I started this post about 2 weeks ago, and then my treatment started really kicking my rear. So I decided to finally go ahead and post it. Not sure when I'll be up to posting again. At least I'm almost done with my radiation treatments.
{Originally started about 4/7/2018}
The first time it happened, I didn't realize it would be an on-going effect.
WARNING: TMI Ahead
Friday, April 20, 2018
Saturday, April 7, 2018
On Contemplating Uber ...
... As a possible source of income ... and freedom.
I think it's important to mention that, while I used to be a cab driver, I haven't actually had a source of income, other than Food Stamps, in significantly more than 3 years.
With some exceptions, I really did enjoy driving. And I frequently miss it. Not to mention the freedom I enjoyed, as a professional driver.
Well, things have been getting tighter lately. Not that they weren't tight before. But now it's getting extremely difficult to even manage to get my OTC meds. and ... well ...much of anything that I need, besides food.
Anyway, for a while now I've been thinking about going back to driving. Because of my treatment schedule, I make use of a lot of transportation services. I generally like to pass the time by chatting with the driver. Consequently, I've heard some really unfortunate things, about the current state of the cab business here, since Uber and Lyft came to town. The cost to the driver going up, just for instance. And the obvious decrease in customer base, and income potential, over all. And some of my drivers know people who drive for Uber, or even do so themselves, in their off hours.
All this got me started thinking. Even though I miss driving a cab, I don't think I really want to go back to it, under the current circumstances. But there are ... options.
It occurred to me that, just maybe I could find a way to drive for Uber. Avoid the inherent threat of driving around with a lot of cash-on-hand, as cabbies frequently wind up doing. Never mind the anonymity of picking up random strangers on any old street corner. The subliminal knowledge that, even if you have all the pertinent contact and location data, you still have no idea who you may be dealing with (Ok, that last one is probably not different for the "rideshare" drivers.). Anyway you get the idea.
Side Note: Especially as a woman, it is always a good idea to keep security in mind. Use those instincts! I have learned, through hard experience, that if I fail to listen to "my gut", I will invariably "get my butt kicked". Never literally, so far, but I'm not taking chances!
So anyway ... Uber ... ... ... ?
I have a little time, before I'm free to pursue it properly, because of my rigorous treatment schedule. So I decided to do a little research. To The Google!
Did a quick search; "uber driver vehicle requirements"
Found this page; Driver requirements - uber.com, which mostly just served to make me more curious.
This helped some; Uber Car Requirements For 2018 | Rideshareapps.com, while still leaving some important questions unanswered. Like the best options for getting a viable car (since I'm currently without one) for one. And finally I stumbled on this; Uber Car for Drivers | Should You Buy, Rent, Or Lease An Uber Car?, which may actually be enough to get me started, when I'm finally free to do so.
For balance, here's a dissenting opinion; The 7 Reasons Why I STOPPED Driving for Uber & Lyft. And there are some interesting comments as well.
Obviously there are other things to think about:
At this point, all I really want is to be able to support [even part] of my own life. All of it would be so much better. I owe so much to so many. It would be amazing to be able to reduce the load on those who have been forced to take care of me for too long.
I think it's important to mention that, while I used to be a cab driver, I haven't actually had a source of income, other than Food Stamps, in significantly more than 3 years.
With some exceptions, I really did enjoy driving. And I frequently miss it. Not to mention the freedom I enjoyed, as a professional driver.
Well, things have been getting tighter lately. Not that they weren't tight before. But now it's getting extremely difficult to even manage to get my OTC meds. and ... well ...much of anything that I need, besides food.
Anyway, for a while now I've been thinking about going back to driving. Because of my treatment schedule, I make use of a lot of transportation services. I generally like to pass the time by chatting with the driver. Consequently, I've heard some really unfortunate things, about the current state of the cab business here, since Uber and Lyft came to town. The cost to the driver going up, just for instance. And the obvious decrease in customer base, and income potential, over all. And some of my drivers know people who drive for Uber, or even do so themselves, in their off hours.
All this got me started thinking. Even though I miss driving a cab, I don't think I really want to go back to it, under the current circumstances. But there are ... options.
It occurred to me that, just maybe I could find a way to drive for Uber. Avoid the inherent threat of driving around with a lot of cash-on-hand, as cabbies frequently wind up doing. Never mind the anonymity of picking up random strangers on any old street corner. The subliminal knowledge that, even if you have all the pertinent contact and location data, you still have no idea who you may be dealing with (Ok, that last one is probably not different for the "rideshare" drivers.). Anyway you get the idea.
Side Note: Especially as a woman, it is always a good idea to keep security in mind. Use those instincts! I have learned, through hard experience, that if I fail to listen to "my gut", I will invariably "get my butt kicked". Never literally, so far, but I'm not taking chances!
So anyway ... Uber ... ... ... ?
I have a little time, before I'm free to pursue it properly, because of my rigorous treatment schedule. So I decided to do a little research. To The Google!
Did a quick search; "uber driver vehicle requirements"
Found this page; Driver requirements - uber.com, which mostly just served to make me more curious.
This helped some; Uber Car Requirements For 2018 | Rideshareapps.com, while still leaving some important questions unanswered. Like the best options for getting a viable car (since I'm currently without one) for one. And finally I stumbled on this; Uber Car for Drivers | Should You Buy, Rent, Or Lease An Uber Car?, which may actually be enough to get me started, when I'm finally free to do so.
For balance, here's a dissenting opinion; The 7 Reasons Why I STOPPED Driving for Uber & Lyft. And there are some interesting comments as well.
Obviously there are other things to think about:
- I need to get my license back. It just expired.
- I need to find out what insurance I need and get it.
- Are there other services that can work concurrently? Lift, courier services?
- AND, most importantly, I need to consult with the people who are most important in my life, to figure out if this is even feasible.
At this point, all I really want is to be able to support [even part] of my own life. All of it would be so much better. I owe so much to so many. It would be amazing to be able to reduce the load on those who have been forced to take care of me for too long.
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Thursday, April 5, 2018
Expected Symptoms
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