November 2023

Today was a day of contrasting temperatures and Uber adventures in the Sunshine State. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the reactions to the seemingly mild Florida weather. Little did I know that the day would unfold with a mix of cold winds, and a touch of concern for my ailing mother.

I kicked off the day by completing two Uber trips, each with its own unique story. The first ride netted me nearly $19.00, while the second was a slightly more lucrative $25.00. As I navigated the streets of Florida, I couldn’t help but notice the temperature drop. Checking the trusty temperature gauge in my car, Ruby, revealed a brisk 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now, for many, 50 degrees might seem like a walk in the park, but for us Floridians, it’s a different story. I recall a morning when the thermometer read 57 degrees, and I found myself complaining about the cold. A passenger in Downtown St. Pete was quick to quip, “I don’t feel bad for you at all.” It seems our friends from colder climates scoff at our definition of chilly weather.

The banter about Florida’s cold weather got me thinking about the stark differences in temperature tolerance. While I shivered at 57 degrees, folks from the north brag about wearing T-shirts and shorts in similar conditions. It’s a humorous reminder that what’s considered cold is truly subjective and depends on one’s geographical roots.

Reflecting on the day’s temperature fluctuations brought back memories of a particularly frigid day in 2010. St. Petersburg experienced a rare dip to 36 degrees, and I thought I was on the brink of freezing. It’s amusing how quickly we adapt to our local climates, and even a slight deviation from the norm can feel like a polar vortex.

One undeniable fact about Florida is its absence of snow. While the northern states undergo winter wonderlands, we Floridians revel in our perpetual summer. It’s a unique aspect of living in the Sunshine State — the one place in America where snow is little more than a distant dream.

Amidst the Uber escapades and musings about Florida weather, the day held a note of concern for my mother, who’s battling a bit of sickness. The sound of her coughing permeated the air as I went out to mail some letters. It served as a reminder that, no matter the temperature outside, the warmth of family is what truly matters.

As the day comes to a close, I find myself appreciating the quirks of Florida weather, and the importance of family in every season. So, here’s to more milder temperatures, and wishing my mother a swift recovery. Stay warm, Florida!

A Rollercoaster Evening: Navigating Unexpected Twists in the World of Rideshare Driving

Embarking on my usual evening as a rideshare driver, little did I know that the events that unfolded would turn a routine pickup into a series of unexpected twists and turns. As I eagerly approached John’s location for a scheduled pickup at 5:30 PM, little did I anticipate the rollercoaster ride that awaited me.

Driving more than half an hour to reach John’s residence, I found myself just around the corner when the first hiccup occurred – a sudden cancellation. Frustration and confusion set in as I pulled over to regroup. However, the ride-sharing god’s seemed to have other plans for my evening.

Just as I was contemplating the abrupt change of plans, a new request popped up on my screen. This time, it was for a different fare, and curiously, to the exact same address. Seizing the opportunity, I accepted the new request and, with a tinge of irony, sent out the customary “no drink” message as I headed back to the exact same address again.

As I arrived , I was met with an elderly John who seemed puzzled. According to him, his phone failed to notify him of my impending arrival, despite my timely notifications and updates throughout the journey. The mystery deepened as I recounted receiving timely notifications about the pickup, leaving on time, and even a warning about potential lateness.

The plot thickened when, in a moment of distraction, John accidentally canceled the trip while his wife and luggage were already comfortably settled in my car. To my surprise, I remembered a piece of advice I had come across – if a rider accidentally cancels, they should request again, and the ride will automatically be assigned to the closest available driver.

With a canceled trip and his wife already in the car, I received a cancellation fee for the initial request. True to the advice, a new request swiftly came through, this time rewarding me with a fare of $32.00. Admittedly, I hadn’t scrutinized the details of the new request, but at the end of this eventful journey, I found myself pleasantly surprised with a total earning of a little over $50.00.

As a rideshare driver, every day on the road presents a unique set of challenges and surprises. From unexpected cancellations to fortuitous turnarounds, this particular evening showcased the unpredictable nature of the gig economy. In the end, what started as a potential inconvenience turned into a lucrative adventure, leaving me with a story to share and a reminder that flexibility and quick thinking are invaluable assets in the world of rideshare driving.

Today, I completed an Oil Change Friday it was also Black Friday and today is my mother’s
Birthday too, she is in her lower 70″s. I don’t tell her enough but maybe she will see this post.
She does a lot and what she does AGAIN for me allows me more time to earn. I do not earn a lot
right now, but when I do, I plan to give her a lot of it. Because everything she does for me
would need to be done by me, and allow me a lot less time to earn and the money that comes from Uber
continues to be less and less and that does not even account for gas insurance and maintenance.
I completed a single trip today for Uber and I earned a little over $50.00.

