So, since discovering this wonderful new mania, I was wondering how many things we all have in common when it comes to our obsession. I'll start:

When you spend 45 minutes finding and downloading a ton of desktop images to use as a new theme. You then go through every theme sound setup (windows 7) to find the one closest to the chime your beloved Mini makes when you get in and start the engine.

You go the long way around the house...a few times, because it's just too much fun to park yet.

When you do park, you have to turn around one last time to look at the Mini before you go inside.

You have every intention of driving the speed limit (ish) but your Mini lets you know he/she does NOT appreciate being passed by the van that's gaining on you.

You anthropomorphize your car.

Your car has a first, second, and last name.

You talk to your car.

You greet your car as you walk out to it for the first time that day.

 

...You glance at the tires on your other car and get a happy little zing when you see that they say Cooper.

 

When you look at the middle of the dashboard to check your speed while driving a non-mini car and get bummed out when you see an A/C vent instead.

 

When you're biased against car owners who only know how to enjoy their cars in a straight line (& often illegal speeds)

 

When you check NAM to see what fellow minianiacs are up to before you check FB to see what your friends are up to on Saturday morning.

 

When you are always looking for the next thing or mod to do
to the little feller, or gal.

 

When the exhaust does that pop, pop, pop and it brings a smile to your face every time.

 

When leaving your car for a week is harder then leaving friends and family.

 

When you watch your Mini burn to the ground, and order another just like it.

 

When you have to use bungee cords when you go grocery shopping or get take-out so stuff doesn't go flying everywhere...

 

When you look down to check your speed (while driving a non-Mini car) and see a disappointing odometer instead. :-)

 

When you've only had the car a week and put 1,200+ additional miles on it...

 

When you create a Mini inspired manicure after buying a polish simply because it reminded you of Astro Black...yeah, it's an obsession...I may need help.

 

I agree...

 

When you're still following the ship around the world that carried your MINI across the Atlantic...

 

You aren't alone.

 

Ooh that's pretty!
Here's mine:

 

That neck cramp thing that happens because you turn back to look at your Mini every time you walk away from him/her--yeah, that's the sign that you've been smitten.

You've subscribed to the Official MINI YouTube channel and get excited when new commercials come out.

The MINI Video "Rebel Without Pause" still gives you goosebumps the 10th time you've watched it.

When you're pretty much convinced that you'll never own anything but a Mini ever again.

 

When you had no idea there WAS an Official MINI youtube channel, but have now consigned yourself to the hours you're going to go get lost in it.

When you get that happy little zing when you get to park next to another Mini in a parking lot.

 

When you stumble in the garage and put your hand on your MINI to stabilize yourself you apologize to it

When your family starts to ask you if there's anything other than "MINI stuff" you want for gifts

When the MINI parts salesmen at your local dealer knows you by name

When your detailers are afraid to touch your drivers seat anymore for fear of getting snapped at for moving it (I actually saw this one - a detailer must have have known this particular MINI owner because I overheard him say "I know, 'don't move the driver's seat'")

When the best part of your day isn't at work anymore (which you love), it's motoring to and from it...

Whenever you drive by windows you find yourself always looking just to see the reflection

When you find yourself lowering the windows and blipping the throttle every time you drive in a tunnel just to hear your CAI growl...

 

When every other item on your bucket list contains the word MINI!!

 

When your up at 5:00 in the morning checking on the status of your ship on Sailwx.Info ..... And you realize you just hit post 1000 on NAM !

 

When your 1,000 Miles away from your car and all you can think about it how awesome it would be to have the car here so you can drive it.

When you look at pictures of your car when it isn't around.

When your friends think your weird for waving at and calling out every MINI you see.

 

When your MINI was purchased to replace your "winter car / commuter car" and you spend more time on NAM, and thinking about it, than your V8 powered classic project car.

Sometimes I think things are out of skew, but I have to admit my commute is much more enjoyable than when I was driving my VW.


Edit: That first sentence was poorly composed, and doesn't make sense after re-reading. However, if you are a Minianiac, you not only understood what I meant, but may not have even noticed!

 

Every now and then I go back to that support group thread to see how people are fairing and realize that we are all the same in the MINI cult! I did the same thing you did till my MINI arrived. My wife thought I was nuts.....still does!

Your a MINIAC when you check for bug splatter/bird crap every time you park it for the night!