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Rides of the Week: Almost Made It, But Saved a Life Instead

This week clocked in at 48 hours and 99 trips—just shy of that sweet triple-digit flex. Uber had a 70-rides-in-4-days challenge: you could mix passenger and delivery rides counting toward the goal. I went all in, pedal to the metal. Came up 10 short.

Why? Well, partly because I burned at least an hour doing something that didn’t pay a dime but felt priceless: rescuing a turtle. Yep, Shelley (yes, I named him). He was trying to cross the road and I drove over him- thankfully without impact. Once I dropped the passengers off I raced back to the spot and he was still there. It was crazy to watch him tuck back into the shell while the motorist drove over him. I thought turtles moved slowly, but that action was so quick and reflective.

So, despite my fear of wild animals, I grabbed a bag and umbrella and scooped him up. I had another pickup, so I gave him a good talk about passenger etiquette. So why did this small venture take an hour you might be askin’. Well in typical Anita fashion, I refused to follow the chat gpt directions and drop him off where I found him, just  help him across the street. I had to take him to a place I thought was nice. Meanwhile I’m no herpetologist, I know nothing about reptiles besides basic facts from Nat Geo, but I’m trekking this neighborhood’s woods  with this turtle in a bag, trying to figure out where I can leave him. Not suspicious at all. Anywho, I finally followed directions and left him near where I found him, then waited until I felt he was comfortable with the surroundings.

I risked my ratings and possibly my career, but I was happy to do it

In the end, I missed the bonus, but I gained a hell of a highlight.

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