#perspective

While many of my interactions are funny and worthy of storytelling, there are a few that just hit me in a different way.  This last week has been particularly tough on me, as I struggle through the perils of going against the grain in an attempt to pave my own trail.  I've been hustling like a mad woman to the point where I wonder if I'm making forward progress.  I've questioned my decision to live this sort of alternative lifestyle as I go from one job to the next ... to the next.  I'm tired.  I miss my dog.  I miss the gym and my running shoes.  I miss having fun.  The Universe is always perfect in how to sends you messages and people right when you need it.

I had a conversation via text with a distant friend.  (Distant in that we don't really talk all that much but keep tabs on one another's lives via social media.) His advice to my current predicament, "Don't find a "job"!!  Just keep doing what you're doing.  You'll find crazy amounts of success soon." Sometimes it's a perfectly time call or note from a friend that pushes you in the direction you need to go.  Sometimes it's an actual encounter which makes you stop for a minute and be truly thankful for what you DO have and who you've got backing you on your journey through life.

This week two of my passengers were blind.  One of them, a guy about my age, hasn't seen much more than a shadow his whole life.  On that drive, I began seeing things in the desert through a different lens...and appreciated what beauty there is here, instead of hating the fact that everything is a shade of brown.

Yesterday, while driving another visually impaired passenger, she asked me to stop by KFC.  She wanted to surprise her husband with fried chicken.  (Note:  I will never, ever surprise anyone with KFC, but I thought it was a sweet gesture on her part.)  We pull up to the drive-thru and there is a car in front of us, not quite to the speaker box.  I made a comment to which my passenger said, "Well maybe they're just reading the menu before they pull up."  I make a mental note to try to control my impatience, because she's probably right on this one.

We continue to sit behind the car.  I look up and notice the persons reverse lights are on and the windshield wipers are going.  There's an elderly woman in the car.  I wait for a couple more minutes thinking maybe it's a rental and she's not sure which gear she's in.  Soon it's clear that she's having issues.  I get out of the car and go up to her car.

Me:  Everything ok?  Do you need help?

Elderly Woman:  Yea, I think there's a problem with my car.

Me (thinking maybe she stalled it out somehow):  Maybe put the car in park and turn off the ignition and restart it.  That seems to help sometimes.

She complies.  It starts and she thanks me.  I smile and return back to my car.

A second later, wipers are going again, reverse lights on, then of.  I get back out of my car and again ask her if she needs anything.  She's visibly embarrassed and almost looks scared.  She apologizes and tells me she's not sure what she's doing wrong and could I try.  I get in her car, put it into drive and scoot ahead a bit.

Elderly Woman:  Hmm... I'm so sorry.

Me:  It's really ok.  Why don't you get in and try again.  (By now, I'm concerned, and think I should probably ask her if I can park her car and just take her where she needs to go.  But there's a passenger in my car and I feel frozen.)

She gets back in her car.  I remind her to put her foot on the brake and to pull the shifter down to the "D".  She pulls at the emergency break.  "No, not that one, that's a brake.  It's the taller one.  Pull it all the way to where it shows the "D" on the side."

She cruises ahead.  I get back into my car.  Feeling sad for her and terrified.  This woman all alone, is just trying to get some KFC and I'm scared she's going to hurt herself or someone else along the way. As she exited the drive-thru lane we hear someone lay on their horn.  I'm certain this blaring horn is directed toward this elderly woman.

My passenger comments how, someone should take away her keys.  I reply back, "what if she doesn't have anyone to take away her keys?  What if she's widowed?  Doesn't have children or family here?  What if she's alone and she's just trying to have some chicken?"  I regret letting her leave and I wonder if was supposed to be me who cared enough about her and her safety to take away her keys and drop her off at her destination.

Lessons Learned:

1. If all of your five senses are functioning, you're better off than a lot of people.  Be grateful for that and be empathetic to those who's senses are diminished or not functioning at all.  
2. Be patient and help when you can.
3. Check in on your grandparents, elderly neighbors, etc - they could be alone in this world and your smile may just brighten their day.
4. This too shall pass.
5. People still eat KFC.

Cheaters.

Earlier this week, I was off near the mountain in the early morning.  Totally hit or miss up here - hit only if someone is leaving one of the resorts.  I'm not the most patient of people, so I usually miss out and head back to town.  That day was different.

