Tampa Taxi Shots

I now Have A Weapon

This is where a cab driver meet his fate.  Two drivers in St. Petersburg Florida have been killed in the last three days and nine have been robbed since April. Cab drivers are being killed in St. Petersburg Florida.  It will soon carry over into Tampa, and that is when it will get really serious.  Unlike St. Pete, we have a real law enforcement agency in Tampa that runs our taxi business.  I will not wait for them to respond.  If the robber gets in my cab, he will die.  He will die after several hours of intense torture and pain.  I don't care.  The look on his face will be priceless. 

Veterns Affairs Conferance In Tampa - Transportation Required

Department of Veterans AffairsVHA eHealth University 2008 Conference Transportation Services Statement of Work Scope: The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs Learning University (VALU) Information Technology (IT) National Training & Education Office (NT&EO), is sponsoring the VHA eHealth University 2008 conference, to be held July 14-17, 2008, at Tampa Bay Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Transportation to and from Tampa Convention Center is required for this conference. Expected number of attendees is 1500 VA attendees and 100 Non-VA attendees. Transportation is required for this conference due to the use of 10 hotels and the distance from the convention center. Period of Performance Requirements:

The conference will begin with conference registration, Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. and will conclude at 5:00 p.m., .....List of hotels:Anticipated Number of People Hilton Garden Inn Tampa/Ybor City65 Hampton Inn and Suites Tampa/Ybor City95 Westin Harbour Island270 Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa135 Residence Inn by Marriott Tampa50 Courtyard by Marriott Tampa80 Hyatt Regency Tampa125 Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk230 Suggested Routes: Route A- Hilton Garden Inn Tampa/Ybor; Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor; Westin Harbour Island Route B- Sheraton Riverwalk Tampa, Hyatt Regency Tampa Route C- Howard Johnson Plaza, Residence Inn, Courtyard by Marriott Tentative Route/stop: (inclement weather only) Tampa Marriott Waterside Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Schedule: Sunday, July 13, 2008; 4:30PM-9:00PM Monday, July 14, 2008, 6:30AM-9:00PM Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 6:30AM-10:30AM Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 5:00PM-9:00PM Wednesday, July 15, 2008; 6:30AM-10:30AM Wednesday, July 15, 2008; 5:00 PM-9:00PM Thursday, July 16, 2008; 6:30AM-10:30AM Thursday, July 16, 2008; 4:30PM-8:30PM VA Hospital Tours: PolyTrauma/SCI Tours maximum per tour10 (Tentative schedule) Monday-9:10AM depart convention center; 11:30AM depart VA hospitalreturn to convention center Tuesday-9:10AM

Why does not United Cab go after this kind of business.  All they have to do is issue a proposel based on this criteria: The evaluation factors for technically acceptable proposals are listed in descending order of importance and Award will be made to the Contractor who offers Best Overall Value to the Government in support of this Statement of Work. 1) Technical: technical knowledge, demonstrated expertise, and understanding specifications. 2) Past performance. Contractor must include, as a part of the response, a minimum of (3) case studies that demonstrate past performance on like services. 3) Price. Contractor must reflect its best overall cost to the Government in support of the requirements listed herein as well as the specifications provided by the Contractors technical experience in support of this request. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness.

We have, however, been getting a bunch of rides out of TIA from these people.  I just hope they "hit the town" more than the Shriners did 2 years ago.

Ybor Obama Niggas' Beat White Boys Ass

I see these fights all the time in Ybor and around town.  I have been jumped, beaten, put in hospital by blacks who hate my fucking guts because I am white.  See how much they LOVE this white guy for no other reason then he is white.  Than ask yourself why you want to vote for a guy who was a member of church that hates white people, who has a militant wife who hates white people, and is supported by those that hate white people, while he blows smoke up your ass and Bullshits America the whole way.  See what the cab driver sees every night.

I Pod Trouble

I stopped by AT&T Friday because I wanted to get a new cell phone.  I have been using Metro PCS but I let it go since it only caters to low life.  My plans where derailed. 

When I pulled into the parking lot at Dale Mabry and Henderson, there was this long line stretching around the building out the back parking lot. What?  It seems the new I Pod was released today and the people all wanted one.  So much for normal business today. 

