My name is Christopher Harley and I’m a cab driver living and working in Portland, Oregon. In my eight years of cabbing, I’ve ferried close to 25,000 customers. Some of those people only made it a few feet from their departure point whereas others journeyed hundreds of miles away. Every person has a story to tell. Sometimes I just sit and listen, for others, it takes all I can muster to help them form a more coherent narrative. Either way it’s life in full flower and it’s up-to-the-minute at two dollars for every mile.
My passion is …
solving problems.
I know too much about …
the rickety furniture of human interiors.
My parents always told me …
that I’d end up working at a carwash because the cops could pick me out of a crowd.
My childhood ambition …
was to figure out how to re-deposit all of my father’s canceled checks.
My favorite memory …
has to struggle for supremacy.
Why I write …
Because speech-reconition software isn’t quite there yet.
My first job …
Was cashiering at the hamburger stand in Yosemite’s Curry Village. Summer, 1981
My best moment …
came when I awoke, still alive, ready to con the nurse into letting me drink some water.
My inspiration …
comes from knowing that it’s the process, not the goal.
2 responses so far ↓
Victoria // Oct 27, 2007 at 7:25 am
http://tinyurl.com/zelm5
Hey, I listened to all your podcasts. They are great, I wish they were longer. Maybe once you realise people are listening and like it you will be more inlcined to ramble on a bit:) I thought you might find this docu on meth interesting, from what I can tell one reason meth is so predominant in Portland is down to supply routes. http://tinyurl.com/zelm5
My best friend lives in Portland so I go there every couple of years, plus as you know you might also be my father..lol. So I have a special interest in the inner workings of that city. Keep up the good work!
pdxcabbie // Oct 27, 2007 at 7:57 am
Thanks for listening, Victoria. Keep coming back and you’ll see what sort of ideas I have up my sleeve for future podcasts. I promise you they’ll be worth it.
The Frontline documentary was much needed (Victoria’s link) and really helped to open people’s eyes about the pandemic. Unfortunately, too many still find the allure irresistible. Hopefully we’re beginning to see an end to this insidious drug.
As for being your father, well…I’m sorry I never got you that pony. I’m also sorry that it kicked out the passenger-side window of my cab and ran off with a $1200.00 saddle. Some animals just can’t sit still in the back seat.
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