Celebs on Scooters

You don't really notice the scooter, do you?

OK, now that I've got your attention. We just suffered through watched the Oscars for another year last night, so I thought it would be timely to look into celebrities who ride scooters. Why? Because we apparently can't get enough of them. Celebrities, too.

I found this blog post titled Celebs on Scooters, and you know what follows: pictures of Julia Roberts, the Jonas Brothers, Hugh Jackman, David Arquette, etc. on scooters. I'm not really into the whole celebrity thing, but I dare say my respect has climbed a little for these guys. And because we force the title of role model on celebrities, I'm glad to see that a few are wearing helmets -- even though they mess up your hair. (Side note: Mickey Rourke isn't wearing one, but I don't think he really needs to. Look at the padding on that mug!)

You totally want to join this vicious
Black Eyed Pea scooter gang -- admit it!

According to the poll on this blog post, 58% of people think that celebrities make riding scooters cooler. That PROVES it. (I'm actually not quite sure what that proves, except that you can't trust random online polls, but I thought it sounded good.)

The one disappointing thing I have to report from my extensive research (i.e., the only five links that pop up on a Google search for "celebrities who own scooters") is that most own Vespa scooters. So, basically, it's a status symbol thing, and they are ignorant to the myriad other brands out there that are perfectly cool, sturdy, and efficient (*cough*Honda-Metropolitan*cough cough*). 

Seriously? Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks?
Not even a scooter could give this one heat. 

If you prick a Honda Metropolitan, does it not bleed -- air from the tires? It's okay... as society evolves, so, too, will celebrities' tastes in scooters. I mean, they did use a Yamaha Riva in the 2011 movie Larry Crowne. Of course, a movie with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and a scooter wouldn't be Oscar worthy in a million years. But we can dream, right?

Heads up: You need to congratulate me

I would just like to put this out there ahead of time that I'm close to hitting 5,000 miles on my scooter, only having owned it nearly two years. I'll post a picture of the odometer when I hit 5K, but I'm giving you a heads up that, FYI, in scooter land this will be a Really Big Deal -- and I hope you understand the gravity of the responsibility this puts on you to congratulate me. (Because I'm totally saving your environment. You're welcome.)

Rooting for the underdog

When my train to work zooms past

traffic jams on I-25, I try real hard
not to have a superiority complex.

When I'm not riding my scooter around town, I'm taking public transportation. Regional Transportation District (RTD) Denver tends to get a bad rap, but I'm here today to send a little love their way.

I've enjoyed using Denver's RTD system regularly for about five years now. And I've especially enjoyed it since I sold my car a couple years ago! I was just in Las Vegas, NV, last month and, not to knock that fine city, but their public transportation was horrible. It could have been a third world country: the buses were late, the schedules were off, and it took forever to get anywhere. The only thing missing was the livestock! In comparison, Denver's system is a dream. I suppose it's all relative.

This leads me to Tom. Tom is my favorite RTD Call-and-Ride driver down at the Orchard Light Rail station. He's always friendly and upbeat. This morning, I chatted with him a little more than usual and learned he's a retired rodeo bull and horse rider! They want to induct him into the Rodeo Hall of Fame, he said. But he's not wearing blue jeans for the photos, as they requested. He'll wear what he wants. And they'll like it. Tom is a character. And he's one of the reasons I really enjoy public transportation.

These folks are out there working for us -- on holidays, late at night, early in the morning, when there's two feet of snow on the ground. It's a tough job, and many aren't cut out for it. So, the next time you ride the bus, give your driver a nice hello and a warm smile. They deserve it.

(P.S. Happy 2012!!)

Holy Sunshine, Batman! It's 60!

This pic isn't really that funny.

Today, the weather casters have taunted us with the news that we're going to reach temp highs of almost 60 degrees -- in Denver. In December. 

According to the National Weather Service's National Climate Data Center records, the average temperature of Denver is up about 1/2 degree Fahrenheit these days. Feel the burn!!

You know what it is? Me complaining in my last post about the dead of winter and how I can't ride my scooter right now. The Universe, being the best landlord ever, was all, "Oh, Scooter Lass needs to scoot... let's turn up the heater a bit." It has absolutely nothing to do with global warming. Ahem.

You're welcome, Denver.

Let it snow, let it snow, let-- no wait, let it NOT snow!

I knew it was coming. It comes every year. Snow. I live in Denver, after all. But I'm never prepared for those long, cold, dark days when I can't ride my scooter -- they seem to last forever. But when it looks like this outside your window:

...there's just no getting around it. (And you feel like you're in prison, too, but only if you have bars on your windows like me -- LUCKY!). On the plus side (always!), Colorado snow is GORGEOUS. And the people who actually ski here love it. I'm a Colorado Native who doesn't ski. It happens.