There was even a news crew on the ground and one in the air in an Action News helicopter.  I guess its hard to keep coming up with stories to report on.

Anyway, Cheryl was not there and she is the only sales rep I want to deal with.  I will see her Monday after the hysteria has died down.

Headed For The Gate

Listening to the cab radio yesterday you would have thought someone else was driving cab #497.  I was up in the "Gate" and taking calls off of stand 73 and 74.  Why?  Business sucks.

All the south-side stands are just full of drivers looking for the "slim pickings" that seem to be the only thing to bid on anymore.

This used to be a good gig.  Now, with the Haitians that can't find Dale Mabry without a GPS, and the drivers that rip off customers and long route them, the drivers that can't find nothing and blow off calls and give people a hard time, no wonder nobody calls us anymore. You would have to be from a Third (Turd) World Nation to think 80 hours a week, 7 days a week to make $200 is somehow a good deal.

As long as the only requirement to getting a cab license is being alive, this will continue. 

People wonder why I don't do a lot of cab stories anymore.  Thais because there is no joy on Mud-ville

At least on the North side of town, you still have some volume to at stay alive, but that's about it. 

Dara Torres Olympic Swimmer at 41 Years Old

Dara Torres is a beautiful women and in great shape.  The former Florida Gator standout has made the United States Olympic team at the age of 41 and has been doing modeling shoots.  She did all this even after having a baby daughter Tessa 2 years ago (cute kid). Her body has never been in such great shape and her times have never been faster...24.34 for a 50 Meter Long Course freestyle!   OUCH!  There seems to be some speculation about performance enhancement drugs such as HGH (which you cannot test for).  That might explain her willingness to submit to test.  Personally, I think she's clean.  I have seen many Masters swimmers set personal best in their 40S, so why not an Olympic caliber swimmer.  We know much more now about training then they did in the 1980S...aerobic, aerobic threshold, anaerobic threshold and so forth.  We are only beginning to tweak the science of training.  I predict, like when the 4 minute mile was broken, that many master swimmers will start setting incredible times.  Just watch. Many people have Goggled my site looking for Dara Torres photos, I have a new gallery with her images in them.

Wesley Clark is a liar and a Killer

Gen Wesley Clark, a killer of innocent American citizens, seems to have a problem with John McCain and his military record.  He believes that a 22 year Navy record and 26 years in the Senate makes him "untested...inexperienced" 

Obama, with the funny name and female hands, and only 1 year in the Senate, and NO Military service, is more experienced?! 

Gen Clark says all McCain did was “get into a fighter plane and got shot down”  This discounts McCain's honors which include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross

Amazing.  John Kerry was a coward and liar. (The Urban myth of Vietnam soldiers lopping off ears and stringing them together came from Kerry's lips at the famous Senate hearing.  A total lie).  Yet Clark endorsed Kerry and said his Character learned in combat is what made him fit to be President of the United States.  Clark is at worst a political hack, at best, a liar. He was, however, a killer.

On the day of the Columbine massacre NATO jets where bombing in Kosovo and killing civilians by the tens of thousands.  All of this under Gen Clark's command.  That makes him a hero? In Waco Texas 74 Branch Dividian followers where killed with tanks and army equipment that was lent to the FBI from nearby Army Base Fort Hood.  Clark was second in command of the Army at the time and had been in Texas and had meet with Janet Reno and Texas Governor Ann Richards just days before the attack.  There is no way they could have used those M-1 tanks without Clark's knowledge.  Innocent Americans where killed because of Clark.

Don't be fooled by Gen Clark.  He IS the enemy.

Looking For Love

Deven Trabosh is looking for a husband.  She also wants to sell her house...and she lives in Florida! 

Hey, I am looking for a wife and I live in Florida.. Problem..If I move in and you move out, where do we live?  Small detail.  I am sure we can work that out.

You see, after a year of trying to sell her four-bedroom home and eight years of singledom, Deven Trabosh is offering her South Florida home and a shot at marrying her on the Internet. I understand she has had inquires from Europe and so forth...Deven!  I live in Florida. 

If you see this after a Google search, contact me. I am serious.  True love can conquer all. 

I am a great cook and handyman.  I am also funny and a great conversationalist and you will never be bored. 

Let me know.

