Meeting Donald Sutherland

Meeting Donald Sutherland today, was without a doubt, the highlight of the year for me .
He has been in town for the past week filming his new movie "Man On The Train".I had been cruising around town in my cab,when I got a call from my buddy and fellow Cabbie Grizz."Come on out to the west side plaza,I just had my photo taken with Donald Sutherland". What I exclaimed-"you lucky bugger,I'm a big fan of his".
So I immediately booked it west bound to check out the action.When I arrived the parking lot was all a buzz with the movie crew shooting a scene at a local barbershop.Grizz was off duty sitting in his big black GMC, camera in hand.Being a retired copper and active freelance photographer,as well as a part-time cabbie,the Grizz doesn't miss much.
  So I asked him, how did you manage to get a photo with Mr. Sutherland? Easy he say's,I just went up to him and asked if I could have my picture taken with him,and he said sure.So one of the crew on hand, took Grizz's camera, and was kind enough to take some nice shots.
Jeez I said you got stones-I wouldn't have the nerve to do that.But I wish I did, I told him. "Mr.Sutherland is not only a great actor,but also a great Canadian".Exactly Grizz replied,"the man's one of us Joe, a fellow Canuck,go on up and ask him,and I'll take the picture".
So after some humming and hawing on my part,and knowing I'd never get another chance to meet him,I said what the hell let's go.
As we waded through the crew surrounding Mr.Sutherland,I kept thinking some security goon will stop us and tell us to piss off.
But on the contrary I didn't see any security people,and the crew let us through no problem.
I approached the actor said hello, put out my hand,he shook it,I then asked if my buddy could take a picture of us,and he said sure, no problem.I was delighted,Mr Sutherland could not have been more gracious.
Now here is a famous actor,who has appeared in well over one hundred films,with his ego firmly intact.
I have never in all my years, even been close to a movie star,let alone had my photo taken with one.
You are a true Canadian gentleman Mr. Sutherland,and you made this small town cabbie's day.Thank you!

Meeting Donald Sutherland

White Trash?

We have a driver who has a tendency to speak his mind when ever a fare pisses him off,which seems to occur quite a bit.
Yesterday he picked up this guy who was well dressed in a leather jacket and expensive looking shoe's who was bragging about a great score he had just made in a drug deal.But at the end of the trip-and it was a short one-he told the driver he was $3.00 bucks short of the fare.
So the driver flips out on the guy yelling and swearing at him-then tells the guy "your noth'in but white trash,get out of my car"!
So needless to say the customer calls dispatch to file a complaint.And bless her heart, the dispatcher puts it out over the air for not only this driver to hear,but the rest of us and our fares as well.
She was on fire-telling him she was sick of getting complaints about him-and if it kept up he would be looking for a new job.Then she raises her voice and add's "AND DON'T BE TELLING OUR CUSTOMER'S THAT THEY ARE WHITE TRASH!!"
I nearly pissed myself laughing,as the fare in my cab joined in.I mean I feel for the guy,the jerk probably was a dead beat,but I tend to say these things under my breath not out loud.Not very professional and certainly not good for the company's image.Then to have the dispatch broadcast it all over the air,well that just topped it off.As I have often said over the years "where can you have more fun,and make less money,then in the cab biz".






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