[Updated, Monday, July 14, 2008, 01:59 PM]
Since a big group of friends from out of town are coming up for MINI TAKES THE STATES-LOS ANGELES, I tried to get some reliable information about hotel accomodations in the Pasadena area. And, since I'm writing it down, I figure I may as well post it for others who may be in a similar situation of not having a clue where to stay aside from the Hilton.
Please note these are not my personal suggestions, as I have not been to any of these establishments. Think of it more as a "starting point" for your own research. :)
I will update this post as more information becomes available. Feel free to use the comment feature to add your own recommendations or "warnings"!
"The List"-- along with comments from people I trust to give me decent info (in no particular order):
Holiday Inn Express
full breakfasts, nice amenties. good rates
The Hilton - 168 S. Los Robles Avenue
The Westin - 191 N. Los Robles Avenue
(closest hotel to Rose Bowl) (California Pizza Kitchen and McCormick and Schmicks on the Property)
Courtyard by Marriott - 180 N. Fair Oaks Ave.*
(close to Rose Bowl) (near old town Pasadena, lots of shopping, restaurants nearby, very freeway close - can hop right on the 210)
The Sheraton - 303 East Cordova
near Paseo Colorado (large shopping complex)
The Langham - 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
(formerly The Ritz Carlton) very expensive!!
Saga Motor Hotel - 1633 E Colorado Blvd
a good value.
*While I've attempted to keep my own opinion out of this post, I will mention that this particular location was recommended by three different sources.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
MTTS-LA: Totally Unofficial Hotel Recommendations
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Siddhartha Waxes Poetic on New MINI Blog
Many of us in the MINI community know all to well that fellow MINI driver (and now official race car driver), Jerry "Siddhartha" Bradbury has quite a way with words.
(photo courtesy of newmini.wordpress.com)Now as a contributing writer to the blog at MiniMania.com, Jerry waxes poetic on his experiences as a sponsored driver in the 2008 U.S. Touring Car Championship series. Here's a recent excerpt:
Infineon Raceway, April 11, 2008
It’s quiet tonight under this hill in Sonoma. A few lights gleam and the faint tink-tink-tink of a hammer sounds from some hidden pit area where work continues as it always does on a race car. Bright stars look down on a few early arrivals and the air is redolent of hay and the sea. All through the night the transporters pull in, towing their brightly colored cars. They’ve come from Oregon, Utah, Nevada and all parts of California to become a part of this temporary community, to see old friends, to make new ones, to race. Dawn reveals a small village sprung up over night. There are streets, traffic, pedestrians, wives, sweethearts, kids and dogs. Cars of all descriptions, from daily drivers to factory sponsored racecars have become the focus of attention as they are prepared to go on track. An air of festivity prevails over this day at the races, but an undercurrent of the potential for violence and wreckage is present as well as the tow truck rumbles slowly around the perimeter like a bright red velociraptor, tail high, looking for prey.
Oh yes, and he talks a lot about racing and specs and such too. For a well-written inside look into the world and mind of an up-and-coming track driver, Jerry's contributions to the MINI Mania blog at newmini.wordpress.com can't be beat!
Related links:
Plus, I've been begging for a suitable opportunity to say "wax poetic" for a couple days now. :)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
MINI Takes The States 2008! Registration now Open!
If you are a new MINI Owner, a non-MINI owner, or just been living under the overpass the last two years, you may be saying "what is 'MINI Takes The States'?" In my own words, it's a four-part, nationwide party sponsored by good ol' MINI USA! In their words...
Two years ago, MINI Takes the States motored coast-to-coast with thousands of MINI Owners and enthusiasts joining up for a legendary motoring extravaganza. This year, though, everyone hoped even more folks could get in on the fun. So MINI owners voted to visit four U.S. cities for four separate weekends of good times, including the chance to drive a MINI on an aggressive autocross course.
Plus, the net proceeds from registration fees are all going to help out a regional MINI Motoring Hearts ™ charitable organization. So mark your calendars for one or more of these unforgettable events, register today and start picking your co-pilots...
Highlights in each city will include:
* MINI Parking Corral at festival grounds
* MINI-Autocross Test Drive
* Live festival entertainment
* Headliner band Saturday night
* The “Bootload of Fun Zone” with activities for all ages
* MINI Vendor Village
* An official MTTS Welcome Kit for each paid attendee
* Friday night Meet & Greet (MINI Owners only)
* Rise and Shine Saturday Rally (MINI Owners only)
And the list goes on! (click here for the rest)...
This event takes place in MIAMI, BOSTON, CHICAGO, and L.A. Now, here's the kicker- EVERYONE IS INVITED – EVEN IF YOU DON’T OWN A MINI!!
Now that's marketing, baby!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Newsflash: Women Want Cupholders!
Okay, so perhaps it's not an exclusive...
Photo courtesy of MyRide.com"As a woman with children, cupholders are a must…the kind that adjusts to keep spills to a minimum."
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Der Vergleich!
You know you're waist deep in the "internet age" when you somehow stumble upon a Japanese website with German content about a car made in the UK.
