Blocked

I picked up a fare at SJC, and she asked if I would take her home. She said that she lived by Kelly Park just off of Senter Rd. It was just a typical ride until we got close to her condo complex. The street was lined with SJPD cruisers, and big orange cones were blocking our left turn. Car after car in front of me were being turned away. This was not an option for my passenger as it was her only way in.

Risking a severe reprimand, I drove toward the police officer as she was pointing me away from the street. As I explained our predicament she turned and looked over her shoulder at the motorcycle gang milling about up the road, and then back at me. I assured her I would be fine with driving in. She finally gave me the go ahead, but I could see the concern in her eyes, by saying,"Be very, very careful."

The road was made narrow by the numerous police cars parked barely off to each side. Other than that we made it to her home without noticing what would have the police in such a tizzy. I had no real problem getting her to her condo, but getting back out was another story.



As I turned the corner, I found myself behind a large group of mostly men dressed in jeans, boots, and their vests - They were wearing the "colors". I was blocked by the notorious outlaw motorcycle gang, "The Mongols". (In 2002, members of the Mongols and the Hells Angels MC had a confrontation in Laughlin, Nevada at the Harrah's Laughlin Casino, that left three bikers dead) I just sat there, motor running wondering what to do, for several minutes. I gave the horn the teeny-tiniest little toot. "Toot-Toot" - got me a few glares.



Then I noticed a biker standing to my left. He was taking pictures of his men, and of the cops. A flickr buddie in the making? Thinking we had something in common, "Can I take your photo?" He smiled and posed. From out of the crowd a woman yelled, "Ask him for his autograph!" and lots of laughter. I snapped the pic, and ventured, "What? The cops won't let you in the park?" Shaking his head, "Nope!" Me, "You could invite them to join you." While he was still smiling I told him that I did need to get back to work and I would really appreciate his help. Could he get them to scoot over just enough for me to get through?



With the help of my new found friend I made it without running over any toes, but I still wasn't in the clear. I still had to make it around the police barricade. There were now more cops standing at the cone studded intersection. They were so engrossed in their situation they seemed to look right through me.

I sat there lost in thought - Last May a 911 call brought the SJPD to the Vagabond Inn on North First Street. A man said to be disturbing the peace was also suspected of throwing a woman out of a window. The man was found standing in a room grunting and not wearing any clothes. In an attempt to temporarily incapacitate the struggling man he was shocked with a Taser gun. The man believed to be a member of the Mongols motorcycle gang was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Go! - Get out of here!", a big cop was yelling at me as he moved cones. Stupid guy. What did he think I was trying to do? I was already blocks away when more SJPD units flew past me rushing to the scene code-3. I had my radio on but heard no news reports then or later in the day, so I imagine there were no injuries.


The Mongols MC


wikipedia

That'll Teach 'Em

Look what happened when my husband upset me! It took a good number of taxi rides to pay for these Skechers Shoes.

The Wedding

The time call was for 11:30pm, so I pulled up to the country club at 10:50pm. I had never been there before and I wasn't sure what to expect in the way of parking. Valet parking was set up and several young men were waiting to assist. A black limo had just pulled up and the driver was looking in the trunk. A huge charter bus was parked on one side so I found a spot to park along the curb to the other.

As I was checking out my cab to make sure the back seats looked clean and no debris had been left about on the floor, the limo driver was rolling out a red carpet. He then scattered it with red rose petals. He began to go through musical selections: At Last - by Etta James, and then . ... Can I just have one a more moondance with you, my love Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love ...Moondance by Van Morrison, and several others. He finally settled on Moondance. Made me happy!

Guests began to come out and set the Valet-boys scurrying for cars. I heard it before I saw it...A really beautiful silver Porsche. The Valet got out, took one look at the owner and refused to give him the keys. They talked for a bit before the owner went back into the club.


It was getting close to 11:30 and the Limo driver was getting antsy. His impatience was becoming verbal, "I was to pick up at eleven!" The owner of the silver Porsche walked back out with his sober looking wife, as the Limo driver marched inside almost tripping over the red carpet.

The band was still playing and through the window I could see that guests were dancing. Standing there hearing the words to the song made me laugh. Who would choose this song to play at a wedding? "Love The One You're With!
...And if you cant be with the one you love
Love the one your with
Don't be angry
Don't be sad
Don't sit cryin' for good times you had
There's a girl right next to you
And she's waiting for something to do...Do it- Do it- Do it...

More guests appeared. Some doing a good job to remain standing, and some not so good. A few ending up in the bushes on their way to the charter bus. Giving one more useless look at his watch the Limo driver returned to stand by his car.

Around midnight someone must have given the signal because the driver reached into the car and the night was filled with...'Well, its a marvelous night for a moondance...' The bride came on to the rose strewn red carpet looking like a princes. She smiled and waved to her remaining guests, said a few words to her father and with her husbands help got into the limo. The now smiling driver gathered up his carpet and off they sped into the night.

The mother and father of the bride eventually came out to my cab. I didn't mind the long wait. They were generous with what was most likely the last of their bank account so I was paid well. To top it off I also made away with flowers. Score one for the cabbie.