Musings of a frustrated journalist

So it's been a while since I updated this blog. Work, illness and general laziness have all conspired against me over the past couple of weeks and I've sat and watched as countless opportunities to release me creative juices have dwindled away. However I've finally been worn down by work, grand designs and idiots, with a great game of football sandwiched in-between. Such is life.

What is it people don't understand about simple instructions? I ask people to fill a form in and all of a sudden they don't understand what to do, or they've forgotten the basic details of their job/organisiation/life or just lie and pretend I've never emailed said form to them (let's just check the sent items for that.......). Even worse why do people that I work with not grasp basic details of what has been said to them. I will have details on this for you by the end of the week, not today at 9.30, or 11.15 or 2.45. I do wish people would pay attention sometimes.

My new car finally arrived on Saturday and without a moments hesitation I have to say I love everything about it (except maybe the harsh ride) Most people thought I was taking the piss when I turned up in a Fiat Panda but it does everything I need it to and so much more, so why should I have to justify my purchase? It has a cheeky personality and nature, if it could speak it would use coarse language by passers by, it zips me from A to B without much effort and it turns into a fun machine to harass sports car drivers at the push of a button and the prod of a pedal. It's so direct and positive and, for what is essentially a tall box on wheels, quite a good looking little thing too!

Enough of my car and onto other people's though.

This made me laugh, not only is this quite possibly one of the most distasteful cars I have come across, the auction itself is hilarious, try and spot the spelling mistakes (I know, it's hard!).

Let's run through some of the basics. After deciphering what I can only imagine is intended to be English we find that the car hasn't been used for a least a year, probably more. I wonder why............ Not driven because the owner has "been away with work". Is that the same "been away" as in on holiday in prison? Still, nice and cheap on the insurance what with the new engine not being declared. What tops it off for me is an alleged £18,000 spent on the car. It's a Seicento. Are you mental?! I think I'd rather spend £18,000 on Cheeky Girls memorabilia.

It's been a great weekend, especially yesterday. Finally received my Nike Wildwoods that I bought off ebay for peanuts. I have to say they took a little while to turn up and I was starting to get worried. I was a little unsure as to what condition they'd be in but when I opened the box they were perfect and they haven't been off my feet all weekend. It's a superb shoe and one that I've been fiending after for quite some time so to finally get a pair of my own is fantastic.

Popped over to Birmingham last night for an event put on by Kerrang radio. I guess it was a St. Patrick's day bash. There was a special screening of U2/3D at the IMAX, with an enormous screen that dwarves everything, it was an amazing venue and a great show. I've never been the biggest fan of U2 but I'll admit that I enjoyed the music. What fascinated me the most was the feeling that I got from watching the gig in 3D. It was like nothing I've ever seen before and I'd highly recommend it. You get a sense of what it would really be like to have been at the concert that was originally filmed in Argentina. As you swoop through the crowd you want to move your head to see around people, as the bass swings round you back away to stop it from hitting you and when Bono reaches out to you you want to reach back and touch him. It was spectacular.

What topped the evening off for me was all the freebies that came as part of being a guest of Kerrang. The competition winners who attended were well catered for but guests had a separate seating area with comfy sofas, goodie bags, access to a free bar and reserved seating for the film. This was all topped off very nicely with a limitless supply of free Guinness Red. I was a little sceptical about drinking it but the first pint slipped down very nicely accompanied by many more and the evening passed with good company and nice touches that made me feel particularly well looked after. I've not been to an event like this before and I returned home feeling immensely satisfied with a great evening out. I can't wait for the next one..........

I think I finally have to face the fact that my car is dying. On the way home from work today it cut out for the umpteenth time in as many days. So tomorrow I'm off to my local Fiat dealer to have a look at a Panda 100HP. It's a car that I've been thinking about for some time so hopefully I can get a good deal on one. What I like most about the Panda is that it's essentially a tiny little car with a fizzy engine that I can race around in without having to fork out huge sums of money for insurance, tax, petrol and other consumables. There are plenty of cars out there that I think I'd like to own but I consider this the best car on sale for the money at the moment. So you'll have to excuse me if I heap praise on this great little car over the coming months.

