20qs
Dennis Lee
02.28.10
1. What character in a movie or book do you most identify with?
Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman”, and Russell Crow in “Gladiator”.
2. What do you do to relax?
Surfing and snowboarding are so spiritual and beautiful, that participating in them helps me relax. Other than that kicking it on the beach is so relaxing.
3. Favorite vacation spot?
Caribbean; Tortola, Barbados and St. Lucia.
4. Where haven’t you been that you’re dying to go?
South Pacific and Indonesia
5. What’s your next major goal in life?
To be a famous artist.
6. Who had the biggest influence on your life?
My mom.
7. Favorite drink?
Straight up Grey Goose martini with homemade blue cheese stuffed olives.
8. Favorite restaurants in Orange County?
Fisherman’s in San Clemente for oysters and smoked salmon; Taco Rosa in Newport Beach for salmon tacos and fresh squeezed margaritas;
Javier’s for chicken mole; Muldoons in Newport Beach; Patsy’s in Laguna Niguel for corned beef tacos; Coyote Grill in Laguna Beach; Las Brisas in Laguna Beach for ceviche.
9. Last major purchase?
My house in Laguna.
10. Dumbest investment?
Pointy brown suede shoes, skinny jeans and a late night purchase of the Thigh Master back in the late 80’s.
11. A famous person you love to meet?
Dead: Andy Warhol, JFK, John Belushi, Einstein, Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis. Alive: David Bowie, Morrisey, Guy Richie, Johnny Depp, Kelly Slater, Terje Haakonson, Marissa Miller, Hugh Hefner, and Chevy Chase.
12. Biggest accomplishment?
Becoming a master hairstylist in Newport Beach.
13. What’s your biggest fear?
Not being able to do my sports.
14. Who is your favorite artist?
Warhol, Sarat, Monet, Pollack, and Basquiat.
15. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
I would like to be an actor.
16. Secret most people don’t know about you?
I played football in high school as defensive safety. It was fourth quarter in a pivotal championship game. I was rushing the quarterback
and as he went back to pass (his arm was all the way back, ready to throw) I took the ball from his hand and ran 72 yards for the winning
touchdown.
17. Biggest regret?
I didn’t win the lottery, yet…
18. Your biggest extravagance?
Sports equipment (surf, snowboard, mountain bike) and traveling.
19. What’s your favorite CD?
Interpol, Turn on the Bright Lights; The Smiths, Meat is Murder, Louder than Bombs and The Queen is Dead; Phoenix, Amadeus ; Led Zeppelin II , III & Houses of The Holy; Bob Marley, Natural Mystic
20. What was the best day in your life?
Heliboarding in Canada with waste-deep snow.
New Gear
MINI Announces Countryman Utility Vehicle
02.28.10
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you love the idea of a MINI but wish it wasn’t so, well, mini? If you’ve dreamt of a larger offering from the baby BMW company, this month’s announcement should give you something to look forward to for the next year. Behold the MINI Cooper Countryman CUV.
While seemingly every other auto company’s vehicles shrink and get more fuel efficient, MINI prepares to grow as they continue their counter-programming and release their largest vehicle yet at next month’s Geneva Auto Show in March. Slated to arrive on U.S. shores in early 2011, the Countryman is the company’s fourth model offering.
Designated a “CUV” or Crossover Utility Vehicle, the Countryman is a small SUV - just the sort of sport ‘ute that MINI would create. Built on the same platform as BMW’s new X1, the Countryman is both a small SUV and at the same time a large MINI Cooper hardtop… depending on your perspective. While it retains the characteristic look of familiar MINI’s, it sits higher, seats more and is available with all wheel drive.
The MINI Countryman measures 161.3 inches in length, with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches (up from 145.6 and 97.1 inches, respectively, for the MINI Hardtop). As a result, you can now fit up to five people in the new ride, which features another first for MINI - four doors. Combined with the AWD and higher ground clearance, this is a MINI you can actually drive somewhere other than an urban environment. But, with its small displacement engine offerings, you won’t be getting there at any earth-shattering speeds.
Inside, the Countryman features a unique “center rail system” for its center console, which lets you configure interior storage the way you want for gadgets, water bottles or other toys. Combined with full iPhone integration (a must on any car in this writer’s opinion), navigation and custom lighting schemes, the interior should provide enough customization to keep MINI customers happy.
Under the hood, the new Countryman will offer two 1.6 liter engines in either a standard configuration (netting 120 horsepower) or a turbocharged Valvetronic version for the S model (delivering 180hp). All wheel drive is available on the S model only and can put up to 100 percent of power to the rear wheels if necessary.
Other options are typical of this BMW-owned company and include Xenon HID headlights, dual pane sunroof and sport wheels. And, typical of BMW, these options will quickly raise the price of your new Countryman to near-BMW levels. Pricing has not been announced, but expect to pay a minimum of $30,000 for your new Countryman.
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