The first time I quit cab driving, I figured it was my last — but I ended up quitting three (technically four) times after that. I might again. My first last shift was on a hot night in May. School was done and traffic was thin; everybody was moving out. It was time for me […]
vic pasternak
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson #12 — Mississippi Fred McDowell makes for a good night
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson #11 — Sometimes it’s best to pass up a good deal
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson #10 — The one who got away
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson #9 — And Babel is the traffic of Language

#23. Maintain your lane. Dominate it. Most drivers aren’t paying attention. Take advantage of this and look the fuck out. #24. Drive off-center of the driver in front of you so as to see a direct angle of the traffic lanes ahead. If you can’t get an angle, look through their windshield. Try to get […]
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson 8 –Asleep at the wheel
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson 7 — Lots yet to learn
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson 6 — Traffic is the language of Babel

#1. You don’t have to know how the machinery of 30,000 whirring parts makes your car go vroom, but you should consider the physics at play. Velocity, friction, vector relationships and turning radii are all up for consideration. #2. Participation is mandatory. Science confirms this. #3. People live like they drive, and as such we […]
The Early Tears with Pasternak: Lesson 5 – Municipal as a fireplug and just as pissed on
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson 4 – Always get paid
The Early Tears with Vic Pasternak: Lesson 2 – Keeping your trajectory

People live like they drive. By this marker alone, cab drivers are complete assholes. But the sentiment doesn’t quite apply to us. Driving for money makes for a different animal. You’d change too if driving was a capital investment, if it was tied to the roof overhead and the food on your plate and the […]