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.
