I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does it!

 

Yep, That's me, with bells on! Next to the Islands and backed in.

 

A good idea! I wish that I could control the rear and front fogs via the two bluetooth buttons on my steering wheel - I didn't get BT (already in my phone and headset so not needed) but those buttons could really come in handy.

 

Nope, me too. I don't care how far I have to walk, I'm parking as far away from other cars as possible.

Whenever my wife takes any of my vehicles, as she grabs the keys and walks out the door, the last thing she says (which you would think would be "I love you, see you later"...lol) is


"Yes, I know.... we have parking rules"

I've got her trained so right.

 

That is too funny. And so very appropriate! I've only trained the husband to put the keys BACK where he found them.

Unfortunately, we have to curb-park at our house, and all three vehicles (truck, Mini, his car) line up perfectly with our land lines...he really must think I'm amazing with the Mini because my Mini parking keeps getting smaller and smaller and smaller. I mean, of COURSE I can do it, but don't get too close! Save some personal bubble space please! The other day I saw some neighborhood kids just a tad too close to the Mini and I came up out of my seat so fast, he thought I'd just seen a fire or an accident.

 

I'm going to have to remember this... I haven't even let my husband drive my Mini yet.

 

I haven't let my wife drive mine. The whole thought of it just causes me to toss and turn at night. I was trying to come up with a way to cover my Mini in bubble wrap. Or maybe build a shell for it out of Nerf material? It's bad enough that the guy doing the Invisishield called me "****" when I asked if he could cover the whole car in that stuff. As if calling me names would deter me. I pretty sure I'm banned from his shop.

 

This is a real hot button issue with me. I sometimes wonder WTF people are thinking. My MINI was all of 1 week old when this happened. Before I go any further I will dispel any horror and tell you my car is OK, nothing actually happened. But listen to this. Since I got my MINI I always park as far away from "the crowd" as possible. My wife and I stopped at a convenience store along the interstate to stretch. As per the "parking rules" I parked at least 5 open spaces away from the 2 or 3 other cars in the lot. When I came out of the store there were 2 old dilapidated pickup trucks, one on each side of the MINI, doors open to within inches of my car. Each truck was loaded with junk (I mean true junk), old rust lawn chairs, rusted, bent pipes sticking over the sides of the truck bed. Three or four occupants of the trucks were milling around my car apparently holding a high level moron meeting and taking inventory of the valuable crap loaded in their trucks. I could not believe it! WTF!!!!! They had a whole damed parking lot to park (at least 20 open spaces) and they HAD to surround the MINI?!?! I had to "excuse" myself to even get into my car. They begrudgingly closed their doors so we could get in. Luckily, they had not touched my car or I'm afraid I would have totally lost it. I just don't get it. Are some people just numb or simply stupid as hell?

OK, thanks for letting me rant. I feel better now.

 

Cars should be sold with one scratch and one dent. Then no one would have to worry about the first one of either...

FWIW, I think a lot of the problem is the ever decreasing parking space withs. towns near where I live mandate a certain amount of off street parking per square foot or something. Smaller spaces means more slots per lot.... I used to think it's just larger cars, but even in small cars now there is little room between the lines to open the doors.

Matt

 

It's not new, but the old Mickey Mouse note comes to mind. Know the one?

Mickey is flippin' the bird and the text reads:
"Thanks for parking so close to me. Next time, why don't you leave me a <expletive> can-opener so I can get into my car. <expletive> like you should take the bus."

Not exactly a happy-motoring sort of note, but it does get the point across.

 

Y'know this is very true, but I have run into one lot.....one....where the parking slots were actually repainted larger!!! I don't know if it was because of all the SUVs or because the lot (repurposed from another store) was so big, but I do the bulk of my grocery shopping there for obvious reasons. Seriously, if you want a door ding there you'd have to dismantle your door and physically walk it over to the other car to pummel it. Like I say...it is the only such lot around here that I know of. Freaky.

