Monday, January 23, 2006

Prizzy R.I.P.



It was another slow shift tonight. And though there weren't many people taking cabs, there were more than enough asshole drivers on the streets. Seen above is yet another Jersey fuck who doesn't know how to drive. This guy decided that, rather than pulling off to the side, he needed to stop dead in the middle of Bleecker St to ask a parked cab driver for directions. When I honked at him so that maybe he would make enough room for other cars to pass, he refused to move, despite the fact that about 10 cars were now stuck behind him. Only when he finally did start driving again did he decide to pull off to the side, but only for a second because apparently he wanted to get behind me so he could honk back at me. So not only was I stuck behind this idiot for five minutes, but now I was stuck in front of him with him leaning on the horn non-stop. A lady standing on the sidewalk finally got so annoyed with him, she yelled, "Shut the fuck up and go back to Jersey!" Too bad she wasn't looking for a cab because I would've given her a free ride.


Meanwhile, anyone know Prizzy is? Or, I mean, was? There were four cars painted with this message driving west on Houston, and they were speeding like maniacs and weaving in and out of traffic. When I commented on this to my passengers at the time, they said, "Whoever he was, if they don't stop driving like that, they'll be joining him soon."

92 comments:

Anonymous said...

If the guy obstructing traffic is a "Jersey fuck" why aren't the idiots speeding and weaving through traffic "New York fucks"?

Anonymous said...

LOVE ur blog.... It's great to see a female doing this kind of work..Good job!!!
I started doing this in '73... I now drive a limo for a living. Doing it for 4 years or so.
I have shown your blog to many in the industry. Everyone enjoys it. I read about your blog @ 1010wins.com.
I wouldn'tbe at allsuprised that there may some day soon a sitcom based upon your experiences. Maybe there may someday beashow on dateline or some such venue.
I wouldn't be suprised if some other blogs surface from folks in this or other interesting area of work that others relate to.
BTW... there's nothing more outrageousthen a jewish girl with a mouth as yours. Excellent. (well, maybe an italian... hehehe)
Awesomework . keep it goin strong.

M.P. said...

b. fair: I only saw three of the four license plates and none of them were from New York. One was from Florida, one was from Pennsylvania, and, guess what? One was from Jersey.

However, in the interest of fairness, I won't deny that there are plenty of New York fucks out there.

Anonymous said...

Just LOOK at the two Jersey fucks too. How do you think they got the BMW suv? A frivolous lawsuit of course like the rest of NJ and Staten Island's "well to do".

Anonymous said...

I just found out about your blog from an article about you on yahoo! I checked it out right away and I am glad I did. Your blog is great esp since I have never been to NY I live in a large city but not as busy as yours is. Not only that but mine is also boring (milwaukee, WI) It was refreshing to read that I am not the only one cursed with asshole drivers. Keep this going it's great. I too wouldnt be ablt to let my mom read a blog like this either she would sit up worried for me. Corie

~Aishah Schwartz said...

Wow...congrats.

Female NYC Cabbie Blogs About Being a Hack By ELIZABETH LeSURE, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 13 minutes ago

NEW YORK - One time, a Hare Krishna passenger gave her a foil-wrapped ball of chocolate he said was infused with herbs and spices. Then there was the time a guy gave her $140 for a $4.10 fare. She once dropped off a stripper at a date to see the musical "Wicked."

A good friend of mine is also a N.Y. cab driver; I sent her your blog address and the link to the AP story.

Anonymous said...

I have often thought about doing a photography and artwork sequence involving America as seen from the road, since we as a society spend so much time on the road. I see I'm not the only who thought of the concept. I love the photographs, especially the night time ones. The contrast of the lights in the dark makes for some vivid imagery. I love it.

I enjoy the explanations that go with them as well. You write very well.

Anonymous said...

C'mon...we all know Jersey is full of amish drivers with motorized buggies that travel faster than they should be allowed too. That being said, however, Jersey rocks...lol. Living in Philly and traveling to NYC often means I now need to keep my eyes open for NY Hack!

