Much of the stuff was in boxes and many items were loose. She had hair dryers, makeup cases, and all kinds of junk. It took several trips back and forth to do this.
She still had not come out. I now had to go find her. That meant I had to leave my taxi in the street and all her shit on the curb. I was not comfortable with this and was wondering why I need to do all this just to make a living. You would think driving a cab would just be taking people were they want to go, and that would be it. This job is not for everyone.
I find her not at the ticket counter but at the pay lockers that most bus stations have. She was yanking more shit out of there. Come on, this is getting ridiculous. She turns around and gives me twelve dollars. She was not aware that the meter continues to run as I continue to do more work. I will let it run all day as long as I am engaged in the ride. The meter had twelve bucks on it when she got out - but not now. That did not even cover the load time on the front end. This ride had now become a pain in the ass.
I started walking back to the front door too get here stuff and I saw him. It was one of the ‘cabbie cops’ from the Hillsborough County Transportation Commission. He was looking for the driver of the taxi that was double-parked out front. That would be me.
He demanded to see my hack permit and my drivers’ license and started yelling at me about leaving my cab on the street and blocking traffic. I tried to explain to him the circumstances but he would have nothing to do with it. The fact that there was no room to park meant noting to him. I asked him if he wants customers unconvinced by parking on the side of the building (which would now block bus access) and having the fare schlep their stuff. He said he had a better idea.
He said to park on the railroad tracks in the middle of the street. There was no way I was going to ask him the obvious question about what would happen if a train came by.
He went back to his ‘squad car.’ That is what gets me, the only people they police are the taxi guys, but they wear Rambo gear and carry side arms Is that really necessary? I swear to God, the only reason they exist is to shake down cab drivers who just trying to make a living.
He came back over to me and had me sign my $75 ticket, which gave me two weeks to pay. The TPC prides it self as not taking any tax payer money to survive, they do it all on the fees they charge drivers. This was just a fucked up way for them to raise money off my back.
While all of this was going on, the chick had finally gotten her stuff off the sidewalk. I got back into the taxi and there was now way over twenty bucks on the meter. Big deal now. I now had a long way to go to make up for this stupid ticket.

Mohamed Atta Had A Hack License From United Cab OF Tampa And A Commercial Pilots License

Mohamed Atta once had a hack license issued by the Hillsborough County Transportation Commission. Atta never came back to pick it up. He had applied to work at United Cab of Tampa, but never showed up for work either.

My research shows he was living in the Tampa area for some time while taking flying lessons in Venice Florida and Jones aviation in Sarasota.

Most people were told that he only had a few hours on a simulator and was not interested in knowing how to land. This is not true.

The owner of Huffman Aviation in Venice said Mohamed Atta and a friend walked in the front door one day in late 2000 and wanted to know about getting pilots license and how much that would cast. They were told the cost was $18,000 with $1,000 down and $1.000 a week for the entire 18 week course. They paid with a check drawn on First Union Bank.

All did not go smooth as their first instructor found them arrogant and hard to teach. They switched instructors and were able to finish the course and Atta earned his "Temporary Airman's  license" with a score of 90 of a 122 possible points during a five hour exam.. This allowed him to rent out planes on his own which he did on many occasions.

Proof Mohamed Atta Know how to land and take off in an airplane

Atta did not stop at this, he went on December 21, 2000 he earned a full instrument ratting and a COMMERCIAL PILOTS LICENSE. ("airplane multiengine land/ instrument airplane/ private pilot privileges/ airplane single engine land"). (Source) He earned these credentials in a rather short period of time. 

I believe he was running out of money and It was during this period that he applied for a hack license in Tampa. The TPC still has his license on file. It is unknown what his intentions were about driving a cab, considering he had goals of altering world history for ever. He flew planes to Miami from Venice and from Jones aviation to Tampa. He knew how to take off and land. Skills that he really would not put to much use.

It was from Tampa where he flew American Airlines to Spain to meet with representatives from Iraq.

Tampa Taxi Shots

This blog is my parallel blog to the popular Tampa Taxi Shots. I am just trying to get Google to pick up my feeds so I can start getting some traffic. It should be coming soon.

Taxi Repair Job

The taxi I am driving has over 300,000 miles on it. The shop changes the oil every month as specified by the the owners manual. These cars will run for almost eternity. They do, however, start to use oil. That is what is happening with my cab.

The fare I picked up said they could smell oil burning. After I dropped them off, I checked the oil and I could see I needed at least one quart. Considering the oil had been changed last week, that meant I was burning oil. In the sixteen years I have been with United Cab of Tampa, I have never had a new car.

