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I just uploaded a video to YouTube

containing the Oil Change I did right before 

Hurricane Milton made landfall in Tampa Bay.

recently. Also, Some of the destruction from that storm.Why owning a Prius through that storm 

was so awesome, and the ongoing recovery process. It can be viewed here. It is over 2 hours long.I am also going to upload it tomorrow to my

other Tiny YouTube channel called Minimize Me.

Please like this video and subscribe to both channels. https://youtu.be/TEofk9qvbn4?si=taZEIUD8vKHWKxWX 

Today is the second day without power in Tampa Bay from Hurricane Milton. I have been watching the Florida Outage map and I calculated these power companies to be restoring power at a rate of 17-20000 restores per hour. That is restoring power at a pretty good clip and I am grateful. There are droves of things that are very bad, to have people working in the field, around the clock that are completely dedicated to the restoration of power for those that have none due to Hurricane Milton is so awesome! Sure, I depend on power for so much, until you have no power at all you take it for granted all the time. I try to flick a light on all the time and I am reminded that I have no power. Then there is the temperature which sux but ai think about this. Irma made landfall in early September in 2017 and September is a very hot month in Florida. Hurricane Ian struck in late September of 2022 and I noticed at night it was like 5 degrees cooler than it was with Hurricane Irma. Then Hurricane Milton made landfall on October 9th and it is like a full 10 degrees or so cooler than it was with Irma. I remember I hunkered down for Irma at my younger brothers house and the power was already out there when I arrived at 10 AM. Irma didn’t come until that night and there was no power. So I wasn’t going to die, but it was miserably hot! I rinsed off the house today and there was insulation pretty much all over it. This is what I learned from Hurricane Milton. When a big storm hits in Florida, want to be in a building that was built (or like in my case manufactured) after 2004 because the codes were upgraded that year because of Hurricane Andrew. Also, you want to spend your money on 1 time cost for things like hurricane shutters, doors, windows, fireproofing, and you do not under any circumstances want to live near a body of water. Humans are drawn to water they love to live on or near water. It is well known that living near water is very expensive, and causes some pretty big problems. I just do not know why anyone does that. I read a book once by Joel Salitan and in ot he talked about his dream home. That dream home was super awesome! He talked about it being built into a mountain because mountains help with temperature control and all kinds of practical things. His dream home became my dream home pretty quick. I really like Joel a lot. I watch him and read his stuff all the time.

I post every month on the 10th pictures of all my vital stats including of course my weight at www.onlyyourbodymatters.com. I calculated that at my current rate of weight loss and my current weight, I would be down to under 200 LBS by  06/05/2024 – 06/08/2024. I have always ridden the Peloton at night taken a shower and then eaten. I watched this YouTube video the day before yesterday by this guy his name is Thomas Delauer. He said in that video to exercise after you eat. So I made a simple switch and I noticed the next day that I lost an extra pound that put me at 201.5 pounds, then I checked it again the next day and I was which is a huge deal to me. I just can’t remember when I was last under 200 pounds, I estimate that it
was in 2016 or so. So that’s what I do now all the time.

The thing about driving for Uber (Human) I have never driven for Uber Eats. Is that  Anytime you accept a request, if the ride goes perfectly (Which sometimes it does not) What is happening at that moment is that you are saying yes to that rider but no to any rides that may be larger. So when you accept a request any request it has got to be as close to your preference as possible. When I first started driving for Uber in 2018. This opportunity was  Just NOT available at all. The only thing that was available was if a trip was going to be longer than 45 minutes then that driver would be notified, so you could tell at that moment if you were going to be late or not for any type of engagement. That is all it would say. So if that trip was 46 minutes or 90 minutes that is all you would see. You could not tell where it was going, which direction it was going none of that. Now, you can see how much money the driver is going to receive and where exactly that trip is going. That is a lot of information, that previously was not available. So when a request is accepted you are saying no to all of the other requests that may come through. Sometimes there are no ride requests, and sometimes there are a lot the thing is you have to hold out for the rides that are closest to your preferences. There have been many times that there are not any requests coming in and then a big request comes in. There also have been many times when no requests are coming in and then nothing comes in and you just have to pack it in and come back and do it again another day. You absolutely need to know, when to do that when driving for Uber.

