A new year, a new beginning!

Here I sit, looking back on the turmultuous year that has been 2011. The year was filled with personal and professional challenges and some fantastic accomplishments too. Ultimately though, the sudden and unexpected elimination of my position at the St. Petersburg Times, after 26 years of service, took center stage in October and since then I have been focusing on the next chapter of my life.

Now, I’m pleased to tell you the outline for that chapter has been written…in February I will join the new MINI of Wesley Chapel as a Motoring Advisor, converting my love and passion for the MINI into a full-time job. I’m excited by the prospects and the opportunity to work with the leadership at the Morgan Auto Group and at Wesley Chapel, to learn the car biz and also provide an enthusiast’s perspective as we become active members in the community. We’re going to do great things there! If you’re in the area I hope you’ll come by and see us after we open. Don’t forget to ask for MINIBee.

Happy MINI New Year!

MINI of Wesley Chapel
2287 Meadow Prairie Lane, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

A day at the Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy

LILCOOPR – Getting ready for MTTS

Check out this pre MTTS video from Lilcoopr ( Christina Kroner) with a nice plug for the MINI Bandz from MINIBee’s Motoring Merchandise. Thanks Christina! See you soon!

World record marshmallow toss across 10 MINI Coopers

Three years ago we set a record when I caught a marshmallow thrown by my nephew, Brandon Martell, over a cabin in North Carolina. On Sunday we topped that when my other nephew, Michael Martell, threw one to me over the width of 10 MINI Coopers for a new distance record.

The Dragon is OPEN

On Monday, April 12, 2010 at 8 AM, the Dragon re-opened for business. MINIBee was there to record it for history and give it some business! I completed lifetime Dragon runs 53-58, four of which had no other vehicles on the road in either direction. Bring on MOTD 8!

MINIBee – Four years of Motoring with the Man and the MINI

On March 26, 2010, MINIBee celebrated four years of motoring and also joined the 100,000-mile MINI Motoring Club. This retrospective video talks about those four years and the many motoring adventures that lead to the milestone. Thanks to all my motoring friends who shared in our many adventures. I look forward to the next 100,000!

MINIBee joins the 100K MINI Mileage Club

The waiting is over. Just before 3 p.m. today on Beach Drive SE in St. Petersburg, MINIBee passed the 100,000-mile mark. And in a cool coincidence it was also the fourth anniversary of when I picked her up and drove her back from Tom Bush MINI in Jaclsonville. I’m working on a retrospective video with lots of old photos and video so watch for that later. Here’s to all our adventures, to all my great MINI friends and to the next 100,00. Now let’s see what’s out there!

Tomorrow is the big day!

Not only is tomorrow the 4th anniversary of MINIBee’s adoption but tomorrow I will reach the 100k milestone. I motored 74 miles today and I’m currently at 99963, so just 37 miles to go!

When I reach 100k I plan to stop, no matter where I am,  and put this special grille badge on the grille:

100k Countdown – Day 9

Just 67 miles today on a round trip to St. Petersburg again, bringing me to 99,889 and just 111 miles to go! Friday is the day!

100k Countdown – Day 8

Added 75 more miles today on a trip to St. Petersburg and back to bring my total to 99822. Just 178 miles to go now! Friday still looks like the day.