Long time no post but exciting news nonetheless

Well friends it's been a while since I've posted. You know how life can get in the way; I had a birthday party to plan, we're moving and then there's that special trip we're taking in the fall.

Rest assured that I haven't forgotten about the best game in the world. Andy and I have been playing each and every day. And just when I think I've beaten him for the round, he comes from behind and takes the day. Stupid world's best player luck!

But onto some really exciting news - I might be buying a MINI.

Gasp - I know. I am super excited about it.

Anyways, due to a change in circumstances it looks like I'll be needing a car of my own. Yes, I need to finish getting my license, but it's about baby steps kiddies-I'll deal with that after I finish moving.

So I started to look at some cars online. Not at anything special - just crappy cars like the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent and the Honda Civic. Well not crappy - just nothing that would get your pulse racing. So after I changed the transmission to automatic, and added AC most of these cars were coming in at $18000 + (Yes I realize I would be able to get a better price by going into a dealer, but this was just for me to get a ballpark). That friends is a lot of money to spend on something you're not thrilled with.

Anyhoo I went online to MINI and thought maybe I could buy a used one. But the majority of used ones are well over $20K. I looked at what a new one would cost (couldn't hurt, right?) and you know what, I think the extra dough just might be worth it.

I just might realize the dream kiddies. Not the gold dream, but the Metallic British Racing Green and Black Racing Stripes dream.

Be prepared.

This weekend while we were driving around, it occurred to me that there are certain tips that I could share with you to help you be like a boy scout when playing Punch-MINI. Now these tips are generally for the passenger (as I am generally the passenger) but keep these are things to in mind when you are driving around:

1)If you cross your arms, keep your dominant punching arm on top. This can shave off fractions of a second, but can make the difference between connecting and missing your mark. This came to my mind this weekend as a)I usually cross my arms (not because I’m mad, but because I don’t know what to do with my hands) and my punching arm is the one that’s buried. This could be why Andy has been handing me my a$$ lately.

2)Even better, keep your punching hand free. You might even want to practice clenching your fist (under the guise of stretching your fingers). A free hand is key to landing a clean punch.

3)Consider punching with your non dominant hand. For righties, the left hand is closer to the driver anyways.

You know I will be trying my best to cure some bad habits in the hopes that it improves my game. If you have any of your own that you’d like to share, please do. Remember when one player improves, the game gets better and well friends, we all win.

Sherway is the centre of the MINI universe

I swear that it is. Every time we go to Sherway Gardens a slugfest ensues. Even more so than on College West or in the Annex.

Andy and I went to get my birthday present (round 14) and it was seriously the sheer volume of MINIs that were either parked by the mall or driving around it. I wonder why this is. It's in a very suburban area, otherwise know as the playground of SUVs and Mini vans.

But this mall seems like a vortex dragging any and all MINIs in Toronto and the surrounding area towards it.

Of course Andy once again proved why he is grand supreme little darling, but I managed to hold my own a little better than usual.

Only a bird...

It's raining here today and this is how I feel - caged and not able to get out, stretch my legs and clear my head. On top of everything, the temperature has nosedived. Definitely not a MINI Convertable kind of day.

Birthday Brawl

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday. There, I said it. And this time I managed not to cry. And while we will be celebrating my birthday in June when the weather is a little nicer, Andy and I did manage to go out on the weekend to OPP (Other Peoples' Parties).

As we drove around, it became more than evident that, even as a sign of good will for my birthday, my mojo still eludes me. It's almost as if I've lost the will to punch.

I know - get back up off the floor - that news must have made you fall out of your chair.

Gradually as the night progressed, Andy's punches became softer, as if he too realized the sad state of affairs. He is far and away the clear leader for the title of World Punch-MINI Grand little darling for 2009, and yet he showed mercy to a fellow Punch-MINI player who is clearly down on her luck.

But I am still hopeful; as I start the next year of my life it's my wish that my mojo comes to visit me every once in a while. I know it might be too much to ask it to come home, seeing as its been out enjoying the world for all these months.

Just a visit every now and then, that's all I ask. (And yes, Chief Lemon-Leader, that's on my list)

A great article

The Toronto Star had a great article written by Jim Kenzie about our nearest and dearest car.

Fun factoids include are that the MINI came about due to the Suez Crisis in 1956 in response to the high price of gas (I see not much has changed) and that the first Mini rolled off the assembly line on May 8, 1059 (making it a Taurus).

For all of us MINI lovers, it's worth a read.

Skooled

Went out with Andy on Sunday to have small pre-anniversary celebration and I got schooled. It was like my sunglasses filtered out everything and all that was MINI. And even though I rallied a bit in the last quarter, he outplayed me. To the max.

He even PMPPed me - it was shameful.