Elation — an example of a good user experience

Don't tell my significant other, but last year I feel in love again.

I bought a Mini Cooper.

It was my childhood rag-top dream -- great gas efficiency and plenty of room for a driving companion and my dog Sasha. I went online to the mini site and created my dream car with an entertaining rich media application. I printed a personalized specs brochure with my name proudly printed on the front and headed over to the dealership. I bought it that day. Alas, I had to wait a excruciatingly-ADHD-long 4 weeks for it to be custom built. Thankfully, I got weekly updates from across the pond. When I got the call it arrived I took off early from work and took it home in a 52 degree evening -- top down.

Every few months I receive a package -- a secret decoder or share the mini message notepad. I'm kept in the know with periodic emails to MINI community events near me. I was invited to a special pre-screening of the (lame) adventures of Hammer and Coop.

I was happy.

But the best was today. After sitting a week in my driveway from a flat tire, my once gallantly white MINI was yellow. It's Spring in Atlanta so we are celebrating PollenFest 2007. I took my MINI to the service center to help patch the flat. After waiting a bit, checking my email with my PDA with their complimentary WiFI, my dedicated service adviser announced my MINI was ready to go. I walked out to a radiantly white car. Even the wheels were washed clean.

My girl was back.

I was elated. As a result, you are reading this posting.