They're after me...HELP!

With this job, you can never be certain about anything. With any passenger, safety can go right out the window. I've had people who are quite off their rocker and done to much of this or that in the 60's. I picked up a guy just like that at County Psych.

First off, I get there and 3 County Sheriffs are around him. I'm thinking "great, this will be interesting." As I walk up, one officer pulls me aside and says that "he is unstable." Huh! Say What? Then he mentions that he will be following behind me in his police cruiser on the way to Concord Bart, where I am dropping him. So, we got on the road; with the cop close behind.

Let me try and describe this guy for you. He was sitting in the back of my 4-door Lincoln Town car constantly, insistently looking through the rear-window at "something." He couldn't sit his butt in the seat for four seconds in a row. I have never seen paranoia like this before. He was trippin' out. He told me that someone was following us so I curiously looked in the mirror. A few cars but nothing out of the ordinary. I keep driving. All of a sudden, he says "Hello, 911, I have 3 gangmembers following me. I'm in a taxi. I am a gang dropout." That last part, "gang dropout" wasn't what I wanted to hear. So I look in the mirror some more. None of the same cars are behind us which is good. Including the cop. He is nowhere in sight.

At this point, I am not freaking out but definitely frustrated that he bailed on me when I needed him most. I figured that he got a call more important than sticking with me. At this time, the patient is still on the phone with 911 dispatch describing three vehicles that are following us. I let off the gas a bit to see if these cars will pass us. One of them had two passengers consisting of Grandma and Grandpa. I had to chuckle to myself after seeing that. This guy is not right in the head.

He ended up staying on the phone on our arrival to Concord Bart. As I put my Cab in park, he says to the dispatcher "can I have you talk to my taxi driver?" This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I took the phone from him and told her my side of the story without saying more than I wanted him to hear. She instructed me to proceed to Concord Police Department which is less than a quarter of a mile away. She told me that officers would meet me there and they would deal with him.

When I pulled up, two cops were waiting. My passenger got out and started telling his story to one of them while I told mine to the opposite. When I told him, he could do nothing but laugh a little and roll his eyes.

After exiting the P.D. parking lot, I never heard what happened with him. But I have to hope he got the help he desperately needed. I am glad that my Father provided me the strength to remain calm throughout the fare and ultimately resolve the situation safely. Whoever I pick in my cab, I always try to remember to pray for them when they get out. In the minutes I have them, is enough time to learn something about them. This gives me the desire to pray for them in some way.

Try praying for a random person you meet this week. Pray for them with love.

Joe Dimaggio and a side of egg

Tonight, I picked up Joe Dimaggio's grandson and someone egged my cab.

That is all,


“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Christ's love

I have alot of problems with County Hospital in Martinez. This trip gave me more reason to be angry and annoyed with them. I picked up a man, John Wallace, about 70 years old with an extreme speech impediment. For him to tell me anything, he had to write it down. Plus he's in a wheel chair, so at every stop, I have to get the chair out of the back of the cab, get him in it, then push him because he can't do it himself.

The nurse gave me a voucher with instructions to take him to Wells Fargo to get cash, then to a motel where he would spend the night. The voucher had the addresses of both the bank and motel. We get to the bank, which happens to be a Nob Hill grocery store and the bank is just an ATM Machine. My passenger tells me he needs a real bank because he doesn't have a debit card, but only his I.D. First thing I thought was "Thanks County Hospital, for giving me the first address you found, instead of finding out your patient's needs." Since I don't know where the next nearest bank is, I radioed dispatch and asked them to find it for me. It ended up being five blocks from the hospital instead of two miles, where the atm was. I was a little heated but there's more. After we got his money, he told me wanted to stop for some cigarettes on the way to the motel. Instead of getting him out of the cab and into his wheel chair, I went in for him and bought them. The motel ended up being across the street.

Once we got there, I learned of another thing the hospital should have done. They were apparently supposed to make arrangements for a room for him before I ever even picked him up. I talked to the lady at the front desk and she said he didn't make reservations and they do not have any rooms for disabled persons at this time. I asked the lady, "what should I do? I am a cab driver. I can't take him to my house."