It was about 8:20am that the ride request came in - for the resort right across the street from the one I'd just dropped off at.  Score!  In the land of ride-share (and probably taxis), this is like winning the jackpot - to not have to drive too far for your next pickup AND to not have to wait around in between.  Time is money, y'all... time. is. money!!

I head over the other resort to pick up Tom.  I sent him a text to let him know I was pulling in, and would meet him near the valet area.  Tom arrives two minutes later dressed in business attire and coffee in hand and I'm immediately jealous he didn't ask me if I wanted a latte, because I do.

Tom:  Ok, we're gonna have to go get the bags.

Me:  Oh, sorry, I could have met you at the casita where you're staying.  Usually valet is just where everyone meets me.

Tom:  No worries, she's still getting ready.

We pull up, he hops out and runs up the exterior stairs and returns with a suitcase and a briefcase.  I ask him if there's more, and if he needs help.  He doesn't.  He returns with another suitcase. And stands at the car door and proclaims, "Here comes the queen," in a rather sarcastic tone.

I think to sarcastic self, "trouble in paradise... but at least he's got a coffee."  A bleach blond woman emerges, with so many things teetering from her grasp.  Hair brush, curling iron, Louie Vuitton bag, the usual, ya know?

I confirm the destination and crank the ac per Tom's request (apparently, Tom is HOT) and head to the other side of the mountain.

Most people who ride with me, are chatty, though some are not and you can tell right away which side of the fence they fall on). Particularly with business dressed folks... they're on the phone, checking email or confirming the days agenda with their fellow passengers.  Almost never are they silent though.  Tom and his lady friend were being incredibly quiet.  Very intentionally, incredibly quiet.  Whispering.

Now, unless you're discussing pending patents, attorney-clinet privileged information or the like, let's assume your secret is safe with me.  (Notwithstanding, changing your name and some of the relevant details to chronicle in this blog, however).

Lady with the LV:  Is there a Starbucks or a convenience store on the way?

Me (immediately finding this odd since Tom was already carrying a beautiful white cup with green lettering.  Maybe Tom was selfish and forgot to get the Lady with the LV a coffee?):  Um, yea, well, I'm sure we'll pass SOMEthing on the way.

LwtLV:  Ok, he needs to get dropped off somewhere.

Tom and LwtLV continue whispering.

Tom:  Hey, how long do you think it'll take to get there?

Me:  About 20 minutes I'd guess.  It's tough to tell with morning commutes, since we'll be on mostly side streets.

about 15 minutes pass

Tom:  Hey, can you drop me off at the Comfort Suites up here on the right?

I thought this was odd, since I picked up at a swank Marriott, and the destination was another swank Marriott on the other side of town.  "Sure," I said,  pointing, "this one right here?"

As I'm pulling in, the LwtLV is on the phone:
"No, we're pulling in right now.  No, it's a gentleman named Sam that you're picking up.  He's got a purple dress shirt on.  Yup, we're here right now."

I help "Sam" get his suitcase and briefcase and get back in the car.  As I'm pulling the car into drive, I look to my right to see Sam, take his pointer finger up to his lips, kiss it, and turn it toward LwtLV.

I immediately see what's happening and feel suuuuuuper uncomfortable.  That wasn't Tom after all, that was Sam.  And LwtLV used Tom's uber account to drop Sam, her Valley lover off at a hotel, in between the one she and Sam stayed at and the one she was going to a work conference at.  I confirm my suspicions when I drop LwtLV off at her destination - wedding ring.

Lessons Learned:

1. People will go to get lengths to be dishonest, if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.  Trust your gut.
2. You needn't be smart or particularly attractive to juggle a spouse and a lover - you only need to be willing.  
3. All of this makes me rather sad, and not particularly optimistic of relationships.  I know this isn't the norm (at least I hope it's not) but it's a disappointing display nonetheless.  

Lessons (I wish they'd) Learned:

1. If you're done, be done.  There are some really cool, single people out there (ahem) - please only occupy your pro-rata share of available partners.
2. Uber sends a very detailed receipt of pick-up and drop-off locations, travel time and route traveled, along with time stamps.  Probably best not to use your husbands account, to drop off your lover, and then order him another ride with the same account.