Entry 1 - 1/1/09

My name is James Coolidge. It is New Year's Day, so I am taking a rare day off, and have made resolution to begin my career as a blogger starting today.

As a young adult, I was a rapper and R&B singer (aka MC Yella) in the hanging with Two Live Crew and performing on stage for the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Those were some wild days in the early 1990's. I tried out for the Baltimore Orioles in 1990. I was an extra in the recent Alamo movie produced by Disney, and was an actor with a speaking role in the Wendell Baker Story. I have had modeling gigs. As interesting as my career has been, no line of work has given me a broader perspective in life than my career as a taxi cab driver in Austin, Texas.

I will journal my thoughts and experiences in my cab between fares and during my off hours to share what a ride this job can be. It all begins with the people you meet...