I told John that they couldn't take him. He wrote down on paper that if I got him to the Amtrak station He could get to his son's house. Since this part of the trip is off the voucher it becomes his responsibility to pay for the cab. The trip there is only 5 to 6 dollars, so I did it for free.

The County Hospital Personnel only does what they are required to do so that they don't get into trouble. Patients cannot expect anything more.

By the way, this voucher was only worth 10 dollars and pick up to drop off took an hour and a half. Whenever I pick up someone that needs more maintenance than most and takes longer and causes more difficulty, I think to myself "what if this person had gotten a different driver?" Would they treat them the same? I feel that these calls are given to me for a reason. That when I get someone who needs special attention, I must show them Christ's love as best I can.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Autographs after the show please

Today, I picked up a lady and her three kids. They were Jr. High and High school. The mom told me I am the youngest cab driver she has ever met and the coolest. At one point, I told her that I'm writing this blog and that I may turn it into a book some day. Her and all the kids got excited. The boy said that he wanted my autograph in case I ever got famous from the book. I told him I would sign my business card for him and jokingly asked him if he wanted to shake my hand as well. They all laughed and then he said, "sure." I signed the card, shook his hand and sent them on their way.

I know there is at least one person out there anticipating me gaining success.

Thanks for reading,


“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Looney on the loose

Ok, Check this one out. A hospital that loses a patient. Ummm...are you kidding me?

Dispatch sent me to County Hospital in Martinez for a pick up at the Psych Ward. I went to the entrance so that a nurse could buzz me in the door. A man comes out and hands me the voucher which is as good as cash and says that he cannot find the patient. I know what you are thinking, "Psych patient escapes from ward. No good."

If you don't know anything of this County Hospital, please pay attention. Every patient I pick up out of here tells me that they "do not want to be here" and a "cab looks like Heaven compared to it." This isn't the first time I have been shocked by the management skills of this hospital. Every fare from here is a surprise. Kinda like trick birthday candles. What's gonna happen next?

Why am I shocked by anything run by any city, county or state agencies? I can't help it and I always feel sorry for anyone who has to be a patient there.




"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." - Psalm 86:15

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes." - Psalm 41:1-2

Lost in translation...No! I didn't pick up Bill Murray

I often do pick ups at a Mexican bar & grill on monument called La Cabana. On this particular night, I got a man who I immediately noticed could not speak english for anything. I asked him where he wanted to go. I heard alot of spanish words and one word in english, "Vallejo." I speak english pretty well; other than that, I am at a loss. Anyway, I thought, "great, that's a good fare." I asked him for an address and I have never seen a more blank stare in my life. Then He said, "Ummm...I don't know." Then I went, "AH! Crap." I asked him again just to make sure. Nothing. I told him, "If I don't have a confirmed address to go to, then it doesn't make any sense to go out there." I was so confused at this point.

Why did he call for a cab, if he hadn't the slightest clue where he actually wanted to go? Who calls for a ride, gets in and says, "I don't know" to "Where ya headed?"

After a quick minute, he decides he wants to go 8 dollars up the street off Clayton Road. After I dropped him, I laughed for a good mile later. Most people call a taxi for a reason. Others call because they are possibly drunker than they ought to be.


When you call for a ride, make sure you have a destination first.




“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Partisan means Patterson

I pulled up to a jewelery shop on Pacheco Street in Concord for a pick up. The man got into my cab smelling of alcohol, clearly and completely drunk. He told me he wanted to go to "Partisan Blvd in Pleasant Hill." I had never heard of it because it doesn't exist. But he insisted that he knew where it was and he would direct me to it. As we get to the far south end of Pleasant Hill, almost to Walnut Creek, he informs me that this isn't right. "We need to go that way," pointing north, where I had previously picked him up in concord. As we arrive back in concord he again tells me that this is wrong saying, "where are we?"

