July 20, 2006
Happy One Year Anniversay of MINI Ownership!
Red 5 ~ the journey home. Happy One Year Anniversay of MINI Ownership! Originally uploaded by manahanwill. I received this email - actually Red 5 received this email - from MINI of Towson today. ***** Dear Cooper: "Happy Anniversary" from your friends at BMW - MINI of Towson! I...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
07-20-06
April 13, 2006
Red 5 Meets Robin Red Breast
Red 5 & Robin Red Breast 02 Originally uploaded by manahanwill. This morning, a North American Robin saw fit to attack its reflection in the passenger side window of my MINI Cooper, Red 5. My neighbor, Laureen called to alert me to the bird's actions. I of course went...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
04-13-06
February 14, 2006
Speed, Mini-Vans and Soccer Moms Don't Mix
D'OH Originally uploaded by manahanwill. Another image to file under "Stupid Shit I see on My Commute". Actually, I file these under "Tales of the Commute" under the heading, "Topics" on the left side-bar. I saw this single vehicle accident a week ago Wednesday. I have been trying to...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
02-14-06
February 13, 2006
File Under S...
Dog & Driver Originally uploaded by manahanwill. ... for stupid shit I see on my daily commute. This image was made a week ago today, on my commute home. You've heard of Car & Driver magazine, well how about Dog & Driver. No, I do not think this is...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
02-13-06
February 03, 2006
I Can't Decide if I Think This is Cool or Just Wrong
This seems like such a sad fate for a Classic MINI Cooper. But if it's not possible to restore the MINI and make it run again at least it has new life and doesn't end up as scrap metal....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
02-03-06
January 30, 2006
Getting My Baby Back
Got a call from MINI of Towson and Red 5 is ready for pick up. I am very glad about that. For the weekend I have had a free loaner in the form of a MINI Cooper S. Not that I did any driving this weekend, as friend Ted was...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
01-30-06
January 27, 2006
Temporally Reassigned to Blue Squadron
Today I left work at noon (hurray) to take Red 5 over to MINI of Towson for the 10,000 light year checkup. This is the first scheduled maintenance and it’s your typical standard maintenance stuff, such as oil change, fluid top-off, new wipers, and total vehicle inspection. My appointment was...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
01-27-06
November 30, 2005
Imperial Kills - or the Number of SUVs I've Shot Down
Imperial Kills ~ Ace in a Day Originally uploaded by manahanwill. Here they are, my Star Wars Imperial kill marks. I think they turned out great and look pretty cool. A guy I work with thought they were road rally marks. I explained what they are and he wanted...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-30-05
November 24, 2005
Into the Woods
Into the Woods Originally uploaded by manahanwill. I made this photograph yesterday afternoon on my way home from work. I left early, real early. Oh, like at 11:30 AM. I took one of my alternate routes home. The route with the least traffic and the most twisty turns. The...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-24-05
November 22, 2005
The MINI Will Save Everyone of Us
Motor on and kick martian butt, but only in a MINI. Via MM. Thanks MM....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-22-05
November 19, 2005
Red 5 at Antietam
Red 5 at Antietam Originally uploaded by manahanwill. Today I volunteered at Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, MD. As of November 2nd, I have been volunteering for two years now. WOW! Time sure does fly. The volunteer coordinator told me that there's a position for a part time seasonal...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-19-05
November 09, 2005
SUV Driver Needs Lessons in Parking and Courtesy
Please note the location of the white line under the SUV. He's also in a valuable end space that is very close to the building. WHAT A HOG OF AN ASS-CLOWN! As you can see, it's not a problem for me and Red 5. We can park in half...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-09-05
Scene Along Lime Kiln Road
Scene Along Lime Kiln Road I pass by this everyday on my wonderfully scenic commute in Red 5. Rob, I mentioned the MINI just for you;-)...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-09-05
November 04, 2005
MINI Stories
I have two MINI stories to tell you. No, not short stories, but actual MINI Cooper stories and both of these happened while I was motoring. That’s right, I said motoring....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
11-04-05
October 25, 2005
I Just Want it to be Done
The Star Wars deco on the MINI – AKA Red 5 – is still not complete. It should have been done on October 15th, but the graphics guy cut the roof art for a Cooper S roof (they have a spoiler on the rear of the roof that graphics do...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
10-25-05
October 16, 2005
Red 5, Ready for Action! ~ The Unveiling of the Star Wars MINI Cooper
Today was the day that I unveiled my Star Wars themed MINI Cooper, Red 5. We had a party with good friends, good food (thanks Jenne for all the hard work), lots of drinkies and replica light sabers for the ceremonial banging of the plastic toys! Steve-o and I pulled...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
10-16-05
October 15, 2005
Red 5 Deco Day
Mike Syfritt, owner of AesthetiCreations positions the logo of the Rebel Alliance on the bonnet. Mike applies the right side boot strips. Look to the right of Mike's hands and you can get a peak at the Incom logo. Incom Corporation is the manufacturer of the T-65 X-Wing Space...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
10-15-05
October 04, 2005
MINI Mods ~ first aftermarket exterior mod
This is how Red 5 appeared with the orange lens of the repeater (known on this side of the pond as a 'blinker') installed when I took delivery. I have not liked the look of it from day one. It just doesn't visually work. Soooooo, my first aftermarket modification...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
10-04-05
September 30, 2005
Red Study
Red Study...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-30-05
September 28, 2005
The Smell of Death Surrounds You
The song reference seemed appropriate. According to an article at MSNBC.COM that much loved new car smell could very well be toxic! From the article... Just sitting in a new car can subject riders to toxic emissions several times the limits deemed safe for homes or offices by some health...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-28-05
September 27, 2005
Mona Cooper
This MINI Cooper enthusiast - AKA MINIBill - put a classic piece of artwork on his MINI's roof! Only three more Saturdays until my Star Wars MINI is complete. Well, until the exterior is complete. ;-)...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-27-05
September 14, 2005
And the Winner Is...
