Tampa Taxi Shots

Facebook Photos: The New Porn

If I were to give anyone advice about the internet, it would be you are not alone.  Your friends aren't the only ones oohing and aahing over the bikini-clad beach photos you posted on Facebook: the most common activity on the site is men looking at pictures of women. Call it G-rated porn, writes Amanda Marcotte for the Daily Beast, who talked to men who say they aren't looking for smut—they just like to ogle photos of partying females. "You can stare as long as you want to," explains one guy, somewhat creepily. "I can print out, bookmark and/or download the images I see on Facebook to look at again and again and again.”

And in some cases, Facebook is becoming a replacement for other, dirtier sites. "Porn seems impersonal and gross," said a 29-year-old, who says eying photos of women on Facebook feels "semi-enlightened, in a way." And while "it’s hard not to feel optimistic if so many men are having fantasies about 'real' women," writes Marcotte, "there’s an undeniable ick factor to the idea of men getting off to pictures you posted for your friends to platonically peruse." So consider the "again and again and again" guy before posting anything provocative.

Broncos' Surprise Tim Tebow Draft Pick Generates Hype, Jersey Sales

The guy that does the Tampa Bay afternoon sports radio show on 1040 called "The Swarm"  said Tim Tebow would be a late round pick and may even go un-drafted.  You could tell this guy is biased because he went to the University Of Miami (I don't believe he played football).  He is just a guy with a microphone who does not want to listen to Jon Gruden and others who believe in Tim Tebo.  Do you know his Jersey is a hot selling item at NFL Shop.com and they don't even know what his number will be! 

It's been less than 24 hours since the Broncos selected Tim Tebow, and we're not even positive what his number will be yet, but you can already buy his jersey for $80 at NFLShop.com—and we're willing to bet a lot of Denver fans are going to do it. The hype surrounding the surprise first-round pick is Mile High. Woody Paige of the Denver Post is already crowning him the “Quarterback of the Future,” comparing him to no less than John Elway.

Pretty much every commentator agrees that Josh McDaniels took a big risk by taking Tebow, but apparently he wasn't the only one willing to do so. The Broncos traded up to get Tebow because they knew Buffalo wanted him, too, Yahoo! Sports reports. So go ahead and buy a jersey—or, if you're rich, here's a collectible for you: the actual postcard announcing the pick. The lucky kid who wound up with it says he'll sell for “a million dollars. Seriously. $1 million.”

via www.newser.com

Tim Tebow basically has the same image that Tiger Woods wanted us to believe about him. Something tells me that much of Tebow's popularity is that he IS the real thing. I think he will do well in pro football. Who will be the first to win a championship, Josh Freeman or Tim Tebow?

New Comment Policy

I like comments on this bog and have a new policy. You will now have to sign in with your Twitter, Facebook, Google, or other social network account. This way when you leave your insulting msg, I will know who you are and can respond in kind.

Cypress Point Park Looking For The Oil Spill In the Gulf Of Mexico

     There is a massive oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico that is right now the size of Pinellas and Hillsborough county combined, and growing. This needs to be put under control fast. Part of the tragedy in all of this is that we need this technology of offshore drilling for our economy and National security. Period. Anyone that says otherwise has a death wish. Lets not turn this into a Three Mile Island. Lets put it to bed now.
     I went to Cypress Point Park in Tampa today during the lunch hour. Many people use this place to picnic, fish, swim, read books in the shade, and just relax and take it easy. I often come here to just walk the shoreline and meditate. It helps relax me. I hope it does not become covered with oil. 

Specials

 Many cab driver have what are called specials. Those are fares that will call you direct without calling the taxi company. I am sitting in Frank's driveway as I write this. Specials are special; they are like a social event.  You become friends with these people, and you look forward to picking them up.  Frank was a special of Larry's for many years befor Larry retired. I have a few regulars but I could not imagine how a driver could fill his day up with mostly specials. Too much for me to handle.

Monday Mornings Are Important To Taxi Drivers

Taxi drivers need to have a good Monday morning.  That is when the bulk of 'time-calls' come out which mean the fare is going to Tampa International Airport.  The driver can make from $20-30 depending on where he picked up the customer.  What was going on with me this morning was the dispatcher was giving me the junk when he had over three pages of 'time-calls' on the board.  I soon found myself north of downtown (an area I don't like during the day, much less at night), and finally broke out of this mode and got a Davis Island going to the airport.  I thought I was going to miss out. 

 

Check out this new link at Swamp Spin. It is a Florida website about politics and they threw me a link. Also Tampa Bay 10 II find these new links all the time, and I think I will start posting them on my blog post. 