Obama And The Second Amendment

I am glad to see my money is going to good use.  The Republican National Committee has produced this commercial that will run in the fall.  Good Luck Obama in winning Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Montana, Arizona and Louisiana.  You will lose all these States just on that issue alone, and when you pencil in the other Red States, they should stop this fight before he gets to bloody.

The Greatest Day In American History

CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM!!!!

The Supreme Court of the United States in the first time ever has addressed the issue of an individual right to posses a gun.  They have ruled that it is a fundamental right!  Do you know what that means?

That means people like John Kerry, Al Gore, Barack Obama cannot take your rights from you no matter how much these vermin scum believe you have no rights.

Decades from now Historians will say that George Busch was the greatest President ever because HE appointed the judges that got it right and upheld the RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE!!

God Bless America....We really are FREE!!!!!!!!!!

In Obama's Own Words

Subject: In Obama's own words This guy wants to be our President and control our government. Pay close attention to the last comment!! Below are a few lines from Obama's books, his words: From Dreams of My Father: 'I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.' From Dreams of My Father : 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mothers race.' From Dreams of My Father: 'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.' From Dreams of My Father: ; 'It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.' From Dreams of My Father: 'I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image , the black man, son of Africa , that I 'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Man dela.' From Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'

Why Are You Poor?

You are poor maybe because of your own stupid decisions and not the Republicans.

OBAMA: Just Say No

See what the cab man has to say about the Presidential race:<

Tampa Taxi Shots Movie

I am trying my hand at movie making and acting...check it out!

Angy Cab Driver

I came out this morning at 3:00 AM ready to have a good day.  Right!  By 6:00 AM, when we moved to the stands, I had not had a call.  Not one.  There was nothing to even bid on.  There where no calls on the board.  The conspiracy theory is that "Bear" the dispatcher is using his cell phone to call his cab driver buddies to give them the airport calls.  I really don't know. 

All I know is that after 14 years in the business I have never seen a Friday morning when you could not get a call before Six AM.   How is that possible?  If you are a driver reading this, do you have a clue?   Where are our calls?  I quit around Noon, and I had a grand total of FOUR calls for $62.  I will be under if this continues.  I am really getting worried. 

People say, hang in there tomorrow is another day.  Unfortunately, each day seems to be getting worse.

"Negro Man To Wrestle"

From the birth of the promotion in the 1960's, until it’s demise in 1987, Championship Wrestling From Florida was regarded as one of the premiere wrestling territories in the country. Promoted by Clarence “Cowboy” Luttrall, Eddie Graham, and in later years Duke Keomuka and Hiro Matsuda, CWF provided fans with exceptional wrestling action on a nightly basis. Serving such cities as Tampa, Miami Beach, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Orlando, and West Palm Beach, CWF drew record crowds to it’s shows because of intelligent booking and well thought out angles, and featured wrestlers who could not only work, but also had tremendous personalities. The stunning roster of wrestling talent that passed through CWF is endless, with main event caliber athletes like Johnny Valentine, Bob Roop, Tim Woods, and Jack Brisco competing in arenas throughout the state. CWF was blessed to have as it’s voice the legendary Gordon Solie, who most consider the greatest wrestling announcer of all time. Bringing credibility and brilliance to CWF, Solie delighted  audiences with his trademark “So Long From The Sunshine State” for over twenty-five years.

Thes events were huge..The National Guard Armory on N Howard would be a full house every Tuesday night.  That was from 1943-1987,  Of cousrse, nobody is from Florida...Right?

Was Eddie Grahm related to "Superstar" Billy Graham.  Does anyone remember "Haystack Calhougn"

My YouTube Channel

The cab man has a YouTube.com Channel...You can check out some of my primitive stuff...There will be a lot more in the future.  I have some major projects planed.  Things are getting very exciting around here.

Get Real

The new Airport Flat Rate is $25.00 for downtown service.  There is also a minimum of $15.00 to and from Tampa Airport. That seems to causing me some problems.

Twice, after picking up at hotels close to Tampa Airport, I have had to take the customer back to the hotel!  They did not want to pay the rate for such a short trip,. They believe it should be for about $5.00 as one man said. 

Folks!  We cannot come and serve you with the gas prices this high.  I will burn a gallon of gas just on your trip!  How can I do that for $5.00?  Get real..