I see other drivers get a new car every year and I wonder why they treat me any kind of way. I need to ask Paul Hinton That. I would like to have a new taxi by the Fall time of the year.

You can see a taxi with its hood up at an Advance Auto Parts store on Dale Mabry is not good advertising for the cab company. We need to build up riders who have confidence in the ability of us to get them to where they are going.

Tampa Hack Blog

Just to let people know that this shadow blog that I have been keeping since 2007 is called Tampa Hack. This blog shadows Tampa Taxi shots with other thoughts and concepts not covered on my main blog. There are many people who will be coming in for the 2012 Republican Convention and they may want to read this blog to see what is going on in Tampa Florida.

Taxi Riders Like The New United Cab Dispatch Features

United Cab of Tampa has some new features on our high-tech dispatch system that people are really digging. When people call for a taxi they will receive a text message letting them know the cab number of the unit that is on its way. It even lets them know how far away it is (1.2 miles for example). As the taxi get closer, the customer gets another message telling them to come outside their taxi is turning onto their block. When the driver is on site, it will automatically do the call out for the driver. The customers like this; they like it a lot. In fact, if they have an 'I Phone' they can download a software that post a map of the city on their phone and allows them to follow the progress of the taxi in REAL TIME. Now how cool is that!

Just tonight, for example, on every call in the Hyde Park area I got, the fares were waiting outside as I arrived. They were waving at me. My hope is this will help increase our call count and customer loyalty. In the long run it should have a positive affect on the money we are making.

Now, when customers call Yellow Cab, they will think they have called "dial a prayer." They dial and pray they show up. After all, the customer has no information about if a Yellow Cab is actually on its way or not. This feature will be very effective in building up not only our club and party business, but in increasing our airport business that should feature prominently in taxi drivers portfolio.

United Cab is the only company anyone should call in Tampa. So when those Republicans come to Tampa next year, I hope they all use our service. They will have perfect information about how they will be served.

Don't Leave Your Cell Phone In The Taxi

This photo demonstrates that there is no excuse for losing your cell phone in a public taxi cab. I was out on Clearwater beach recently and they were having a bikini contest at Sheppard's Beach Resort and I thought I would check it out.

I could not believe all the semi-nude women that were walking around, and all of them had cell phones! This young lady in a black string bikini had a unique way of holding on to her phone (note the front of her bikini bottom).

The reason I mention this is that people often lose their phones in the taxi cabs. That creates a problem for the driver because we have to waste time returning the phone and people don't always give us a tip, so, we lose a fare. All cab drivers have this problem with phones. If we do return a phone, please understand that we have just missed a call and take care of us.

Now people, you can see there is no excuse for not having your phone on your person when you exit the taxi cab. Just leave some plastic gloves so we can handle it!

A New Taxi Driver

I pulled up along this new driver today. He was reading a readers digest and waiting for a call. I don't know about this guy. He had some strange ides about working the same hours every day and having a plan, or system, and sticking with it. I don't know about that.

He will learn soon that you can't work this like a business. You have to work the bars at night and sleep in your cab or you have no chance of making money. Larry thinks you can have a better plan.

Anyway, I hope Larry has good luck along the way. He just might last a couple of days or so.

A Good Weekend For Tampa Taxi Drivers

This weekend has been good for United Cab drivers. It does come as sort of a surprise with it being August and such. I know its the first of the month but I think something else is going on. The new dispatch system installed by United Cab seems to be improving our business.

The primary feature is text messaging to the customer. United Cab customers receive a text message after they hang up notifying them that a cab has been asigined, the number of the taxi, and the distance the taxi is currently at. When the taxi is within a mile, the customer will get another text telling them to come outside because the taxis arrival is eminent.

Most of the customers that I talk to really like this feature and say that is the reason they are calling United now instead of Yellow. That is the reason I think our call count is going up, we are giving the service that our customers want.

Tim And Tom's Big Adventure (History Making Baseball Game)

It was not the baseball history I wanted to see but I was glad to just be in the stadium after what happened Saturday. Tom called his customer about the bogus tickets we used Saturday to try and get into the Whitney Bank Club at Tropicana field. His customer is a business man, and had forgot that he had forwarded those tickets to an associate. He felt bad about what happened, and forwarded new tickets for the Sunday game for us. Cool! We were on our way. This game was the Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN; It was an eight o'clock start and I figured it would end about eleven.