Red 5 Bonnet Concept ____! This was a difficult choice because I liked both ideas very much, but alas, I only have one MINI to drive through the country, so I had to make a choice. I finally decided on on Concept #1 because the Alliance logo is large and...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-14-05
September 13, 2005
MINI Reflections
Photograph made while sitting at a traffic light next to a HUGE dump truck on my Monday evening commute....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-13-05
September 11, 2005
Artoo Can't Drive
That silly Artoo thinks he can drive, but not only can't he reach the stearing wheel he can't even see out the window. Should I get him a box? Oh well, I guess I will just have to install that droid socket interface afterall! Artoo and Red5 XW. It...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-11-05
September 08, 2005
RED5 XW, Standing By
My personalized plates - RED5 XW - arrived in the mail this evening! I didn't get them until after dark as Jenne is the key master of the mailbox key and on Thursdays she doesn't get home from tutoring at the college until 8:00 PM. So it was too dark...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-08-05
September 06, 2005
Deco Design Decisions or DDD for Short
The overall exterior deco design decisions for my MINI, Red 5 have been finalized with one exception... the bonnet. To those not versed in MINI-speak the bonnet is what you know as the hood and what you know as a trunck is called the boot. Anyway, I have narrowed the...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-06-05
September 03, 2005
Saturday in Ellicott City
Far East Horse Our good friends Larry and the ever lovely Anne came up from Alexandria on Saturday. We spent the day roaming around Old Town Ellicott City and had a great dinner at Luna Bella Restaurante in the Triangle Shopping Center at Routes 40 and 29. The Lune...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-03-05
September 02, 2005
You'd Lose that Bet
Because of the current situation at the gas pumps I have been asked twice if I regret trading in the Honda hybrid and getting a MINI Cooper. I have concluded that because two people have asked me this in one day that there are others also wondering and saying something...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
09-02-05
August 23, 2005
MINI and the Bear
While commuting home last night I spied this giant stuffed bear in front of a shop on Route 108 in Ashton, MD. I just had to park the MINI in front of him and snap a photo. My commute is so nice and relaxing, and I see some cool...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-23-05
August 22, 2005
Da Vinci and the Automobile
We're all familiar with the Da Vinci drawing, Vitruvian Man, and we all know that the Great Master designed gliders and helicopters as well. It has just been dicovered that Da Vinci also had thoughts on a form of self propelled ground transport for the everyday man! Not only did...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-22-05
August 20, 2005
Black Eyed Susans and Mini
Have I said lately how much I totally dig this car? No? Well I do. I really do, baby, YEAH! The MINI parked in front of Michael's place in the Woodberry neighborhood of Baltimore, MD. I made this photo from his kitchen window....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-20-05
August 15, 2005
Is there such a thing as cheap gas anymore?
Another public service announcement brought to you by BDTH for my Maryland and Virginia friends and readers. Check out these two sites to fing out where you can find the cheapest gas (and even the most expensive) near you. I hope this helps you plan that next trip to Anchorhead....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-15-05
August 10, 2005
Got Artoo?
Artoo...that, that iPod's broken loose again! See if you can't lock it down! Thanks to my good friend, Clark the MINI, Red 5 now has its very own Artoo unit. He suprised me with the decal just a little while ago....
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-10-05
August 09, 2005
Red 5 Standing By
Reader and fellow blogger, Brian, owner of the blog, Life of Brian (formerly called, Mr. Miata) Photoshopped a photo I took of my MINI, Red 5. Look closely at the cockpit, the bonnet and the front license plate for the mods he made. I think Artoo is firing up...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-09-05
August 02, 2005
If my Loved Ones and Blog Friends Owned MINIs
Yeah, I am MINI obsessed right now and since I already have two great friends who own MINIs (Steve and Larry) I was thinking what it would be like if my loved ones, many other great friends and blog buds owned MINIs too and what I see them motoring in...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-02-05
August 01, 2005
MINI versus Ford F150
"Look at me! Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm, hmm. And well you should not!" - Jedi Master Yoda This is not an article about who would come out best in a head-on collision between a MINI Cooper and a Ford F150truck, but how the two vehicles and...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
08-01-05
July 31, 2005
Of Work and Swifter Dusters
I apologize if you have been waiting for me to write about my first week on the new job. I have just been busy with ‘honey do’ things this weekend, plus I washed the MINI again, and washed Jenne’s Honda, and did my share of the house cleaning, and we...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
07-31-05
July 24, 2005
MOTORING MOJO!
I am going to have to create a new topic category for the MINI. It simply must be done and it will be called MOTORING MOJO! So let it be written... SO LET IT BE DONE! Yesterday was a great day for motoring too! Jenne and I hopped in Red...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
07-24-05
July 22, 2005
MINI & Me
Red 5 Standing By! YES, this is my brand new '05 Chili Red and White MINI Cooper. Yes, I bought it this week. On Wednesday to be precise. Yes, I traded in the Civic Hybrid. No, this is not a mid-life crisis. Seriously, it's not. MINI & Me...
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Posted by Will Burnham on
07-22-05