Here is a link to my patreon page where I post my thoughts on current events.
Please come look and support a fellow driver.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-thoughts-on-93486564?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Today I completed 3 trips Tomorrow is Black Friday, Oil change Friday, and My mother’s Birthday day. I completed 2 trips today I made a little over $50.00 USD from Uber which is like nothing (those are 2 big trips) I took that and put it with the $30.00 from yesterday
My car/Ruby has 521945 miles on her today and everything works awesome too. The JBL stereo shipped with the car sounds awesome! The A.C. Works perfectly even after this accident
The transmission has never been replaced it is a 2011 Prius which makes it a 3rd generation
all I have done was drain the existing fluid from the transmission and re-add new good fluid about every 150,000 miles or so check the maintenance log for details. I still drive it for my own personal use and for Uber trips. I only accept big trips too. That transmission is a sealed unit, it can only be drained and re-filled it cannot be “flushed” like other transmission’s can be. There is now in 2013 a 5th Generation Prius which I really want, some day I will have one. It gets 50 MPG still but now has a total of 200 HP so they kept the gas mileage really good and added 100 hp! They also moved the odometer back in front of the driver and lowered the rear clearance to 6FT which I am not happy about but whatever I guess.

My thoughts on Israel are posted here.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-thoughts-on-93487935?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Yesterday, I completed two trips for Uber. I took the first rider to Bee Ridge Road
exit 207 in Sarasota Florida where I used to take my Son to Jump Zone before the Florida
Family Courts let him move with his drug-addicted mother to the Foreign Country of Greece.
Then I took the second rider from Sarasota to TPA Airport here is the mileage on Ruby/My car today. I didn’t like driving before I drove for Uber now I really despise
driving when I get back to the house I park Ruby for the night and do not go anywhere I despise driving so much. Not to mention it is extremely risky.

1. Yesterday, I completed two trips for Uber. They were both from passengers that I have driven before.
   The first one’s name was Ismael. I asked him if I had driven him before and he said maybe. I knew because his destination
   was the same as last time, a ford dealership in Sarasota. So I asked him what he does, he told me he drives cars to customer’s
   that are having them repaired and then he takes an Uber back to the dealership. I asked him how many times per day does he do this.
   He said on a busy day, like 5 or 6 times. That is a lot of driving. The other person I drove was really awesome her name was Samantha.
   I accepted a request from her probably like a month ago and she came out to my car and told me her work just called her after she
   made the request for an Uber ride to work (From me) and her Work then told her she did not have to come in. So she gave me a cash $10.00
   because she already booked a request and I drove about 15 minutes to her house. I was elated, I canceled that trip and put the $10.00 right in the tank.
   Then late last night a pip came in from her for like $6.09 which was very much appreciated. There is a Thank You button in the app when you get a Tip
   that says send thanks, which I always select as soon as I notice a tip, because I am always very grateful for any tip. I am now doing blog posts in the
   AM because the need to be longer. I need to do a podcast episode next now. http://link.www.ridesharedriver.blog/”Child Support”_art I created this podcast because the
   “Child Support” agency in America is very badly broken. My child was shipped off to the foreign country of Greece against my will and I am still
   on the “hook” each month to pay $300.00 dollars and he rarely contacts me. I live in America and so I have to abide by the Judgment that knew where my son was
   going while the Mother and Child live in Greece and have the Luxury of not having to abide by an American judgement. If you listen to my podcast please listen
   to all of episode 1 before you listen to any other episode, otherwise it will not make any sense to you.
   http://link.www.ridesharedriver.blog/”ChildSupport”_art

Today I usually take off since 2022 not because I can afford it
but because I despise driving and the only way I am going to stop
driving is from doing what I love, and that is creating things and posting them online.
Everyday I wake up and ride the Peloton Bike plus. I was able to purchase it in 2021 by saving up my covid payments.
I love that thing because it is such a time saver. Exercise is absolutely necessary I have tried going to gyms
all around, I love anytime fitness because I could go in there at night and have the entire place to myself
I had a membership at L.A. fitness in St. Petersburg,FL which used to be a publix Super market that I used to go to all the time.
That L.A. Fitness had a swimming pool in it, (which is the best form of exercise) and a half court indoor basketball court and the best lockers that I
have ever seen at a GYM to this day. But you still have to get up early and drive there. The Peloton is in my living room and there are lots of types
of classes you can cast (Bike plus feature) to another device if you wish. I just ride the bike though every day twice a day.
I have no health insurance because instead I pay “Child Support” for a child that lives against the father’s will in the Foreign
country of greece so I did all that I could legally do about that in America, I started a podcast.
http://link.www.ridesharedriver.blog/”ChildSupport”
read the about this driver section on this website to see what else I do everyday instead of having friends or girlfriends. I am still always
very courteous and kind to others.

I completed an oil change Friday today.
Yesterday, a light came on my dashboard and
When I scanned it, a C1466 code came back. That code is a code that tells me that there is a bad sensor in the back right wheel hub. The problem with that is the sensor is part of the
Wheel hub assembly that I just got in January 2023. 1A auto sent me a brand new part for free and my mechanic was able to work with me on price and he was able to get me in on the day
after I get the part which was super cool.