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.