Umans of Uber

I always look forward to the interesting, out-of-the-ordinary type rides. They make the best stories. The people who bare their souls. The weirdos and oddballs. And the adventures that take me on drug buys and graveyards and illicit rendezvous. As they leave, passengers often say things like, “Hope you don’t drive any crazies tonight!” And… Continue reading Dogs Are Awesome

Thursday nights are always busy at Crocs. This has apparently been true for nearly twenty years. Crocs is a Virginia Beach restaurant and bar on 19th street, a few blocks inland from the beach and a stone’s throw from the convention center. On Thursday nights, it becomes a night club with a DJ or live… Continue reading A Spitting Angry Uber Squatter

  Betty, Dan and Erma were waiting together on the sidewalk outside the bar as I drove up. I knew they were my passengers because Betty had the look–she held her phone up to her face and her eyes kept moving from the screen to to my car as I approached. I rolled down the… Continue reading Drunkenese

The name Marla sounded familiar. It was an unusual name, and I was pretty sure I’d seen it before, but couldn’t place it. She was at a 7-Eleven in Virginia Beach. As I pulled in, I saw three young people having what seemed to be a heated conversation beside a car in the parking lot.… Continue reading Fire Signs, Snakes, and Working Girls

When I saw the name Mark and that particular destination, I knew who I’d be picking up. I’d driven Mark four times previously–three times to this one bar from his apartment and one time back home. The first time I drove him, he texted me as I pulled into his apartment complex. I am disabled,… Continue reading Graveyard Shift

It was Mother’s Day and I picked up Vince and Autumn for a short ride near the oceanfront. “Did ya’ll call your moms today?” I asked them. “Yup,” said Vince. “I talked to her,” said Autumn. “That works,” I said, “Does she live close by?” “She’s dead.” “Oh, I’m sorry…” “No, no,” she laughed, “It’s… Continue reading A Not-Creepy Mother’s Day Story

Several weeks ago I picked up a party at Chick’s Oyster Bar on a weekend. And I mean party. Four young women having a good time. It was the kind of group I most enjoy Ubering–laughing and loose but not rude or obnoxious. And they included me in the fun. “I’d like to introduce you… Continue reading Flat Mary

I’ve given close to three thousand rides with Uber since I started last April. That’s a lot of passengers. And I’m happy to relate that the vast majority of those riders have been pleasant, friendly, engaging people. The number of bad hombres in Hampton Roads, from this ride sharer’s perspective, is encouragingly small. But that… Continue reading Get Out of My Uber

It was raining when I picked up this group from a Chick’s Beach bar. Bethany sat up front. She was a cute, petite blonde. Jack and Rena climbed in back and snuggled a bit. I don’t know the other girl’s name. She was quiet the whole time. They weren’t going far, so Bethany got right to it. She… Continue reading Riddle Me This