Snapshot: 1992

While taking Uber has brought back some memories for me when I used to drive taxi for disabled customers. My job was with Handi-Helper Transit in Winnipeg, and I worked in an ancient boxy Dodge Van (1983?) that had an extended shell on the back. It looked similar to the one below, only the one I drove was a LITTLE bit longer than this bitch.

And I remembered this because when I was working in my Ram Van waiting for trips, I would read my electronics book & re-study my material. I did this for a few months until I finally quit that job and went to a gas station for $5.5 per hour. My taxi job sucked so bad I calculated the hourly wage I was making was less than 2$ hour, factoring in the amount of hours I had to work.

With Uber, many of the drivers are in my old position: Laid off, looking for work - just doing Uber to pay the bills. And with that, I treat all drivers with a modicom of respect and knowledge. I was once in their shoes. Anybody can be let go.

I looked up my old boss from the Mohawk gas station: Turns out he died about 12 years ago, was fairly old, but led a full and long life. His sons have likely taken over that business now. As life moves on, I stop and think about what was and would could be.