Anonymous said...

For those of you who are curious to see a photo of the New York Hack (aka Melissa Plaut) copy and paste this link to your browser.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/photos/
uncategorized/hack_blogger.jpg

Anonymous said...

I think your blog is really cool. Finally, I get to see it how its like from the cabbie's point of view.

Anonymous said...

new jersey sucks.
case closed.

Anonymous said...

Nice work here,very clean and to the point.I really like the Jersey fuck comment,i lived in Jersey its such a pointless state.Be safe

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the awesome blog! I drove a taxi in Philly several years ago and really enjoy reading your blog!
It takes a special person to drive a cab and you are indeed one of them!

Anonymous said...

F**ks is F**ks in all 50 states & territories if they get out on the road and act like F**ks behind the wheel! [& that’s just in this part of North America] Good for you NYH keepin' their feet to the fire! What Shmucks! [A BIG Bronx cheer to them] Please Keep up the pics and the commentary. The professional driver gets little enough respect even in NYC where the city couldn't survive without them, Thanks for the blog but thanks more for being a good hack in NYC!
BTW- maybe 'prizzy' got buried with his/her car?

Anonymous said...

Congrats! You made the AP wire!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/
ap/20060123/ap_on_hi_te/
blogging_cabbie

Been reading your blog for a few weeks....it's a good read. Looks like you are about to gain alot more readers!

Anonymous said...

Will you marry me?

Annabelle Echo said...

Congratulations on making the news.
I always wanted to try driving a taxi. When I worked as a messenger I drove a stardard transmission though so I could weave in and out of traffic. It's too bad that option isn't available in taxicabs.

Anonymous said...

I once saw an Amish buggy
towing a motor boat.

Have you seen any Amish buggies
in New York?

Anonymous said...

great blogging. another link to syndicate

Anonymous said...

The only good thing to come out of NJ is the road to NY.

Anonymous said...

I checked out your photo and yes you are hot!

Anonymous said...

Have you been asked to appear on David Letterman yet? Your Blog is great.

Anonymous said...

A big salute to you, MP. I drove a hack in NYC in the 70's, lived on the "disneyland" block of St Marks. Also grew up in Spring Valley/Monsey...I understand :) You've got smarts and a good writing style....you won't be driving a hack for too long. (Trust me...I went on to become a successful writer. )

Anonymous said...

I'm so very tired of seeing these "RIP" tags on everyone's cars/trucks etc. And we live all the way in Kansas City! It's very sweet that someone cared enough about their loved one, to write about it. But to me, it has the same connotation as those moron's that write their boyfriend's name on a bathroom wall in a bar! Your an ADULT! Get a damn life, ya know?
I'm an adult, and I don't feel the need to write/scribble/scratch my husband's name into every surface I can find? What the fuck?

Thanks for the amusement, great blog and great fucking attitude!

Cam in KC!
camspowers@comacst.net

Unknown said...

I miss NY....thanks for your blog!

Anonymous said...

Your writing was entertaining and funny. I've driven in the City many times, and though the Jersey driver sounds like a jerk, I don't know how many times I've been inconvenienced by a taxi who stopped in the middle of the street to pick up or drop off a fare or cut over several lanes in traffic for the same reason. I hope you don't do that. Good Luck.

Anonymous said...

You are the prettiest cab driver I've ever seen. Yes, seen.

Be safe always.

Anonymous said...

I am currently living in Japan and found your blog link listed in the Tech section of USA Today. I have been living and working here for three years and will soon be going home to the US.

I have visited places like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mexico where the traffic is awful with loads of bicycles and scooters to contend with and NO traffic signals at intersections. Traffic moves through intersections coming from all angles at the same time. There are no rules about waiting your turn. You just 'Pray, gas it, and go' and hope that you and everyone manages to snake through the intersection without incident. Still, even if you have an accident, you are going less than 20mph at all times, so there is not much to really worry about.

