#ridewithjohnny

[ridewithjohnny]

Every day is a new day to create new memories and learn something new from my passengers. Today was no exception. My first ride was gal, who is a manager at Pinkbox Dougnuts at 5am. There are 5 Pinkbox locations in the Valley, and they do custom orders. I will have to try one someday. It was a nice ride with some conversation and not much traffic on the road. Another ride was a gal in Henderson who needed to pick up her car from dealership. This gal has lived in Vegas since 1968 and originally was from Japan. She asked if she could sit in the front seat, and I always say YES. Easier to talk to someone when they are right next to you. Great conversation, and one of many topics we talked about, she mentioned she had just sold her house , which she bought in 1994 or $70,000 and sold it for $500,000. After listening to all her stories, her and her husband still married after 53 years of have bought/sold many properties in those years. Her generous tip at the end of the ride made me smile, and she told me she enjoyed the ride too. Always makes my day when I hear that from a passenger that they "enjoyed the ride." I had a drunk guy, short ride, and no issues. All rides were good, lots going to work, and it was there Monday, not much to talk about as they seemed like they weren't excited to go back to work.

Thank you for reading.

Johnny

[ridewithjohnny]

Before I get into my wonderful day, I first want to mention that today is 4 years since the horrific shooting that happened in Las Vegas. A night of terror, sadness, and why, that would change the outdoor music festivals in Vegas and beyond cause of this act of madness from one man. I worked that night and was shocking that someone could do such a thing. I didn't personally know anyone that passed away but as a local it sent shock waves thru our community. Prayers to all.

My Lyft rides today were few compared to other days but all rides were fun and full of conversation. There are at least 4 rides I want to mention and one particularly. Her name is in the photo above, Sukesha Ray (click her name for link to her artwork) she is here in Vegas for a convention at World Market Center, open to public, this weekend. If you are into Marvel and/or comic books this is a MUST. Early part of the ride, she mentioned she was worldly famous, I blurted out "who are you?" LOL. She laughed and told me, I then went on to ask her several questions as those who know me, I am always curious and care for others. She answered them all, thank you Sukesha. Her art work is amazing and a great singer as well. Another ride was a couple that got married in Vegas on Tuesday and staying here for their honeymoon as well from NY. Great conversation and I gave them some insight on places to go and YouTube videos on my website to checkout as well. He instantly followed me on Instagram as this was their first time to Vegas, they'll be back in future as everyone always comes back. This other ride, were 2 professional poker players here for the WSOP (World Series of Poker) which started today at the Rio, one of the guys has a WSOP bracelet which is amazing. Great conversation and fun ride. Lastly was a ride to an area in Henderson I've been wanting to checkout but just needed away to get pass guard gate. :) I love looking at amazing houses (dreams/goals, to be in one someday). This ride took me to McDonald Ranch and as I pulled up to their house there was a Bentley in front of the house and a Rolls-Royce in garage! Great conversation and the lady was asking questions about my website during the ride (I have it posted in backseat). Fun ride, thank you Grace.

The best parts of my day are picking people up, not know who they are, what there story is and as the ride goes conversation follows until we make it to their location. Life is short and I live to make mini friendships throughout the day, where some turn into lasting friendships.

Thank you for listening to my day, GOD BLESS.

[ridewithjohnny]

This will be my last post of 2021 as it is the last day of the year. Overall been a good year, lots of progress and change in my life. Looking forward to 2022 and a great year. Happy New Years to everyone!!

This morning was busy as usual with ride after ride and nice conversation after nice conversation. No particular ride stood out more than the next; just all were relaxed passengers either going to work, to home from work, or going home after staying at a friends place. Might work tonight, we'll see. Watching college football playoff games now. Everyone be safe tonight and talk to you in 2022.

[ridewithjohnny]

Monday Dec 27th was a fulfilled, windy, and very cold day, but the rides were steady from 445am to 930am, then it became 30 minutes in-between rides for 1.5 hours, odd but whatever. Overall day was amazing.

One of my riders was a repeat customer, which I picked up, I think, last month. Nice gal, who is store manager at one of the Pinkbox Dougnuts locations here in Las Vegas. It doesn't happen as much as you think but always nice when it does, especially when that someone appreciates how you drive and tips you according to that. Thank you, Kimberly.

Most of the riders today were locals going to work. Some of them it was there Mondays, but others it was their Thursdays, and they were looking forward to tomorrow being their Friday.

One ride was a group of 4 from Baltimore out in Vegas for holidays as kids were out of school. They were seeing some shows and had good conversation from NFL to Mariners and Ken Griffey. Fun conversation, and thanks for a nice ride with your family, David.

Another ride was a couple from the Dallas area out here in Vegas for the food and seeing some shows. They saw MJ One circa show. Wife didn't like it much, so I recommend MJ Live at Stratosphere how I feel it's best MJ impersonator in town, and she was excited for that info. Then I told her you could get discount stickers from my website and she smiled.

Ending the day as I have hit my daily goal and dark stormy clouds start to head toward the city. Thank you all for a great, safe day.

[ridewithjohnny]

Yesterday, Thursday, Dec 16th, was an amazing day of 19 rides over 8 hour day. I had a couple celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary, another couple the guy proposed the night before to his now fiance as she said yes. Everyone was fun and enjoyed their conversation. More to come tonight, as I am about to start me Friday. Sunny, cold, and a little windy here in Las Vegas.

