"That thing is pretty cool. But, I better never see my daughter on the back of it."
~ Our neighbor, Christmas morning, 2006
A couple of weeks before Christmas, The Skimmer was sneaking around the house with the phone book.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you carrying that phone book around all the time?"
"No reason."
A few days later, there he was again with the phone book.
"What are you doing?!"
"Well, I wasn't going to tell you, but, I'm thinking about getting one of these for Blue Kid for Christmas."
"Well, why wouldn't you tell me that?"
"Because I thought you'd throw a fit."
"Well, a scooter might lead to him wanting a motorcycle one day!"
"See? That's why I wasn't going to tell you. Look how cool they are!"
"Like I wouldn't find out!"
Blue Kid was able to ride his scooter on Christmas morning because it was warm outside. And one by one, every 50 year old guy on the street came out to look at it. What's with guys being obsessed with things with motors?
Must be cuz they go vroom-vroom.
On the way home from the store early yesterday evening, there were motorcycles everywhere. Hardly any of the riders were wearing helmets. You should always wear your helmut for safety! Even if it does make you look like The Great Gazoo.
When I got home, The Skimmer pulled into the driveway behind me on the scooter.
"Hey Gazoo! Can I ride it?"
"Yeah. Here, get on. Here's how you do it. Turn the key, push the button. Can you touch the ground? Can you?!"
"Barely!"
"Here's the brakes. The turn signals..."
"I don't want to wear the helmet. I'm only going to go around the neighborhood."
"That's ok, just be careful."
I remember riding my cousin's mini bike when I was about 12. I loved it. I've always loved the feel of the power in my palm when I revved the motor.
I took off down the driveway slowly and a little wobbly, waved to Gazoo and I was on my way.
I rode slowly around the neighborhood for awhile, just slowing down at stop signs instead of coming to full stops. I could barely touch the ground and I didn't want to fall over! As time went by though, I got more courageous and started giving it more gas. 25 felt pretty fast on that thing, but I wanted to see what it felt like to go faster. I took it out onto the main road, just for a short stretch, though because I didn't have my helmut on. I got it up to 45. And it was fun! Well, except for the bugs hitting me in the face, it was fun.
I came flying into the driveway and Gazoo was waiting for me.
"You left here so slow and then you came flying back around that corner!"
"I know! I'm going to take it up the street one more time. It's fun to go vroom-vroom!"
That sounds like fun, BG! I also wouldn't mind having my own Great Gazoo to help me through my day. :)
This post also inspired a post of my own. Thanks. I was dry this morning.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 24, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Ha!! That sounds awesome! I love your neighbor's comment.
Posted by: Claire | April 24, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Yeah, but the bigger you are, the sillier you look on those. I am at least as big as one of those things and it would be awful top heavy.
Posted by: Chuckles | April 24, 2007 at 11:14 AM
But it is fun isn't it. My mid life crisis last year was my own motorcycle. Never, ever, did I imagine I would be doing the things I'm doing now...
Have fun, but be careful. You might find the urge to ride something bigger!
jojo
Posted by: Jojo | April 24, 2007 at 11:33 AM
That sounds like super funsy, BG, and kudos for giving the scooter a ride. I've always contended that women like to play with toys just as much as men, but for whatever reason have been repressed from doing so. You should have worn a helmet, though :-)
Posted by: The Uncanny Canadian | April 24, 2007 at 12:00 PM
i dont see why americans get worked up about scooters and motorbikes.
it's pretty much all you see here in india, and they're much easier to sneak around with than a big honkin car, let me tell ya.... not that i would know about sneaking out and stuff though.
(makes angel face)
Posted by: almostinfamous | April 24, 2007 at 12:13 PM
heh. just me or is there a motorized vehicle and vino in the same add?
Posted by: 1peanut | April 24, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Wear your helmet!
Posted by: shayera | April 24, 2007 at 02:52 PM
No!
Posted by: The Great Gazoo | April 24, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Now I'm green with super-envy.
This was supposed to be the year I got a motorcycle (again). after giving one up a few years ago (no child seats on bikes) It was gonna be a Harley too (live in Milwaukee)
But a deadbeat client has kept my motorcycle in accounts receivable. Pay up, you motorcycle thieving rascals!
Posted by: billy pilgrim | April 24, 2007 at 06:45 PM
I can see why you wouldn't wear a helmut. Riding around with a German Chancellor on your head is lame.
Blue Kid must be in hell. You gun the car and play good music in front of his friends, you deliberately embarass him with affection (much to the delight of his friends), and now you're riding his scooter around the neighborhood in an unsafe fashion. Teenagers hate when their parents are cool!
Posted by: Brando | April 24, 2007 at 06:55 PM
LOL!
Billy Pilgrim didn't even catch that one!
Oh, the joys of my spelling...
Thanks, Brando. I'll fix it now.
lol.....
Posted by: The Great Gazoo | April 24, 2007 at 07:16 PM
Helmet, Helmut.... I can't be bothered: AG has threatened my testicles!
Get in line, AG get in line.
Posted by: billy pilgrim | April 24, 2007 at 09:08 PM
After AG puts your testicles on her keychain, she is going to call up Annie Liebovitz and see if we cannot get some sort of photo shoot for the spoils of AG's hunt. Ya know, for the post Jennifer asked. AG only posts with photos or YouTubes. Photo op will be post op, YouTube videos will be during the removal... Your call dollface...
It's time to start playing AG's and sexist white boys, husbands, fathers and UCs!!
Game on!
Posted by: Adorable Girlfriend | April 24, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Listen Gazoo, what's worse, a slightly sweaty head or smooshed brains? Yes, even on a scooter, smooshed brains!
Ask aif, even in India they wear helmets.
Safety first your Gazooship.
Posted by: shayera | April 25, 2007 at 12:04 AM
Blue Girl undoubtedly has many jewel-encrusted head protection devices tucked away in her mansion's Helmet Room. She should use them. I have my job because someone didn't.
Posted by: Snag | April 25, 2007 at 12:45 AM
Helmet hair is sexy on biker chicks.
especially biker chicks with a mansion and a yacht.
It would be so cool to have a Helmet Room.
Posted by: billy pilgrim | April 25, 2007 at 01:23 AM
Snag is right. Find a helmet that looks like the one Pee Wee Herman used to don at the close of each Playhouse episode.
Posted by: Kevin Wolf | April 25, 2007 at 12:19 PM