Traffic all over Japan is crazy, but in the bigger cites like Yokohama, Tokyo, and Osaka the traffic is exponentially bad as well as the drivers. The most chaotic drivers here are of course the taxi drivers. But, they are also the safest somehow. Riding in a taxi is always a harrowing experience. I always thought that Taxi drivers in LA and NY had the market in high speed driving and weaving through traffic until coming here. Sure there are stop lights here so there are traffic laws like what we experience in the US. The norm is that at least two cars will run every stop light and there is always some jackass who will run it half way and then stop in the middle. It is a pain in the ass to drive here so most people leave the driving up to the cabbies who seem to maneuver through the gridlock and chaotic driving conditions and somehow get you to your destination unscathed. The cabbies here don't even flinch or complain. I am always amazed at how cool tempered they manage to remain under the constant stess of driving under such conditions.

Anyway, I really enjoyed your blog and thought I would let you know that your blog has gone international.

PJ in Tokyo

Anonymous said...

Hey, kudos on your blog catching ink on the AP. That's a feather in your cap! My fellow copy editor at this 65,000-plus-circulation newspaper here in Lubbock, Texas, was so intrigued he ran the piece in tomorrow's paper. I hope you get rich as a Saudi prince from the PR you're getting and, likely, will get in the ensuing days. If you've never heard of Lubbock, it's the birthplace of Buddy Holly (yea, that's right, "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day," etc.) Best wishes! "Fly on through the night. ..." J. Hendrix

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm sure glad that I clicked on the article about you on yahoo! today. This has to be one of the most interesting blogs I've ever read. I'm from Queens, but I go to City alot. I swear the cabbies in NY are some of the greatest people I've ever met! I'll be sure to give you a big tip if I ever take your cab!!

Anonymous said...

Great site and congrats to you on the publicity.

Nice to see the personification of humanity in NYC.

regards
fyrfyterx@yahoo.com

Paul Huebl Crimefile News said...

Hollywood taxi driver needs help.
Paste this link into your browser:

http://crimefilenews.blogspot.com/2005/12/leaving-scene-of-self-defense-shooting.html

Chatty Cathy said...

Great blog! Keep up that good work and be safe!

gexx said...

congrats on the AP/Yahoo article and on the Bloggie Nominations! Did you ever imagine you'ld be so well loved? ;-)

Anonymous said...

i just moved here. i was having a homesick night, but reading your blog makes me a bit happier to call New York home.

Anonymous said...

Of course, for people from most of the rest of the world - seeing people from NYC and NJ argue about which are the biggest A-holes is like seeing Cheney & Rumsfeld armwrestle for who is the biggest prick!

Go west, go to Europe, South America, Australia, Asia . . . you'll be hard pressed to find *anybody* who are as sociopathic as the average person from any of the East Coast USA mega-cities.

Mike T said...

Fantastic Blog...I'm from Minnesota and drive for a paratransit company in St.Paul and Minneapolis Metro area. Although we don't have "Jersey Fucks" we do have "Cheese Eaters" That would be nice for "Wisconsin Fucks"...They can't drive worth a shit when they cross the State line and get to the City. Anyway, nice job with the Blog...If you get time check mine out..Just a bit of Poetry but you have inspired me to maybe write of my adventures on the street...Stay safe and drive careful..
Mike

littledevilworks said...

Found you via the Yahoo article... awesome site. Will check back soon!

Anonymous said...

You know what? You rule!

Joann said...

I drive Yellow Cab in the San Francisco Bay Area. Home base is San Jose, Ca. I'll enjoy your New York experiences.

Anonymous said...

deus_ex sez:
you'll be hard pressed to find *anybody* who are as sociopathic as the average person from any of the East Coast USA mega-cities


Fuck You and have a Nice Day you Fart Huffer!

As far as Jersey goes, nothing like the smell of Bayonne on a nice summer's eve. (think porto-potty at the fair thats never been emptied)

Anonymous said...

HAHA, hey your blog is so awesome. take cares and be safe :]

Anonymous said...

Awesome blog! I got here via Yahoo News via Fark.

