General MINI Talk Shared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A San Francisco MINI Horror - Intervention Needed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 08:40 AM
  #26  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by STLMINI
They're to lazy to clean their car. You're too lazy to resize and cull your pictures. Everybody's got their thing.
No, no.... I intentionally resized the pics, but left them large so people could see them in all their horror.

But yes, at 2:15 a.m. my sleep aids finally started to kick in and I decided to not go through the final sorting process. You got me there.
 

Last edited by MichaelSF; Sep 8, 2008 at 10:38 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 08:42 AM
  #27  
Gromit801's Avatar
Gromit801
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,600
Likes: 1
From: West French Camp, CA
Knowing how tough it is to find parking in SF, the owner ought to complain to the city about the nuisance tree.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:00 AM
  #28  
Ancient Mariner's Avatar
Ancient Mariner
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
OMG! WTF?! It looks like they parked under a Mardi Gras. Let's sneak down some night and swap that out for a Honda Civic. They'll never notice the diference. MINI Rescue Squad ACTIVATE! (group touchs rings -bright flash of light -ooo, no. Way too much spandex here..)
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:02 AM
  #29  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
The purpose of the post, to those who take light offense, was 1) so people would appreciate their MINIs, feel good tucking in your MINI kind of thing; 2) to horrify; 3) to kid a little about the horror; and 4) to actually consider an "intervention."

I am going to check it out today. I don't know how I would find out who it is, but if he or she is incapacitated, then I would volunteer to take it to the car wash [albeit I would question that solution if the inside is as bad as the outside.]

Details of the pics indicate the MINI owner is driving [and the cheery tree sap and cherries may be recent, from the past few days.] It has been about 93 degrees the last few days. Note the pics show the cherries are NOT "baked" or dried out. And the ones by the wiper have been freshly crushed from operating the wipers.

The smears on the windshield indicate someone used the wipers and drove the car. Possibly to simply move the car?

I go that route every bike ride. I have not seen that car since my last ride, about two days ago. So that MINI was recently parked there.

Since parking is hard to find in The City, here is what I think:

The MINI owner possibly cannot or does not take care of the MINI [the dent in the fender has not been repaired, the alloy wheel appears damaged, and you can see what part of the car is grime and what part is the recent cherry tree damage.]

I suspect that the MINI was parked in that spot a few days ago and the owner has not driven it since. The cherries and sap are fresh, so I don't think the owner is aware of the current "damage." While the sap and cherries are fresh, the grime is old and built up. The person is unable to properly care for the car [e.g., cannot afford to take it to the car wash] or the driver does not give a rip about the car, MINI or not.

So all in all, this is either a sign of "criminal" neglect or someone is possibly disabled and not able to properly care for the MINI.

If incapacitated I would be willing to help the person out [note, I said "person" not the MINI.] If the MINI is a sign of someone in need, the person needs assistance, not the MINI.

The secret washing idea, that has been done by me. When in college a beautiful, but filthy, Golden Lab showed up at my door. He wanted to visit.

So I stripped down and took him into the shower. Gave him a one hour scrubbing, grooming, etc. Then he wanted to leave, so he went outside and to someone's house down the block, clearly the owner. I don't know what the owner thought, his grimy dog going out to play, but later showing up squeaky clean.

My GF of the time [who is still my good friend] loves animals, but she thought I was nuts. She had a good laugh over it, a stranger dog and myself both naked in the shower. But hey, the dog was really, really dirty. His beautiful coat needed rehab, big time.
 

Last edited by MichaelSF; Sep 8, 2008 at 10:43 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:20 AM
  #30  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
It was dark last night so I was not able to properly exercise my duties as self-appointed community watchdog of MINI morals [aka being nosy.]

I'll go by there today with camera in hand and investigate further.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:23 AM
  #31  
UKDragon's Avatar
UKDragon
Iguana Tamer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
What's up with photo #6?
That doesn't look like a 'horror to me!
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:26 AM
  #32  
Bleeding Eardrum's Avatar
Bleeding Eardrum
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Please wash my MINI please"with cherries on top"

Support Your Local Music Scene,
MPB
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:40 AM
  #33  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by UKDragon
What's up with photo #6?
That doesn't look like a 'horror to me!

A test to see who is paying attention. You get an "A" for the day.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:42 AM
  #34  
Donna/Mike's Avatar
Donna/Mike
Sand Dollar Collector
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,249
Likes: 2
From: Moved from Leesburg, VA to Oceanside, CA Nov. 2003
Interesting thread in deed - and lots of interesting ideas about what "could" the problem be.....

It's obvious that SOME MINI owners just are not as passionate about their cars...I'm hoping that whoever owns it - is just not capable of taking good care of it and would WELCOME the generosity of another MINI owner to help make it beautiful again...

Donna
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:51 AM
  #35  
Ancient Mariner's Avatar
Ancient Mariner
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
Originally Posted by UKDragon
What's up with photo #6?
That doesn't look like a 'horror to me!
It IS a horror! Someone stole the roof off his ca... oh, wait. Never mind.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 10:04 AM
  #36  
RandomGemini's Avatar
RandomGemini
6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,027
Likes: 1
From: Washington State
+1 for the emergency car wash intervention plan!

Mike, I definitely think you should try to track down the owner if you can. It might belong to an elderly couple who are unable to wash the car themselves, or some other folk that don't have the resources to do so. The one time offer from you, a concerned, fellow MINI owner, might be enough to show this poor MINIs owner the error of his/her ways!

