, then start (push in the choke), I slipped away on a puff of 2 stroke smoke, a smell like champagne set aflame... 
The shifting is becoming second nature now, and I am making the transition from "Squeeze, downshift, footbrake, turnsignal, back to first etc..." to "stop here and take a right"
You were right, craco. I am really digging the shfting and the rougher control of the Stella...the 'hotrod' element that separates it from a cvt automatic...damn, it is so cool! and Howardr, i luv the Stella so much there's no way I could ever regret getting it.
The Blackjack is still my flashy lit up sweetheart, but is also the work horse-getting groceries and running errands. The Stella is turning into my 'luxury' vehicle, a machine to ride for the sheer hell of it!
Thanks again for your suggestions. I don't think I'll ever go over to the "twist & go f*ck yourself" camp, but I do luv shifting a lot now.