Sweet Daisy

Hello there.

well, good afternoon!

I know I haven't been entirely faithful in my posting here, but this blog is about to head in a more personal diary-like direction, so if you have this in your reader and you don't want that, please go ahead and delete my feed.  But I noticed that I have been using a message board thread more like a way of documenting what has been going on in my life and that's what this blog is supposed to do.  So, I'm back!

I hope ya'll that got to attend MME are having a blast!  I had several folks ask me why the heck was I at work then there was a big Mini/MINI event happening... last weekend of the month! that's why.

Speaking of which, I am really pleased with the month of June though, even with a couple of hiccups along the way.  I finished the month at 22.5 MINIs including 7 split deals.   YAY! I had a fantastic week- worked crazy long hours but really had fun.  So, I am sitting here on the sofa relaxing although Calvin really wants to go to the gym.  Last Sunday, we visited with the Hemings and spent several houses with Jessica and an agent looking at houses in East Atlanta and East Point areas.  I am so ready to move!  We mentioned that we thought about renting to help sell out loft and Jessica suggested a house across the street from theirs but that isn't going to work out since the house is in major need of repairs after the drug dealers where finally evicted.  So, we are still trying to figure out what to do. 

Mod Bug

Before Stella, I had never changed anything on any of my cars that wasn't broken or worn out.  Granted, those previous cars consisted of a '96 Buick Regal,  an '01 Ford Escape, a '96 Mazda 626, an '88 Ford Escort, and a '63 Mercury Comet. Not exactly modification oriented cars, but I didn't even change the radio.  Then I got Stella, and proceeded to make multiple modifications- performance, comfort, and visual.  Before I traded Stella for Iggy, I thought about how much it would cost to drop a supercharger or turbocharger or both (!) in her to delay the inevitable of purchasing a MINI Cabrio and realized three things:

1. I never thought that way before getting into MINI.
2. I needed to get my Ipod working again so I don't have too much thinking time. 
3. I should just go ahead and get the convertible.

But what really got me thinking (yeah, smell the smoke?) was wondering, how many other MINI owners are like me?  I know at least one owner that purchased the MINI with full intention of NOT modifying like he had his previous cars, and of course, that didn't last for very long.  Lasted an even shorter time on this second MINI.  So, I guess I shouldn't plan on ever losing the mod bug now that I've got it.  Not that I mind so much...

Differences

I have been asked several times what exactly it was that triggered the purchase of Iggy.  I can understand the question seeing as I have waited this long already, why not go ahead and wait for the turbo cabrio?  Well, it is all a matter of timing I suppose.  Earlier today I paid our monthly bills and we are now out of credit card debt.  I know that may not seem like a big deal to most but for us, its a goal we’ve been working towards for awhile now. And a Hot Orange MCSC seems like a great way to celebrate that feat.  Also, Hot Orange will be discontinued, being replaced on the Convertibles by Mellow Yellow.  Mellow Yellow is a really fantastic color but Hot Orange has had  my eye since MINIUSA sent Jeff Stracco to Dragon Weekend 2004 with a pre-production Hot Orange Cooper Cabrio.  Mamarrazzi reminded me with the photos in this post.  What other color could have tempted me to neglect my club duties at the Welcome Dinner that year in favor of a quick Dragon run? Ok, perhaps it was more the fact it was a cabrio but the color had to have had a large part in stealing me away.

Obviously, the differences between a 2002 hardtop Cooper and a 2006 convertible Cooper S are numerous.  But it seems to be the little things that keep getting me.  For instance, on Stella, the clock was up top, and on Iggy, its on the speedometer.  Yeah, I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve looked up to see the time only to realize oh, yeah, its down there instead.  Another thing is the auto-up I had on Stella.  I have got to get one for Iggy since I forgot to take it off Stella when I traded her and she is long gone. 

I have to admit, the best difference so far is a tie between dropping the top in the middle of February with temps in the 60s and having that extra 53 horsepower.  Not that Stella was underpowered.  Nope, I knew exactly how to get the power I needed by dropping a gear and hitting the throttle full on.  With Iggy, I don’t have to do that.  I don’t have to time my passing on the freeway and boy is it taking me by surprise when I do floor it. Another big difference is MODS.  I have alot of research to do for sure, but I already have the M7 USS (gift from Bean v.3.0) and a Miltek exhaust is on the way.  This is definitely going to be alot of fun. 

Afro Barry

Barry was so excited after driving the new 2007 MC he sprouted a new do.

Meet Iggy.

hanging on for dear life

the MINI family ROCKS, as always

I'm always amazed at how these little cars have brought so many truly good people together.  GBMINI has alerted all subscribed to MOT info emails about a current MINIacs medical emergency.  Check it out HERE,  and anyone that gets "Lucky" enough to see this duck-covered van, look for one labeled Cometgirl63 for me, k?

Latest MINI Accessory

I finally did it.  I bought the MINI Motion watch.  and I really, really like it.  Its not too snug and or too loose.  I do think the backlight feature could be better- I tried to see what time it was out walking Ladybug and I had to hold it at a odd angle.  But its still very cool.  Gabe on Motoringfile.com did a rather extensive review back in 2004, and I've wanted one ever since.  I made do with several (less expensive) Fossil Stark watches, like this one, except mine is blue.  I really like it as well.  No one ever knows what it is, or else they may think its a binary code watch.  Plus I have several different colors of the positive display watches, but now all I can find are the men's version.  What I liked about them is that they band is totally custom fitting- you unscrew the teeny tiny screw holding the metal end cap, cut the plastic band to fit, and attach the end cap.  Viola! But then the little metal end cap started to irritate my wrist, so I had to find a different watch.  damn metal sensitivity. But anyway, I really like my new watch!  woohoo!

