Funny thing happened on the way to...figuring out what I wanted to do to create more abundance (in this case cash) in my life. This so that I could sign up for and pay for (in cash) several BARS-Access Consciousness classes.
The idea of becoming a LYFT driver in my spare time sounded appealing. First, I love to drive! Second, I have fun with people and enjoy helping them in general. Third, I get to create my own hours? And, I get paid every week? These all marinated together proved to be a fun way and wise decision to make some extra cash.
I signed up and filled out an application online, met with a mentor - she was awesome! And, had a background check done. I felt good to go after putting new tires on the car and having an oil change complete and a car wash.
My first night...
Passengers were a cute young couple who happened to live two blocks over. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I found their place easily and once in the car, they were ecstatic. I haven't mentioned yet, but I own a Porsche Cayenne SUV. They were so psyched to be in this luxury car and said it was the best LYFT car that showed up ever! I was so pleased! Then I offered them water and asked them how the temp was in the car and they had a water and got super excited when I mentioned they were my FIRST ride! It was like a balloon drop happened for all of us in that moment. The excitement in the car could have driven us to their destination alone! (lol). I felt so lucky to have some super incredibly nice folks on my first ride. They even shared that they were so excited about the car and the ride that they would love to have their friends just meet them in it and that we drive around all night. (lol). Generous, and lovely people.
Once I dropped them off, I drove back home and a drunk couple of guys were walking on the sidewalk but also in the street. One with his hand out trying to thumb a ride. Yikes. Very inebriated and was slowly walking out into the street with his back to my oncoming car and WHACK! his left thumbed hand out smacked my side mirror! I slowed (I was going slow to begin with bc he was beginning to walk into the path of cars) and then sped a little and when he realized what happened he started to chase in a drunken state my car. Calling me out and calling me N***gar..OMG.. so I thought. Hmmm. maybe i should slow down and then pull away and keep doing that? Well, no. Not nice. But that was weird. Happy hour drunk guys. Because it still wasn't even 8pm.
So, back home. I get inside and the LYFT app goes off again. It says that the person requesting is um. 90 feet away. I live in Luxury Apts so it's as though a bunch of townhouses are hooked together. Lots of people live here so not surprised, and actually hoping, to assist people in my own complex.
Well so I drove past where they were. doh. My roommate was out walking her dog and had me back it up, and there they were. A girl and a big guy. She jumps in and says, "Yay, a Forty Niner's Fan, too!!" after seeing the seat belts covers (a gift from my friend Cynthia) on the seat belts. We fist pounded and the guy got up front. Because, and as he mentioned, "..he was a third wheel and had no date tonight"..the girl's boyfriend was on his way to the car and sat in the back.
They got a huge kick out of the fact I just drove out of the garage to get them. And as they were a little buzzed, the chatter was pretty funny. I was now the 'virtual' date of the big guy up front. They were all pretty funny and very social. Was having a blast. Once near their drop off point, Santana Row, they asked me, "Are we better than your first customers?". I finessed, "You are cool. They were cool. A different kind of cool". They were curious, "What kind of cool are we?", and I let them know..."badass cool!" which. they. were.
I turned off the driver mode so I could go back home and take a break. Once home and turned it back on, it went off again. This time a graduate student who needed to get over to a house across from SJ State. He sat in the back and he was all dressed up and looking really nice. Smelled good, too. (did I just say that out loud)?
He was a little shy, a little talkative so I didn't want to push. I got him to where he needed and was back at my own home in no time. Then it the LYFT app went off again and I was almost at the last place of pick-up..wow. cool.
It was like I was on this huge and fast learning and enjoying curve all at once!
Yeah, so this is where it gets a little interesting. Two guys. Sitting in the back. Nicely dressed. Toooo much cologne. Nice enough. Realized very quickly they were gay. I have zero issues with that. Interesting to hear them behave and act just like girls going out. i.e., Trying to one-up the conversation. Trying to expose and control. Being bitchy. Testing each other. And then -- as we neared the end of the ride --- all calm and switching modes to be in public. Wow, was it bc I was in the car all this was going on? Or, just how they find alignment with each other? So, this was interesting because how exactly have I done this with girlfriends in the past? How is it these gay guys were showing me something girls do?!? Incredible. I hoped they tipped me. Or, maybe I should have tipped them?
As soon as I dropped them off, the app ringed again for a pick-up. I circled the block of festivities and the people found me. Ended up being a really funny girl who just finished having drinks with her gay hairdresser. She looked great! Oh, bc he did her hair first - then they went for drinks. ;)
I had difficulty with the use of the map mainly bc I was nervous and scared with the idea the cops would nab me for being in the single lane bus lane to pick her up. So it was stressy for me, but she was comforting and sharing I didn't have to worry. She found out it was my first night and once I got the map to work, we were really g2g.
She was hysterical! Telling me all the stories about cops and her, and how she would fight with them in her little town she grew up..too funny. She also wants to become a driver after getting a new car and seeing how much some classes are going to be she wants to get into.
I made just under $60 in 3 hours. I got paid for having fun! Amazing.