Today is Sunday the 5th of May otherwise known as Cinco de Mayo. The plan was to have a job in April 2024 but that did not happen. The day after my car broke down
I put some of my things on eBay which I hated to do, but it was absolutely necessary. I put my zoom telephoto lens on there and ended up accepting an offer of $350.00
for it and I paid a little over $600.00 for it from Amazon in 2021, now eBay has altered the amount of their “Final Value fees” they used to take 10 % off the top and
now they charge 13.25% in addition to that if you really want anything to sell on there you have to list it as “Free Shipping” because people will overlook your auction if you charge for shipping. So that comes out of the final value fee also, which is cool I think, because eBay extends to sellers a discount on shipping, I imagine because they purchase in advance so much shipping in advance, it is just cheaper and easier. Also, I do not have any money right now in my Bank account so I like them to take everything out of the money that the buyer pays and
just give me the change, so that way, I do not owe anyone anything for that transaction. Ebay also transfers the money electronically to my bank account. I removed all of my UM coverage from my auto policy and that dropped the bill that was $372.00 down to 278.18 and that was due on the 05/02/2024 and then I altered the due date on my auto policy to 05/07/2024 to give the funds from eBay a chance to arrive before I had to give it to progressive. I also put on ebay my East Pack everyday backpack which I loved and paid over $300.00 for in 2021. I charged shipping for that one. Because that backpack is big and it takes up a lot of space shipping was almost $42.00 for it. It sold for like $117.00 with shipping, eBay charges their final value fee on the entire amount of $117.00 (not just the actual $66.00 that it sold for. I saw yesterday that eBay sent me a payout of like 30 bux for that pack. I calculated $117.17 – 13.25% – $42.00 for shipping should come out to $50.47. Ebay has some other way that they do math so when that money actually arrives in my bank account if it is not what I calculated I will contact them to find out why the money I actually received is so low. I also put up there my yeti rambler 64 oz which I have had since I started driving for Uber and it never leaked a drop (I kept it in that backpack) and all I ever put in there was water from my R.O. filter system. That sold for $26.00 and after shipping and final value fees Ebay sent me $15.20 for that item. I also put up there my Viltrox adapter that allows me to clip on EF style lenses on my M50 camera. The buyer that won the auction had a 289 rating at 100%. When I saw that, I just figured he was going to pay me. so I did the math and that came out to $29.5 to me. I paid 156.00 for it in 2021. I sent him 4 messages over 3 days and he just did not respond to me. I contacted eBay about that and I told them the story, and they told me they like to wait 4 days before canceling the sale and there would be no repercussions to me in anyway. They told me I could cancel and relist it right then
with no repercussions to me. So I waited to hear from that person until this morning and I heard nothing again, so I relisted it and the canceled the original auction. Ebay has gone through several changes over the years. The lady told me that my account is now over 22 years old, I created it when I was in college in 2002. The way eBay is now, is VERY hard to deal with. They used to be owned with or by paypal and when something was sold on eBay the funds would always go through paypal and then Paypal would transfer the money to your bank account. It is not like that now, eBay says if you want to sell ANYTHING on their platform, then they want your bank account numbers, If you do not have a bank account then you can’t sell anything on eBay and that is the end of that story. They are very straight forward about that. Also, eBay wants to charge for EVERYTHING and they do NOT want to refund you at all. Their marketing is very good too. They tell you in advance that there is an associated fee, for example if you choose to use the “Buy it now” feature there is a fee to the seller for that in addition to the final value fee that they charge. But there is no fee for setting an offer limit that you will accept. If you make a mistake, too bad for you then you get to battle it out with them and they usually already have your money, and they do NOT like to refund anything pretty much, even though they are huge and make a lot of money, they don’t care about much else than earning money hand over fist. So I lower my progressive auto insurance bill and got it extended from the 2nd of the month to the 7th, I also lowered my mint mobile package from unlimited to just 5GB of data per month with no Hotspot making it $82.00 instead of the usual $130 something and I also sold my Yeti Rambler and relisted the viltrox adapter for my camera. So that covers me until the 25th when my canca bill is due. Also Adobe extended to me 3 months with no fees for their all apps plan which was very awesome I love Adobe and Sue Keating donated to me $25.00 dollars which also was awesome. I haven’t seen her physically since we worked together over 25 years ago. Which was really awesome, now I just need to get through today.