Staying with the theme of new things I found out today that two people in my department at work handed in their notice today so in a few weeks time I'm hoping there will be two new people to replace them (at least I hope there will be!) It's sad because they've both been there since I started. One of them is my boss and she gave me the chance to work within the company, took me onto her team and has taught me a lot of what I know. I just hope that whoever replaces them can do as good a job as they do. I'm not going to go into too much detail but I understand the reasons for their decision to leave and I hope they enjoy their new places of work when they join.

Fairly short post tonight, mainly because I'm tired (disturbed sleep last night and swimming tonight) but partly because I'm feeling quite subdued. It's been a very strange day but tomorrow promises to be much better.

The hot topic of news for today seemed to be the budget with every man and his dog having something to say about it and how it will affect them. Personally I don't feel much better or worse off and to be honest I see this as being perfectly ok. As an 18-25 male in full time work who doesn't smoke, rarely drinks and has a reasonably sized car everything will remain as it was before after the latest round of tax hikes and cuts. The main stories however seemed to be circulating around taxes on the most polluting cars and the value of used cars.

Now seeing as this is a subject particularly close to my heart it would be entirely wrong of me to just gloss over the subject and talk about puppies and cushions, and today is no different but I'll try and be brief just so I don't bore you all to death.

First up is a new showroom tax for the most polluting cars, a one off payment of £950. Now, as I understand it this will simply be added onto the purchase price of a new car. Seeing as the most polluting cars are likely to have a price tag in excess of £30,000, I don't now if it's just me that can see the wood for the trees here but this is unlikely to be noticed by those in a position to be able to afford this, and it almost certain that manufacturers will find a way around this by incentives to lower the price of the car or by adding value through extras and as a result is unlikely to impinge on the buyer in any meaningful way.

Now a big deal was made on the news this morning about the value of used cars, a market that often has it peaks and troughs and fluctuations dependent on contemporary fashions. Seeing as being ecologically conscious is in fashion and being seen in the latest ostentatious 4x4 is so 2007 it is only right that BMW X5's and Range Rovers will take a dip in value and the new eco/bluemotion/blutec ranges are all tipped to hold their value better than their predecessors. What made me chuckle though was the used car salesman pointing to the Saab on his forecourt ad saying it had lost £20,000 of its value in a year. So?! What's new? When have Saab's ever held their value? I have to say that I normally really like BBC Breakfast news but this morning's was quite frankly one the most uninformed piece of tripe. I wait with baited breath to see if tomorrow's is any better. I do hope so.

On a brighter note I found out today that I will be joining Autocar for a weeks work at the end of April. I'm really excited about this opportunity and I can't wait to be able to work alongside some of the people whose writing I enjoy so much week in, week out.

Jokes all round at work today. Loads of emails flying around taking the mick out of the receptionist. Best of all was saved for last when the CEO, who was out of the office recieivng all of these on his blackberry, simply sent the reply "STOP". This was promptly followed by "hammer time...." and so the constant stream continued.
Break it down.......

I enjoy the fact that my workplace is often a fun place to work and even though it's often stressful people are always up for a laugh and a bit of banter. Just don't overdose on banter, it's dangerous stuff. Joke of the day had to be; Pirate walks into a tavern goes up to the bar. Barman says "scuse me C'apn, do you realise you've got a ships wheel down your pantaloons?" Pirate looks at the barman and says "Arrrrrrrrrr, it drivin' me nuts" Terrible I know but had me in stitches for some reason.

Anyhow, today is Wednesday and that means Autocar day. Quick read through revealed that letter of the week shared my sentiments on the look of the new VW Scirocco. To be perfectly honest it still bears some resemblance to the original concept but it's lost the handsome trapezoidal grille of the concept.

I'm coming of an age where this is a car that I would and could seriously consider buying in the near future and the conservative look has seriously put me, and from the sounds of it many others, off the car. VW has seriously dropped the ball in my opinion and although a spokesman was quoted as saying this brought the car into line with VW's people's car image I can't help but think that a dose of aggression could boost appeal and steal sales from rivals.

