One's real life is often the life that one does not lead

Well anyway, after playing night dispatcher for 2 months its back in the saddle again and not a minute too soon. I don't recall a more selfish and childish group than some of the drivers we have around these days and I wont miss dealing with them. Time and time again they would pack up and go home without even asking, leaving me short to get killed when it got busy later in the night.
I felt just like a substitute teacher but without the power even to send them to the Principal's office. The last bunch were great guys and we had fun and we got the job done. I dunno, maybe its the times we're in. Everyone is on edge.
Tonight there were only a few local unremarkable runs because I'd spent most of the evening at rehearsal for a play that I am involved in. It is only a very small part but it continues to be a wonderful experience.

mai

Do ya ever feel like just a complete idiot? Me neither but last night I really screwed up by dispatching a good call to the wrong driver. The goal is to get an even amount of work for all the drivers. It's the measure of a good dispatcher.
Well, what happened is there was one dude who was whining all night even though I thought he was doing pretty well. Someone told me that he was livid about something I had said or done wrong and that word really got to me. How often does a person become livid? Jesus.
The word, that word bounced around in my brain for a while until, finally, I gave the big job to livid man instead of the driver who really deserved it, needed it to make a decent night.
I apologized and tried to explain myself but man when you're wrong you can't hide. I should be able to make things even over the next few nights.
I feel so damn bad. But the lesson here is, well, never feel bad.

The people protesting health care reform are the same geniuses that doubt evolution. They are sure about their beliefs beyond any doubt and nothing ever needs to be debated. The insurance industry shouldn't be impeded in any way lest we risk (gasp) socialism.
Besides, hospitals can not refuse to treat anyone. And, well gosh darn it we have the greatest health care system in the world.

The next insipid twit that tries to feed me any of this crap is gonna need health care for his face. Leave your address along with any comment so that I can drop by with some flowers.

classified

Yeah, so alright I'm back from whatever planet I was on last night. Planet Self Pity. Tonight started off with a group of three, drove them to the airport through great swaths of traffic. Twemendous twaffic. No AC, hot as hell windows all rolled down. Cab making grinding and clunking noises. Growling and burping.
So where are you folks from?
Minneapolis.
Oh very nice.
Have you been there?
No. Well, the airport I think. Its a nice airport.
Yes yes. (I should have asked them how Mary Tyler Moore is doing)

By the time I got back, Emil had finished his shift with unit 199. I like the one-nine-niner so I switched cabs and pick up four hombres from Honduras going to Gillette Stadium. There is a football (soccer) match Saturday at the stadium and these guys are part of the Honduran sports media. They yammered in Spanglish most the way. The one who spoke the most English, I think he was the leader, asked about getting a ride back later so I explained our strict policy of requiring pre-payment for such a trip and he just said "No."
(we can't afford to be driving 40 miles round trip for nothing when people so often disapear under mysterious circumstances)
So, when they called for a ride back the dispatcher told them "No."
After a few local runs I grabbed a couple slices and a Coke and did local work the rest of the shift.
Starting tomorrow I'll be the night dispatcher for 3 weeks whilst Dave plays army. Looking forward to some guarenteed moneys. Mucho dinero.

prop me up with another pill

Work is as slow as its ever been, there is just nothing out there. I'm making 50% less money than I was twenty years ago - who else do you know that can say that?
And as if to add gasoline to the fire two extra drivers were called in on their off night tonight. I should be upset and I am but only at myself for still being here doing this job. I don't know what else to do. Its been so long I don't know how to do anything else.
There seems such a struggle between rage and hope.
But there is still kindness and karma. Music and beauty and laughter. Maybe love.

jersey

An appointment with the Doctor this morning made this a longer day. A few pokes and probes, a little blood a little urine. The usual. Doc just give me the usual.

After a few errands and some meditation, contemplation and medication at precisely 3 o'clock I rolled out in unit 197. Its a good clean cab, I felt like I was gonna make a lot of money. The afternoon started slowly but steadily with good tips and cash was starting to flow through my veins. There was an elder lady headed home from the dentist. She was cool, talking about how this was all woods when she was a little girl. Then a businessman from, where was it, I forget.
Nextly, dispatch gives me a run going to the airport shuttle bus terminal and we were very late. He was extremely upset so I said hey sorry man and temporarily suspending a few traffic laws we got there with 2 minutes to spare. If I had got in any trouble I would have plead temporary insanity.

At 6 o'clock I drove a New Jersey couple to Fenway Park. Jersey Red Sox fans wearing Red Sox jerseys. I gave them my cell number and they said they'd call for me to come back and get 'em after the game. So, round about the eighth inning the dude calls and I head into town to meet them at a bar near the park. Well I was right there, right in front of the gosh darn place and we're calling each other back and forth a few times but we just can't seem to hook up. The cops kept on moving me along and saying things like "Move along." Now they're walking around, its total gridlock. Bedlum. 30 or 40 people wanted in, some of them pounding on the hood and the windows and I'm trying to locate what is now a moving target. Finally found them, great tip. Good night's work. Better night than Johnny Damon (Zero for four and an error) A hard day's night.