I become quite frustrated with the situation, with him, and his extreme drunkenness. At one point he says "it is near the library." At that moment, I think of the library in Pleasant Hill and it occurs to me that nearby is a street titled Patterson Blvd. I think to myself "are you kidding me?" In his drunken speech, I had heard Partisan. I finally get him to an apartment complex on Patterson and the fare comes to 38 dollars. If I had driven him straight there from the pick up point it would have been 15. I had learned after this night that this kind of problem happens all the time. Drunks have obvious problems talking clearly and cab drivers, like anyone, can't understand them.

Anyhow, after parking I ask for the fare of 38 dollars to which he replies, "I am only giving you 14." He handed me the money and walked off. Since this was my first week in and I really had no clue what to do, I said nothing but watched him walk into the apartment. I called my boss and he said he would call the police immediately. My boss assured me that I was not at fault because the man was to drunk to be understood. Before I hung up, he told me police were on their way.

The officer showed about 5 minutes after and I was able to direct him to the correct room. He talked to him for a good ten minutes and insisted that he pay the whole fare. After all, when you get into a cab you agree on an unwritten contract with the driver. If the driver full fills his part, then the passenger must do so as well. In the end, I got paid and I have actually driven this man twice since. Both times, he was sober and didn't argue against the fare. I guess he learned his lesson. And I have learned mine. Make sure I know where I'm going before ever leaving the pick up point, especially if the passenger is less than sober.




"Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' And they marveled at him." - Mark 12:17

A cheating cab driver

Let me first say this. I drive my cab for the glory of God alone. And He says cheating is wrong. So I do my best to be a fair cabbie with every fare. A huge majority are very unfair and deceiving. Others like to point fingers at that those that are wrong. I like to pray for the two. Other than me, I know of only one other driver that claims to be a Christian and I feel that his beliefs may be a little askew. So it can be tough for me to stick to my guns in a sea of those that are quite different. My shifts are twelve hours and I spend a lot of time praying for my safety, my passengers, coworkers, other cab drivers, other drivers on the road, my family, my girlfriend Rachel and her family.

If you had never met me and only knew me by reading my blog posts, you might think I am a great believer and follower of Christ. I haven't really brought to light my spiritual struggles in and outside my taxi on here. Not to say that I will start doing so, but I do want to be completely honest to my readers about who I am. If I claim to be a Christian, I am required to be open and upfront about it.

It is difficult to work in an industry where lying, cheating and hustling passengers and stealing fares from other drivers is common place. Not to say these things do not happen in other jobs. I see it very clearly within this occupation. Everyday I work, is a day I must fight for spiritual survival.

One of the main reasons I love my job so much is that I have the power to make it a ministry opportunity at every turn. I try to play Christian radio as much as possible and speak to everyone as Christ would. I chose to put the Bible verse, Romans 8:5 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us," on my business card which I have passed out like candy. Thank you again to my father, for lovingly making me those cards.

If I could, I would like to ask you to pray for me, those that I work with and everyone I encounter while I'm working. I already know that alot of you do pray and I am much appreciative of that. It means alot to me. Thank you.


Striving to be Christ-like,



"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 1:24-25

Holding on with a very light grip...

I had just started my day. It was hot; about 90 degrees. In this particular cab, the AC wasn't working, so I had the windows rolled down and my gps was attached to the windshield. Dispatch had sent me to a call at a motel in Concord on Concord Ave. On the way there, I hit a pothole in the road and my gps had become unglued from the windshield and literally flew out the window going 40 mph. I could not believe what had just happened. My face hit the floor just like my gps had hit the road. As I looked in my left side mirror I saw it bounce in the street and jump into the center island in the bushes. At first, I was shocked then I was mad. I never could have expected that this could happen. I don't see how it could have been prevented. I was mad because that was 200 dollars that had just flown out the window.

