How many hours do you drive as a rideshare driver?

When it comes to hours driven by rideshare drivers, the results are all over the place. Before Covid-19, there were a fair number of drivers who would drive the maximum number of hours allowed by the app. However, the majority drove just 10 hours or less, according to epi.org. Currently, they do not have any information on these hours during the pandemic. 

How many hours are you driving during Covid-19? Also, do you plan on returning to the number of hours you drove pre-pandemic once the virus is under control?

Friday: Tips to avoid being a car-jacked victim

3 must-sees on Disney+

Everyone it seems is looking for something to stream on their phone or TV. There are plenty of streaming services available as well as shows to choose from. However, Disney+ has 3 offerings that everyone is talking about right now!

Hamilton

On July 3rd, Disney+ released a filmed version of the Broadway award-winning musical Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical biography about the first U.S. treasury secretary won 11 Tonys. This musical’s lyrics are so fast paced, one of the top songs “My Shot” comes in at an incredible 3.36 words per second. This show is a must see for anyone who loves, musicals, history or great storytelling.

Black is King – A film by Beyoncé

According to NPR, Beyoncé’s Black Is King is “a sumptuous search for divine identity.”. It was released on Friday, July 31st. NPR described it as, “A visual companion to the album The Gift — itself a companion to the release of the live-action remake of Disney’s The Lion King — Black Is King is a retelling, of sorts, of the same story. This time though, it centers on ideas of Black belonging and regality. How has Blackness existed in the past? What does it mean in the present? How might it look in the future? In this extended metaphor, “king” is a synonym for the innate greatness that has been stolen from Black people the world over. With this project, Beyoncé seeks to restore that greatness to those of her lineage.” The imagery in this film is stunning!

Mulan – Released Sept. 4th.

According to CNET, Disney will release its live-action film Mulan online through its Disney Plus service on Sept. 4, but it won’t be included as part of a standard subscription. Mulan will cost $30 in the US in addition to Disney Plus‘ regular subscription fee, and it will be priced at roughly the same amount in international markets where it’ll be available online too, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a number of countries in Western Europe.” The buzz for this movie is everywhere.

*Previously posted on Aug 8th

Monday: What percentage of your income should rideshare drivers set aside for taxes?

A good kind of contagion – a smile

When we hear the word contagion our minds go straight to thoughts of danger for us and our families or a plot for a Hollywood movie. However, not every contagion is dangerous. Smiles are a great example of a contagion that is good for us. But what is the science behind why smiles are contagious and good for our health?

According to Pennsylvania University, when a person is smiling, they are viewed as “attractive, reliable, relaxed and sincere.”When a person sees another person smiling, his or her orbitofrontal cortex is activating, which processes sensory rewards. So when a person catches another person smiling, he or she feels rewarded, which is a good feeling which is what makes it contagious.

Some great health benefits come from something as simple as smiling. The Henry Ford Health System reports that smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including:

  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Increased endurance
  • Reduced pain
  • Reduced stress
  • Strengthened immune system

Furthermore, studies show that people who smile appear more likable, courteous, and competent. Smilers tend to be more productive at work and make more money.

I think we can all agree that the thought of making more money from smiling is enough to make us all smile!

*Previously posted 8/3/2020

Monday: If you haven’t already signed up to do food delivery, here’s how!

What new sports were added to the now delayed 2020 Olympic Games?

The world has been affected by Covid-19 in so many ways. We’ve all had to postpone or cancel so many annual events. Even those that take place less frequently like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were pushed back until 2021. The Olympics have only been cancelled 3 times, once during WWI and twice during WWII; this is the first time they have been delayed. For a select group of athletes and fans, they were particularly disappointed because this was to be the first year for their sport. These new sports will include Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball/Softball. According to the BBC there will be various events played within each sport. 

Below are some youtube links showing off these amazing sports:

US Olympic Speed Climbing

US Olympic Surfing

US Olympic Skateboard Team

US Karate Team – Sakura Kokumai

Who Would Make TEAM USA Baseball in 2020?

