 Doug on QuickTime
There was the weather, of course. An hour before the ride, the day’s mostly sunny disposition turned dark, and light rain began to fall. By ride’s start at six, the sun was back out with no rain clouds in sight. Midway through the ride, precipitation returned once more, but somehow, neither the roads, scooters seemed to get wet. On the way back into town, a real rain seemed to settle in, but a mile or so later and no rain at all. Plus, unlike weeks prior, warm jackets were necessary. So, for the record, we’ll excuse anyone who intended to show up but didn’t due to the weird weather.
But who could’ve predicted our new friend Doug? Here’s a guy to whom “Force of nature” should apply. Arriving at the stroke of six on a nearly-new ET2, Doug proceeds to cover subjects that even now make our heads spin. Within the first 15 minutes, Doug holds forth on: - His ET2 – one of several scooters in his stable – he won in one of those Target store drawings.
- Details of some of his favorite (there’s more than one?) trips to Italy, including stops at the Vespa factory and museum.
- His stint at Microsoft, during the heady days developing Windows 95.
- His opinion on Apple’s Steve Jobs…having met him personally!
- Field-proven ideas on how to reduce front brake dive on Sprint series Vespas.
- His work helping lead John Edwards’ 2004 campaign…you know, the John Edwards Presidential campaign that ended with John Kerry selecting him as his running mate?
- Ins and outs of new web-based media; implications and opportunities of the coming revolution.
- His numerous local political contacts, relationships and stories, many of which are highlighted on his blog/new media site “Dry Side Stories.”
- History of many of the Seattle-based clubs. Ever wonder where the name “Wussys ” came from? How did Victor of Big People Scooters get his start? Doug knows.
- Guess who’s actually still a member of the Wussys, sans giant tattoo? (Hint: His name rhymes with “mug.”)
…and those are just the highlights. Frankly, we had to Google it all, just to make sure we hadn’t been visited by some scooter-riding chimera. “Sleeping is for dead people,” says Doug, and he seems to live the slogan.
Like we said. Unpredictable. But all of the great, glorious variety. The kind that makes you glad you were there to experience it. Or rue the fact that you weren't.
Good to meet you, Doug. Here’s hoping you become a regular…in the riding sense only, of course.  |
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