Before you go any further, read this...

Dictionary.com defines a redneck as:

1. an uneducated white farm laborer, esp. from the South.

2. a bigot or reactionary, esp. from the rural working class.

It goes on to say that redneck is A slang term, usually for a rural white southerner who is politically conservative, racist, and a religious fundamentalist. This term is generally considered offensive. It originated in reference to agricultural workers, alluding to how the back of a person's neck will be burned by the sun if he works long hours in the fields.

While I can't say all that fits me to a tee, a lot of it is pretty damn close.

You see, I lost both my parents before I turned 12 years old. I bounced around in a couple of foster homes before moving in with my uncle when I tuned 15. By age 17, I was on my own. I dropped out of school half way through 11th grade so I could go to work full time. Three months after my 18th birthday, I got behind the wheel of a cab for the first time.

I've learned more about life in 28 years in a hack than any philosopher ever could know. I've had multi-million dollar businessmen, celebrities and pro athletes as well as crack whores, drug dealers and murderers in my cab. I refuse to be an airport jockey or one of those guys that only stages at the hotels, so unfortunately, I have to deal with more of the bottom feeders of life than I do the upper crust.

It is the dealings that I've had the bad apples that has made me what I am today...

The Redneck Cabbie.

You see, to escape the madness of the city streets, my mind drifts off (not while I'm driving) to a quiet country town. A place where everyone knows everyone, and a man's handshake is as binding a contract as a person needs. A place where friends gather to down a couple of cold ones and listen to music that you can actually understand the words.

A place where young men don't walk around with their pants falling down over their ass, and young ladies don't have to dress like sluts to draw a man's attention.

I think you get the picture. I know, boring as whale shit to most city folks. I'd be living in a town just like that if it weren't for the fact that there's just not much demand for my line of work in most small towns.

This blog will reflect these feelings. If I seem a little bitter now and then, its just because that wonderful little town is nowhere in my near future, and because the life expectancy of someone in my line of work doesn't extend much past retirement age, all I can do is dream about it.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Start spreadin' the news

Not quite leavin' today, but soon. Lori and I are taking an quickie trip to New York City. We leave in 2 weeks. No, its not the quiet trip to the country I crave, but Lori has always wanted to go there. Time permitting, I want to check out just how hard it would be to drive a cab out there. No, I don't have any desire to relocate again.

Not sure what's all on the agenda other than sightseeing and subway riding. Maybe go see a show. We'll only be there a couple of nights. I don't think I could handle much more.

This will be the first time I've flown since 9-11. While I think most of the security measures are good ideas, I'm not looking forward to going through it.

We may take a side trip to Maryland to see my buddy that I recently got in contact with. I'd love to see him again, but I want to make sure he can get the time off to meet up for a few hours.

On an unrelated note, I want to take the time to offer my deepest condolences to my dear friend Cherie from Florala, Alabama. I recently found out that her 12 year old daughter, Hannah had passed away. I have not been in contact much with her over the last couple of months, and she sent an e-mail to an account I rarely use anymore to inform me of her daughter's passing. I'm sickened by the thought that I didn't get that message until over a month after the fact. Since then, I have not been able to contact her.

Well... Unless I post here before hand, wish me luck on the trip.
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Thursday, March 1, 2007

This week's update

Well, again you can say no news is good news. Other than dealing with a little stupidity from our cab company's owner, everything's going pretty good. What can I bitch about? I live less than 5 minutes from the Gulf beach, we've had temps in the 70's while my friends in Minnesota are digging out of 2 feet of snow.

Took the dog out for a run on the beach this morning. I look forward to doing that more as the weather gets even nicer. The little bastard seems to have a never ending supply of energy.

Got a hold of one of my long lost and dearest friends Tuesday night. We must have talked on the phone for nearly 2 hours. He has dealt with his share of tribulations over the last 20+ years. It's great to see him come out on top.

Going to see Larry the Cable Guy on the 18th. This man is funnier than shit on a sidewalk. Lori and I are looking forward to the show, and an extra day off. May be a few beers consumed that night.

Well, it's getting to be 6am. That's bedtime for us.

Later.
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