Just so you know

I was going North on Columbus and about to make a left turn on Bay when I decided 'Nah, I'm gonna make a right on Bay instead.' Immediately it turned out to be the right decision because a doorman flagged and whistled me over to the Hilton. A lady got in. She was from Dallas, and even as late as the year 2009, she had the stereotypical big hair. I liked her subtle Texan accent.

She worked for Nokia and needed to go to 650 Townsend, where the Nokia office is.

"I used to work in that building," I said.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, Macromedia used to be in there."

"Oh."

After a beat:

"I have to ask: How did you go from working for Macromedia to being a cab driver?"

"Well, about three years ago I quit my job at Macromedia because I was tired of sitting in an office full-time. My intention was to become a counselor, but then I decided that I didn't want to do that full-time either. So I also started driving a cab, and three years later, I am still doing it, two days a week."

In the rear view mirror I saw that she was smiling.

"And I am going to keep driving until my taxi stories have been published as a book. I write taxi stories."

"Oh, cool."

"Yes. I am going to keep collecting taxi stories until the book is out."

I was glad that I had decided to drive along the Embarcardero instead of through the Financial District because she seemed to enjoy the sunny and sparkly view of the bay.