[ridewithjohnny]

Life is all about the choices you make every single moment of every day. This morning, I almost didn't work all because of what happened on my last ride on Saturday night. I love driving, I love talking to others, I live smiling and asking questions as I feel that a simple smile can change a person's day and by asking questions it shows that you care for other which can also change a person day. From driving taxi, limo, party bus, and Uber & Lyft, the best part is always not knowing who you are picking up and where they are going; I always love the adventure. But on the flip side of not knowing can be dangerous as well because you do not know who they are, what mental state they are in, or what is going on in their lives that could possibly harm you.

With all the above being said, my last ride on Saturday night was my 2nd of 3 rides in a bonus streak for an extra $30 where you can't cancel or else you lose the streak $. So, after waiting full 5 minutes for this particular pickup, I came close to canceling but before I did, I saw a guy walking out of his apartment, i asked if he was Brandon, and he nodded his head, after repeating and confirm address without response another 3 min goes by he finally says yes. Red flags are going up in my head, but we proceed to the destination to CVS 5 miles away. As we got to the first light, there was a CVS to my left. he says, "Go there," I say, "that isn't on the app." He says,"I want to go there then to another address" (more red flags). He seems to be troubled, but he won't answer any of my questions. As I wait for him to come out of CVS, I start thinking ahead on an exit strategy because my gut is always right, plus best to be safe, then sorry. When he got back in the car, he told me he didn't want to go to the other CVS but rather to meet a friend down the street. I say, "I need an address," he says. "it's just 2 minutes away on Charleston." As we started driving and coming up on where he said it was, he then said "no, It's a little further up," then a gas station comes up, and I said "I am not comfortable with this ride anymore", I pull into gas station and ended the ride without any altercation (thank goodness). He said he was sorry and understood how I could perceive all the miscommunication.

Sunday came, and as always, a new day means new opportunities to meet new people and see where the day leads me. All rides were amazing, lots of laughs, insights, advice, information about Vegas, and then one particular ride stood out more than others.

I picked this couple up from a hotel just off the strip going to the airport. As I always do, I ask my passengers where they are from; this couple said, "Spokane, Washington." I replied,"Go Zags!" So, then we started talking about them for a while. Then, I asked, "What brought you to Vegas?" The wife answers, "To watch my daughter WIN THE TITLE IN UFC!!" They were so happy, such excitement the rest of the ride!! As I dropped them off, they gave me a very generous tip and thanked me for a fun, talkative, and safe ride to the airport.

All in all, one ride isn't going to stop me from doing what I love, but it will make me even more aware and be more cautious to everything, plus that extra money isn't worth saving your life from a what if.

Thank you all for reading my blogs. And in case you didn't get who I had, it was the new UFC Champ Julianna Pena's mom and dad.

[ridewithjohnny]

Oh, what a day this Sunday, December 5th was!! I finally got a great night sleep and was ready to go at 7 am. Of the 18 rides I did today in 7 hours of driving, all were fun and great conversation, and the following rides stood out a little more than the others. In advance, thank you all for enjoying my blogs.

One of my early morning rides was a couple from the airport wearing Raider gear go to MGM, season ticket holders, and going to game. They got a laugh when they saw me in my Bronco sweatshirt. Good insight on season ticket holders and other information, plus learning more about their story.

Two other rides were fun, and a gal from the East Coast came to Vegas for a modeling gig, and she had a blast on her first trip to Vegas. Another first timer was a gal from Oregon, who came to Vegas on a work trip as she worked for Boot Barn. Boot Barn is one of top sponsors for NFR, and she had a blast. Both rides were nice and good conversations.

Another ride was an older couple; forget where they were from, but they don't destroy getting a good quality sleep is healthy to be behind the wheel. After telling them about my 3 neighbors, that all have dogs and keep me up at night because they don't respect other people sleeping time. I mean, these dogs bark at 11 p.m., midnight, 1am, etc, and these people are home. So, when I told this couple I was thinking about getting an Air Horn, they both laugh so hard their eyes teared up. I said I probably won't get, but they I sister I should, just to make sure I get ear plugs for myself. As they got out of the car, the gentleman told me, "Thanks for the laugh. It was a good ride."

Last but not least was a couple decked out in Steelers colors from Resort World to Noreens Lounge (Steeler Bar). They were so stoked to go even if they knew Big Ben and their team had struggled all year. True fans wear their team colors even when their team struggles. There were lots of laughs and good gabs back and forth. Excellent ride; the girlfriend knew her stats and stuff about football. Awesome ride, and I told them, "Miracles happen every day." They ended up beating/upsetting the Ravens today. I'm sure they are going nuts.

Thank you all for making my day fun and easy.

[ridewithjohnny]

This week has been crazy busy. Sorry for the late posts, and I will just write a few as I am about to start my Saturday.

A few days ago, I picked up a profession boxer (picture above). He is from India and has a record of 13-2, he fights in Vegas Dec 25th. Great conversation and he is still trying to get on the map sort of speak. The best insight I could give him was that many years ago, when I was driving taxi here in Las Vegas, I was able to be the driver for Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin known as Triple G. I picked him up, his manager, his corner guy, and his marketing guy and took them to get flyers from FedEx Office to promote himself. At this time, he was trying to get on the map too; currently, Triple G is 43-1-1. As I dropped Sharma off, I wished him luck, and he was smiling ear to ear. This is one of many things I love about my work of driving is that I never know who I am picking up, what their story is, and where we are going!

There has been an increase in international travel to Vegas lately. Yesterday, 75% of my rides were people from Japan, Korea, England, Canada, India, and a few other places. It's great to see and make me even busier than before.

One of my passengers yesterday is up and coming Rapper, name FTO_DMAN. I picked him up at his place and took him to his recording studio to make another video. Great conversation, and I will look forward to following your career path. Good luck.

All other rides were fun and looking forward to what today brings.