*goes to hug her MINI after recovering from the horror*
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 10:28 AM
  #37  
MiniBella's Avatar
MiniBella
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities, MN
Originally Posted by AutoXCooper.com
That's an idea. Let your Love Shine by going there with a bucket of soap and wash it. Maybe a clean MINI will encourage the owner to keep it clean. If they come out and ask what you are doing, just let them know the NAM Fam cares, invite them to join NAM and maybe you can save one more poor soul.
I like the way you think.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 10:36 AM
  #38  
tancred's Avatar
tancred
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Originally Posted by MichaelSF
The secret washing idea, that has been done by me. When in college a beautiful, but filthy, Golden Lab showed up at my door. He wanted to visit.

So I stripped down and took him into the shower.... My GF of the time [who is still my good friend] loves animals, but she thought I was nuts. She had a good laugh over it, a stranger dog and myself both naked in the shower.
Just a thought, Michael, should you go through with the MINI washing: there might be laws against doing that naked on a city street.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 10:59 AM
  #39  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by tancred
Just a thought, Michael, should you go through with the MINI washing: there might be laws against doing that naked on a city street.
Actually, in any city but this "now-especially-screwball" City, I would agree with you.

I wish I was mayor of this town because I would clean up the place, literally and figuratively. Do a Google search under "San Francisco nudity" and click the "images" tab. You will see what I mean.

If I washed that MINI in the nude, it might:

Take two or three hours for anyone to take notice;

Another two hours for someone to call the police;

About 60 seconds for the dispatcher to chew out the caller for using 911 for such a call;

And maybe the next patrol shift for someone to drive by the scene [emphasis on "drive by" meaning the officer would not bother to stop.]

By that time, my work would be done.

Hmm... maybe I can have someone pass a hat around looking for money while I wash the MINI. There's money to be made on this while at the same time being kind.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 11:58 AM
  #40  
Dr Obnxs's Avatar
Dr Obnxs
Former Vendor
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 5
From: Woodside, CA
This car

is the private property of someone else. They bought and paid for the previlage of treating the car how they want. how presumptuous for many here to condisder doing different without permission.

Matt
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 12:27 PM
  #41  
Gromit801's Avatar
Gromit801
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,600
Likes: 1
From: West French Camp, CA
Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs
is the private property of someone else. They bought and paid for the previlage of treating the car how they want. how presumptuous for many here to condisder doing different without permission.

Matt
True. But this is SF. Weirdness abounds in SF. It's the way of things there.

Michael, I have a portable washer. Maybe a commando style grooming is in order. Only have to hope that car doesn't have a motion alarm!
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 12:43 PM
  #42  
mauberley's Avatar
mauberley
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 0
From: H-bar-on-two
"It wasn't washed... no, a very localized thunderstorm just happened to form over it and clean it."
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 12:51 PM
  #43  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs
is the private property of someone else. They bought and paid for the previlage of treating the car how they want. how presumptuous for many here to condisder doing different without permission.

Matt
I don't think anyone is intending to actually do an intervention.

If the person is incapacitated, I think someone extending help would be a nice gesture. In other words, if the person is suffering, their MINI going to waste and being damaged just adds to their misery and depression.

But if the person is simply a slob, mentally and physically, for sure, that person has the privilege of trashing their MINI. Subject to civil and criminal law, people can do anything they want.

That said, if the owner is simply a pig, we too can exercise the "privilege" of commenting on it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 12:52 PM
  #44  
MichaelSF's Avatar
MichaelSF
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by Gromit801
True. But this is SF. Weirdness abounds in SF. It's the way of things there.

Michael, I have a portable washer. Maybe a commando style grooming is in order. Only have to hope that car doesn't have a motion alarm!
I have to walk over to that area, kind of. Will let you know what I find out.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 12:56 PM
  #45  
DixonL2's Avatar
DixonL2
6th Gear
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 2
From: Pgh, PA
It may be someone else's messy car, and I doubt anyone of us will actually wash it (who knows?), but it's kinda fun to talk about doing it. At least shows the good intentions of some folks here.

Interesting image, a nude person washing a stranger's car while some cop stands by, saying "Move it along, nothing to see here..."
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 01:54 PM
  #46  
bOOb's Avatar
bOOb
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Oakland
http://www.heartinsanfrancisco.com/MINIHorror6.jpg

Was that you on TI yesterday afternoon?
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 02:11 PM
  #47  
minirab's Avatar
minirab
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown, Md.
Thank God I'm just the opposite.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 02:23 PM
  #48  
Gluhwein's Avatar
Gluhwein
4th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: Pocono Mountains
Is one of MINI's big selling points "No two MINI's are the same"? Isn't the whole MINI customization thing billed as "self-expression"? Obviously this owner is expressing himself. I'm just a little more concerned that folks in the People's Republic of California feel a need to tell this obvious refuge from Haight-Ashbury how to run his life.



I'm just yanking your chain, bro.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 03:17 PM
  #49  
Gromit801's Avatar
Gromit801
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,600
Likes: 1
From: West French Camp, CA
Actually, not having access to the owner, no one is telling them to do anything.

This might be considered in the same vein, and mowing the lawn of an elderly neighbor. Street beautification if you will!
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 03:21 PM
  #50  
Barley's Avatar
Barley
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Maybe it's for sale and he wants to advertise it as in Cherry condition?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:43 AM.