You can usually tell the automotive season is winding down when the buzz of SEMA is in the air. In fact, things get so busy around here that sometimes certain things, like this column, get lost on the desk. In our mad dash to finish off the February issue, I completely forgot that it was my turn to write to you guys this month and tell you what's going on with the staff. Fortunately, Steve provides us with plenty of reminders.
For me, personally, I am just coming off a hectic summer schedule that included almost 50,000 miles of traveling around to shows and events, and doing cool things, such as previewing upcoming vehicles. I just finished putting together the Truck and SUV of the Year articles for the past couple of issues, which haven't given me much free time for anything, including sleeping or working on my '55 project. I've been hooked up to the Dr. Pepper IV, and it has kept me coherent on those long nights of typing. Fortunately, all the hard work has paid off in a title change to Road Test Editor. Whenever there has been a free moment I've been trying to help everyone else out on their projects, like Bob's SEMA baby, our killer '04 Econoline van that does 0-60 in just a tick above 6 seconds. In fact, the whole staff just got back from our annual Truckin' Nats in Phoenix, Arizona, and most of us leave for the week-long SEMA Show in the next couple days, where we are hoping to bring back the best in aftermarket coverage and vehicle features.
As for Dan, our newly titled Feature Editor, he has been like a wild-eyed crazy man lately, staying up late, trying his hardest to barter last-minute deals, tighten the remaining screws, and fit the final pieces to our project S-10, before he and I load it up on the trailer and head out to Vegas. As I look at my watch right now, he has about 60 hours to go. Good luck Dan. Just this morning, he said he has had about 9 hours of sleep in the last three days. Maybe I should introduce him to Dr. Pepper?
Mark has also been hard at work doing what he does, like being run over by golf carts. I'd explain it more, but maybe I should let you hear it from him, since he'll be writing in this space next month. At least we can laugh about it now, right, Mark? Also, he is also taking over Readers' Rap from me, allowing me a little more flexibility to concentrate on other sections of the magazine. I am sure someone will enjoy his wit and humor, because with a couple million readers, one of you is bound to.
Then there is Harley. Harley has been with us for about six months now, and I am not so sure we can call him The New Guy anymore, but until someone newer shows up, he gets that title for a while longer. The one good thing about being the new guy is that you are entrusted with tackling the big assignments everyone else is too busy or scared to start. All of us wished him luck out loud and secretly sighed with relief when he was handed the keys to our eBay project. Fortunately, our truck came out pretty sick and we'll have plenty of photos of it in an upcoming issue. You will even be able to bid on it for charity.
We just finished our 30th Anniversary, and I am proud to say I am part of an outstanding staff that is setting the pace and direction of the magazine for the next 30 years. We have lots of plans to bring to you a fresh look, cutting-edge ideas, and an even higher quality of magazine that will keep Truckin' at the top of your reading list. So, as much as I would like to keep writing, it is time to put this issue to bed and get ready for a busy action-packed 2005. I'm sure I will see you around.
Editor's Note:This is our monthly column with Dan, Sean, Mark, and Harley rotating every four issues. Stay tuned for each editor's perspective and poignant ramblings.