It's not one of mine. Emily opted for stainless steel rather than my wood.

Sounds like a California nightmare. Is it a chaser for Brushfires?

Yes, it is difficult to see what is happening in the Very Dark Cave. Hopefully, Deacon will see the light of day soon. Oh, wait. They don't want him soon. Hmm.

There are some Japanese who like to take their sports cars and motorcycles out in storms because it makes it more interesting.

As for thunder and lightening, remember, your car will act as a Faraday cage, so nothing to worry about...

I thought that was last March. I can't go, cause it's over.

 

Snicker, snicker. I knows all dey is to know about *****...

Or, maybe I hacked the USPS.

 

Emily,
That is kinda scary, I think Robin and Whalen are in cahoots. Whalen was saying he is going to have a **** which works on the 07 automatics in a few weeks, Robin, you going to put your wood on any of those auto-*****?

Tigs, how's the mud? Hopefully your having a good night. I best go back to my book. Dropped in to say hello and catch up.

 

It's no secret. This from my web page:
"These shift ***** are hand turned from exotic woods by Robin Casady. Developed in collaboration with Doug Whalen, they utilize the Whalen Shift Machine adaptor for BMW and MINI Cooper manual transmissions. Adaptors available for both R56 and R53 MINIs."

If it works out, sure. We'll have to see if it is something that can be done with Doug's adaptors, or if he has to build the whole ****.

 

The new thread is for the 2008 AMVIV event .

 

That's not even this year. Let me figure out Sept. first.

 

So how was it that you two were talking about my **** anyway? Why would some strange chick's **** be the topic of conversation?

Anyway, I love it already. the brushed steel looks great with the brushed aluminum dash and boy does it feel better in my hand that the nasty stock one. The mail carrier came by with it just as I was finishing putting on my front mud flaps.

Tomorrow I'll take it for a spin.

And Robin, let me know when/if you want to have a blast in the Santa Cruz mountains. I'm always game.

Since I'm being a PW anyway, thought I would post the pic I took this morning of my MC (Samwise) with my M/C.

 

Sorry that I havn't been on top of things lateley. Returning from MITM and some other things has had my focus elsewhere.

Owners Lounge still has Deacon "En Route" although WW Lines shows him as having been discharged 8/15/07

I still have to remove the stereo components from Church, the subs and amps will be moderately easy, the headunit and component speakers is another story.

This evening I will remove the graphics as it cools down a bit. Today has been a lazy day relaxing in the A/C and vegging on the couch.

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted

 

Hmm, I'll see if I can recall exactly. I was ordering some adaptors for my wooden ***** -- the one's Doug uses for the billiard ball *****. We were talking about what he had in stock and could ship. We talked about sales at MITM and I mentioned that you would probably be ordering. He said he had already shipped it. Casual mfg. conversation. Nothing to be paironoids about.

Cool, so you got the stock **** off easily?

I put my rear mudflaps on yesterday. Put the front ones on sometime ago, but had to wait for the bumper repair for the rears. I think the body shop put silicone treatment of some kind on the black plastic. I cleaned it with alcohol, but the adhesive tape doesn't stick. I may have to re-do them as some point.
Always put off until tomorrow what you could do today. A saying I live by.

OK, sounds good -- when I've put my MINI back together.

I thought PW stood for Pepper White. Looks blue to me, and what a cute car it is.* The bike looks like fun. How come it doesn't have a name?

*There is a law in California that requires one to comment on how cute a MINI is.

 

Robin as usual has good explanations, I though there might be a conspiracy.

You guys up in middle Cali doing coordinated mud-flap installs?

Robin how does the paint look on the bumper and the scoop, good?

Samwise does look nice sitting next to the motorcycle, are those the new wheels or the old wheels, I forget which one's Emily is supposed to have on her MC. Must be the post tramatic MITM which is going around.

Mike sounds like he is not in the groove yet, it must have been a real poor week back at the ranch for him and Tigs.

Sure wish we could see some pictures of Deacon!

 

Speaking of names, I've been trying to come up with good name for my MCS.

I like the LOTR and Arthurian sources some have used. I was thinking of Gawain since one branch of my ancestors claimed decendance from Sir Gawain. Tolkien said that Gawain was probably a Celtic sun god. So, it is nice to know that one of my ancestors was a sun god.

However, calling my car Gawain somehow seems too pretentious. Yes, no?

Then there is Percival who was always on a quest, but I don't like the sound of Percival. I definitely don't want to call it Mordred. Lancelot was French, and not one of the original Celtic members of Arthurian legend (he was a Medieval invention).

Legolas and Galadriel were favorite LOTR characters. Then there is Gimli small and tough. Hmm, seems sort of appropriate. Not one of my favorite characters. Emily's choice of Samwise seems perfect. Merriadoc is a bit long and reminds me of the Merrimac. Pippin reminds me of Pippin Longstockings. Then there is Gandalf, but he seems rather larger than life -- too large for a MINI.

If it was Chili Red with a white roof and white stripes I'd probably call it Madoka after a favorite character in a 1980's Japanese romantic comedy. Pure silver with a black stripe just doesn't seem right for Madoka.


Someone talk me into something.

 

There was no second gunman.

Must be something in the air up here.

Excellent. I have formal training in photography, and my mother was a painter (artist, not houses), but I think this guy has a better eye for color subtleties than I do. I thought the scoop mismatch was somewhat annoying, but it had taken me awhile to notice it. He first told me over the phone that he probably couldn't improve on it -- matching metalic over plastic with metalic over steel is nearly impossible, but he would look at it. When he saw it he thought it was horrible, and that wasn't sales talk. He didn't have to sell me on anything MINI was paying and they already approved the job.

