What About Ki? » scooter

Am I Going to Die

Ki — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:39:09 +0000

Scooter + Car = Fuck Me

Let me set the scene for you. It’s Friday evening, I just finished work and was scootering home. Of course the traffic was blocked up with all the worker drones heading home for the weekend. This is where the scooter is at it’s best, I went straight down the outside of the traffic jam. Every thing was going great until, I came to a small side street. Apparently the traffic jam had left a small gap for an elderly lady to turn into the side street. She didn’t see me coming down the outside of the cars and I didn’t see her turning until it was too late.

At this point, I remember seeing the her car and then everything went into slowmo. I heard a screech. I looked to my right and saw the lady in her car. I thought fuck… then I was in the air watching the sky. I thought to myself, I just got hit by a car. Am I going to die? Then I was looking at the ground again, but still in the air. This time I thought, OK you can do this… not the head, not the head, please don’t land on my head. SMACK! Back to normal speed again. I’m on my back looking up at the sky again. I feel fine. Everything is good… is everything good? Can I get up? Should I get up? Fuck it. I slapped the ground with my hands for a bit of encouragement and stood up.

Police Interviews

The lady was now out of her car and visibly more shaken up than I was. There were people running from restaurants and and cars etc. Everyone offered their support and asked if I was ok. The lady came over and said “You must have been going really fast.” Then she said “Sorry, are you ok… I’m so sorry”.

Someone called the police and they came a interviewed us both. They said they didn’t know who was technically in the wrong, so they would have to get back to us in the next couple of days. So I guess I have to wait for that news. After the cops left, the old ladies daughter and son in law showed up. They were both nice people. She drove her home and he drove me and my busted up scooter back to my place.

Admitted to Hospital

After about an hour my back and legs started to hurt. I looked at my knee and it was starting to swell to about double the size. Considering the circumstances I thought a visit to the Emergency Room was in order. Ivy took me down there and 4 hours, 2 x-rays and a urine sample later I was heading home again. Turns out everything was basically ok. No broken bones, no busted up kidney. I’m a lucky son of a bitch.

What a great start to the weekend.

Helmets aren’t so Cool

Ki — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:15:58 +0000

Massive Helmet

Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe helmets should be worn at all times when driving a scooter or motorcycle. They do a very good job of keeping my brain within the boundaries of my skull when the brown stuff hits the whirly thing. It’s just they are so damn big. I mean come on I look like a complete fool with this gigantic thing strapped to my head! I have had people stop, nudge their friends, point and laugh at the mere sight of me wearing this thing. And I can’t blame them either.

I remember my helmet in Taiwan. It was a skull cap type dealio with these big fly like goggles that just screamed bad ass. Might have to import me another one.

Scooters are so cool!

Ki — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:56:37 +0000

My New Scooter

A combination of rising fuel prices and a car that could crap out at any moment has resulted in me buying myself a scooter. Now I use to own a scooter in Taiwan and loved it. Weaving through traffic, fighting for lead position with a plethora of other scooterists. Wind blowing through your hair. Life was good.

Scooters in New Zealand aren’t nearly as fun. First there are hardly any on the road so other traffic doesn’t really know how to deal with them. This is mainly because the majority of the ones on the road are 50cc which can’t keep up with traffic and cause other motorists angst. I on the other hand purchased a beautiful 125cc beast. This thing comfortably takes my 95 kg body at 70 plus kms, perfect for inner city travel.

The downside of getting a 125cc is that I am required to have a motorcycle license, which I don’t have. So I am forced to drive it illegally for the time being. I’m such a rebel, I feel like James Dean.