All In A Days Work

I've been driving cab now for five months in my home town of Oshawa, and although it still doesn't pay much.. I love it! I guess it's the variety of people I meet, and see each day that keeps it interesting. It takes time like any job to learn some of the tricks to making it more enjoyable. I'm learning what type of weather people will and won't tolerate. Rain, or snow doesn't mean it will be busy because under those circumstances it usually means warmer temperature, and people will tolerate that rather than spend their hard earned money on a cab, but add wind, and voila watch the money roll in. Windy days, and cold temps are a cabby's dream come true because you just can't hide from the wind, and umbrellas are useless against it.

Learning what day's the government cheques come out will give you a heads up on what type of day you'll be having. Very busy! On those day's usually towards the end of the month there will be an increase in fares going grocery shopping, liquor and beer stores, and more people in general using cabs why? because it's pay day!!!

Learning the turf, or the areas that produce higher volume of calls is still the toughest part of the job to predict, but the longer I've been doing it the more I'm learning. Downtown is the place to be simply because it is the "zone" that backs up the majority of other zones. If there are no cabs in a certain zone and a call comes in for that zone than chances are the downtown zone will receive that call and send a car to it. Certain zones do not have as many back up zones, so you may sit longer in a certain zone than if you are in the downtown zone..follow? However, this does not guarantee you'll be busy because most of the drivers hang out downtown, so it's not uncommon to be 8th, or 9th in the ques when in the downtown zone. What am I getting at?? it's totally unpredictable, and honestly that's what makes it fair. Like in any game may the best man win!

Scooping is a term used when you happen to be in the right place at the right time, and there is a fare standing there waiting..what do you do?? (A) Take the fair immediately? (B) Ask if they called ahead for another cab company? (C) Asked if they called ahead for your company? (D) Never leave a customer waiting? Answer: (C) If the fare called ahead for a cab from your own company than politely reply I'm sure it will be hear any minute. Taking another mans fare means stealing his earnings and that's not tolerated...unless it's for another cab company then by all means, but don't get caught!

Everyone knows cabby's have some great stories to tell, and the only reason for that is because of the variety of people we meet, and see each day. I think most people who deal with the public have stories to tell, but I must admit I've had some people tell me things they probably have never told anyone they know their little secrets, and why us? why not? cabby's have the reputation of being crazier than most of our fares...right?

I have no idea how long I'll stay at this job, probably till I simply can't afford to do it anymore, and that may not be to long away, but until something better comes along I think I'll stay put because I do love to be entertained, and trust me...this job is ever bit that..

Here are just a few pics of the interesting people that add colour to the downtown scene...

Pic 1: A lady of the street keeps walking to stay warm

Pic 2: A shot of the downtown taxi stand next to the bus terminal

Pic 3: I'm not sure why, but this guy likes to wear big pink bunny ears

Pic 4: This guy likes to wear pink womens clothes...just lovely...

Beating the Winter Blahs

Ontario just had it's worst winter storm of the year today, and I must admit it reminded me of the winters we use to get when I was a kid. Remember the stories of how your parents had to walk to school in snow up to their knees? well it's true! Back before we had all this global warming effect we use to have white Christmas's regularly none of this one or two storms a season we seem to get now.

I took full advantage of it , and created a great day for myself. We had lots of notice it was coming, so I decided to take the day off work. Instead of getting up at my usual 5:30am I rolled out of bed at 8:30 am, and sashayed into the kitchen to have a cup of coffee. Opened the drapes to see the snow storm in full force, and sat on the couch and sipped my coffee and smiled. Turned on the TV to hear the news of the day, and couldn't help but wish I had a better TV because the picture on my set is getting a little blurry. Hmmm I thought to myself I could go and do a little shopping I'm sure the stores won't be busy, so that's exactly what I did. I found a new Sony flat screen HDTV on sale and bought it. Nothing like pampering yourself to beat the winter blahs.

In no time at all I was enjoying a nice clear picture on my new set, and had to have a cold beer to celebrate...I know it's winter out, but I'm Canadian eh..

I basically spent the day on the couch in front of my new set kicking back and chillin what else are snow days for? Typically I would cook something hardy that would require an all day simmering like a chilly, or stew, but instead decided on pizza...mmmmm the perfect meal for a perfect day...oh and lets not forget strawberry cheese cake for dessert.

The snow was still coming down as it had all day long, but I notice the wind had died down, and so I decided to go for a walk down by the lake. It was sooo peaceful not a sole down there other than yours truly. Unfortunately, the snow didn't make for good pictures because I just couldn't get a pic of the lake at night, but trust me the waves where at least 8-10 feet high, and just thunder est sounding as they hit the shore. The snow was becoming more wet like rain mixed in so, I decided to head back to the car, but not before taking a pic of standing in snow up to my knees. (just like the good old days)

After completing this blog I will return to my new set with a glass of wine, and maybe my pipe, and enjoy my thoughts of my perfect day....winter blahs?...not today.