With the addition of the first three listed, it is easy to conclude that the Olympics are trying to appeal to a younger demographic. However, we will have to wait until 2021 to see if their efforts succeed!

Monday: What are the top 3 sunglasses for driving?

What are the top 3 collectables in the US?

People love to collect things. There are often items you cherish from your childhood or have a nostalgic sentiment from days gone by. Whether you collect sneakers or artwork, the possibilities of what you can keep is never ending

But what are the most popular items collected in the US?  According to LifeStorage they are as follows:

  1. Antiques: This is a very broad category but I think first we need to define the difference between “antique” and “vintage.” Retrokids says, “An antique is an old collectable item. An item should be at least 100 years old to be defined as an antique. Generally speaking if the item is not older than an antique but not younger than 20 years, it falls under the term “vintage.” Collecting antiques is so popular that it will likely always remain #1.
  2. Vinyl Records: More and more music artists are releasing their latest works on vinyl records. There is something about the pop and hiss of vinyl on a turntable the many music collectors love. The site music marketing guy lists five reasons artists are flocking to this format. One such reason is that vinyl provides a more emotional and physical immersive experience. There is something to be said about holding a shiny black vinyl record by its edges and placing it on a turntable that people love. If you appreciate music then you likely appreciate those who collect vinyl records.
  3. Comic Books: Comic book collecting has been popular ever since the first comic book was released in 1933. Many people argue that comic books are really books. However, Time Magazine lists the Watchmen as one of the greatest novels of all time! These literary works are not just resigned to super heroes though. Wikibooks lists the following genres: alternative/esoteric, manga, science fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, horror, humor, romance, children’s, and adult. There is truly something for everyone.

Whether you enjoy collecting objects, music, visual art or literature, collecting will continue to be an American pastime for years to come.

Monday: What are the three most popular car color choices and what does your favorite say about you?

Today’s Cannon Ball Run

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have all seen a dramatic decrease in traffic. People are staying home instead of driving to work or activities, which makes essential trips to the grocery store – or driving for rideshare! – a lot faster.

Some people have been using this no traffic time for less essential, more dangerous kinds of driving: the Cannonball Run. The Cannonball Run is a kind of cross-country car show, as quickly as possible. As the saying goes, don’t try this at home! It is highly illegal. Traveling on the freeway over 100 mph is often considered reckless driving; in California, it’s a felony. 

To be clear, we are in no way advocating speeding. However, it is fun to think about crossing the country in record time. According to Driving Canada, a new record was recently set – just 26 hours from NYC to Redondo Beach in California.

That is crazy to think about! It seems like something out of a movie. In real life, it is reckless. Imagine how terrible their rating would be on an app? The passenger would be terrified! (And also very far away from home.)

Especially as we open up again from shelter in place, stay safe! When you speed, you not only risk your life but also the lives of others.

Previously posted June 13th, 2020

Monday: Help with putting food on your table

A great recipe for sweet iced tea

We are halfway through August which is typically the hottest month of the year. People are looking for ways to cool down and a constant favorite is with a refreshing beverage like a tall glass of southern sweet iced tea.

Now if you are from the south you likely drink sweet tea all the time but on the west coast of the country, many people are not familiar with the classic. Kitchn offers the following recipe that I think is delicious.

YIELD – Makes 1 gallon

PREP TIME – 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 family-sized black tea bags (or 12 individual tea bags), such as Lipton or Luzianne
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Ice
  • Powered by Chicory
  • Fresh mint leaves or lemon slices (optional)

EQUIPMENT

  • Small saucepan
  • Long-handled spoon
  • 1-gallon pitcher, or multiple smaller pitchers

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Boil the water. Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. 
  2. Steep the tea for 5 minutes. Dunk the tea bags a few times in the water to fully hydrate, then leave submerged with the strings hanging over the side of the pot. After 5 minutes, remove the bags and discard them.
  3. Add the sugar to the tea. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
  4. Pour the tea base into the pitcher. If using multiple pitchers, divide the tea evenly between them.
  5. Top off the pitchers with water. Add 3 more quarts of water to the tea base to make a gallon of sweet tea and stir to combine.
  6. Refrigerate until very cold. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight.
  7. Serve over ice. Pour the sweet tea into ice-filled glasses. Add a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon to each, if desired!