This site's feed has definitely been added to my feed list!

ThomG said...

New York Hack
Great Blog! I drove a hack at night from '83 -'85 while I was attending Baruch College during the day. Didn't have blogs back then, but I did get two years worth of journalism class papers from it. Good Luck and stay safe out there.

Anonymous said...

NY is like Montreal except it's half french and half english ,taxi drivers are good people , i can't even tell how many times a cab driver dropped at home without me knowing how i made it home when i woke up the next day , this happens most of the time after a stop at Bistro if you see what i mean , i just want to mention how courageous you are to do that job .
Have ever had a chance to drive a french canadian ? the fisrt question they ask where they can find "Poutine " ...

Ginny Sanchez said...

Jersey fuck, eh? Well, some of that's deserved. But I'm not letting NYC cabbies off the hook completely.

What about the NYC cabbies that try to cross three lanes in order to turn right, or stop in the middle of the street to let off a fare, or simply don't look before making a lane change?

I've driven both a cab and a truck for a living, and think I've got the whole "driving thing" down; and as a fellow driver I view three types of vehicles with dread:

NYC cabbies--they drive erratically.

any sedan with NY plates beginning with the letter "T" (taxi & limo)--they drive precisely 45 miles an hour in NJ, in the fast (passing) lane of highways where the posted speed limit is 65, and refuse to move over so the rest of us can actually arrive at our destination today.

any sedan with NJ plates beginning with the letters "OL" (taxi & limo)--they do the same as above on highways, PLUS once they hit Manhattan they turn into nondriving assholes.

NJ drivers in NYC are annoying to me mostly on Friday nights and weekends: every non-driving SOB in the tri-state area winds up in Manhattan, and I have to deal with them. But there are NJ people out there who seem to think rules of the road are suspended simply because they drove through the Lincoln Tunnel.

Pennsylvania drivers should have their licenses permanently crammed up their butts and their cars sold to charity.

I give the rest of the country a free pass when in Manhattan. It can be a pretty intimidating place to drive, if all you're used to is country roads or suburban sprawl.

Anonymous said...

Go live in Boston for a year. New Jersy fucks are nothing compaired to Mass holes

Anonymous said...

I Love You M.P.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the Associated Press story!

TexasRainmaker said...

Congrats on the press coverage.

Anonymous said...

i read about your blog in the yahoo news... had to check it out...
i'm hooked!!! thanks!

right.blue.eye productions said...

Hey, great blog...

I enjoyed the peek into the NYC lifestyle, and all the 'perks' of city life.

I moved to the mountains of North Carolina 4 years ago to become a writer, and am just beginning to see the fruits of my labor.

You're a good writer and like other readers, I know that you can make it writing...

I wish you well on your adventure -
who really wants to toil through life and arrive at the end unscathed?

Check out my blog, NativeSon @
http://poorlydrawn.blogspot.com

Keep up the great work and enjoying the ride,

dude

Anonymous said...

Jersey drivers are like the annoying little brother, just pesty things that never really go away. I don't mind them because they are so close to NYC. It's drivers from other states that annoy me!! Maybe they really live here but still get the cheap insurance rates. great blog, keep it up

AmericanPrim said...

Heya Melissa!
Just thought I'd let you know that the newpaper here in Raleigh NC picked up your story!! Your on 12A of the Raleigh News & Observer! YOUR FAMOUS!!
Hope your cab rides become even more interesting-maybe one of these days YOU'LL be the one staying at the Waldorf!!
Best of Luck to you!
Megan
www.americanprim.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

YOU ROCK!!
Found you through Yahoo and I'm glad I did. What a great blog. I was totally stressed from work when I came home about 10pm wiped out and stumbled upon this. Thanks for giving me something to laugh about. I'm from New Mexico (Not Mexico, we are the 47th state for the people who say, "Wow whats it like in Mexico" or "you speak english so well"..WTF..lol) I've always wanted to go to NYC since I was a little girl. Now I wanna go just so I can ride in your cab! You crack me up. Keep up the great work and becareful out there. Until the next time [ii]} cheers!! You need it.