Either way, I doubt MC Hammer will be driving one

Whilst I was in the gym this evening I couldn't help but overhear a couple of lads chatting about a friend who had been in a car accident. I've heard so many stores, both first hand and via the news, about people who have been involved in accidents and have sustained serious injuries or died. It often makes me wonder how and why these accidents occur in the first place. Traveling to quickly for the road conditions? Boredom? Isolation? Or simply a lack of training? I think that all of these are viable factors that can lead to a serious accident. Last week I travelled to Manchester and back in a VW Passat. The journey was quiet, smooth and comfortable and at no point did I think we were doing anything out of the ordinary. Little did I know that for the majority of the journey we were into three figures. I have to concede that in hindsight I wasn't particularly surprised by this, but can't even contemplate these sorts of speeds in my own car.

I often see people driving round completely oblivious to other road users and after travelling in newer cars I can understand why. Using a car that isolates you completely from the outside world as a means of simply getting from A o B creates boredom and a loss of concentration meaning that accidents are inevitable, and whilst actually having an accident in a modern car is becoming increasingly safe it begs the question of what happens to those of us in older cars that are crashed into. I'm convinced that driving an older car engages you with the act of driving more and as a result keeps you more alert, more on your toes.

It's not just a lack of concentration that can lead to accidents though. The issue of driver training has got to be addressed. I've seen and heard of countless people who have had a serious accident a few weeks or months after passing their test. Using cars that are more powerful that they can cope with and trying to drive as quickly as possible. When I'd passed my test I was a complete tear-away, simply trying to go as quickly as the car could on some occasions. It was some close calls and the fact that my car couldn't go particularly quickly that saved my skin and helped me to calm down. Time spent on a track receiving proper tuition also helped me gain an understanding of driving smoothly, within my limits and within the limits of the car, something that is sorely missing from the majority of those who have just passed their test. Sod theory and hazard awareness. Just stick new drivers on a track in a mildly warm car and give them proper training. They'll learn everything they need to know.

I've turned this into another rant.
Moral of the story; stick new drivers on track with tuition, get everyone to buy a cheap old car and get them interested in what they're doing. Oh dear, this is how communism started.

Please ignore me and buy a huge car with a V8 please................

I've never been a fan of Monday. I don't really like going back to work after two days off and I don't like getting out of bed slightly earlier than I do at the weekend when I feel like I've only just managed to adjust to rising later. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of these people that spends all day in bed but I just find half an hour or so earlier a slight shock to the system. This morning was no different and to make matters worse I compltely forgot that I needed to pick one of my colleagues up on the way. Thus ensued a panicked rush out of the house and missed breakfast. However the day seemed to slip quietly away as I passed the time with loads of admin that I should have caught up on quite some time ago.

My daydreams helped to pass the time and I couldn't help but let my mind wander to last nights moto gp race. The season opener in Qatar was the first to be held at night. The entire circuit was floodlit and the aerial shots made the circuit look like some kind of misshapen doughnut. The night race seems like a gimmicky idea truth be told and I found myself flicking channels and missing big portions of the race. I just couldn't get into it, perhaps the riders thought of it as an exhibition, perhaps it was just the circuit, but I couldn't help but think back to a couple of seasons ago watching Rossi and Caparossi battling with each other, a passing move on every corner for lap after lap. It was amazing, I was on my feet shouting at the TV for most of that race and was left with a warm, gooey feeling inside. I hope this season can recapture some of that magic for me. The race was eventually won, disappointingly, by Casey Stoner. There's an air of smugness about him that jars with the down to earth nature of moto gp, perhaps it's just me that notices it, I could just be jealous, it could just be that I love the flair and passion of the European riders.

Back to reality and I've just returned home from the gym and swimming. Swimming is a new activity for me and tonight was the 5th time that I've ever been swimming. A lot of people have commented how unusual it is for someone of my age to have never been swimming but I genuinely never learnt when I was younger. I'm starting to get a lot more comfortable being in the water and my technique is improving. I'm trying to go as often as I can but unfortunately I'm currently limited to twice a week. What annoys me most about swimming is people who can't abide by basic rules, like swimming anti-clockwise or just not standing chatting in the middle of a lane (I mean really! What's the world coming to?!). I know it sounds petty but it can be really annoying and a little intimidating and off-putting when you're still learning.

