KEYE Story on Fingerprint Checks

KEYE called  to do a story on Austin fingerprint check process.  Since losing Prop1, Uber and Lyft has pulled out of the city and so the fingerprint regulation is in effect.  I went thru the entire process and found out that I was in the minority of drivers that had it done and actually picked up their ID card and sticker.  KEYE wanted to see my ID and sticker to prove it.

The RideShareGuys Visit Austin

The RideShare Guys decided to visit Austin and I helped them meet a few Politicians in our Capitol State.  Harry Campbell and Christian Perea write for the online blog http://therideshareguy.com/.  The came in and I gave them their first Wingz ride.  They got $5 off and I got 95% of the fare.  I had them scheduled to meet Don Zimmerman, Lyle Larson and Ann Kitchen.

Here is taken right before dropping them off at there airbnb.

No More Uber or Lyft in Austin

Uber and Lyft decided to pull out of Austin.  I just got back from my Dad's funeral and the media KVUE and KEYE calls me for an interview.  It was a good distraction, so I decided to meet them.  I had been keeping up on the news and several new TNCs had decided to start up.  One of them was just a Facebook group called Arcade City.  This group exploded with over 15K members at the time.  KVUE news wanted to get my reaction and we did a test run for there 5PM news.  Later KEYE called and we did an interview in front of my house.

5PM KVUE News

10PM and 5AM KEYE News

My Father Passing

My father past away May 11th, 3:15AM, 2016.  I received a call from my mother on Wednesday, May 4th around 11PM.  She said my father had fallen out of bed and could not move.  She called 911 and was on the way to the hospital.  She asked me to call me sister to meet her there.  I told my sister and she called me an hour later and said it was not good news.  

There was a large blood clot in my dad's brain and he probably wasn't going to make it, much longer.  The technical terms was a subdural hematoma.  The doctors believe it was a side effect of the blood thinner medication, Coudamin (aka Warfain). He had been taken that medication after finding a blood clot in his leg, five years early.  

My brother and I flew in the next day.  My Dad was still alive, but remain unconscious.  He was on a respirator and the family had to make a decision weather to keep him alive on machines or to pull life support.  

My mother was adamant that my father would not want to live on machines.  The doctors indicated that there was a possible surgical procedure, but low probability that he would regain full function of his body and would most likely need around the clock care, if he survived.  

The family decided to pull the equipment and let our Dad go.  We did this on Saturday afternoon and my Dad continue to breath fine.  They moved him to a different floor to wait out his remaining days. The family continued a vigil for the next few days around the clock.   Two of my Aunts came and we took turns watching my Dad.  

 It took four days, but finally on Wednesday morning, my brother saw that he had stop breathing at 3:20AM.  My dad was cremated and three days later we held a memorial service at my childhood Church of the Assumption.  I placed my Dad's ashes in the Columbarium inside the Church.  I found out later that it is one of a kind in the Catholic Church.  Father Norris had built it first and asked forgiveness later.

Interview with KVUE on SWSW

KVUE was looking for drivers to talk about South by SouthWest (SXSW), an annual music and tech festival in Austin, TX.  They asked me to comment on all the hype and the Presidential visit.

6PM KVUE News

5AM KVUE News