So, yeah... fewer scooter-specific adventures right now. But I must tell you about one of the last clear evenings I was able to ride, when I met Governor Hickenlooper (go on, say his name out loud -- I dare you not to giggle!) because of my scooter. OK, I didn't meet him so much as stare after him like a mental patient when he said, "Nice scooter" to me as I was unlocking Little Chaos, and I said flippantly "thank you!" before I realized I was responding to the freakin' GOVERNOR of our fine city. His secret agent fella, or whatever they are at the governor's level, quickly ushered Hick to his car... presumably before the scooter-riding weirdo followed and drooled on him or something.

Exhibit A: Wynkoop Brewing,
serving the beer of the just. 

All right, it wasn't that bad, but I was thrilled he spoke to me... and my scooter is why he spoke to me. Scooters get governors' attention! Well, maybe just our governor, who owns a scooter. You see, our governor is super cool. Aside from promoting scooters and having overall high approval ratings, The Hick started out as owner of the Wynkoop Brewing Co., Denver's first brewpub, which he opened in 1988. It has grown into one of our most successful restaurants. If you're visiting Denver and find yourself in our fabulous LoDo area, check it out -- yummy food, Colorado brews, and they do a pretty cool "backstage" tour, too.

And look! The Hick was featured in Time Magazine! That there is a shiny Aprilla scooter.

It's not a Honda, but I'll forgive him.

So, in summary: our governor is way cooler than yours. And I bet he'd beat yours up, too. Actually, probably not -- he seems to be one of those total Do-Gooders. Toldya he's cooler!

An aside: Remember, scooter owners! This winter, start your scooter's engine, if just to run it for a few seconds, so you don't have a nice, little surprise in the Spring.

Happy dead-of-winter, kids! The days are now getting longer... 

My middle name should have been Procrastination

Instead my middle name is "Anne," which is very lovely, but its translation means Gift from God, and I'm not entirely sure I can live up to such pressure. 


So, speaking of pressure (and back to procrastination)... I was a bad scooter owner for a while and did not own a tire pump, thus letting my poor Little Chaos run around with "Low PSI." It's curable but embarrassing. I humiliated him in front of all his scooter friends. 

I got the blue one, bitches!

But I've been redeemed. I'm now the proud owner of a new tire pump, complete with a digital PSI reading. Yes! I don't like reading dials... it takes too much effort. Thank goodness for Hamilton Watch Company and Electro-Data. (Wikipedia tells me they co-invented the digital watch, which I assume directly evolved into the digital PSI display on tire pumps. Just go with my logic -- it takes less effort, and as you now know, I am all about that!) Also, thank you Target for having a nice Schwinn Deluxe Analog Bike Pump, because this pump has a valve small enough to fit into the tire area to actually be able to pump the air (bad design flaw, Honda!).

However, I do not thank the freezing cold wind and rain that accompanied me on the ride back home from Target. That was just mean. But on the other hand, it lets you know you're alive. Thank you, Denver!

I digress. So, the moral of this story, which shouldn't really be clear at this point, is: you should own a tire pump. This is the easiest DIY thing you can do for your scooter to keep you and your beloved safe on the road (and by beloved, I mean your scooter -- not your little schmaltzy-schmoopie version of love when your girl/guy rides with you behind you. I own a one-seater for good reason, people). Also, making sure your tire pressure is the correct PSI is like giving your scooter the equivalent of a hug. Because scooters don't really feel hugs. I know they're cute, but seriously, stop it -- someone might take a picture of you and you could end up the next person they ridicule to the point of tears and permanent psychological damage on Awkward Family Photos. Think about it.

So, yeah. Be responsible. Don't procrastinate. Don't humiliate your scooter. For Jiminy Cricket's sake, stop hugging it. Buy a tire pump.

That which is not yours

Ahhh, the first time someone tried to steal my scooter. I remember it like it was just yesterday. (OK, that's because it was just last week.)

I was pissed at first. I felt violated. Guilty I wasn't there for my poor little guy in his time of need. But, really, I've been lucky. I've had Little Chaos for just over a year and a half, and there are almost 4,700 miles on him. In all that time, there was only one attempt on his life. Not bad.

Indeed, we were lucky. It will cost me a new lock (done!) and maybe $100-$200 (hoping) for a new panel to go over the ignition. He still runs. Life is good.

Now... what to do about the cold weather and impending snow?