Bath Time

I spent a bunch of time with the MINI tonight. I finally dug into the iPod hookup to see if it is possible to hook up a regular MP3 player to the stereo. After some investigation behind the stereo and internet research I believe I have found the solution. Since there is no easy way to hook directly into the stereo as it uses some uncommon connections and also runs power to the iPod for charging, I'll have to utilize the iPod hookup. So basically, I would get an iPod shuffle dock adapter (adapts a male iPod connection (existing iPod cord) to a male USB connection (MP3 player cord). This way I'll be able to use the standard cord that comes with the MP3 player of my choice to hook into the MINI stereo. Not only will this transmit the music, but it will also charge the MP3 player. Sweet. Now I just have to invest in an MP3 player. Right now I'm leaning towards a SanDisk Sansa e series (either 2 or 4 GB).

I also gave the MINI it's first bath tonight. Unfortunately I spent a lot of time figuring out the whole MP3 connection thing, so by the time I was done it was almost completely dark out. I think the mosquitoes got about a pint of blood out of me by the time I was finished. After I filled the MINI up in Madison Monday night, I've been keeping track of the MPG on the onboard computer. After a mix of highway and city driving, I'm averaging 34 MPG. Thank you German engineering.