Steve said...

Bad drivers must be crushed.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your blog. It was great reading and I wish you success in your future! BTW...I would have given ya the quarter! LOL

Anonymous said...

I'm a female in the landscape bus. in Dallas, Texas. Enjoyed the read, very entertaining to see the streets of NY from your view point. Wash your cab & paint your nails -- You'll be on Letterman soon. I'd put money on it. Be safe & best wishes.

Anonymous said...

seems that the guy who pushed you has terrorist mentality - he simply didn't give a fuck. You go girl - but no more spitting - might get you in to trouble. Keep writing I'll keep reading.

Anonymous said...

love you from israel tel- aviv

Anonymous said...

as a driver born and bred in jersey i will agree that we do have our share of fucks, but thats only because the population of fucks that cant drive is equally spread across the country, or even the world.

its not where youre from that dictates your driving skill, its whether or not youre on your fuckin cell phone looking at your printed mapquest directions, smoking a cigarette and drinking your cinnamon dolce while unknowingly having had your left blinker on for the past three miles and being oblivious to that little thing above your head called a rearview fuckin mirror

i <3 nj...stinkiness, fucks, cheese balls and all!!!! viva route 80!

Anonymous said...

that being said, great blog. fuck perez hilton this is my new outlet for procrastination.

Anonymous said...

NJ, NYC, DC, Boston, Rhode Island, most of CT & MA . . . scum of the fucking planet. Most of them act as if red hot peppers have been shoved up their asses most of the time! There are certainly many exceptions, and they just prove the rule.

The only consolence we all have is that as the housing bubbles explode, energy/oil hits the wall, the rest of the world finally totally gives up on us, our 8 trillion bucks in debt gets called in . . . your pricks, packed like sardines into the eastern coastal citys . . . you are FUCKED!

Don't believe me though, just wait.

Just wait.

Anonymous said...

Hey from Australia: just eyeballed your Blog. It's friggin awesome. Want to visit NYC one day, can you grab me from the airport!
keep it up and keep it funky!

Anonymous said...

Damn, i'm the second from australia :(
You've made the Sydney Morning Herald now though, congratulations!
Bookmarked your blog to read back through.

Anonymous said...

Read your Ap story in the Dayton Daily News and had to check it out. It's now in my book marked pages. I plan to read everyday. Becareful out there!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats.... You made in the Malaysian papers today...

Read you blog and you're super cool.

Best of luck and see you in NY soon.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting blog ...

Good Luck and take care!

Anonymous said...

"Jersey fucks" are just annoying, but visiting "PA fucks" are downright dangerous. "New York fucks" may weave in and out of traffic, but it's with finesse and it's like an orchestrated ballet. PA fucks come into this city to run red lights and cut you off with inches to spare, and think the bicycle lane is a passing lane. pedestrians to them are more like targets than obstacles.

As for taxi drivers, I never knew how good Indian and Middle Eastern drivers were until Haitian drivers started driving taxis. These guys take road rage to a new extreme. They make the Taliban look like school kids.

Anonymous said...

Let's not categorize them by states, I'm from Jersey and would have more courtesy but than again cabbies do the same shit.

Assholes like that, are just plain dumb fucks.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 15 minutes. I hope it turns into 30 minutes. ;)

Anonymous said...

Great job, show there is life in New York, after all !
I was just there weeks ago, wish I had run into you to help us with our transportation.
Best regards from San Jose, Costa Rica

Anonymous said...

Cause the ones speeding through the streets were actually moving, unlike you Jersey Fucks

Anonymous said...

It's Bleecker, hun. Bleeck!

Anonymous said...

Super blog....I like it....but to be fair....Newyorker and Jersey Fu_k are both su_kers.

Anonymous said...

I hate f--kin lame ass drivers like that stop in the street instead of pulling over. I hate ppl who esp. go 45 on a 65mph freeway... and they're in the FAST LANE!!!

I think they should just revoke some ppl's driver licenses...

