What used to be just a fun thought a month ago has turned into a lifestyle for me... It's been a month, to the day, I've had 154 fares... I've transported hookers, strippers, PHD's, CEO's, and many people just like me... Today was a big day for me, I'm at a crossroad, soon there is a big decision so, tonight I went out in some style - I wore one of my suits... I had to YouTube tying a tie, it had been that long... I walked across the way to have my neighbor help button my sleeve, those of you know me know why that was necessary.... - but I was on the road tonight like a king.... It felt good....
Fare 1 - Uber - Yorba Linda to Brea, a repeat... It's always fun to have the same person hop into my car, this young lady just needed a ride home from work again but was happy to see me pull up...
Fare 2 - Uber - Yorba Linda to Huntington Beach... I had time to get out and open doors this time, sure glad I did - these ladies were gorgeous and really appreciated being treated like ladies (I could have learned that a while ago...) So we were off, their last Friday before heading back to school... These weren't your typical college girls, they were raised well, decided to chat with me instead of keeping their noses stuck in their smartphones... A junior and last year student both working on psychology degrees... The 30 min ride consisted of conversation about the presidential race as well as EL Nino.... it was a nice ride and they get the maturity award of the night!
I ended up "stuck" in HB for about 45 minutes, but this evening was different as a few Uber Drivers did gather around my car for a chat... Why my car? I scored the closest spot to Main Street - Uber and Lyft both run on proximity - but we did find out it does ignore proximity within 1/8th of a mile, this is good! We did get dispatched in the order we arrived... Sadly we did chat about the new Uber cut in price... Uber has again dropped prices, I dont rely on Uber/Lyft to be my money maker - some do! The two gentlemen I was speaking with actually do - Ramon drives a new 2015 Honda CRV, John drives a 2014 Sonata - both said they wished they could score a 2003 Avalon like mine - cash offers declined... We ended once Ramon got a call but we all agree we dont get paid enough - John wearing a pair of shorts, Ramon wearing a derby cap, me a suit... We now know it doesn't make a bit of difference to be dressed up!
Fare 3 - Uber - HB to Long Beach, he was a student of Dentistry and rarely drank... She was an RN and moved to So Ca with him in hopes to make it big... Her new colleague's sister ran the bar they went too and set them up with free bottle service... Evidently that was a bit much for him as they were asked to leave... LOL - it was only 11:30, he barely made it to the car before he fell asleep... Unfortunately In and Out had a 20 deep car line so I respectfully declined her request to get some burgers... We arrived at their home and she was able to wake her BF up quickly and they were on their way...
I ran over to a small convenience store to grab a redbull, when I came back out a meter reader was looking at my car - I was parked in the red so I deserved a ticket however she saw my placards and said, "I know you're probably slammed with drunks so I'll let it go, I couldn't find a place for my car either." I love that the police do give us a bit of understanding - the redbull was a necessity, so was the bathroom the proprietor let me use... While chatting with the meter reader my Uber phone went off...
Fare 4 - Uber - Long Beach to Long Beach.... Pickup at the best western and drop-off about 3 doors down from my MIL - too late to say Hi - the rider did tell me that the BW next to the Gaslamp restaurant had a phenomenal coverband and is a hidden Gem... added to my "Where to go" book...
After waiting about 5 Min, I saw a surge in HB and Newport - I wanted to see Newport so I headed south on PCH, about 1 mile from HB main street I got a ping...
Freebie 5 - Uber - Call was to Hurricanes - went around the block 2 times - called 3 times and cancelled the rider - free $5
Freebie 6 - Uber - Same situation, same payout...
Fare 7 - Uber - HB to Seal Beach... This couple cracked me up - He reminded me of a drunk Opie and she a drunk Ja Ja Gabore (sp?!?) They were on their second date and headed home - first destination was her home, then it got changed to his and I had to approve the change... I looked back and asked are we headed to 123 Y street or 234 X Street? She slurrly said, I'm going home with him but he's going to sleep on the couch, Hahahaha... We pulled up to a security gate and they were doing a little sucky face - I'd call it kissing but I could hear it, kinda funky! I told the security guard dropping off at 234 X street and he let me through quickly... Opie said dude, how the hell did you get in so eazy... Uber/Lyft drivers can get into gated communities pretty easy, something to consider! They stumbled out, Good luck Opie, Ja Ja could barely walk :P...
Was still pretty close to PCH so headed south to Newport... Parked by the Dory fleet again and ran over to the Pier Bathroom to use the facilities... Came back to the car to see the same bike officer from a while back - he said he simply saw my car and wanted to say hi and thank you... we chatted for a minute before I got a ping to Cassidy's - Stephanie needed a ride - bid him a farewell and rolled out...
Fare 8 - Uber - Stephanie needed a very short ride from the bar to her boat - she had a few packages, turned out it was her 50th BDay - we drove a little further down the peninsula and I pulled into a lot I knew but had some police activity - I spoke to an officer and explained our being there, they let us in and I helped Stephanie carry her stuff down to the boat - a gorgeous Bayliner - never have seen a Bayliner of that size or quality... She was a recent widow, and we spoke about it for a few minutes... She offered me a drink, however I still needed to get home and wasn't quite done yet... She understood and apologized for being too forward, I assured her she was not... I told her about my Newport history and said maybe some day I'd come down and have that drink with her... She handed me a $50 bill, I told her that was far too much so she changed it for a $10 - while still too much, I took it :) I went back up to my car to find Newport in a surge however my car now completely blocked in by more police cars that arrived after... I started the car and stepped off to the side to have a smoke, turns out my friend the Bicycle officer was there, saw me and moved a few cars for me to get out! It pays to be nice!
The Surge died out, it was 2:15am so I started on my way home... Headed up the 55 north, just before the 5 FWY I got a ping from Keith....
Fare 9 - Uber - Hayden (via Keith)... Sometimes I drive after 2, sometimes I do not - I don't really want to deal with overly drunk folks but I was warned by Keith when I called to get the Gate Code... Hayden hopped into the front seat and Keith entered his home address.. Every Uber/Lyft drivers dream is to have a last fare that is close to home - this was my day, less than 1.5 miles from home... We headed out from Tustin to Fullerton... The conversation quickly declined and Hayden fell asleep... I turned up the radio a bit and drove the 20 miles to his house... We arrived about 2:30 - if you are a FB friend, you can watch the video on my feed - unfortunately I dont know how to blur his face and bleep his address... I did feel the need to video as I needed to shake him to wake him and wanted it documented... It took about 3 minutes after turning on the AC full blast to wake him... First rider I had to take alternative action to get them out of the car...
Oh the fun times I see, headed home to get some sleep myself :)
#UberOn
~Jeff
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