Must dash, so many things to do and so little time.........

Looking through a couple of car mags I have accumulated in the past week or so and came across this car. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this brute even though it pains me to admit that I'll never have the finances to fund one. I always thought the Gallardo was a handsome machine but the tweaks that have been made just step things up a notch, from the gaping front intakes which add new shot of aggression, to the rear lights that have been resculpted and lend an air of maturity and result in a much cleaner look to the car. Much of the new look is infulenced by the Reventon and the Gallardo clearly benefits from this. The icing on the cake however is the new wheel design, a magnificent multi spoke arrangement that contrasts beautifully with the uncluttered nature of the rest of the car. The job of cleaning the wheels however is not an enviable task!

A little low down on my relationship with Lamborghini. My first contact with a Lamborghini was a Countach 25th Anniversary in white. It was magnificent. From the cartoonish vents and scoops to the massively wide OZ alloys. Just standing next to the car made me incredibly happy and I pored over the details for hours. The biggest disappointment however was saved for the interior, or lack thereof. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not especially small but I fit into the majority of cars with consummate ease. In order to fit comfortably in the Countach would have required years of training in sports origami. I finally slid into the passenger seat with knees around ears and head at 90 degrees. Regardless of this I was bitten. Hard. From that point on I have been a fan and every subsequent Lamborghini has won my approval over the equivalent Ferrari despite unfavourable reviews and at some times obvious technical shortcomings. Lamborghini's are just somehow intrinsically cooler.

Enough of this nostalgia, and on with the rest of my Sunday...........

Hello,

My name is Joe. How do you do? I'm fine thanks.

There are two things you need to know about me; my love for all things car and trainer related verges on the obsessive and I am terrifying to small children.

Let me give you a little insight into the reason behind the creation of this blog. Earlier today I went to Coventry Uni for their open day, I hope to attend in September to complete an MA in Automotive Journalism. It was a really interesting experience stepping into a different university building for the first time in many months, and being surrounded by fresh faced 18 year olds I suddenly felt very old. But that soon changed when I chatted with the faculty staff who were knowledgeable and friendly. After a great chat with one of the tutors it transpired that he had written one of my favourite articles in Car Magazine last year. I was suddenly acutely aware that if I didn't buck my ideas up I wouldn't get the opportunity to be able to attend and work with him. So I've taken it upon myself to start writing more. Over the coming months (and years) I hope that you will learn a little about me, my interests, hobbies, opinions and general nonsensical drivel that I spout from time to time.

Anyway, on with todays musings.........

Have you seen the new VW Polo ad?! Hilarious! A singing dog, makes absolutely no sense to me but I love it and if we didn't already have a Polo in the household I'd definitely think about buying one. Never underestimate the power of advertising. Pretty soon I'll have forgotten all about that ad and be hankering after some other expensive item that I don't really need. Speaking of the Polo my lady friend has a year old Polo and I have to say it's not a bad little car. It does everything distinctly averagely but very little badly. It has a good turn of speed for a 1.4, it's fairly roomy, comfortable, and reasonably quiet. However, there are several gripes that I have with it. The steering is seriously devoid of feel, the brakes are snatchy, the engine drones along without a hint of a tune and overall it just feels like a soulless product. By far and away the biggest issue I have with it is some of the cost cutting that has been involved in making the car. No boot light seems like a massive oversight and leaves me fumbling about in the boot virtually every time I drive the car. Maybe I'm just too used to the unpredictability and flair of my Italian stallion, perhaps not.

Sticking with a VW theme some angry young man in a Golf tried to force me off the road today. Now I happen to think that an indicated 80mph cruise on a motorway is perfectly acceptable and if I'm in the outside lane level with a lorry I don't like to be flashed in an "I'm more important than you so get out of my way" gesture. More to the point I don't then like to be forced over because said cretin wants to make an aggressive gesture of his superiority to me. Nonetheless what shocked me most of all is that he had his son in the back. I don't think I have many words that can adequately describe the sheer stupidity of this but I can console myself in the fact I have a modicum of patience and tolerance for my fellow road users.

Rant over. Anyway, it's time for my tea. Hope you enjoyed this blog and will continue to enjoy many more to come.

Joe