In Florida, there is no inspection process anymore for vehicles. There
used to be. So really the only requirement for driving for driving for Uber
is a vehicle of course that is on Uber’s list of approved vehicles and a clean
background I do not know what exactly Uber considers a clean background.
They require the Auto insurance document to have your name specifically on it.
Other than that there is not much else really. It is pretty cool driving
whenever you want but the income is very bad. It took me a while to learn that
but it is very real. The income that you hear people earning by the hour is almost
always before expenses are removed and no one ever talks about the very serious risk
all Uber drivers take. For example, I was at a stop sign when this happened to me
and it was not covered at all. It does not matter if it is your fault or not.
Uber does not carry UM anymore and their deductible is $2500.00 now. There
is not any Uber driver that has that kind of money just lying around.
That was me that you heard say “Jesus”

Introduction:
Buckle up, passengers! Today, I’m peeling back the curtain to offer an unfiltered look into the daily odyssey of an Uber driver. From the highs of scheduled trips to the mysterious silent zones, join me on a ride through the twists and turns of the Uberverse.

The Morning Shuffle:
As the city awakens, so do I. I have no alarm clock (I just do not own one anymore) I just wake up early each day, if I sleep longer then that means my body needs to sleep. If I need to be up for an appointment or trip or something, I use the alarm on my phone. I get out of bed and sit in front of this computer. I start working. I know what I need to get done and exactly how long I have to do it. So getting to work ASAP is what I do. I try to get as much done as possible before I need to go ride the Peloton in the morning. Yesterday 02/07/2024 I got a new badge of 2000 rides. It is the same color red as the 1500 one. Now I will go through all my Peloton stuff and update it with the new badge.

Scheduled Trips: A Double-Edged Sword:
Scheduled trips, the backbone of my day, bring both structure and challenges. In this segment, discover the delicate dance of reliability and flexibility as I navigate the intricacies of picking up passengers on a predetermined schedule. Scheduled trips are pretty awesome, but an accepted scheduled trip alters the trips that a driver will receive (Sometimes none) until that trip is completed. So when accepting a trip just know that everything is going to be affected until that trip is over. Knowing that I often will not accept a trip because on that.

Passenger Chronicles: Tales from the Backseat:
The heart of my journey lies in the stories shared by the diverse souls who grace my backseat. From jubilant celebrations to heartfelt conversations, every ride becomes a chapter in the book of my experiences. Join me in reliving the unique moments that make each trip unforgettable. Like yesterday, I was bringing this lady to TPA from Bradenton and even though was showed us arriving at 444PM she asked me to get in the fast lane (Which I hate) but I did exactly what she asked. Usually, if a tip is going to come in it happens right away, that did not happen. I figured one wasn’t coming at all, it happens. I woke up today and there was a tip in there from her for $16.81. The button used for sending a thank you message has been changed to a much smaller button to accommodate yet another change to that message. Uber drivers expect these changes, so they just don’t complain about them.

The Silent Zone Enigma: Unraveling Uber’s Mysterious Territories:
The Uber app’s silent zones happen all the time to me now. I used to drive exclusively in Pinellas County, except when I dropped someone off at TPA then I would pick up a passenger from TPA
and then take them to their destination, on September 29th 2023, that came to an end. Now in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties I just stay online and even if I drive through a surge, I get nothing which is very strange. I have contacted Uber IT support staff about this several times and they all say the same thing. My account looks fine to them. That tells me that Uber has done something to my account for some reason that their support staff doesn’t know about. As soon as I get off on the Skyway Bridge on the Manatee County side, request start flowing in immediately.

Adapting and Thriving: From St. Petersburg to Manatee County:
Life as an Uber driver is a constant evolution. Learn how I’ve adapted to unforeseen challenges, shifting my focus from the bustling streets of St. Petersburg to the hidden gems of Manatee County. It’s a strategic move born out of necessity, showcasing the resilience required in this ever-changing landscape.

