Ode to the scoot

It's nothing special. It's exactly like hundreds of others all over town, gathering dust in garages, storage sheds, basements and attics. In fact, it's just like the one that's been rusting away in your neighbor's side yard for the last year and a half — nothing more than an ordinary, unimpressive little toy.

But for this newsroom staff, that simple toy has risen above its humble station in life to become a friend, a playmate, a confidant, a glorious distraction from deadlines, rewrites, edits, and evolving strategies.

Its name is "scooter."

Abandoned long ago (one hopes) by a now-grown neighborhood kid, it has been tucked away in dark corner of the newsroom. That is, until one day a few months back, when in a totally unexpected flash of genius, our multimedia director brought it out into the light and climbed aboard.

Amid the din of clicking computer keys, ringing phones, chattering voices and pounding presses, he sailed up and down cubicle aisles, hair blowing in the wind and a victorious grin on his face. In one instant the humble scooter had unleashed a blast of humor and insanity that popped the cork on a lifestyle of tension.

Since that maiden voyage, many have climbed aboard the scooter — all ages, all sizes, all temperaments. Those who may have been unsure at first taught themselves to scoot in the wee hours of the night when no one was watching. They now proudly flaunt their newly-acquired talents.

Others fearlessly and brashly challenge coworkers to scooter races — through the aisles, in the parking lots, where ever the need-to-scoot happens to break out.

Some, amid a frenzied writing spree with noses pressed against computer screens and fingers flying wildly, now stop abruptly and leap to their feet. One quick, tension-breaking, stress-relieving spin around the room (careful of the bumpy tiles in the lobby!), and they're ready to go at it again.

For whoever needs a break, a friend, a brief pseudo-adventure, the scooter awaits, parked within easy reach for all.

Wegmans has its periodic "employee stretch." Messenger Post has its impromptu "scoot." In either case, it puts a little balance and sanity into the middle of a busy day.

I salute you, mental health-giver, fresh outlook-provider, adrenaline-producer, smile-inducer, glue that holds us together and keeps us from losing our minds.

All hail the scoot.


— also seen at Messenger Post Media