The Deed is Done

and I thought I'd have a bit more time to wallow in self pity

Yesterday morning I started my “Day of Adulting” checking in with my financial guy and checking in with Jim at the MINI Dealership. I’d figured that I’d turn in the loaner from Service today and get a different loaner until the my new MINI came in. Jim texted me photos of the new MINI which meant it was on the lot.

Here’s the funny thing- my first MINI (Penfold) arrived in late June. I could have picked him up on Sue’s birthday. Alfie was purchased and picked up on Sue’s birthday. This one… not so much or maybe I just forgot when Sue’s birthday was.

After a quick text back & forth… we met a little after noon to sign paperwork and for me to pick up my next MINI. Figuring out the new tech- like making your phone your key took a bit of time. As you can tell from the photos below, he’s as black as Disaster Area’s stunt ship in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Fortunately his black displays do not light up black to show that you’ve done something, like that spacecraft.

Some photos of the new MINI

We chatted a bit about Alfie and Jim actually took him home last night (listening to the beep beep beep beep of the warning tone) and is now searching for someone to take over caring for a 14 year old unicorn contact Dreyer & Reinbold MINI if you are interested. Manual transmission, N12 engine, manual roof…

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Drumroll please…

And the new MINI’s name is…

Smudge

C’mon he’s solid black. The name comes from a minor character in James Robinson’s Starman. Drawn by Peter Snejbjerg.

Smudge is related to the golden age villain- the Shade who had created shadow creatures to do his bidding most were pretty mindless creatures but the first one was basically his faithful servant. He was introduced in Starman vol. 2 issue 61 and met an untimely fate in issue 71. Other names in the running were Penfold II, Lenore (from The Raven), and Lamont (as in Lamont Cranston, the Shadow). I felt that Smudge fit best being a faithful companion which my MINIs become as I travel around.

Oh the bells & whistles, I’m not sure I’m ready for all of them - Smudge gave me a video to welcome me to the MINI family or at least this generation of the MINI family.

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Graphics? Everyone is asking about what I will put on Smudge… and I don’t know. I didn’t do anything to Penfold except add a bunch of different stickers. Alfie went through many phases with the Rocketeer wrap being the final phase and my way to kick off my retirement. Yes, I’ve got some ideas, but I’ve got time to figure it out.