When I bought it, I really didn't have the money for it in the first place. I got it because my other one had given out on me and I desperately needed it to do my job. And for it too just drop out the window like that was the worst thing that could've occurred. I immediately made a U-turn at the next intersection. Sitting at the light, which ended up taking two minutes to change gave me time to look at the situation and realize that even a thing like this was totally in God's hands. I had to think, "what is His reasoning here." I stopped being mad and decided that He wanted to teach me a lesson.

I think the lesson involved here is that He can give and take whatever He pleases at any time. I just never thought that it would be an electronic device out a window at highspeed. I finally made the U-turn and parked in a parking lot nearby, ran down the street and ran into the road, looking both ways mind you. I searched in the bushes frantically and found what I was looking for. I was overjoyed. As I saw it, I noticed it was still unbelievably in one piece. How could this be? Then I remember that He had taken it out the window and He had kept it together. I picked it up and felt the deep scars in my coworker; my partner; my friend. It had gotten me to places that I would have never found on my own. The screen wasn't cracked and it actually was barely scratched, but the body of it now has large gashes. I doubted that it would turn on but decided that it couldn't hurt. lol I flipped the switch and it still lives. I found out later that what I had purchased is an american made electronic device. My gps was made in the great state of Kansas of all places. I was so happy to learn that an american made product could be dropped out a car window and still work. Could something from China have as much quality? I didn't think so. I believe God had done this to make me see that I must trust Him in all circumstances in my life. Even by taking a material object for a short time. He put me in my place and humbled me.

All I have is His and everyday I learn to hold onto my things with a very light grip. He blesses me greater than I deserve.

Someone once taught me to hold everything I own with an open palm and never with a grip. If you clasp it tightly, it will be much harder to let go than if you hold it as if you're trying to hand it to God. If He takes it, let it go. If He leaves it, then you are blessed to have it.

Buy yourself a Garmin GPS, You won't be disappointed.


I write this one for you Rach:) I cherish you with a light grip.


“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

He has, does and will always provide

Tonight, I was sitting at BART waiting for fares. The time came to 1:20 when the last train comes in so I decided to swing by Farrington's Pub in Pleasant Hill to see if it was hopping. It was off the hook. As I pull up and park right in front a guy flags me. Four people jump in my back seat and one riding shotgun. Shotgun tells me that everyone needs to go somewhere different. I'm thinkin' Score! This is going to run up my meter. Before I made my way to Farrington's I considered going somewhere else, but felt compelled to go there for no apparent reason. I feel that God was telling me that an Irish Pub is where I needed to go. LoL. He gives me every fare.


“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Questions?

The most common questions I get from any customer is "is the money good?" and "do you like your job?" Ok, so here it is. The money is average, and yes, I love what I do. My number one answer for "how is your day?" is "I can't complain" and "God is good." If I did complain, would anyone care?

People don't reply to the statement "God is good." I think they are shocked that a random Taxi Driver just said that. To me, it is fun to be a Christian Cabbie. Cuz when they get out of my cab, they have something to contemplate for the rest of the day if they feel convicted to do so. And if they see me again, they know what I believe. If they don't see me ever again, I have just planted a small seed in a huge field.

I think people want to ask me questions about my job because the Taxi Industry is quite unknown. All people seem to know is that cabs pick up and take individuals where they need to go. They are curious. I try to give answers as best I can. Plus, talking passes time. And a 12hr. shift is a long time.

Do you have any questions? Please post them as comments. Thank you.

Peace be the journey,


"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

Encouraged In The Lord:)

Someone left a Bible in my cab today. It encouraged me to know that at least one passenger of mine reads the Word. Although I'm not sure who it was because I don't know when it was left behind. I found it at the end of my shift when I was cleaning out my cab. I decided to just leave it there in plane site to see if anyone considers picking it up.