Conclusion: Beyond the Meter – A Driver’s Perspective:
As the sun sets on another day of driving, I reflect on the myriad experiences that define my life as an Uber driver. Beyond the meter and the GPS, it’s a journey filled with surprises, challenges, and the undeniable thrill of the unknown. Come along for the ride as I share the unscripted, unfiltered tales from the driver’s seat, where every trip is an adventure waiting to happen.

It’s 6:19 AM, and I’m already deep into my day, thanks to a game-changing routine that involves waking up early and embracing my Peloton workout at 9AM. As a rideshare driver, I’ve discovered that this unique approach not only enhances my productivity but also contributes to my overall well-being. Join me on this journey as I share insights into my morning routine, the benefits of fasting, and the impact of Peloton workouts on my daily life.

Early to Bed, Early to Rise: Unleashing Productivity
Discover how going to bed right after eating or, on fasting days, post-shower, sets the stage for a highly productive morning. Working on my PC until around 9 AM, followed by a Peloton session, has become my secret sauce for tackling the day with focus and energy. Learn how this early morning routine has transformed my work habits and allowed me to accomplish tasks efficiently.

The Bi-Annual 3-Day Fast: Why I Do It
Explore the reasons behind my bi-annual three-day fasts in February and August. I delve into the numerous benefits, both health-wise and economically, that come with this practice. Understand how fasting has become an integral part of my yearly routine, providing me with a reset and a chance to prioritize my well-being.

Day 3 Chronicles: Fasting and Uber Driving
Take a behind-the-scenes look at my fasting journey, recorded daily in video format. Despite the intense hunger on day 3,  learn how I continue my usual activities, including driving for Uber and maintaining my Peloton routine. Discover the surprising lack of pain or discomfort during the fasting process and gain insights into how I navigate the challenges of an empty stomach.

Weighing In: Results from August 2023 Fast
Get an exclusive peek into the before-and-after weigh-ins conducted in my birthday suit. Explore the impact of fasting on my weight as I share the results from my August 2023 fast. Gain a deeper understanding of the physical changes and discipline involved in this unique approach to well-being.

As the sun rises, I’ll be out on the road, hungry for success and ready to share the secrets behind my early morning productivity routine. Whether you’re a rideshare driver or someone looking to optimize your mornings, this blog post has the insights you need to kickstart your day on the right note.

Today is actually the 21st of January 2024, and it’s 8 AM. Yesterday proved to be a challenging Saturday for an Uber driver in Manatee County. The day kicked off on a positive note with a rewarding ride to Paradise City, earning $25.44 along with a generous $7.00 tip – a cool start. However, the remainder of the day took an unexpected turn.

As the afternoon unfolded, I found myself traversing various destinations, including Bradenton Beach, IMG Academy, and SRQ airport, all within the constraints of rides under $20.00. The culmination of my day was a trip to Fruitville Road from 301 in Parrish, raking in just over $15.00. Subsequently, I took a woman from East Bradenton to Blake Hospital in West Bradenton, earning slightly over $22.00.

Reflecting on the day’s experiences, it was evident that the earnings were not as promising as one would hope for a typical Saturday. The unpredictable nature of ride requests and the limited fare amounts for each trip contributed to the challenging atmosphere. However, with the hope for a brighter day, I’m optimistic that today, Sunday 01/21/2024, will bring about better opportunities and more rewarding rides for this Uber driver.

The life of an Uber driver is marked by the uncertainties of each day, and the journey from one destination to another unfolds with its own set of challenges. As I navigate through the streets of Manatee County, the constant goal remains to provide reliable and efficient transportation services to passengers, all while adapting to the dynamic nature of the job.

While yesterday may have presented its share of obstacles, the resilience of an Uber driver is unwavering. Each day brings new possibilities and a chance to turn things around. As I embark on the journeys that today holds, I am ready to navigate the roads, face the challenges, and hopefully, experience a more rewarding day behind the wheel. Here’s to a better Sunday for this Uber driver on the 21st of January 2024!