RECIPE NOTES

  • Storage: The sweet tea will keep refrigerated for about a week.

Now pour yourself a tall glass, head out to your front porch or stoop and chase the summer heat away!!

Monday: How do I disinfect my car?

3 must-sees on Disney+

Everyone it seems is looking for something to stream on their phone or TV. There are plenty of streaming services available as well as shows to choose from. However, Disney+ has 3 offerings that everyone is talking about right now!

Hamilton – On July 3rd, Disney+ released a filmed version of the Broadway award-winning musical Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical biography about the first U.S. treasury secretary won 11 Tonys. This musical’s lyrics are so fast paced, one of the top songs “My Shot” comes in at an incredible 3.36 words per second. This show is a must see for anyone who loves, musicals, history or great storytelling.

Black is King – A film by Beyoncé – According to NPR, Beyoncé’s Black Is King is “a sumptuous search for divine identity.”. It was released on Friday, July 31st. NPR described it as, “A visual companion to the album The Gift — itself a companion to the release of the live-action remake of Disney’s The Lion King — Black Is King is a retelling, of sorts, of the same story. This time though, it centers on ideas of Black belonging and regality. How has Blackness existed in the past? What does it mean in the present? How might it look in the future? In this extended metaphor, “king” is a synonym for the innate greatness that has been stolen from Black people the world over. With this project, Beyoncé seeks to restore that greatness to those of her lineage.” The imagery in this film is stunning!

Mulan – coming Sept. 4th.According to CNET, Disney will release its live-action film Mulan online through its Disney Plus service on Sept. 4, but it won’t be included as part of a standard subscription. Mulan will cost $30 in the US in addition to Disney Plus‘ regular subscription fee, and it will be priced at roughly the same amount in international markets where it’ll be available online too, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a number of countries in Western Europe.” The buzz for this movie is everywhere.

Monday: What percentage of income should rideshare drivers set aside for taxes?

A good kind of contagion – a smile

When we hear the word contagion our minds go straight to thoughts of danger for us and our families or a plot for a Hollywood movie. However, not every contagion is dangerous. Smiles are a great example of a contagion that is good for us. But what is the science behind why smiles are contagious and good for our health?

According to Pennsylvania University, when a person is smiling, they are viewed as “attractive, reliable, relaxed and sincere.”When a person sees another person smiling, his or her orbitofrontal cortex is activating, which processes sensory rewards. So when a person catches another person smiling, he or she feels rewarded, which is a good feeling which is what makes it contagious.

Some great health benefits come from something as simple as smiling. The Henry Ford Health System reports that smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including:

  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Increased endurance
  • Reduced pain
  • Reduced stress
  • Strengthened immune system

Furthermore, studies show that people who smile appear more likable, courteous, and competent. Smilers tend to be more productive at work and make more money.

I think we can all agree that the thought of making more money from smiling is enough to make us all smile!

Monday: Are there some good deals on new cars during Covid-19?

A great book on the tales of being an Uber Driver

Evan Kail is an Uber driver whose goal is to become a screenwriter. He has completed more than 3000 rides and he logged details of each one in a notebook. He has turned those entries into a book called “Ubered – My life as a Riderdhare Driver,” published by Stone Arch Entertainment, LLC.

The stories he tells are funny, disturbing and at times even scary. You can watch an interview he did back in 2018 about his book and what drove him to tell his story. 

His book is available in stores and on Amazon where it received a 4.3 star rating, so pretty high as far as Amazon standards. You can also find it available at many retailers, although that may be difficult to do at this time because of Covid-19.

It’s a fun summertime read and worth checking out!

Monday: What a different ride!