In His Abounding Love,


"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Positive Encouraging Radio

I drove my Dispatcher/Boss and his wife and child home from the cab shop the other night. His name his Sam and His wife's name is Angel. I had the radio on KLOVE. It was at a pretty low volume but could still be heard. The song "Your Love Is Amazing" was playing and Angel started singing quietly. I turned it up a bit and she sang louder. Before that night it never even crossed my mind that she might listen to christain music or be a Follower of Christ. But for the remainder of my shift I had it on KLOVE. No one else made so much as a comment about the music choice but it didn't matter to me. It gave me encouragement and it is possible that the words in those songs can make someone feel convicted in the future. I feel better throughout my day and am more encouraged when I listen to Christian Music. Plus, when I have to sit in my cab for hours on end, I need to be listening to something. Why not Positive Encouraging Radio?

For those of you who don't know, The station number that I use and comes in fairly clear is 89.9.

Listen and Love,


"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with great gladness; He will quiet your fears with His love; He will exult over you with loud singing, like a great choir." - Zephaniah 3:17

Can you take me to...

When I get a call from dispatch for a county run, many thoughts run through my head. Crack addicts, coke heads, alcoholics, etc. come out of County Psych needing a cab ride home or to the nearest shelter. Most every time I pick someone up from there, it ends up being some crazy trip. This here time is no different. This lady, whom I will call Mary, freaked out cause she couldn't find her I.D. I was taking her to the Rockridge Bart for a flat 50 dollar fee. As we are driving on HWY 24, she says she wants to go to the Bay Point/Pittsburg Bart Station, the Walnut Creek Station, Pleasant Hill Station, and gets mad at me cause I cannot do so. When I pick up at Psych, I get a voucher that is as good as cash and tells me exactly where I need to drop off. It also explains clearly, "NO STOPS - NO STOPS - NO STOPS" That means I can't stop for any reason, including smokes or beer.

People have asked me for detours for such things. So when I told her I could not do so, she proceeded to hit me in the arm from the back seat. I was immediately taken aback. It didn't hurt, but that could've crossed the line with alot of people. It was His providence she got me as her driver. I promptly forgave her and kept driving. Her mind was apparently going at 100 miles an hour and I would have to guess she is or was a drug addict.

My heart must go out to her during this time. I felt sorry for her previous life choices and her current situations. I felt compelled to silently (with my eyes open) pray for her and lift her up to God. With some of my passengers, I do bring up my beliefs subtly without offending them and their standings. But Mary wasn't even in her right mind and it wouldn't have gotten through to her. My customers always get out of my cab prayed for in some way or another. Prayer is a gift from God and it is so easy to lift up a quick prayer.

Pray for them; for they do not know Him yet:)

Thank you for reading and know that you are loved,

"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer." - Psalm 66:18-19

You are a Loving God:)

It's 2:30 in the morning and I'm about to gas up my cab at the shell station, turn in and go home for some sleep. My tank is just under half and it's gonna cost me over 40 bucks to fill. As I am counting my day's fare money, a gentlemen approaches me asking "how much would it cost to get to San Jose from here?" I tell him, "It'll be about $120 to $130." I have become pretty skilled at guessing how much a fare will come to. With this one I was a little off. Anyhow, he says he's coming down from Truckee and his car broke down and needs a ride with his buddy the rest of the way. As I think about this, making sure I don't get scammed, I tell myself, this is a fare sent from God Himself. Being taken is something a taxi driver must always have on the front bumper. People want rides for nothing and taxi's are generally the way to go. I had them show cash up front as collateral and that set my mind at ease.

We all pile in the cab, me and two passengers on the road to San Jose. In the end, the fare came to $149.50. I was off but that's nature of getting a ride in a cab. You never know what's gonna happen.

I am blown away by the fact that God always provides at every turn. Literally. Even at the end of my shift. At least what I thought was the end. He didn't have to give me a giant fare to end my night. But He did and I shall praise Him for it.

Thank You Father, for you are kind and generous and loving:)


“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Lost...but found

I sorta kinda got lost today. I'm not supposed to get lost. I am the cab driver. It is my job to know where I'm going. I have a GPS but it's very temperamental and refuses to turn on when I need it to. Yeah, I know. I need to buy a new one. For future reference, don't purchase a TomTom.