The bumper looks great. Somehow it seems better than new.

I think Tigs is sleeping off a few mudslides.

You mean like this?
Deacon Brodie from this page.

Deacon Brodie, was a Scottish cabinet-maker, deacon of the trades guild and Edinburgh city councillor, who maintained a secret life as a burglar, partly for the thrill, and partly to fund his gambling.

Will Deacon have a lunchbox?

 

Robin, kinda not what I had in mind for pictures of 'Deacon'.

Not sure where your fingers take you on the internet, I do have to say innovative and fun.

It is great your bumper is better than new, did the painter do a good match on the scoop, it appears a master painter is working in California. Nice for you in the bay area.

Names for your MINI, I thought you had a name for your SS MINI. Stirling comes to mind, I know that was obvious.

I wonder if the rest of the Support Group is even up and about this morning? I have had my third cup of coffee so the day is looking better. We took scooter out for a good local Mexican dinner last eve, my wife had her first driving experience in the MINI. Interesting drive down to our local margarita spot. I think she enjoyed the power, she made a comment about she did not get to go 'fast'. Next drive will be on the Peak to Peak, see if she likes fast twisty fun roads. I will keep you informed how often I see scooter taken to work and I have to drive over and retrieve him.

Good morning all, I hope Deacon is getting a good bit of pampering at the VDC.

 

Yes, the scoop is a good match.

Hmm, Sterling... I could call it Moss in a sort of halfway Cockney Rhyming Slang from Sterling Moss. Or, Argentum -- Latin for silver. Not bed, but it doesn't really click with me.

I sort of like Legolas, but it sounds like legless.

 

Wasn't easy but I put it in 2nd gear and put some weight (which I have too much of) behind it and it eventually pulled out.

I bought both front and rear from Out Motoring, but it looks like the rear flaps are for the MCS not the MC so I'll have to send them back.

Don and I have been saying that we are Post W***** so that was my reference.

*I think its CA Vehicle code MINI1. Thanks for the cute comment. I don't know why anyone who would by such a cute car would complain about it.

Yep, its a conspiracy don't you know. You guys in CO just didn't get the memo.

Thanks, my motorcycle isn't anything special with only 64hp, but it does it's job well thanks to the aftermarket suspension it is sporting and my willingness to keep it in its power band.

Sam is still sporting the wrong wheels. I have an appointment for the 21st to take him in for his Bridge Spoke wheels and they will also be re-installing his sport stripes. I've noticed that cutout on one doesn't line up quite right with the MINI emblem on the hood.

Thanks... it took me some time and Samwise just seemed perfect, especially for a little MC.

I'll ponder names and propose them if they pop into mind.

I hope Deacon is doing well, and his anxiety has been subsiding. I wonder if Tigs and Mike have received any additional calls from him.

I'm going to go for a drive in the hills in a bit. Probably going to finish up with my break in.

 

PICTURES?

Just keeping up my PW stats!

Robin, lets see. Stirling Legless, hummmm. :impatient

 

OK, since you asked, you shall receive. I was just going to do some twisties and enjoy the scenery, but figured I'd make an effort on your behalf. Started the day out at exactly 1,000 miles on the odo, right now I'm at 1,186 so by the time I get half way to work tomorrow, break-in will be over.

I've got my pictures from today in my album

Here's one from Hwy1 heading down towards Santa Cruz:



Here's one from after I drove up to San Francisco:

 

Nice trip. Samwise is looking good.

Ah, Lake Merced. That brings back memories. Lived in the dorm (across the street) for a semester when I went to San Francisco State. All sorts of things went on at Lake Merced...

 

Ah, SF State... many a family member went there. I spent many a day in the on-campus daycare there when my Mom went back to school in the early 70's

Why am I not having trouble thinking about the possible activities at Lake Merced.

 

Nice pics Emily . Speaking of the break in period. I finally made it past the threshold this morning. Demi has something like 1275 miles on her now . Two 275 mile round-trip trips sure did help out this past week. The last one was a trip back to my dealer to return some incorrect accessories. I managed to sneak in a re-enactment of my MA giving me the FOB. I'll need to upload the pic to one of my photo albums soon. I wish I had some better scenery in my area.

I still need to take her back to the dealer though, the daytime running lamps are on with the same intensity as the low beams and she has been suffering from the "weeping" problem. One of my bonnet stripes is stained from it, they are going to replace it under the warranty.

It's good to hear everyone is doing well. I'm looking forward to seeing any shift **** options for the ATs.

My MIL (mother-in-law) has caught the fever. I let her drive Demi today . Now she really can't wait to get her MCSa.

I hope Deacon arrives right on schedule, not to early and definitely not too late.

Have a great night all!!

 

Congrats to both of you.

Don't hold your breath.

You let your MIL drive your MINI? Wow, I can't believe it.

 

That's right, I forgot to expouse the joy I had in fondling Sam's new ****... didn't want to take my hand off of it.

 

Glad you like it. Doug does good work.

The standard **** really is pretty awful. The bezel on it is just not comfortable.

 

<tap><tap><tap> this thing on?

Any word from our sponsors?

 

Morning everyone

Well I suspect Deacon is enjoying himself immensley at the VDC... at least thats what I keep telling myself. Rumor has it from insiders that the pack of Dobermans have stationed themselves around deacon forming a protective barrier. The VDC employees have apparently seen this as a sign that they need to be very careful in massaging and preparing Deacon for delivery.

Church had a last run with our home club this weekend, along with a partner car, the Green Meanie... who is also seeking a new home. It was fun taking on some twisties with friends and family and a proper way to bond with him and let him know that I will always cherish him.

I havn't gotten any updates from the dealership so I will contact Doug and Dee Dee in an attempt to find out the delivery schedule.