The view from the Whitney Bank Club

We parked in the same lot we had Saturday, and were very happy to find out our $175 tickets were good!  We were in...How Cool Is That! You enter the Whitney Bank Club through a private entrance where the staff begin waiting on you hand and foot. After the elevator ride up to the club, our tickets were scanned again and we found a good table by a window with a great panoramic view of the field.

Me watching the game

We feasted on prime rib, jerk chicken breast, vegetables (we eat healthy), scallops and much more. They even had Chicago style hot dogs which we ate during the game while we washed all of this down with boatloads of beer...All of this is free if you have a tickets. I can't tell you how wonderful the food was, and how many trips we took to the carving station. We were indeed in hog heaven. We were not, however, prepared for what we were about to see during the game.

The starting pitchers Josh Becket and Jeff Neiman pitched eight lights out innings and left the game with the score tied at 0-0. Tampa had their chances with many long shots that almost went out for home runs. Boston had left 14 men on base at the end of nine innings. By rights, they could have easily won this game. It was by watching this, that I saw how good a defensive team the Rays are. They don't miss a beat. Sam Fauld ran down many long shots with terrific speed, and Johnny Damon got two hits and plays at a high level for a 37 years old dude; Even Longoria got a nice hit to break his streak (he is coming back from injury). Neither team gave an inch and the game went extra innings. It seemed that nobody was going to score. The Red Sox loaded the bases twice, but hit into double plays both times. The Rays could not get a man passed second base the whole night.

Tom on our private balcony

The highlights of the evening were when a Boston fan ran out into the outfield and was chased by security who tackled him and beat his ass, and when Joe Madden got ejected from the game (defending a player that was attacked by a chowder head player who broke a bat).. We finally left about 1:00 a.m. and went home. I found out in the morning that Boston finally won after 16 innings. This was the longest game in Ray's franchise history. Most of the people were gone before it ended. Of course, many people have to go to jobs on Monday morning and who would have expected this game to go on for almost six hours. What was strange was watching Alex Cobb getting in some pitching practice in the bull pin after midnight. A very strange experience.

One thing I noticed was that the majority of the crowd were Tampa Bay Ray fans. Years ago in a Boston series, that would not be the case. I am glad to see the trend is turning. Friends of mine know my opinion on this. If you are going to live in the Tampa Bay area, support our teams. If not, go back too where you came from. Its as simple as that.

I am going to miss this place as I head back to the 'cheap seats' were taxi driver should be at anyway. A hot dog still taste good there. However, if you can swing it, the experience you will have at the Whitney Bank Club is well worth. it. Just having privacy was worth it for me.

Tim And Tom's Big Adventure (Born Yesterday)

There is nothing like getting free tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game. These are not just tickets, but Boston Redsox vsTampa Bay Rays tickets. In fact, they are too the Whitney Bank Club high price seating. This is where the fat cats and the bigwigs go to watch a game. These $175 tickets include free buffet style food and free booze. There is prime rib, shrimp, lasagna, and everything you could dream of. The wait staff serves your every need, and we Tom and I had tickets.

My best taxi driver friend Tom Castros took a high-roller to the airport this morning and they businessman said he had the tickets, but his plans had changed and he wanted to just give Tom the tickets for the $25 fare. Tom took them in a heartbeat and called me on my cellphone. I said "hell ya! Lets go!" The game was set for a 4:15 start and we were both hungry. Free drink and food...I'm all over it! We would soon be surrounded by beautiful women and the rich and powerful in the Tampa Bay area. Wait till they get a hold of us.

Since we are cab drivers, we know how to get within two blocks from the stadium without ever encountering traffic. I am not exaggerating on this. Most people are on the interstate and it is gridlock. We know a parking lot that charges only $10 to park, and you are in the shadow of Tropicania field. How cool is that? We walked right up to the stadium and got someone to take are picture. We were on our way and breaking all the rules We felt like Thelma and Louise. This was going to be awesome.

Tim and Tom outside Topicania Field

We walked up to the gate with our expensive, high baller tickets and proudly gave them to the ticket people. The lady scanned my ticket with a light and said, "I'm sorry sir; something is wrong with your ticket" I could not believe that. She did point out that we needed to go to gate 6 and perhaps everything would be all right. Tom and I headed over there. We could not believe that had happened and felt we would be fine over at gate six. Wrong. Now this was something out of a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode.

Sir...There is a problem

Security said that the tickets had been 'forwarded' yesterday to another party. In short, these tickets were no good. There was nothing we could do. Its bad enough to get beat out of a fare, but to go through all this and get your hopes up so high is just cruel. David Shields was pitching and I really wanted to see how good he would be against this powerful Boston batting lineup.