So now to what happened. I pull up to a wedding reception and this "way to drunk" girl runs up to my cab and tells me I'm taking her sister, the bride and her new groom from there to a hotel in Benicia. Seems easy enough, but then she tells me she, (the drunk girl) is paying the fare on her credit card. I find out I don't have any credit cards slips to swipe her card. Another mistake on my part. Then, I find out I don't know where this hotel is and my GPS is out of order. I am forced to get this girl to find directions on her internet capable phone while she is inebriated. By the way, she is freaking out over how I cannot swipe her card, she is drunk, I don't know how to get there, she can't find her sister, Etc. I am able to stay calm through all of this because I know it will work out. I end up writing all the card info on a piece of paper and get her to sign it. She seems to be sobering up by now which is helping matters. I can be calm because I am certain that God is in my cab riding shot gun throughout every run. That, to me, is sobering and very encouraging. She finds her sister and groom, who is almost perfectly sober. I have directions and we are now on our way. But I can't trust them because they were through secondhand means. After a few wrong turns and a slight headache I pull up to a beautiful Victorian Hotel overlooking a million city lights and the Golden Gate Bridge. Perfect Honeynoon suite. Now all I have to do is get back to the streets I know by heart.

This job keeps me on my toes. It's not boring. It is definitely not easy. But I love it. I love a good challenge.



“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

I like it when people tip me...

I wrote this while waiting for an appointed fare. Bored with nothing else to do. The first line of the second verse is from a Nirvana song that happened to be playing while I was thinking of a first line of that verse. I think it worked out great.

TIP PLEASE
Tryin' to keep a level head
Waitin' for a fare
Wantin' someone to flag me down
I'll take you where you wanna go
I'll charge you a fair price
I'll get you there before your flight


I got a new complaint
It's customary to give your cabbie a little extra
It helps me get some food
But if you can only meet the fare
I'll give you a wave goodbye
Take my card, I'll make you a regular


Let us strike up a conversation
Let's talk about something interesting
If you know cars and music, you have my attention
I don't care to know your girl problems
You don't need to tell me the "meaning of life"
I know where I'm goin' when I'm gone


He gave me this job. He Brings me every fare. He gives me tips. He keeps me safe on the road. I don't ask why. I cannot complain. But I can give all glory to Him.


Our God Reigns,

His provision is everything and more

I have been exhausted my last two shifts. I wasn't able to get any sleep on Friday night after my shift. So I got home, didn't sleep, left for work on Saturday. This shift ends at 2am, but I was falling asleep in my cab by midnight. I desperately wanted to call it a night right then and tell my boss it was far from safe. I ended up praying and asking God to provide me with the energy I needed to keep going. Fifteen minutes after my prayer, I felt like I had drank a monster. But this was better because it was energy from the one who breathes life. Low and behold, I was able to safely continue my shift and in those last two hours ended up getting 30 extra dollars. God Provides! God Provides! God Provides!

It astounds me at how much He is continually willing to give and give and give while I sinfully take take take.

These verses come to mind when I contemplate His abundant Grace.

Be Greatly Encouraged,

Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it I'll be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Psalms 84:11, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

James 4:2, "...yet you have not, because you ask not."

1 Timothy 6:17, "...God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."

Picked Up...

Picked up:
Two going to the giants game for drinks. Dropped them at Bart
One going to Marie Calendars for pie and drinks
One going to a friend's for drinks
Two going to Ozora's Sushi then to 1515 for drinks
Five going to Vice's in Walnut Creek for drinks
Two going to Downtown Walnut Creek for drinks
Five from Vice's back home in Pleasant Hill drunk
One going home from Bart. (Only one not going for drinks)

Busy night and I'll do it again tomorrow.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Blind on Dialysis - Opera and NASCAR

Twice a week I drive a blind man, Mr. Foster, to his dialysis appointments in San Pablo. He was in Vietnam in the 70's. Like millions, Agent Orange caused his blindness. Agent Orange is a herbicide, used by the U.S. military in its Herbicidal Warfare program during the War. According to Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 4.8 million Vietnamese people and soldiers were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in 400,000 deaths and disabilities, and 500,000 children born with birth defects. The U.S. has dealt with many lawsuits from the Vietnamese and U.S. Soldiers.