Cool blog!

Anonymous said...

G'day Lady Cabby

Yep You made it all the way to Australia. As I see I'm not the only Aussie to read your blog either. Your blog is a great read. Love the photos.

Nightfi

Anonymous said...

All you jersey fucks, when in New York do as new Yorkers do. If you’re a safe driver and cant handle NYC traffic please take a fucking train into NYC. If your asking for directions pull over to the curb get your ass out and ask for directions from an informed New Yorker. Don’t be an asshole and block the road you losers.

Anonymous said...

Excellent blog! I've never been to NYC or the US of A, well if you count Hawaii then i have, but not the mainland. Anyhow, keep up the good work. I have a regular driver here @ Sydney that takes me home after a late shift. Your blog sure beat his story!! Now Australia knows about you and all our Aussie away from home as well.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/breaking/cabbies-tellall-blog/2006/01/24/1137864885980.html

Anonymous said...

I can't wait until the combination of vast debt, illiterate obese children, everybody on the planet hating us, all manufacturing exported, peak oil . . . and etc. Slam us. Because the cesspools in AmeriKKKa like the east coast megacities, Florida, Houston/Dallas, Southern California, Vegas/Reno . . . etc. They are just FUCKED when the gas/electricity/food starts getting tighter.

It will be hard for all of us, but it will at least be satisfying to watch shitholes like NJ & NYC plunge into utter chaos and darkness!

Have a nice day!

Anonymous said...

Florida is not a city, dildo.

Andrea said...

Hello! Found your blog through one of those media outlets. As a former NYer now living in NC, you've made me completely homesick. I even miss those Jersey fucks, although NC has its fair share of crappy drivers too.

Anonymous said...

Hey "anonymous" - you twit.

The comma's clearly delinate a difference of meaning.

"East coast megacities(---,---) Florida . . . "

Because much of coastal Florida is a gigantic suburb.

And note - I also mentioned "Souther n California" - clearly not a city, nor the point.

And please, no need to be formal when addressing me, you can use my first name! :)

Unknown said...

To answer b.fair.Because all New Jersey drivers suck a monkey's ass.

B. Doe said...

About the comment on the Jersey driver, I live in Westchester, and everybody up here knows (at least in southern Westchester) that you steer clear of any car with Jersey plates and (sorry NYH) any Wakefield cab -- among other things one of their drivers pulled up a fire hydrant, which means he jumped the curb, AND KEPT GOING!

A sitcom or drama based on your blog would be a welcome addition to the dreck that populates TV these days.

Will keep visiting...

Anonymous said...

tsk tsk such prejudice in regard to new jersey drivers.... come on, like any of you have never pulled a dick move while driving your car. stop bein all "holier than thou" with what you think are your driving skills. even nascar drivers fuck up sometimes, and they're professionals. and don't even say what i know is coming..."thats because theyre from the south" ugh....


stop being such predictably stupid people. seriously.

Anonymous said...

hey jesus dildo lover whatever....

"comma's"?


der.

Anonymous said...

Glad I am not the only one irritated by some people from Jersey. I must say some, because some people from Jersey are not extremely selfish and low class like those fools that blocked traffic. Unfortunately, many people from Jersey are "Jersey Fucks", sad but true. I have had first hand experience dealing with some of them unfortunately.

Anonymous said...

My guess is that Prizzy was getting married, and this was hiis bachelor party.

Anonymous said...

Harsh reality you bitches . . . having traveled all over the world, folks from the East Coast of AmeriKKKa are the biggest pricks on the planet (Hell, *I'm* relaxed and friendly compared to 90% of these assholes!)

Can't wait to see chaos and darkness descend on that armpit of the planet, too bad the children and many of us will suffer too!

sookie said...

never thought about using my camera to combat these idiots...Toronto's been getting bad lately and i often show up to work totally pissed off.

c wlkr jr said...

well, I guess i'd just be a cad if I asked for naturalbrownlovely's website in your comments section, wouldn't I?

Nevertheless....