It was very hot and we just wanted to get to some kind of air condition. We had no water because we were going to get that in the club suite. When we went back to the parking lot, the guy asked us why we were leaving so early. We told him that we had been ripped off and he was good enough to give us a refund of the $10 parking fee. At least something went right.

On the ride home Tom's friend called and said that he has a special who gave him tickets to Sunday's night baseball game between the RedSox and the Rays and he could not go. He wanted to know if we wanted to use the tickets. We told him yes. He then said they were not just tickets - they were to the Whitney Bank Club and they were $175 which included free food and booze. Great! I can't wait for tomorrow night.

Obamavilles And The Starch Diet For Poor Taxi Drivers

A Shanty Town Under Obama's Rule

Am I the only one that is tired of working everyday for 10 hours with no time off and needing to work weekends to make money? All you can do during the week is pay the lease, and buy some pasta for yourself...who can afford meat?

Many of Tampa's Taxi drivers are functionally homeless. They have personal clothes and grooming items stored in the trunks of their taxi cabs or they live day to day out of a motel. Many just have nowhere to live and they gather at the pavilion in the holding area at the airport (where the taxi cab drivers wait during the day) and spread out their sleeping bags and sleep. When the floor gets to hard for them, they sleep in the back seat of the taxi.

This is reminiscent of the Depression era when people would sleep in 'Hooversvilles' or shanty towns. Those people had no jobs. So why are these men willing to work 120 hours a week to live like this? I have no idea. You can do nothing in this country and be homeless.

I am getting fat, however. Why is that? I thought you were poor? I am but when you are poor in America you gain weight. The poor people in America are the fattest in the world. Did you know that? Poor people can only buy potato's, pasta, rice and beans..the starch diet. That will make you fat. I long for meat and fresh vegetables. Tonight, I will use kidney beans in my pasta for some variety. I do have some black pepper.

Mike, you are right. I did rant the other day. I just don't how the owners of these taxi companies can be millionaires while the drivers have nothing and live like worms during the Depression while living in 'Obamavilles.'  That is if the police don't run you off in the middle of the night trying to create the illusion that there are no homeless people in the Tampa Bay area. I guess it is the economy stupid. Does Obama get your vote again? Is there anyway out of this jam in the near future?

Not Much Going On In The Tampa Taxi Business - Except Corruption

74 miles in 12 hours

Taxi drivers need to drive over 100 miles a day to have a chance of making money. Lately, I am lucky to get 50-70 miles. I have never heard of that before. When you are only getting about 5-7 calls in a twelve hour period, you don't have much chance of making a living. The HCPTC had a meeting the other day about the state of the economy...Big deal. Stop letting the companies put on so many Goddamn drivers, and let some very poor people make a living. That would be the best thing you could do.

We don't have the money to give mortgages to people with no collateral loans like Michael J. Mosses (Owner of start up cab company who made his money off of ALF's like what Govenor Scott did) when he gave a $83,000 mortgage to Keven White as a mortgage (White was arrested by the FBI on corruption charges for receiving bribes from tow companies..I predict White will roll over big time to avoid prison).

What I hope is that the hobo drivers that think they have a job, need to go get a $7 an hour gig and they will be better off. They can then move out of their motel rooms and homeless shelters or stop sleeping in the back seat of the cabs.

Why does everyone want to be in the transportation business in Tampa? Why not open some other business and stop sucking the blood out of immigrants from third world countries. It sucks now, I now have nothing to lose.

"Life Is A Highway" Tammy's Birthday Party

Life is a highway and Tammy has enjoyed her tenure in the Tampa Bay area as a veteran taxi driver. She had her 50th birthday party at Hillsborough River State Park and it was quite an event. There was a DJ, a sit down dinner, door prizes, and lots of her friends from over the years to add to the festivities. The A/C was not working well in the pavilion she had rented, other then that, it was a good evening. I thought I had the 'guess how many pennies in the jar' contest won but someone else was dead on. I still think it was rigged..LOL. When the party was over, we went over to the campsites and settled in for an all night party with a keg and more contest. Its too bad that I was the only taxi driver that showed up. I have always believed most cab drivers have no social life; I think I am right.

The Dance Floor

Tammy with the DJ at the party

If you missed the party, then you missed "Tammy Trivia" and all the door prizes and some wonderful southern cooking. I liked the event and was glad she invited me. I brought my tent and sleeping bag and set up home on the River Edge campsite. It was a little warm, but the bugs were ok and it was not too bad.

A photo of Tammy and Jack that was on display

Its hard to get cab drivers to take a day off. They should try it more often; they just might like it. See the campfire party below.