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Film: Saved!
Starring: McCaullay Culkin & Jenna Malone
I admit I'm a scooter nut. I went to see ths film because the preview had a scooter in it. However, I was pleasantly surprised
as it was a good film. The story takes place at a parochial school where Mary (Jenna Malone) playes a high school senior
who has a cute boyfriend and runs wth the most popular gal in the school, Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore). Things go bad when Mary's
boyfriend admits that he's gay and Mary tries to change him by having sex with him. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Mary ends
up pregnate while her boyfriend gets sent to a christian reform camp.
Alone and unsure what to do, Mary is trapped and feels that she cannot confide in her friends or family who are too wrapped
up in being religious instead of being real. Luckily, she ends up making friends with Hilary Faye's wheelchair-bound brother,
Roland (Macaulay Culkin) and his girlfriend, the lone, rebelious jew, Cassandra (Eva Amurri), who accept her for who she is
and help her hide her pregnancy.
Meanwhile, the principal's son Patrick (Patrick Fugit- the lead of "Almost Famous") arrives from a missionary trip and becomes
interested in Mary. Because of her precicament, she shuns him even though she feels the same way. Patrick not only has a easy-going
attitude that is the opposite most of the high-strung christian students, but he drives a cool Vespa P-Series and offers to
give mary a ride home. The scooter is only in the movie for one brief scene. Patrick asks Mary out on a date and she mockingly
asks if he'll pick her up on his scooter. He replies, "This isn't a scooter-It's a Vespa." You go, Patrick!
The movie plays out much like you might expect it, with Mary questioning her faith and wondering how God could have abandoned
her. Her friendship with Hilary Faye breaks up and she realizes that living you life honestly is better than being morally
"right.' The movie does question religion, however it mostly questions people who blindly follow faith and use its rules to
supress others. in the end, the characters have learned lessons that will make them stronger characters regardless of what
faith they ascribe to.
Four Stars
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Rally: Scooter Rage
San Francisco
By: Secret Society SC
San Francisco is one of the US's scootering destinations since the city is so unusual, filled with great things to do and
is fun to ride around. Unfortunatey, budget problems keep the city from repairing their streets in a timely manner, so watch
out for those 8-inch tires!
Secret Society put on a good rally this year. For Saturday, they blocked off a street near the Parkside bar which gave scooterists
ample parking and a place for the gymkhana and slow race. Scoot! Quarterly was there selling magazines, so I had to drive
& lug boxes of product. However, thse who wnt on the main ride had a great time. There was also a long ride which was really
*long*. Those riders arrived worn-out and were glad to get their hands on some beer and hamburgers that were grilling in the
Parkside's back patio.
The gymkhana was fun to watch as Monterey Pete, who is virtually unbeatable went for it. He was beaten, however, but gave
a good fight. The slow race was done with all contestants going at it at once, which was different than I am accustomed to
seeing, but was a good, quick and dramatic way to do it. I recommend it!
The crew parties until the wee hours either at the Parkside or at the San Francisco Motorcycle Club, which was celebrating
their 100th anniversay and has a great relationship with the Secret Society.
on Sunday the scooterists went for another lengthy ride ending up at Dylan's (the only welsh bar I have ever been to) where
there was a tasty free barbecue and a good raffle with a Pagsta chopper and a cute Lambretta J series. I won a few sweet swag
itesm, but the scooters went to others. We enjoyed company and refreshemtns and left about 6pm.
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Book: Spotted in France
By: Gregory Edmont
ISBN: 1-59228-147-8
Spotted in France will satisfy your craving for different books. If you're looking for a travelogue of France, a dog-lover's
story or a guide to French Haute Cuisine, you've found it in this book. It is also the story of a scooter journey. Author
Gregory Edmont describes his 500-mile trip by Vespa from Paris to Grimaud on the Mediterranean. His Dalmatian, J.P., sits
on his floorboards and charms the locals they encounter. The trip is precipitated by a call from the breeder from whom Edmont
bought J.P. She is desperately in need of a stud for a bitch that will be in heat in two weeks. This is no pornographic novel,
but a story of how Edmont and J.P. must get to the south of France for J.P.'s deflowering, which the breeder hopes will revive
her illustrious breeding line.
Along the way, Edmont makes a point of taking a meandering river route so that J.P. can get in some swimming and so that he
can take in some of the finest French cuisine at five-star Michelin rated restaurants. During their journey they meet a variety
of French people from Dalmatian-crazy toddler to new-age witches and a jealous butcher.
Edmont, an American who moved to Paris, tells how before he got J.P, he felt like and outsider in France. However, when he
had the dog with him, the French embraced him as a compatriot. The journey he takes in the book reflects the warmth of the
French, when a mutual interest, such as a dog, can break down the boundaries between cultures.
Some parts of the book seemed a little too contrived, such as Edmont's frequent explanations of what his dog was thinking.
In one passage he says, "He was enthusiastic about seeing new places, but less than confident about my sense of direction
and my tendency to overplan." That sounds more like transference than astute dog understanding. That aside, the book is delightful
and fun to read. The simple illustrations by Mark Reyes that start each chapter are an added treat. If you enjoyed John Steinbeck's
Travels With Charley, you'll love Spotted in France. It is also an inspiration for anyone who wants to take
a long-distance trek by scooter.
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