Mini Mania Open House and Lawn Party by Jerry (Siddhartha) Bradbury
What can transform a peaceful sylvan lawn in Gold Country into a carnival overnight? The annual Mini Mania Open House and Lawn Party of course! Those who were there got to see first hand all the eye candy, but for those who were not, the Mini's ranged from an electric Moke to a VTEC powered Classic, to Randy Steven's tricked out CVT to Robert Holt’s Purple Haze convertible to three full on Mini race cars: my sprint car, Jacques Andres' enduro car and Eric and Colin Herricks's rally car, and many in between.
Infineon Raceway, April 11, 2008. by Jerry (Siddhartha) Bradbury
My Mini has a new setup for this race. Speed parts from my sponsor Mini Mania have been added by my sponsor Bay Bridge Motors and USTCC sponsor Nitto has provided four brand new NT 01 tires. This will be my first official race with the US Touring Car Championship and I look forward to hitting the grid with more horsepower and quicker lap times.
The new MINI was launched in 2001, to much acclaim. Although bigger than the original Mini, what it lacked in rear legroom, it made up for in unusual styling and a vast array of personalisation elements, much loved by a local estate agent.
The MINI Clubman has the same raft of options but its main benefit is the extra length, which should make rear passengers happier.
Hahaha, this thread is a riot! Being a young 30-somethinger myself, I have to agree with pretty much all of you. There is a ridiculous sense of entitlement among my generation, but of course there are lots of really thoughtful, good folks of my age too. At least 6 that I can count. I'm such a D*** though, if that lady had behaved that way with me I would have ssslllooowwed to a snails' pace to finish my car "just to teach her a lesson." I do the same when someone's tailgating me. It's not productive, or nice, or thoughtful, but it sure is satisfying. Lame, right?
Slowed to a snail's pace? Ha! I would have finished, wrapped everything up, and got in the car.
The nicest people I meet are the men at Tractor Supply, th male customers that shop there always let me go ahead of them in line and are so nice.
Dats prolly cuz youra purdy lady, ma'am.
A-holes come in all shapes and sizes. I was in our parked mini van in a grocery store parking lot waiting on my wife when an lady (60s) attemped to park facing me. She rolled too far and bumped my front bumper, got out and said, "Hey I hit you didn't I?" Then walked off into the store!!! There was no damage but I couldn't believe she didn't even say sorry or really show the slightest sign of giving a crap!
On another note, have you ever been in a bad mood and just WISHED somebody would be rude to you?? Muh-hahahahahahahahaha!
I always just try to avoid stressful situations, like a busy gas station etc. because people can be such A***s for no reason and I never feel comfortable when I am in a confrontational situation. It's times like that I wish I were 250 and about 6'2" so I could "teach them a lesson"!
The nicest people I meet are the men at Tractor Supply, th male customers that shop there always let me go ahead of them in line and are so nice.
Best story on the subject: we have a FREE ferry service across the Fraser River from Albion on the north/right hand bank to McMillan Island and bridge to south/lefthand bank. In busy times there can be a 5 or 6 ferry wait, maybe an hour or more...
Young fellow all full of himself with new pickup and ski boat behind drives up and cuts into the line at the ferry dock. Traffic staff redirect him (over his protests) to the back of the line (60+ minutes away from a ferry sailing).
When he finally arrives at the ferry dock an hour later, the traffic staff tell him the Captain has said he will not be allowed to board a ferry today.
Mini friends! Mini rides!
Restored/modified Mini 1000 with 1380cc power unit,
2.95:1 FD, adj. suspension, S discs/drums, 10x5 Minilites, 165x70
A008s, custom trim and matching custom trailer.
I'm still not used to someone addressing me as "Mr. Jones". Every time it happens I'll turn around and see if my dad is standing there... When I mentioned this to him he said I would get over it...
Nope... Still can't believe I'm supposed to be a responsible adult.