Top Ten

Seems like the thing to do right now is a Top Ten list for the year, so I thought I would too.  It has been a very interesting year.  I did a photo set once at the end of the year, but goals and memories are a new thing for me.  I haven't posted a whole lot this year and I wish I had.  Not having pictures and write-ups makes it a heck of a lot harder to remember everything I've done.  But this isn't about a list of "should have done items" - that seems kind of pointless.  Isn't the New Year all about looking forward?  Here goes:

Top Ten 2006 Memories (in no particular order)

1. Reuniting with my sisters that I hadn't seen in 12+ years, and finally feeling closure on my childhood.  I think in the back of my mind, I always thought my mother would find a way to wreck my adult life in a similar manner as my childhood.  A chapter of my life was laid to rest and a new beginning marked with a very significant tattoo (shared with my 4 sisters and 3 brothers).

2. Watching my Grannie get a tattoo on her ankle while I held her hand. Ok, so this kinda goes with #1 but I felt it significant enough to warrant a separate posting.  (the tat is a little red hatter! so cute)

3. Making plans for our first European vacation to celebrate my 30th birthday in Oct. 2007- soooo excited about this!  We've never been to Europe, so budgeting for some fun souvenirs too. 

4. Finding out that I have some really great friends, which I actually did know, but really knowing is pretty awesome. 

5. Scored a new job selling MINIs for Mr. Hank Aaron, helping 100+ MINIs find their new homes resulting in getting MINI Salesperson of the Year.

6. Road tripping with MINI friends (is there any better way to motor?)  Can't wait to see where we motor in 2007.  Got Dragon, anyone?

7. Pulling off yet another successful MINIs On The Dragon event with the AtlantaMINIS Steering Committee. Hard as hell but so much fun!

8. Visiting New Orleans and learning how to use our new camera, I still need to sort through and post the pics from our visit in the beginning of November but man, we had a blast! Now I want a muffaletta...

9. Making more friends, esp. of the MINIac variety.  Can never have too many of those, I tell ya.

10. Going to MINI sales training in St. Louis, learning even more about MINI, and meeting some really fantastic people. How cool is to meet another MINIac Motoring Advisor that has a very cool Velvet Red MC and knew who I was?  hehe.  Hi Tom!

Top Ten 2007 Goals: (again, no particular order) 

1. Pay off remaining credit card debt by our wedding anniversary of March 30th.  We are very on track for doing this!  YAY!  It feels really great to take control of our finances. 

2. Visit Europe (Mediterranean cruise planned for mid-Oct. woohoo!).  I have been wanting to do this for as long as I can remember.  It just took a while to get Calvin on board but we are finally going!

3. Save for house and fund our IRAs for both 2006 & 2007.  This involves taking my lunch to work at least 4 times a week (love love love my Mr. Bento!) and only getting Starbucks once a week.  I've actually been doing these fairly well, but giving up the Starbucks is going to be much harder now that they are bringing back one of my faves: the Cinnamon Dolce Latte.  sigh.  heaven in a cup, I tell ya.  But, sacrifice must be made.  We are planning to possibly move inside the perimeter for a more central commute for both of us, and every penny will help.

4. Convince Calvin to get a MCS when his lease is up in June, also thinking about getting a MCS Convertible with JCW for myself... maybe?  can't decide if I should wait for the turbo convertible & save for a couple more years or just bite the bullet and get another MINI soon.  Decisions, decisions.  Learning that Laser Blue will be available on the MCSC definitely makes the decision much harder. 

5. Help Calvin start his own consulting firm.  He's doing consulting now for a recruiting company but the long term plan is to get him started with his own business.  This has been his goal for several years but I think we are finally going to make it happen. 

6. Get back on the track (I feel the need for speed...) and get back into autocrossing.  man, I miss doing that.  Perhaps I should just go ahead and send Wicks a check for little Tally in April....

7. Start knitting again.  I love making things and doing this is so relaxing.  Plus, I could get a jumpstart on next years xmas presents.

8. Spend more time with family and friends and less time surfing the net or watching tv.  We are trying to limit our eating out for times when we can hang with friends.  So, sushi anyone? dim sum, perhaps?

9. Walk with Ladybug at least 30 minutes every day.  Sounds so easy, doesn't it?  But then it rains cats & dogs, like today, or its a super windy 25 degrees and suddenly its not so easy anymore.  bleh.

10.  Post here more often.  seriously.  I know, that's what everyone says, right?  It may not be all about MINI all the time, but this SweetDaisy.net has always been more personal than just MINI.  Also, in the style of Flickr set Mr. Bento Porn (SFW), I would like to make Sweet Daisy: Eats a photoblog of my lunches.  Perhaps it would motivate me to vary my food and to learn the new camera at the same time.   Plus, any excuse to try the new goodies that pop up at Trader Joe's! 

Top Ten 2006 Photos
I may not have taken all of these- I can't recall on a couple.  I just don't have enough pictures this year.  But now we have a new camera- so there may be too many pics next year. The second pic down is a KillGurl shot, and the second one may be although from the pixel size it looked like it was off of our camera.   

MTTS: Memphis, 9.27.06