MISCmedia for 9/12/00
Razin' Heck

SO I FINALLY GOT ME a Razor scooter.

I know, I know. Just a few weeks ago I wrote about how, at age 43, I finally no longer felt like an ex-college student. And just a few weeks before that, I attributed this site's deliberate shortage of Survivor coverage to my contrarian streak against whatever's the current all-obsessive fad.

But I couldn't help it this time. The Razor's one of those perfectly designed and engineered dohickeys; like an Eames chair or a Mag-Lite (neither of which I've ever owned).

And for me, it's also quite useful.

My current immediate universe is central Seattle--from the waterfront to 15th Avenue E.; from Safeco Field to Mercer Street. Except for the serious hills (and yes, there are many blocks in central Seattle which do not entail serious hills), Razoring's faster and more exhilarating than walking.

Razoring's more convenient than bicycling or driving, because you don't park the thing. You simply fold it up and bring it inside your destination with you.

And, I must admit, it does draw attention.

Boys on the street proudly tell me they've got their own Razor, or hope to get one for Christmas.

Women in bars can't wait to ask what this thing is, how it works, and how it unfolds.

(Though one woman immediately asked if I got it just because everyone in San Francisco had one. She didn't know that was usually #1 on my list of turnoffs.)

Razor cool features:

• The handlebar steering is very quick and easy.

• Braking simply involves putting a foot down on the metal rim above the rear wheel. Downhill riding is safe and controllable.

• The wheels are made of a durable solid plastic. You can never get a flat tire. (Though I'm told they can wear down and need replacing.)

• The wheels and handlebar pads come in the same color choices as the iMac.

• With practice, at least moderate uphill scooting is possible, at least over short distances.

Razor less-than-cool features:

• It runs very roughly on pebbly and potholy pavement. Don't even try it on cobblestones or gravel.

• There's no real place to carry shopping loot, except in a backpack or shoulder bag.

• For an adult male rider, that handlebar's in a dangerous place.

TOMORROW: Appreciating Emmett Watson.

ELSEWHERE:

• Are "sophisticated" literary websites bad advertising mediums?...
• Imagining a "decentralized marketing system...."

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