I think they should make the drop $5.00 on ALL trips, like they do in Phoenix.  If you want a cab, you are going to have to pay.  Simple.

One Small Step For Man

Is this an out-take from the Lunar landing?  Take a close look and ask if NASA could of pulled this off.  27 seconds.

Who Took This Photo?

Whoever took this photo was a professional.  I don't believe some astronaut dude with a hand-held did this.  I mean, do your vacation photos rise to the level of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC or SMITHSONIAN?  No. This one does.

I was In Borders Bookstore today looking at some coffee books.  (You know, the ones that you buy for your friends but not yourself).  They had one on exploration and it contained a series of images taken on the moon during the landing 1969-1972.

Something struck me as weird.  I am a photographer, and I am always looking for the perfect image.  That was the problem, these images where perfect!  Look at the photo above. 

What struck me was the composition and lighting.  The symmetry is awesome and it follows the classic "rule of thirds" that make for pleasing and inviting imagery.  The astronaut is to the left, the LEM is in the middle with the lunar rover to the right and the mountain in the back, with a two/thirds slope.  An absolutely stunning image.  That's the problem!  The photographer that took this was a professional, not a guy who's photography skills are of taking snapshots at backyard picnics.

The photographer that took this image had total control over every aspect of it.  One of the problems I ran into in Arizona was trying to control the "side-lighting" effects of the strong sun.  Look at that mountain. Even though the light is from the side there are no shadows or gradations on the mountain.  In fact, the shadows would have been severe enough to ruin the shot.  Looks like more than one light source to me.

Check out this documentary if you dare on Google Video Moon Landing Hoax.   

Four Bucks

Gas is now over $4 a gallon at most stations in Tampa.  The cabbie has to buy his own gas.  Most customers don't know that.

We are now able to ad $1 onto all fares as a fuel surcharge.  I am amazed how many times I HAVE to use it because I have some Goddamn stiff in my cab who was not going to tip, much less, leave a tip.  So I whack them with the surcharge. (The surcharge is for all cabs in Hillsborough County).

Just throw us one buck folks for all trips.  I assure you it is not going into my pocket, it is going into the gas pump!

Cool New Blog!

Two ex Tampa Cab Drivers have collaborated on a cool new blog.  It is about sports, cab driving and life.  IT is called Larry and Tom's Blog site.  They are going to have all kinds of sports stuff..To bad the Yankees SUCK!

Larry...the other design was better.  Please switch back.

You can see what Larry is driving now...Sweet.

Land Of The Free

Is this image Obscene?  Is this against "community standards?"  Is this art?  Is it necessary that this photo be any of that?

Activist Federal prosecutors just got a conviction in Tampa Federal court against Paul little (Known as Max Hardcore) for distributing obscene material by US Mail to the Tampa area. 

Justice Department attorney Edward McAndrew urged jurors to rely on how the films made them feel as they watched. He told them in closing arguments that had the law not required they stay, he wouldn't blame them for running for the exits.

"These videos aren't only offensive, they assault your senses," McAndrew said

So.  Maybe your senses, but not the men who want to pay their hard earned money to watch the stuff in their own home.

What crime is committed when all the "models" and "actors" are adult and anyone buying the stuff is an adult.  You have to have a credit card to buy it off the website, so they must be of age. 

People like you scare me more than anyone making a porn flick! 

Do you want to know about "community standards"  As a cab driver I can tell you there are no "community standards"  Most nights are pretty wide open.  There is more sex in this town than you can shake a stick at.  I can show you where every whorehouse in this town is at.  But is that a crime?  Adults Only. Who cares. Only you.

Liberals say that what happens between a woman and her doctor is private therefore, she can have an abortion because that is nobody's business.  But you would say, a person by himself, watching a flick in his own home, is now YOUR business. 

I am now afraid in my own country. 

Greatness

"He is moving like a tremendous machine" yells Chick Anderson the TV announcer of the Belmont Stakes in 1973.  I remember watching that race as a kid and being amazed at the site of greatness. 

Secretariat set track records in all three triple crown races with times that have never been broken.  His time of 2:24 in the mile and one half Belmont stands alone as a testament of what can go right in world gone wrong as he won by 31 lengths!

It was like batting .400 in baseball or scoring 100 points in basketball or going 17-0 in a football season.  It was perfection. (Ask the New England Patriots about perfection). 