Well, just to even the keel a little bit. The other day I was standing in line at the movie theater. (they have 3 windows open and so they have 3 lines roped off, one for each window, very obviously) As a smart young man I take the time to analyze which line is moving the quickest and jump in. a few minutes later the person in front of me (in my line at my window) finishes his transaction and, get this; an old guy (like 70) jumps in front of me from a different damn line. I say "excuse me sir, my wife and I were next." he pretends to not hear me and continues the transaction. I say, "Thanks!" (admittedly like a young punk A***) he ignores me again and joins his wife who is waiting at the entrance and she says "Joe, you cut that gentleman in line." and he says,"I know, but he's young he can wait." The day I get too old to effin wait 30 seconds for my window to open, and then not at least apologize for being an ass, Drag me out back and old yeller my dumb old ass! just goes to show A***s come in every age (and creed/color/gender) for that matter. thank you
"22's? Shee, i be creepin on 10's gangsta. Bentley? real ballas drive minis" (real life first response of my best friend seeing my mini)
The gas station scenario irks me to no end. Have had it happen many times. I just can't seem to wrap my head around it.
They see you sitting in your car, directly behind them, yet they go in to pay anyways w/o moving the car. Usually on the way out, they'll spot a buddy, chit chat with them, the cashier, and flirt with any girls they see....then light a smoke, sip their Tim Hortons coffee and eventually contemplate going back to their car. Once there, they have to look at themselves in the mirror, adjust the seat, select a new station on the FM radio or stereo and start the car, rev the engine, put it in D for drive, foot on brake, wash the window with the squirter, wipe with wipers, lower the sunvisor, put on the CHiPs mirror sunglasses, move their ballcap from front to back, flick their cigarette butt out the window (thankfully usually in the opposite direction of the gas pump), and then launch the car out onto the roadway, where they usually cut someone off coming down the road, pi$$ing off person #2 in the last 15 minutes......take some small grain of solice in the fact that you are not their prime target. They've woken up an idiot and will go to bed an idiot.
ALL that being said, there are a few gas stations around here that say DO NOT move the car until you go inside and pay the cashier AFTER you get your gas. (that's not a typo) We don't prepay for gas in NB.
I wish the sign read: Hey Stupid, you're not the only person buying gas here today. Move your clunker ahead 10', and go pay the cashier. If we see you taking off before paying for your gas, a nail strip will rise up from the pavement, instantly flattening all of your tires. Then a big goofball we forgot to feed lunch to will come out, beat you senseless and you get to have another chance next time.
~30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~
For Sale or Trade: 1961 Land Rover Series II 88" -$5k or a Mini
As I noted at the outset, it was the impertinent, impatient tapping of her wristwatch as if she was the only multi-tasker in the neighbourhood. I've actually come to accept "Sir".
I had just mailed quarter lights to 1Mortoy, picked up my office mail (with bank deposit to be made), picked up a few grocery items (gallon of milk waiting to get into the fridge) and was stopping at Car Wash on return trip - to minimize my carbon footprint.
Wish now that I had my cell phone with me and been alert enough to offer to dial 911 for her.
As it was, I was moving quickly because time is important to me too. So, dawdling was out.
Rick
You needed to place your carbon footprint on her a$$ imho....
The guy at the gas pumps is a real d!(^head. I can't imagine being that inconsiderate to someone else for no reason.
hopefully Karma catches up with him soon......someone will accept his challenge and he'll get the A-W-D he deserves so much.....
Make it idiot proof, and someone will make a better
idiot....
Rick, though you are a few (as in not that many... about 6) years ahead of me according to your profile (now that I checked it!), 'sir' sounds wierd when applied to me! It should apply to those in authority,as in wearing a uniform and/or sidearms, or really old guys. Naturally, you being a fellow Miniac, I assumed you'd be in a similar frame of mind. Of course my wife says I'm 58 going on 14!
Absolutely right about the wristwatch tapping. Woulda got to me too.
Dan...still haven't heard from the Gendarmes Royal du Canada or the RCMP...and no BOBB no soap wand...heck, sudsing someone would be "assault" causing bodily charm.
Mini friends! Mini rides!
