Miatatude

Had high hopes of the dropping the top for the drive home, but they were dashed when the sun never materialized and the temps never made it into the 50’s. I guess I have lived too long in SC as I’m now getting colder at a much higher temperature…

My 2003 calendar arrived yesterday. I had a custom one made online at Shutterfly using the 12 best pictures from the Barndoor Fan Club’s Twilight Photo Contest. You can get your own too if you want, $24 and 4 days is all it takes. Start by picking your pictures.

Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 333

The ICE STORM OF THE CENTURY never did materialize. It was cold and it did rain/freezing rain a bit around here. Apparently 30-50 miles north of here got it pretty good, while we escaped unscathed. But I guess in some sort of sympathy move they closed the local schools 2 hours early. I wonder which weather forecast they were watching?

Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 333

It’s a typical Sunday, so the Miata hasn’t budged from the garage where I left it after yesterday’s washing. Actually, yesterday’s driving trip was out of the garage into the driveway and then right back into the garage. Total mileage for this weekend 1/10 of a mile! Heck I myself was only out of the house once today – a trip to the end of the driveway to retrieve the local Sunday papers, The Augusta Chronicle and The Aiken Standard. And you thought you led an exciting life….

Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 329

Washed the car today, that is why the top went up. It was fairly filthy. Not only did I was the outside, but the engine compartment got a washing too. Found some quick and easy instructions in a Miata.net forum post and decided that 7 years of road grime needed to go. I really need to wash off the coolant residue left behind by my leaky heater hose incident, I could still smell it and it made me think that the leak was re-occurring. The engine compartment looks a whole heck of a lot better now, won’t win any car shows, but looks good. As a bonus the coolant smell is totally gone, it has been replaced by the scent of Simple Green.

Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 329

Last Friday while out scouting the Christmas Light Tour route we stopped at friends from the Miata Club’s house (they are the end of the line because they are hosting this year’s Holiday Party.) It was getting chilly as daylight faded and we considered putting the top up for the ride home. That’s when John said here try this. He had another member’s old windblocker to copy to make a pattern so he can make one up for himself. John is our Club’s closet seamstress, he has made a bunch of stuff up including bags for the boot and our Club’s Loaner Trunk Bag. We have had to windblocker on quite a bit and it has definitely extended the lower temperature limit for top down driving. Using just the blocker it keeps the cold wind off your back. With the blocker and windows up it is very cozy inside. Still get some cold air in, but hey it is a convertible. I think we are going to get John to sew us one up too.

Upper 30’s on the way to work – no problem, the top was down.

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 328

Almost forgot. Back on the 17th one of the door prizes I won in the Poker Run was a $25 gift certificate from MM Miata On the 19th I mailed in the certificate along with an order for some leather seatbelt stalk covers. I already have the leather shift and hand brake boots and this would complete the ensemble. They came in today, pretty good service. The first 4 years Miatas were produced the seatbelts were fastened to the floor. Starting in my year they were fastened to the side of the seat for I’m sure government mandated safety reasons. The sleeves fit all year Miatas, but for mine, about 3 inches had to be trimmed off the length. Now that they are installed they really are nothing special, glad they were essentially free to me. I would have been disappointed to have shelled out $25 for that lackluster enhancement.