I think it is quite interesting how our government thought something would be beneficial to them and it turned out very different. I have a feeling that they knew what the side effects would be and went ahead with it anyway. My opinion, but I'm thinking money had something to do with. Money makes people and governments do things without thinking of what will happen to millions of people.

Mr. Foster is one my favorite passengers. Tonight, we had a great conversation about Nascar and Jimmy Stewart. Obviously, he can't watch it, but he does listen on the radio. He informed me as to how Nascar started with the involvement of moonshine. When he was in the military long ago, he was at one time stationed in France and dated a girl that took him to the Opera. At first, I didn't see him as an Opera type, but now I notice that is he definitely a very well-rounded guy. I guess that was me judging a book by its cover. With Mr. Foster, you cannot assume. Everytime I pick him up I learn something new.

Last week, I told my Dad that I wanted to make up some business cards so that I could hand them out to my customers. Being the person my Dad is, he offered to do so for me. He typed a verse on the back of them stating, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 I am greatly encouraged by those words. If you think about it, ask me for a card when you see me. My Dad is quite the artistic genius.

To all my hundreds of readers - Thank you for checking in.

To my Dad - Thank you ILY!

In God's Love,


“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

History buff talking politics...

I picked a guy up at Tesoro Oil Refinery today. He's an operator on a coker. I generally let the passanger strike up the conversation and decide the topic. This guy, Jon and I talked about the great depression and the current one we are in. We both agreed that our government is the cause, too corrupt and greedy. Too many laws and inefficiency leads to problems. Our government has no common sense. Nothing makes any. People raise their kids on welfare, teaching those children that living off the people is ok, making it worse by the generation.

We talked about idiot criminals who file lawsuits when they get injured while in someones home. How does anyone think that is okay. I pay my taxes and I work hard for my money. I hate to see it go to waste and when someone files a hefty lawsuit against an individual, that I'm betting doesn't have the money to clear it up. So it goes to the government, taking money from working Americans. Personally, I don't want to have my dollars go to a criminal stupid enough to get hurt while trying to rob a home.

Makes...No...Sense!

I picked a lady up at 1 in the morning at the N. Concord Bart Station. She brought up the fact that in the last year, cab fares have gone up by ten bucks. "I used to be able to get home from Bart for 10 dollars." Tonight, her fare was $17 and I turned the meter off a mile early because she only had 18. Prices are going up, the economy is going down, people's morale is going down and the government is getting paid. And we need "change." But not the stuff Obama has in mind.

I see real people everyday. We talk about real issues and concerns and our government is deaf to them. They are for us, not us for them. If you have seen the movie V for Vendetta, you know that the main point of the movie is about the government taking advantage of the people. One of my favorite quotes of the movie is "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people." I think the majority of Americans are afraid. We work too hard for what seems like nothing.

But, in the end, "it's all gonna burn." It is nice to know that at the end of the day, I have a God more powerful than my godless government. The Bible tells us that with Him, we have already won. Even though they don't matter and we cannot fix the problem, it's still nice to vent about our frustrations.

Just think, in Heaven, we will have no desire to vent. We will be too focused on bowing to Him. I am so looking forward to it.

But until then...

Glory In Christ,

Just starting out

Why am I a cab driver?

For one, I needed a job. I found one with Yellow Cab of Pacheco. This blog will be my release, my way to tell you what happens on the job. I have only been working for two weeks and I have already been amazed by all the different types of people a driver can pick up. Any kind of person you can imagine can get into a cab. I have met some really nice people who are very pleasant to converse with; on the otherhand, I have driven people that are downright crazy, not that there is anything wrong with that. I have clearly seen both sides of the spectrum. I enjoy seeing that difference. I enjoy my job and I hope that you will enjoy reading about it.

So for now...