Some people say being an Uber driver is like being a bartender, while others compare it to being a priest in a confession booth.

One passenger said Uber driving sounds like a blind date. The Uber app matched us. We connected. And it's like the best part of a blind date actually, because when the conversation might start to get awkward, the date ends. We’ve arrived at the destination.

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Every passenger is unique, bringing their own energy, attitude, and, yes, scents into our cars. But there are really only two types of passengers: considerate and inconsiderate.

College Girl Pukes: An Uber Driver Story

This time, I was too late, and the damage was done. I didn't stop. There was nothing I could do. We're only a block away from her place, and she's making an icy vomit mural that is frozen down the side of my new Prius. And it's not like I can clean it anyway; there are no open car washes when it's negative 15 degrees at 1 a.m. Even the hose at my house won't work. Her sickness on the side of my car is a problem for tomorrow morning. My night was over. No bonus.

Russian Trump Inauguration

He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t probe. It was 4 a.m., after all. After dropping him off at the airport, I sat alone in my car, debating with myself. I couldn’t help but wonder why he was going. Maybe it wasn’t about politics. Maybe he was going because it felt like the thing to do — a moment in history, a new leader. Isn’t that what people do?

The Private Driver

He navigated the few sanctioned streets, gliding beneath the watchful gaze of cameras mounted on sleek, self-correcting traffic lights. A single autonomous taxi drifted past, its polished, driverless frame reflecting the glow of a streetlamp. He refued to acknowledge the neon banner: The Future is Here: Safer, Smarter, Driver-Free.

I’m Levi Spires.

I’m an Uber Driver in Syracuse, New York. I’ve completed more than 12,000 trips, each trip a unique and special story. Before Uber driving I was an accountant, an Air Force officer, and a bunch of other things.

I’m writing this book for me. It takes courage to write a book. Revealing your art exposes what most of us try to hide.

It also takes courage to quit a desk job to become an Uber driver too. That’s what this book is about. It’s a collection of essays and stories about life transitions, specifically, how I navigated leaving the life of a desk job to becoming a writer. You, the reader, get to experience it all through the eyes of an Uber driver.

Throughout my life, I've experienced several transformations. Initially, I aspired to be a pro golfer, but I wasn't very good. Then, I joined the military with dreams of becoming a general, but the Air Force had different plans for me. Later, I ventured into entrepreneurship, hoping to become a millionaire, but that didn't pan out either.

Around the time COVID-19 hit and as I approached my middle age years, I decided to embrace my creative side and become a writer—an artist. I’m part of the Great Resignation. And that's where I am today. This book takes you on my journey through these various phases, from who I thought I was going to be to who I am now.

I'm a Christian, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. I'm a New Yorker living in a small village, an Uber driver, a content creator, an artist, a writer, a video producer, a consultant, an accountant, a businessman, and a golfer. This book encapsulates all these aspects of my life, offering insights and reflections on making significant life changes and pursuing one's passions, no matter the stage of life.

Life is short, and at any point in time, we always have the option choose to transition into and become the person that God always intended us to be. This book is not just about my journey but also a testament to the idea that it's never too late to change course. Each of us has the potential to evolve and grow, to embrace new roles and identities that align with our true purpose.

Whether you're considering a major career change, contemplating a creative pursuit, or simply yearning for a more fulfilling life, remember that transformation is always possible. We are all capable of becoming the best versions of ourselves, guided by faith and a willingness to embrace change. This book aims to inspire and encourage you to take those steps toward your true calling, no matter where you are in life.

You too can become the person God intended you to be.

I’m cheering for you.