 

I've had Fearless for 5 days, the first 40 miles I drove I saw a PW Mini, he looked more excited about waving than me then there was a nice blue 04, pulled up on the side of her at a light, rolled down the window and chatted till the green, Then saw a classic driving up 295 on the Mass RI border, I was jammin in the left lane, they were in the right, gave a bunch of toots on the horn and a hand out the sun roof I dont know if they waved, it was all tinted out.This really is the best group of peeps !!

 

Doesn't matter how far away you park. The big truck will find you!

Let my husband drive once. When he arrived home he told me how.
Never let him drive again!

He use to laugh and tell people about my circling the parking lots.

Then he bought his own.

When we go places friends ask if we brought both or one and if one which one.

Life is short and were taking the long way home.

 

Just after reading this thread the other day, I saw THREE Minis on post! (Post = Army installation.) This is a huge number for this area, and I was so excited! I made all of them wave at me. Only one probably thought I was a lunatic, but they waved back anyway.

Honestly, I don't think it matters how big the parking lines are, etc...I work in a cubicle farm, with LOTS of people (it'd be a ghost cubicle farm otherwise, right?) Well, these yahoos have fairly large parking spots...but they park almost DIAGONALLY, and not always INSIDE their spot! I have now received a reputation for parking as far out as possible, and "combat parking" (always backing in)...it's for a fast getaway of course! That, and to show off my major parking-mojo skills.

 

I've got yahoo's at my work who can't park straight to save their life AND try to "combat park" -- with predictable, sometimes hilarious results.

 

I actually have started getting off the freeway and taking a curvier, scenic back road home. It adds about 15 minutes to my drive home, but so worth it.

 

Well, i know i havent posted here in a while, but i just wanted to say that, its official, I got accepted by this volunteer program I applied to a few months ago, and, I'M GOING TO CAMBODIA!!! I am being sent to aid in an orphanage for 7 months! I am leaving at the end of September. The only major downside to this is that I will probably have to sell my mini. But, in the end, people are more important, and I am willing to lose my mini if in return I can possibly improve the quality of atleast one person's life, if not more.

 

Wow Jessica, congrats!! The opportunity is great and one of a kind. Besides, you can always get another Mini. You might never be able to do this again!

 

thanks, your praise is the first i have received, as my family does not approve of my decision to delay my college studies. I appreciate it more than you know. And as you said, a mini can be replaced, but a life cant. The chance to give kids an opportunity in life is a dream come true for me. I will cherish this experience forever.

 

It might just be a bit shocking for your family right now, it is quite the decision to make! If you are doing what is right for you, then you can't go wrong. Keep us updated if you can!!

 

Your support is amazing, and I am so greatful for it! Of course I will continue to post here, mini or not, because this community is amazing! Thanks again for the moral support. I hope you are right, and that my family will eventually understand. I just really want to be able to travel, help, study, explore, experience, learn, and be able to know the world. Your support is beneficial and will be remembered! so thanks again!!

 

I found that a high percentage of college students aren't really serious about thier studies... Some coasting from high school, some exploring thier new found freedom... Some still scamming grades, not yet realizing that it's the knowledge that's important, not the grade in the class (if you achieve the knowledge, the grades come easy...) By far the groups that took it the most seriously (that is a serious opportunity to learn, and expand ones mind) were those that had some life experience under thier belt. And believe me, some time in Cambodia (or any other nation where life isn't so taken for granted) is sure to really let you know how much opportunity is here and that it's not a gift to be taken for granted.

Good luck on your endevors, and really, after Cambodia, you'll really know that while fun with a good crew of enthusiasts, the Mini is JUST a car.... you can always get another one.

Matt

 

Thanks, I agree about what you said about lots of younger college students not really taking their studies seriously. Also, thanks for the good luck! And of course, I will be ordering a brand new mini when I get back! It had been my dream car since I was 13 years old. And I will probably be a mini only person for many years to come!

 

What you are doing will be SO much more fulfilling and a life experience that is well beyond any college experience. You will never regret this decision. College can wait for sure - it will always be there. If anything, what you are doing will be viewed by a prospective college board as a huge plus. Freshman year is near-worthless anyway - been there done that.

 

Thanks! and your right, freshman year is pretty worthless...