Incidentally, "Vergleich" means "comparison". But you probably figured that out already! Of course, if I were on my Macintosh, I'd have pasted in the Japanese text as well.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Courteous Interruptus?
I'm washing my car the other day as I do quite often- and the new maintenance guy walks over and tells me "joo cain wash jour car here man". (hey- that's how he said it!) I said okay and kept washing anyway. I saw him a couple days later and I took the initiative to let him know I wasn't "dissing" him the other day, but was in a hurry.
He said everything was cool but he had to say something because he's been telling everyone else too. I let him know it was cool on my end too, but that, although I know the complex was sold (again) and they changed out the management company (again) and fired the other maintenance guy for no reason (again), "i've lived here 10 years- and you are the first person to ever say anything [about me washing my car in the spot i wash my in]". He laughs.
I politely let him know that the next time he sees me washing my car in that same spot, it's not that i'm disrepecting him, i just don't care-- no wait- I *thought* that! What I actually said was something like "if anyone asks, I'll let them know you told me I couldn't wash my car here. You know- so you don't get in trouble".
Reason #89 why I seriously need to move from this place. :(
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
For Funsies: Payoff vs. Kelly Blue Book (KBB)
There was once a time where the Kelly Blue Book was a super secret resource only available to car dealers and used car salesmen. With the coming of the internets, finally consumers have access to the "industry standard" information used (or abused) for so many years.
I don't know if I ever mentioned that when I sold my 2003 Cooper, I MADE MONEY on that deal. Around $3,800. I was doing similar research for a friend this morning and on a whim decided to check how my current investment is doing (lol). You know, for funsies!
As you can plainly see, based on KBB estimates (and we all know KBB estimates are on the high-end compared to others) if I sold my MINI today, I would make about $3,499. Which is about how much I put down on it. Eeeenteresting!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Blog Plug: Confessions of a MINIac
When I wasn't even looking, I chanced upon this awesome MINI blog, "Confessions of a MINIac".
Blog owner "Christina" writes, "I drive Stella: a pinked-up 2006 R53 MINI Cooper S".
Enjoy her pink MINI, recounts of MINI United, trips to Europe, photos, and... (record scratch) working for MINI.ca?!?! Okay now I'm really jealous. You can be too!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Who's Buying This Car?
Some how I ended up on the JD Power website today. Always good readin'!
(click for the zoom!)"When BMW purchased Britain’s Rover Group, it also acquired the rights to the Mini Cooper brand, which many enthusiasts consider one of the most legendary cars of all time. BMW subsequently put the Mini back into production, preserving many of the exterior styling cues and the efficient packaging, but adding modern mechanicals and a modern interior. BMW also developed an unconventional convertible version of the car, wherein the front section of the convertible top slides back, providing a roof-width sunroof, but not a completely exposed passenger cabin."
go and click an ad or something. it's good for my karma.)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tales of the Weird But True #2: The Runaway Cavalier
Last night as I was writing up my previous "Tales of the Weird But True" post, an equally odd event occurred. Namely...
I'm sitting @ the computer typing away about the strange event that had occurred just hours prior, when, from outside I hear a crashing sound. It sounded a lot like someone plowing into the wooden cabinetry that makes up the back wall of the car port. "How on earth could someone manage to do that?" I thought. I soon forgot about it so I could get my epic tome posted at a normal hour, since I had to get up at 5am the next day.
A few minutes later I hear the rumble and chain-drag of what sounded like a tow-truck. "Tow-truck?" I thought. Alas my curiousity had been piqued! I got up and peeked out my curtain like nosey Mrs. Kravitz. "WHAT THE?!" I thought! It wasn't a two truck at all!
It turns out- someone did manage to plow into the car port! What I saw from my awkward vantage point: A broken windshield, deployed front airbags, a flat tire, and a variety of leaking fluids. There was an older gentleman looking confused and holding his eye. And many many on-lookers. And no tow truck. I'm guessing that the dragging sound was from them trying to back the car out a bit to assess the damage.
So, how bizarre is that?! I have no idea how you manage to floor it into a stationary object while driving in straight line! I'm no expert but from the amount of damage, the driver had to be going at least 15-20 miles per hour directly into a solid, stationary object! Fortunately the whole thing occurred 2 carports away from mine and all the glass and liquids and onlookers- went the opposite way.
And no photos. :(
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tales of the Weird But True #1: The Case of the Missing Plates
Today I went to the gym. As I walked through the parking lot I noticed a guy sitting in the passenger seat of a Red Honda Civic, messing around with his T-Mobile Sidekick. I thought that was kind of interesting. I continued walking up toward the gym and in the next row, I saw another guy, crouched in front of a blue, Ford Mustang GT. I was on the opposite end of the car so I couldn't see what he was doing. Still, I thought to myself, "Hmmph. Someone's getting their plate jacked".
As I continued walking up to the gym facility I pondered if I should mention that to someone. My internal reply, "What? You see two black guys in a parking lot and automatically think 'they must be stealing something'? That's called "profiling"." I felt guilty that I automatically type-cast two black guys with white tank tops and black doo-rags as "suspicious", and proceeded with my workout.