Restored/modified Mini 1000 with 1380cc power unit,
2.95:1 FD, adj. suspension, S discs/drums, 10x5 Minilites, 165x70
A008s, custom trim and matching custom trailer.
I know I am part of the 'younger' generation, but I would never do something like that. I know all about dealing with the 'entitled' (young and old) I work in a GD pharmacy where shat like that happens on an hourly basis. I would have sudded that bitch on the spot, and told her to call the cops. And im an eagle scout. I hate that crap.
"22's? Shee, i be creepin on 10's gangsta. Bentley? real ballas drive minis" (real life first response of my best friend seeing my mini)
Its not just the young people.... or maybe it is. Tell me if you think I was wrong and was being entitled here:
I was having a particularly bad day a while back so I wasn't in the greatest mood. I had to stop at the gas station and it was pretty busy. At least one person waiting at every pump. Looking around, I noticed that half of the cars at the pumps weren't being fueled. The owner had filled their tank, put the hose up, closed the filler and gone inside. Most people(at least the reasonably considerate people and those of us who realize that it is the 21st century) use gas cards, credit cards or debit cards. There are some people who still pay cash or go inside to pay. I'm not upset with those people, tho they should get with the times. The guy in front of me, I patiently waited for him to fill up, and I had watched him pay with a credit card at the pump, and I expected him to pull into one of the many open spaces. Instead, the jackass(not a terribly young guy, tho not old either, I'd estimate at least 40, probably closer to 45) headed inside. I called to him from my car and asked him to pull forward please. I used the word "please" and tried not sound as annoyed as I was. He gave me the finger. I lost track of how long he was in there because the line next to me cleared up so I moved over and filled up there This was at least 20 minutes. When I was almost done, he came back out, and I, this time not able to hide my annoyance, said "Hey, jackass, thanks for moving your truck" to which he responded "Why don't you come make me move it?". I responded "What are you, five?" he then angrily challenged me to a fight, then said "Yeah, that's what I thought, before jumping in and driving away.
I had no intention of fighting him, but he started by being inconsiderate, not to just me, but to everyone around, then insulted me, threatened me, and drove off like a coward. My day was not any better after this. It's probably a good thing he drove away, because even tho I didn't want to fight him, I would have put his head thru a window...
As I noted at the outset, it was the impertinent, impatient tapping of her wristwatch as if she was the only multi-tasker in the neighbourhood. I've actually come to accept "Sir".
I had just mailed quarter lights to 1Mortoy, picked up my office mail (with bank deposit to be made), picked up a few grocery items (gallon of milk waiting to get into the fridge) and was stopping at Car Wash on return trip - to minimize my carbon footprint.
Wish now that I had my cell phone with me and been alert enough to offer to dial 911 for her.
As it was, I was moving quickly because time is important to me too. So, dawdling was out.
Rick
Mini friends! Mini rides!
Restored/modified Mini 1000 with 1380cc power unit,
2.95:1 FD, adj. suspension, S discs/drums, 10x5 Minilites, 165x70
A008s, custom trim and matching custom trailer.
Hot looks couldn't have saved that young woman from herself. Enough said.
Rick
Mini friends! Mini rides!
Restored/modified Mini 1000 with 1380cc power unit,
2.95:1 FD, adj. suspension, S discs/drums, 10x5 Minilites, 165x70
A008s, custom trim and matching custom trailer.
Hahaha, this thread is a riot! Being a young 30-somethinger myself, I have to agree with pretty much all of you. There is a ridiculous sense of entitlement among my generation, but of course there are lots of really thoughtful, good folks of my age too. At least 6 that I can count.
I'm such a D*** though, if that lady had behaved that way with me I would have ssslllooowwed to a snails' pace to finish my car "just to teach her a lesson." I do the same when someone's tailgating me. It's not productive, or nice, or thoughtful, but it sure is satisfying. Lame, right?
If you want to see the extreme results of this sort of behavior then came visit the state prison I work in! Seriously, if any of you mini folk find yourself lost in East Tennesse, I will give you a tour.
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Posted: Apr-25-2008 03:04AM
NB, Canada 
