It might, or can be said that the strange and unusual are occurring often these days in the ride-share country known as Uber & Lyft-land, but the oddest, if true could be Uber and Lyft's Human Resource employees actively searching for new independent operators in Seattle and area homeless shelters. This is the report I got yesterday concerning an outreach meeting at Mary's Place, a Seattle Belltown/Downtown shelter for distressed mothers and their children, HR officials telling the women in attendance they too could be driving around Seattle making part-time money. And displaying their full corporate benevolence, were willing to provide everyone a car for only $200. 00 per week, this of course spoken to women struggling to survive and receiving welfare benefits. Appropriately, one woman replied she couldn't even afford a driver's license, yet alone a new car, which brings up an obvious question: why are Uber and Lyft doing this?
Theoretically, I can understand why Mary's Place and the ride-share companies might team up, deciding this could be a favorable occupational opportunity but does anyone understand who they are talking to? Having picked up passengers at 4 different Mary's Place shelters, many could potentially be described as "ill-prepared" for life challenges, and certainly not ready for the rigors presented by Seattle congested streets. As recent reports of Uber and Lyft driver criminality suggest, driving a quasi-taxi can and will push you over the edge into personal lunacy, not a place where one wants to reside.
Too often in Seattle I am reminded of the biblical parable, "the Blind leading the Blind," which could certainly be cited here, only hoping City and County regulators will question Uber and Lyft's tactics. A few years back, the noble minds governing Seattle Yellow/Puget Sound Dispatch decided to fill entire shifts with women inmates from a prisoner work-release facility, an ill-conceived idea wholly unsuccessful, insolence suddenly dispatches' new demeanor, anger the new friendly hello.
As every taxi veteran knows, even the sane go crazy in this environment, meaning inserting weary, unhappy women into the local transportation hurricane unwise and cruel, something neither benign nor fair. While money is essential and important, situational stability, should I think, be the first goal. As a former case manager, that would be my initial recommendation, anything else coming much, much later, these women requiring months and years of rehabilitation and support. Life is not an inspirational movie, and reality not instantaneous fantasy. Change is clearly incremental, a step by step process not somehow quickly accelerated by fast-moving cars looking to make a buck, making little sense moving further down a dead-end highway. First and foremost, teach people to be themselves before trying to make them into someone else, an obvious tenet preached in Therapeutics 101.
And that is what Uber and Lyft were doing at Mary's Place, wishing Spring into Summer while forgetting Autumn and Winter's months of quiet regeneration, replenishing the soil before planting the seeds. All farmers know this, green, bountiful fields testimony to patience, wisdom and care in both tilling the earth and the ever fragile human mind.
What taxi does to you
Mike, a taxi buddy at Yellow, was found unconscious in his cab on southbound State Route Highway 509 at S. 128th Street. Initially breathing, his breathing stopped on the way to Highline Hospital, resulting in five days upon life support. While his prognosis remains positive, his taxi days are over. Some remain enthusiastic about taxi but not us who know better, knowing too well death in various forms lurking round the next corner. And Uber & Lyft want to introduce more neophytes into this twirling maelstrom? Unkind!
Two New Restaurant Recommendations
Taxi buddy Chris met me last Thursday at the Mizuki Buffet, an Asian-themed all-you-can-eat joint that is simply amazing. While pricy, settle for lunch at $16.00 each. I know Chinese and this is good and fresh, restaurant cooking. You will not be disappointed.
Mizuki Buffet, 17950 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA . 206-575-6988
WWW.MIZUKIBUFFET.NET
And another terrific and authentic restaurant is Salva Mex----Pupuseria y Comida Mexicana. One step into the door and you are in Mexico and Central America. I love the place! And yes, it is wonderfully cheap and good! Head on down and enjoy. Located more or less 2 miles west of the airport.
15019 Ambaum Blvd., Burien, WA . 206-988-8786
Keith Moon and NYC taxis
Back in 1967, the Who drummer rented 9 Yellow Cabs to block off both ends of a street. Why? So he could toss all the furniture from his hotel room unto the street. Why I have no idea why. The cabbies must have been amazed at the sight!
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