Breaking Terrorist Down...Doing His Job

 In 1980 the night before the Presidential election between Incumbent Jimmy Carter and Governor Ronald Regan, Carter's pollster Robert Caddell told Carter the truth on the flight back to Washington on Air-Force One that he was going to lose the election.  He would not only lose, he would lose virtually every state in the Union. Carter wept upon hearing this news.  Why had the popular Governor from Georgia fallen so far from public favor?  

It was all about being weak in the spine and allowing Iran to hold our citizens hostage for almost two years.  Ronald Reagan was perceived as strong and uncompromising.  That leads us to the current President. 

Barack Obama defeated a War Hero in John McCain.  He said he would defend this country and be strong against terrorism and defend America.  He is doing that in a way most people do not even know about.  To bad his own party is so damn liberal that he can't even take the credit for it. President Obama in his first year in office has ordered more drone strikes in Pakistan then George Bush ever did. 

The Obama administration has taken the extraordinary step of authorizing the targeted killing of an American citizen, the radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who is believed to have shifted from encouraging attacks on the United States to directly participating in them, intelligence and counter terrorism officials said Tuesday.

Mr. Awlaki, who was born in New Mexico and spent years in the United States as an imam, is in hiding inYemen. He has been the focus of intense scrutiny since he was linked to Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Tex., in November, and then to Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man charged with trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Dec. 25.......NY Times

This selective use of drones to simply assassinate foreign nationals and enemy combatants to the United States is something Obama should be proud of.  The Neo-cons should love this guy, but he can't even blow his own horn.  

The liberal party he works for wants no part of this.  I do!

Way to go Prez.  Keep killing the bad guys and you will get my vote in re-election

Seven Days A Week

It waits for me seven days a week. The life of a Tampa United Cab driver is never ending. The way things are now in the economy, a driver must work every day or parish. That is no lie. Actually, the economy is getting a little better. There seems to be a pulse again. This is what I have been waiting for. Now, I can get back to living my life. 2008-2009 seem like the 'lost' years. I can get back to the 'Larry' method!

I have talked to economist and economic guys in my cab who don't believe me about our taxi call count going up and things starting to get better.  I guess they are only looking at the big ticket items.  It is getting better (knock on wood)  I will let you know Monday.  It is really one day at a time.  NOTE the ubiquitous Morgan & Morgan advertisement on top of the taxi cab.  1-800 MORGAN LAW

Eric Lorig Part Of The New Dominating Tampa Two Defense

Welcome to Tampa Eric Lorig.  This California surfer dude is now part of the most ass-kicking, dominating defense in the NFL. Well, it soon will be. The Buccaneers need to return to the glory that belongs to us!  Tampa Bay is known for great golf courses, beautiful beaches, and DEFENSE!

Erik Lorig Of Stanford Drafted By Buccaneers At Defensive End

Erik Lorig of Stanford was selected late in the 2010 NFL draft as a defensive end to try to return to the glory days when the Buccaneers were the best defense in football. I don't know much about this kid, but he must be smart if he went to Stanford. Combine this good looking kid with the two DT's They drafted, and Tampa is coming a long way from last years pathetic defense.

Where you here in 1985? - Storm surge depth danger

 By the end of the month, 30 signs will be posted in parks and along county roads to graphically portray the height water could rise if a major hurricane hits.

A Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane roaring up the mouth of Tampa Bay could push a wall of water 13 to 17 feet high that would wash ashore and up rivers. The water could reach three miles inland in some parts of Hillsborough.

That wall of water, called a storm surge, is the reason evacuations are ordered when storms approach. Surge is the main killer in hurricanes.

The signs, paid for by a $30,000 Department of Homeland Security grant, are intended to drive home the threat.

via www2.tbo.com

Most people who live in Tampa today did not live here in 1985. I was working for the Tampa Tribune at the time and downtown flooded almost to the second floor of most office buildings. The sea wall on Davis Island almost crested, and the south side was a disaster - and that was a 'near miss' from Helena who's eye was still 200 miles out in the Gulf Of Mexico! As far as the Homeland Security money...spend it!

Traffic Court - Ty Trayner In Action Defending Keven White

 Court was a success today with all the witnesses showing up and this guy had no chance.  Upon seeing the number of people ready to testify against his client, the lawyer changed the plea to 'no-contest.'  Seemed fair.  

Mr. Howard Romaine III did not even show up. Most of the witnesses believed he was either drunk or high when he ran the red light and almost killed us.  He was not cited for anything like that. 

One thing I noticed was the Lawyer Ty Trayner was representing several clients in court.  His professionalism and skill was very evident as he worked hard on getting the most favorable outcome possible for this clients. This guy is very good and I would recommend him for any traffic type of offense.  