In about two hours, we should see Big Brown dystroy the field in the Belomont Stakes.  I don't know if he will beat that 2:24 but he many win by as many lengths. Make sure you watch it folks.  It is rare in any lifetime that you get to see such a thing first hand.

Who is Obama?

Now that Barrack Obama is now the presumptive Democratic nominee, we must acknowledge how historical this is.  The Democrats are putting up a guy who three years ago was a State Legislator and only became a Senator when his Republican opponent was caught up in a swingers sex scandal. (He was married to the babe on Star Trek).  The polls say he has a great chance to win, but who is this guy?

Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton came out of nowhere, but had been governors of Southern States and knew what being a manager was all about.  The Dem's have put up Senators before, George McGovern, Al Gore, John Kerry but they had been on the National stage for a long time. The Republican put even older candidates who have been around for decades, or at least had a father for President and had been a Governor.  This time, we are taking a huge risk.   

That just might be the appeal.  He is not part of the White Mans establishment; he does not come from wealth, he used to play basketball, he smokes and he is, at least now, not beholding to any lobby group.  No politician such Reagan has been able to mesmerize an audience like this guy.  He has the charisma of Tony Robbins and makes you believe anything is possible.  On MLK day he gave a speech that moved me to tears.  He talked about faith and the walls of Jericho and how many people in their lives have only faith and a belief that things will get better.  The Israelites blew the horns and the walls came down.  That is a metaphor of how I live most days.  I have never had a politician move me on a personal level like that.

People want change.  They are tired of a war that has gone on way to long and gotten a lot of good people killed.  They are tired of working hard and getting nowhere.  I know I am. What I find amazing is how he beat Bill and Hillary at their own game.  I never thought that was possible.  Maybe that show just how organized and smart this cat really is.  Beating the Clinton's makes you a formidable opponent for any despot who is a threat to this country. 

Even after all the inspiring rhetoric, I ask: Who is this guy?  He has the most liberal voting record in the Senate bar none.  Will he be LBJ and enter a new "Great Society" that we cant pay for.  I don't know.

Just be glad we live in America. If he is a failure he will be out in four years.  Give him a try?  I am almost leaning that way and I NEVER thought that would happen.

I guess with Obama all things are possible now.  Man.  Never seen anything like this.   

Emergency Room

Cab drivers often get pick ups at Tampa General Emergency Room.  Late night people get hurt or sick and have no money to get home, and the Hospital pays for their ride.  United Cab has a billing arrangement with the hospital.  Most of the time the rides are mundane.  Not tonight.

This women came out and there was an address somewhere in Valrico.  I had no idea where her street was at, so I asked her.  She called me a "dumb-ass" and that I needed to find it myself.  She said she was pissed because she had a car parked in the hospital parking lot and they would not let her drive it.  She was a "suspect" in something. Great.

When I was getting off the Crosstown Expressway onto Faulkenberg road, I asked her what direction to take and she started cursing and again said, "Don't you Fucking know?"  I don't know about most cab drivers but I have learned over the years not to take this type of abuse.  Up ahead was a Hess station.

I pulled into the parking lot.  It was well lit up and I told her to get out.  She made no attempt to apologize, called me a loser and when she was getting out asked me "How am I supposed to get home?"  She almost started crying...

I sort of felt kind of sorry for her.

Sandy Koufax Pitching

The Rays should be so lucky.  I have done some research and found out that Sandy Koufax did what modern day pitchers could only dream of.  From 1961-1966 he pitched a NO HITTER every year!  If a guy gets one today, they say he should be in the Hall of Fame.   Koufax did this with extreme pain from an elbow injury that doged him his whole carrer.   He struck out more batters in one year than anyone has ever come close to.

Rays Bloggers

The Rays won again today against the Chicago White Sox.  The game, however, was not on TV.  I got the results off of the Rays Website and they had a link to a site that featured MLB blogs and this picture of the LA Dodger dugout.  Go fugure. 

The Dodgers may have been a force when Sandy Koufax pitched, but they will never win a World Series again...The Rays are now the dominate force in Baseball...Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

It probubly is a good idea that the games are not on TV.  This means that people, like myself, will have to go to the stadium to see the game.  Lets go!