06/13/2024

The intent was to drive for 12 hours but after 3 rides I made it back home and decided to stick to my policy of turning off the app if I make it back home at any point during the day/night.

Picked up a rider that had selected the option to share the ride with others.  Upon pick up the rider seemed to be concerned about another rider being picked up.  This doesn't happen very often but tonight it did.  Furthermore, I always find it interesting why a rider would select this option (it is the cheapest) and then be concerned about having to share the ride with a stranger.

The neighborhood where I was picking up the rider mentioned above, was close to where the big fire was last year that spread across a greenspace and burned down an apartment building.  I asked if the rider was living there when this occurred, and they shared what the experience was like for them when the fire broke out.  I was surprised that none of the residences in this neighborhood were not burned down as the area was practically ground zero for the fire.

"He was believing the bullshit he was telling himself".  The conversations between a pair of riders got better and better as the ride progressed.  Funny stories about some of the experiences they had including a couple of acquaintances named Tricky Ricky and Pig Man.  There was also a story about a trip to Bone Daddy's, a restaurant that features scantily clad waitresses and is part of what many refer to as a "breastaraunt".  As the story goes, one of the waitresses was reaching over the table as she serviced them.  The reach made it such that her waist was at eye level, and it was almost impossible to not be looking at that area of her body.  Of course, all eyes were on her and it was noticed that there was pubic hair sticking up out of her shorts.  The rider said it was horrifying and that he was afraid that he was going to throw up if he started drinking his beer.  He then finished the story by referring to the restaurant as "Bush Daddy's" instead of Bone Daddy's.  It was all I could do to not bust out in laughter.

I was not a fan of the "Me Too" movement but an explanation that one of the above riders made, brought the issue perfectly into focus.  His perspective was that with something such as Me Too, many victims were able to realize that they were victims and thus speak up and come forward.  This made complete sense to me and changed my perspective.  As with many things, the problem with this movement started when the media began sensationalizing the issue.

The above paragraph is yet another example of how being exposed to different points of view and perspectives, can make us better human beings.  Having a singular mindset will keep us at a disadvantage when compared to the opportunities of understanding.