Ninety minutes later I was leaving the gym. I walked past the same Blue Mustang GT. Guess what? NO PLATES!!! "Sunuva..." I screamed. "Damn!!... black!!...". Talk about a quandry! On the one-hand, you've got damn, thievin' ass bastards! And I knew it! On the other hand, man was I tired. I Alas, my previous shrug meant I was now morally obligated to report it.
I flag down the ever-present Parking Gestapo and tell him the short version. He calls it in to the real police. A few minutes later, not one, but two cruisers roll up. Meanwhile, everyone inside the gym (built with an entire wall of plate glass facing the parking lot, btw) is watching the drama unfold. I tell my story to Officer A. Officer B shouts from his cruiser, "where's the blue car?" I point, he goes. Officer A takes a statement, funky little spiral-bound notepad in hand (I didn't know anyone still uses those). Officer B finds the car and lights up the ol' red-and-blues. The crowd goes wild!
I continued to give Officer A as many details as I can:
What'd the car look like?
Red, older Honda Civic. Fading paint job.
Anything special about it? Wheels? Anything?
Not really.
What'd the first guy look like?
He was crouched down on the other side of the car so I don't know his exact height. But, kinda like me. Black, same height, same build.
What was he wearing?
White tank top on and a black doo-rag.
What's the second guy look like?
He was sitting inside the car so I don't know his exact height either, but... well... kinda like me. Same height, same build. Black guy.
What was he wearing?
A white tank top on and a black doo-rag.
Twins, huh?
Yeah basically.
(And then, the clincher...)
Why didn't you tell someone earlier?
Well, you know- you can't just assume that two black guys loitering in the parking lot are stealing stuff.
Officer A laughs and says, "yes, I certainly know what you mean".
So, like many police stories, it ended with an unknown victim, a clean getaway, and me- with a business card. In case I think of anything else.
Of course, it could have been one of those guys' car and they just went to, um.... wash the plates? Couldn't it?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Ouch! Cracked Strut Mount!
While at AMVIV it was discovered that my poor MINI has fallen victim to the much discussed "Cracked Strut Mount and Strut Tower Mushroom". No- not a delectible Mediterranean dish fried over an open-flame, but a plague like design "issue" in the front-end suspension. (You can read the never ending thread on NAM here, here, and here- yeah- i told you!)
One thing I noticed in my research however, is a lack of photos of the fairly obvious symptoms. Fortunately, I have a digital camera!*
Here is my other (passenger-side) strut tower, with mushroom syndrome. Note where the VIN is- that should be flat. But it is not.
Here is where the plot thickens- a severe example of a cracked strut mount ("shock mount"/"bearing something or other").
Here is that same shot with the crack marked off. Ouch!
The MINI is in the shop as I write this- getting the strut mount issues repaired. Now, how do I convince them to take a 4x4 and a sledge hammer to pound the mushroom'd tower, flat? more news as it develops- now back to you in the studio!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Fireballed Racing SeminarBQ!
Last week I went to Fireball Tim/Fireballed Racing's First Annual "SeminarBQ/Car Show" (Get it? A Seminar and BBQ!)
I had a lot of fun, met some new friends (and old ones) got to see some really nice cars, (I mean really nice!) I learned a few things too! And of course, took plenty of photos!
The Fireballed! Studio Shop
Fireball Tim, The Legend- in the flesh!
There were many classic and exotic cars including this Spyder-something-or-other
One of FBT's Limited Edition MINIs
The line for the grub! (ed. note: apparently they had twice the attendance as expected!)
Click here for more photos!*(The official flyer):
FIREBALLED! STUDIO SHOP
18900 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, Ca. 90504
310 921 6000
*I'm currently editing the video as well! Stay tuned!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Blog Plug "twofer": yellowminipages.com and twistybitz.com
twistybitz.com Blog and Store
No- not an avant garde public storage service with a propensity for broadband, twistybitz.com is a blog *and* a store for the MINI fan. A quirky personal blog about all things MINI, and neat little shop to pick up some cool t-shirts, clock and more! twistybitz.com
yellowminipages.com
What a great concept! I've been checking out "yellowminipages.com" (a.k.a the "MotoringUnderground.com Directory"*) for a couple days now and feel like I've barely made a dent in it's extensive listing, yet at the same time, see all these sites I've been to in one place to and think, "wow- I guess I *am* a "MINIac"!" "yellowminipages.com"
*(as you say "'Scuse me- What is "MotoringUnderground.com"?)
you'd like to link up with BushfingerMINI? Click Here!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Blog Plug: minicooperinfo.com
I'm happy to add Steve @ minicooperinfo.com to my list of "pre-screened", "Bushfinger-approved" MINI-related sites.
Steve's site features plenty of high quality, semi-official info on the "new"/BMW MINI, including, news, official photos and media clips- including the commercial that made me want a MINI! (pssst- he's a Motoring Advisor too!)
www.minicooperinfo.com
Do you have an independent, non-commercial MINI-related blog or website you'd like to link up with BushingferMINI? Click Here!