Trayner even represented Hillsborough County Commissioner Keven White in a red light violation.  White was set up by the Tampa cop who was just trying to screw with White.  Mr. White was on his way to the hospital to see his father who was having heart surgery and should have been giving a break.  Ty Trayner even had photographic evidence that the traffic control device was poorly placed.  The Tampa cop tried to say the image had been photoshoped!  What a joke.

Judge Raul Palimino did acknowledge that the 'no turn on red' sign was poorly posted and the city should be notified about repositioning it so people could actually see it.  I believe that is why this cop was hiding there because he knew he could write a cheap ticket and avoid doing real police work. 

Traffic Court Thursday Morning

 I will be going to traffic court in downtown Tampa Thursday morning as a witness to an accident I was involved in.  I will love going to this court because the man charged almost killed five people because of his carelessness.

Romaine Howard III ran the red light east bound at Kennedy and Dale Mabry on March 1, 2010 at 4:33 am and crashed into two cars and two taxi cabs!  That is hard to do but he did it.  The photo here shows the carnage.  He claims we all ran the red light and crashed into him!  Get real.

He is represented by Daniel Riveiro, Jr, P.A. Who I Guess thinks he can win.  Good luck pal.  He must be banking on the people involved not showing up.  I hope we are all there and bury this guy hard.  Mr. Howard needs to stay off of his blackberry while driving and pay attention. 

Race factors into evaluation of Gerhart - NFL Draft

If you’ve seen Toby Gerhart carry the football, you’re well aware that the former Stanford halfback and Heisman Trophy runner-up is about as subtle as Iron Man. It’s no surprise, then, that as the NFL draft approaches, the player one AFC front-office executive described as “a bowling ball with butter knives” is hell-bent on obliterating the perception that he lacks the athleticism to succeed in the pros.

Gerhart during Stanford's pro day last month.
(Dino Vournas/Associated Press)

“I’m just a running back who tries to do what he can to win games and score touchdowns, but people have their opinions, and it’s kind of frustrating,” Gerhart said earlier this month between bites of pizza. “People say, ‘He’s slow,’ or ‘He’s not going to be able to break tackles at the next level.’ In college I went up against players like [USC’s] Brian Cushing(notes) and Clay Matthews(notes) – guys who ended up making the Pro Bowl [as NFL rookies] – and I ran through their tackles. It’s too bad people look at you all weird because of a stereotype.”

When NFL scouts look at Gerhart, they see a 6-foot, 231-pound power back who ran for 1,871 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, getting edged out by Alabama’s Mark Ingram in the closest Heisman vote in history. When they look at Gerhart’s numbers from the NFL scouting combine, they see that he ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and registered a 38-inch vertical leap, both impressive numbers for a player his size.

via sports.yahoo.com

I wonder if any of these scouts have ever heard of john Riggins. I believe he had explosion, strength, speed and power - just like this kid. He seems like the kind of back that could blow his way into the backfield just like Mike Alstot used to with the Bucs. Too bab John Gruden hated white football players.

Giving Our Oil Away

I drive a taxi for a living and I have to buy my own gas. The price for a gallon of gasoline is now $2.91 at the pump this morning in Tampa Florida. Why?

During the 2008 Presidential campaign we were told that the reason for high energy prices was Dick Chaney and his rich oil friends (Did I leave out George Bush?). Obama was going to fix all of that with rigid regulations that would put the oil companies in line, and governmental mandates that would force them to build refineries and drill for more oil. None of that has happened and I pay a severe penalty for it every day.

The Gulf of Mexico holds the deepest oil reserve in the world. Venezuela knows that, and so do their friends the Chinese because they are both drilling for oil off the Florida coast while our politicians argue about 'environmental impact.' Do you think the Chinese care about that?

Results from a deep-water test well in the Gulf of Mexico owned by the Chevron Corporation suggest a new pool of oil and gas that could boost U.S. reserves by as much as 50 percent.

Chevron Corp has estimated a 300-square-mile region in the Gulf Of Mexico where its test well sits (called the Jack Field) could hold between 3 billion and 15 billion barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. Analysts are calling it the most significant domestic discovery since Alaska's Prudhoe Bay more than a generation ago.

By Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.
"U.S. reliance on foreign oil production could be reduced by chemically mapping the subsurface streams of hydrocarbons, amounting to tens of billions of barrels, hidden well below the Gulf of Mexico, a Cornell geologist reports.
These untapped oil and gas reserves can be found by matching hydrocarbon chemical signatures with geologic models for stratigraphic layers under the sea floor, said Lawrence M. Cathles, a professor of chemical geology at Cornell."

Do you know what cab drivers in Venezuela pay for a gallon of gas...12 cents! They could fill their tank for the price of a cup of coffee!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Must Draft Ndamukong Suh...PLEASE!!!

In a world without Josh Freeman, the Bucs would appear more desperate. In a world without Freeman, their fans would sound more frantic.

