yes, just for the camera..thats right.....

pictures from the party.. Some are blurry.. you people move too fast!

still uploading pics from Sunday..

(If anyone knows anything about verizon DSL, please PM me. My speed is clocking at 0 according to 2wire.com)

 

Nobody got a picture of the smudge on the sliding door after Jen walked into it?
She claims it was the sugar, not the alcohol.

 

What can I say... that's the great thing about DCMM... even our President knows how to have a good time.

 

Considering that I have not been even tipsy since college in 1988 - I can assure you it was sugar/lack of sleep/or just my usual clumsiness (I am not a graceful creature)

 

(I've ran into sliding glass doors myself... the one at my apartment even! )

--

Sally, Great pics!!! You even managed to take a couple of me that I like, and I *always* hate how I look in pics!


-Paul!

 

Glad you like 'em! I never like my own work, so it makes me happy to hear that people enjoy seeing my photos.

 

We have all safely arrived in Switzerland... It was a very long trip especially for the cats as they were in their carrier for 20 hours with no medications and they really surprised me as they were incredibly well behaved. we got home at 1:00 p.m. local time here (6 hours ahead of you guys) fell down immediately and slept a couple hours and then went to dinner at his parents house then came home again and did some more sleeping we are both now up again at the moment it is now 1:30 in the morning... and we are having a drink

 

Im so glad everything went smoothly...Im gonna chat with you now, while you are still awake

 

Final pics from Sunday are up.

I have added an album for friends on the main page, separate from the MINI events.

 

Glad to hear that everyone made it safe and sound. I was worried about your kitties! Have fun! Send pictures!

 

2wire speed tests seem to be busted lately. Try the Speakeasy Speed Test page... and be aware the results will vary dramatically amongst the 8 cities they give you to test. Interesting to compare cross-country results from East coast results.

 

 

I personally just use The Washington DC mirror to do some tests.

*edit*
hmm, looks like they got rid of specific sites for geographic locations.

 

Yeah, but it's interesting to test cross-country performance too, not just local. Alan & I were messing with it last night... it was very interesting how far apart our results were, no matter which location we tried. We're both on the same cable Internet system... and now wondering if our individual firewall setups are making the difference. (I have a business-class Cisco Pix at home)

 

Thanks boys..I figures one of you computer people would know another test site.. looks like my connection is fine.
Probably taking a bit longer because my pics are now a higher res.

 

I finally got my MINI. It was delivered on the 8th of January and I was very very happy.
I took my MINI to the dealer on Friday the 19th to see what needed to be done to pass inspection and get it legal so I could once again drive it.

Here is the breakdown of what is required just to possibly pass the test...

I must have the engine completely washed out which costs 100.00 CHF

I must have my brakes replaced as they are completely used up especially in the back. They have never been replaced. 550.00 CHF

Tires are completely used up. First of all the requirement for tires here in Switzerland is to have the tire rating match the maximum speed that the car can go which is 250 km. My current tires have only 1 mm of tread left and are an H rating. The requirement for my car is to have a class V tire to pass the inspection. They must be replaced. It is 1600.00 CHF for the tires.

One of my lights is broken and must be replaced 80.00 CHF

Pollution test 120.00 CHF

For the materials I need in the car IE: orange triangle and first aid kit and vest 80.00 CHF

This totals to be 2530.00 CHF or 2120.00 USD

On top of all this I have to pay for insurance for an entire year all at once 1800.00 CHF

The tags,title change, inspection cost is 400.00 CHF and so on

It does not seem as though the costs for bringing my MINI here will end and all I want to do is motor. However I must wait

There is one possible problem that may come up that the dealer mentioned to me and that is the engine was made for the US and may not be in the computer that does the checking. If it is not then I will have to go to Bern and if there are troubles there I may even have to go to Munich to the BMW dealer for Europe. I hope that is not the case. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

I did ask the dealer back in the states what may have needed to be done and they could find no information... I can now write a book

 

I also forgot to mention the road tax roughly 600.00 CHF

I just have to keep laughing to get through this

 

The dealer has also had to disconnect the lights just above the tires on both sides under the reflectors as Switzerland does not allow them at this time.

 

You can always just move back to DC.

 

See Will, it is just better to sell the Batmini and buy another one when you come back to the States

 

but he's not moving to Europe.....

 

Wedding pics are located here.. trying out a new flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssallykat/

More pics from the trip will be added when the account goes pro.

The pics from the holiday party are not to my liking ...if anyone is still interested in seeing them, let me know and I will create a folder for them.

 

ah, so the wedding did take place...Mel wasn't sure of the date at the good-bye party. Great pics...beautiful dress...and she's actually smiling!
did any of the holiday party pics come out?

 

Great pictures Sally. Melanie, you looked beautiful and so happy!
Wish you two all the best. Looks like you all had a good and wonderful time!

 

They came out ok, most are of the gift exchange, but Im not happy with them. Theres no MINIs in the pics!
Wait til you see the pics of when the MINI arrived...Melanie was REALLY happy!!