Day 13

Further writing of NSX, ate a banana, that's about it in all honesty. Watched the TV advert for PPC in the Park, but Will and Kev weren't happy with the voiceover (it was the bloke who does the low-budget rally coverage on Men & Motors, forget his name) so they're getting Rachel to blag something with her recording studio contacts. Friday tomorrow then long weekend. Bank Holiday, woo.

Day 12

Today has been a quiet one again, Ed, Will, Kev and Kate have been at Mallory all day again sorting out the show, which getting some 'complimentary' tickets for is looking up. Also bagged a couple more mags, a 2009 wall planner and another t-shirt. Schwing.

Anyway, I've been writing the NSX article some more and loving it, this car is awesome. Spoke to Ed when he briefly came back, the Exige photoshoot is now happening at the end of May so I'll miss that, but we're trying to get an NSX and a Merc CLK 55 to shoot in the Derby studio (two birds, one stone, smaller bill) so that should be awesome if we can find a willing Merc owner, he's already got an NSX lined up apparently. Ed is going to talk me through some of the production stuff next week too, sub-editing and all that jazz, which is nice.

I need to buy a copy of MCN on my way home to laugh at Mostyn's shit eating grin plastered on it's pages. What a guy.


PS. The Mini in Kings Lynn isn't happening at the mo as the car is a none-road legal track car the bloke isn't willing to take on the track yet as he has "weak gearbox issues".

Day 11

Again spent today trawling the 'net for NSX info, starting to refind my love for this car though, reminds me of being 11 and playing the first Gran Turismo...
Started to write the article, done a pretty wicked intro if I say so myself. The rest will need some concerted research, specialists seem fairly few and far between, most are glorified dealers really. The guys on NSXCB are brilliant though, very helpful and genuine enthusiasts.

Today was also the first day where we had a full office. And I've only heard that shit new Morrissey song once, which is a bonus as it's usually played at least once an hour.

Day 10

Well, today Ed rang in sick, cue the rest of the guys joking, "Ooooh sounds like swine fever!" Much laughter ensued. Apart from that I've started researching for another buyers guide which is a bit gash, but it's for the awesome Honda NSX on the plus side. Doesn't look hopeful that I'll get to write a feature at this rate though... :(
I've spent today trawling two NSX forums and a wiki for info, written nothing apart from some scrawled notes.
Bagged a whole host of free mags before the weekend too, win! :D

Day 8 & 9

For some reason I forgot to do this yesterday....! Nothing of note happened anyway, just more Impreza article work. Finished it today so will e-mail it off to Ed, and probably finish about 3. It's been dead today, a little boring dare I say as none of the editorial guys have been in, again. Wondering what I'll be doing next week as the Mini/Exige photoshoot has been re-rearranged so no idea whats happening there. Same with the NSX studio shoot, no more mention of it since the first or second day...
We'll see, anyway I'm going home.

Day 7

Finally finished the 205 guide. Phew, was pretty epic but it's done and I'm pretty proud of it. It's 3,000 words so will inevitably be subbed but thats a given. Had a planning meeting this afternoon (with free can of coke, beef and horseradish baguette, sat in the sun and plenty of wanking jokes!) Was good to see how this mag is planned, basically just 3 guys sat in a pub talking about cars, nothing formal going on at all.
Scoobaru article to do tomorrow.

Day 6

Firstly I'll admit to being rather slack today. Met Stuart, the designer, who kindly let me into the office at 9.15am! Slack indeed. Then I've concentrated on re-writing the Impreza budget blaster piece as I was a bit sick of 205s...

Found it hard to gleen info from anywhere and endless trawling of forum threads often results in little useful info. Also due to there being a million different variations of the car finding part numbers and prices is a real headache, and being a million specialists that don't advertise with the mag is also a pain, they don't like giving out free advertising here, which is fair enough I suppose, but makes my life a fair bit harder as there is precisely fuck all Scooby specialists advertising with us.

Ed has also taken over organising the photoshoot of the Mini and Exige due to location issues. Bit annoying though as he kept hassling me, then when I finally got through he took over because of the logistics of it.

I'm going home even earlier today as I'm tired, bored and hungry.

Day 5

Today I have been adding further detail to the 205 GTi piece, spoken to Peugeot's spares dept, George 'Goliath' on the merits of the car and trawled the 'net for info.
Started to arrange the photoshoots for Haydn's Mini (Kings Lynn) and Mark's Exige (Welwyn Garden City) which is proving a nightmare as these places are miles away from each other, us and the photographer. It's looking likely to be Wednesday next week at the mo, but that could easily change.

Day 4

Last day of the first week already! Today was spent further writing and re-writing of the 205 GTi feature including getting in contact with Ecosse, who were rather unhelpful, but may change their tune on Monday.
Also need to majorly rework the Scooby piece, shocking intro so need a better angle. Scobby v Evo is the aim I reckon.

A good, relatively productive week all in, although I need to pull my finger out and get on the blower next week!

Day 3

Today has been spent further writing the 205 GTi guide. Spoke at length about some history of the company with the ad sales girl, Rachael. Then spent the afternoon bitching via text and Facebook about the lack of editorial presence!

PPC Diary

Day 1

Arrived 9am and greeted by Ed Hall, shown the office. Shown a flat plan of June and July issues. Tasks set:
Impreza Classic budget blaster June issue
205 GTi buyers guide June issue
NSX buyers guide inc organising photo shoot with John Colley at Derby studio July issue
Organise photo shoot for Lotus Exige (July cover car) and Mini (???) with photographer Tim Wallace.
Wrote Impreza article.

Day 2
Started 205 article, phone Nick Parkinson @ Shenpar for specialists view. Contacted a few NSX owners for photo shoot.