Yeah, you can say this much for Freeman, the Bucs' still-developing quarterback:

When it comes to this year's draft, it is Freeman who has allowed the calm.

As important as this year's draft appears to be — and you cannot say that too often or too loudly — there seems to be a rather pleasant buzz attached to the anticipation. Perhaps that is because there isn't much controversy about the No. 3 pick. The Bucs are certain to have an opportunity to take a popular, widely approved choice.

via www.tampabay.com

I will be watching the NFL draft Thursday night and if they do not pick that big defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska, I will turn off the tv. This guy is special and destined to be one of the great ones. Watch this impressive video of his explosive KILLER ability.  I just hope the Glazier family will spend the money for this kid.

The Scene Of The Accident

 I sort of had a strange 'accident' Sunday afternoon.  It was raining cats and dogs and if you drive in Tampa you know that the roads flood like Noah's Ark. ( It is a problem I thought they had fixed with all the pipe they had been putting in for years).  I had a call on north B street just north of Kennedy.

I picked up Orlando (my fathers name) he is a regular and goes to a restaurant on south Howard.  In front of his house was a puddle of water.  It did not look that deep.  "Turn around don't drown" is the saying.  It really did not look that deep.  I drove through it and my car sank hard.  I did not see the pot holes that lurked below.  I was almost underwater!

The problem with that is that if you taxi cab takes water into its engine - you just bought it.  United Cab has a 'no tolerance' policy on this matter.  I also heard a very load bang sound.  When I got to the stop sign at the end of the block, the car was knocking.  I must have taken in some water.  I have never don that is all these years of driving cab. 

Later, when I was at the gas station, I filled up on premium thinking that would get rid of the knocking - no such luck.  It was running rough man...very rough. 

This morning it was a little better and by the end of the day, my taxi was running just fine.  I think I burned the water out of it.  It must have been just a little bit. 

Homeless Dog In Tampa Fly A Sign

There is this guy that lives on United Cab Taxi Stand #23 at Columbus and Dale Mabry who is living in his van and has this cute dog.  He flies a sign everyday to make money (I would do it if I had no other option.  It is not beneath me).  He also has the dog fly a sign with him.  I worry about the dog because when the light turns green and traffic moves, the dog runs a risk of getting hit. 

The Masters - Day One

I saw a great round of golf from K. J. Choi yesterday. He was awsome with a 5-under 67. He is tied for second and even beat his playing partner Tiger Woods. That's right - the guy playing with woods beat him. Fred Couples and Tom Watson are also on top of the leader board. The focus on Woods has made golf a side-show. Golf is what I tune into see. The highlighting of Woods is to much. The man is not a hero, he is a bum. He should be treated that way

WINTER IS GONE

Say goodbye to winter. Things are getting nice right now.  This post was an experiment in moble posting from the field.  I am not at my computer; I am in the field using a cell phone.  Pay your cab bill or I will come to your house.  You do not want that.  This image was from my camping trip last month when it was -1 degrees!

Panhandlers don bright new vests in response to Tampa ordinance - St. Petersburg Times

Panhandlers all over town are breaking out in bright new colors.

A city ordinance passed in October requires street vendors to wear reflective vests for their safety. That means charity solicitors, newspaper hawkers and, apparently, panhandlers.

"They say Miss Pam Iorio says so," said 48-year-old John Wilson, standing in the median of Kennedy Boulevard holding a "Need help" sign and wearing a neon vest.

The ordinance also requires vendors to be older than 18, to operate only during daylight and leave the roadway when a traffic light turns green.

But it's the lime-green vests that are getting all the attention.

via www.tampabay.com

Should anyone be selling or offering anything from the middle of the street? Is it safe? I wonder were St. Pete Times got the idea for this story...

This Can Beat You Down

Sorry, I have not posted in the last week because I have had no energy and have been very weak.  My doctor has recommended that I take vitamin B-50 because helps with metabolism and depression.  He thinks I am chronically depressed but does not want to put me on meds.  Gee, why would I be depressed? 

Don't get me wrong or think I am just feeling sorry for myself.  Florida is a great place to live and many people come down here with big dreams and wanting to start a new life for thimeselves.  Often, that does not work out.  Some of them get smart and go back to were they came; others hang on like me for years on end. 

My friends have all gone away or died, I have not seen a family member in over a 14 years, I am broke and work 70 hours a week for the privilege of staying that way.  That is why the orange vest is looking good at this point.  Slim (a long time cab driver) said that flying a sign would not work for me...people would see it in my eyes and not give me any money.  He is probably right. 

Anyway, Easter has come and gone and now we will see who the survivors will be.  Something tells me come November I will still be doing this.  I really don't think the street corner is were I will go.