Getting Away

What is peace? We hear the word peace spoken off individual's lips all the time. But what exactly does it mean? If you think about it, peace has many places where it can be used in different contexts. To me, peace is something inside you. Have you found your peace? Can you find it? I beleive that it can be used many times. To me its a place you can go, mentally and physically. To get to peace, I drive my mini out to a two way, four lane road that streches for 8 miles with no stoplights or streetlights. Its peace. As i drive this road, I have lead zeppelin playing loud enough for my ears to enjoy the tone, and soft enough to hear the tires make a noise as it moves across the division between concrete slabs. Its peace. With the windows down, I can feel the cool breeze in my face as I watch the sunset over the horizon. I know peace. As it seems the bump from the tires has made its way to fit in with the rhythm, I switch gears as for now im coasting at sixty-five miles per hour. I feel peace.

Flying Incident

A random incident occurred a couple days ago. My g/f and I were driving along a hwy in Houston with the windows down about 60 mph and a dragonfly the size of a small bird collided with my forehead. It wasn't much of pain, but it scared the crap out of me. I didn't even see it coming. We both laughed so hard that it made it difficult to pullover. When we did, I noticed that the insect was split in half, the head and thorax was on my side while the abdomen and tail was on her side. Another side note was the next day I noticed that its body fluid made it to the back seat.

Spic-n-span

After I blacked-out the chrome that I had mentioned before, I gave Mickey a bath. Funny thing is that right after I finished a storm blew in. Oh well he needed to be cleaned. I managed to get a few shots before it poured. Here they are:

If you look closer on a couple of the photos, you can notice the "ghost stripes" that I had made.

New look

Yesterday I had a weird incident. The cover for the xenon headlight sprayer popped off and broke a bracket on the cover. I guess it didn't want to be apart of the car anymore. Oh well, the dealership is replacing that small part. Other than that, Mickey drives like a dream. I can't seem to actually stay out of the car. I find myself finding excuses or errands to run just to take the car out.

On another note, today I got an amazing deal on vinyl from a local shop in Houston and had custom stripes placed on my car. See photos below.

Arrival & Pickup!

I can't actually believe that today was the day that I picked up my MCS. I'm still in a state of shock and stoked to have many fun driving experiences. BIG PLUS! I'm at a loss for words right now and I think I am just gonna go ahead and drive around. I'll get back to you later.

Good Thus Far

Everything is moving along. Just got record that the owner's lounge upgraded me to distribution and gave me a delivery date of August 29th. It's getting closer. Its hard to not think about the MINI all the time. I will try and get insurance tomorrow and then Monday. Then I will go to a credit union to get a quote on an finance rate recommended from my girlfriend Erin.

Land Ho!!!

My MINI hit land yesterday at North Carolina and after being sent to the distribution center and having its check up it is or will be on its way to my dealer. Then after a 7 hour check up and spit shine it will be mine for the taking. All I need to do is go and speak to a credit union.

Is my MCS Seasick?

After long confusion of wondering where my MINI went, I found out today from my MA that my car set sail on the 12th from England and will arrive in the states at Charlestown, SC on the 23rd of this month. The car is on a K-Line ship named Emden. What a relief.

Which Ship?

It's been a few days since my mini was completed and no report on what ship it is supposed to be on. I dont understand why because I finished before many other owners and they are scheduled for Targus. All I know is that the ship leaves on the 12th and no sign that my mini is on that boat. If it is not on that boat then I'll have to wait till next week for departure. So we will see.

Awaiting Transport

I just happened to check the owner's lounge, like I always do. I found out that my MCS has been fully assembled and is, just like the title says, awaiting transport. Another step closer. ;)

Painted & Ready for Delivery....Well Almost

I found out today that my MINI Cooper S completed the paint-job and will be fully assembled by today. Apparently, the customer service rep from MINI USA told me that it would be ready to ship out on Monday. I also took receipt of the Wurth's paint that I ordered to black out the chrome on the car. One thing at a time. The day that I pick up my mcs is only getting closer. I'm stoked and feel very fortunate to be in the situation that I am in right now.

Desparation

Well, it was just Monday this week that I ordered my MCS and I am feeling very impatient and had to do something to ease my craving. So what did I do? I went to test drive a mcs. Turns out I met the owner and he let me drive his personal mcs. My was that fun. He pretty much let me do whatever and I took full advantage of it. I drove it like I stole it and it was a euphoric experience. Did it help my craving? Its hard to say because I did get my fix, but in the end it made me want my MINI even more. These cars are such a blast to drive. That comment pretty much sums it up. Well, let's see what's next that I try to do to ease the tension.

Scheduled For Production

Well I just found out that my MCS started production on the 2nd of August and will be completed on August 8th. Woot! So i'm going to have to make room for the new addition to the garage. Wow this is going to be hard to be patient. Ill have to keep myself busy with work, my other car (2005 Subaru WRX *Stage 3*) and..... I don't know ill just find something I guess.

Custom Trim Upgrade

Well I just made a purchase for Wurth Flexible Trim Paint for $15.00 to get rid of the chrome that is frequent with the MINI. Here is an example of what I plan to paint black. Keep in mind this isn't my car (its a post de-chroming) and my MINI that I ordered is black. What I plan to paint is the headlight "halo", grill, gas cover, and taillight "halo".

The Day After

Well yesterday was the day that I ordered my first mini cooper s. But before I picked out my MINI I went for a wild test drive. This was the most fun that I have had on a test drive. My MA asked me before got into the car if I wanted to see what she could do. Without hesitating I replied "hell yeah". Right when we exit out of the dealership he takes off. That was the most aggressive driving from a dealer that I have ever ridden in. Not only that, but when he allowed me to take control all hell broke loose. Every twisty or turn I could find I took. I needed a clean pair of pants afterwards.

I am very stoked that I will be receiving my mcs within 6 weeks, estimated mid September. I had a little worries that I wouldn't get approved being a newly born graduate and have only been working since May. Much to my disbelief I did get approved, helps that they offer a college graduate financing program, and will do all of the paperwork when it arrives. Although, I will shop around for a financing rate that I'm satisfied with. Here is a list of the options that I chose:

2007 MINI Cooper S
Astro Black metallic paint (Body & Roof)
Carbon Black checkered cloth
Antracite headliner
Sport Package
Dynamic Stability Control
17" alloy wheels, web spoke w/run flats
Xenon headlights
Sport Suspension
Multi-function steering wheel
Limited slip differential
Interior surface Piano Black
White turn-signal lights