Googling My Grandfather

I remember my grandfather fondly (my mother's dad). Of course, he and my grandmother were inseparable, so they were normally referred to in the plural (Nanny and Grampy or, as we got older, Nan and Gramp).

My grandfather came up the other day while I was talking to a friend, and I suggested that she Google him. That phrase sounds a little weird -- creepy even, doesn't it? In any case, my grandfather, who was born in 1902 and died in 1985, wouldn't know a google from a giggle. He did the latter often. He loved puns--especially bad ones, like Marlene Dietrich in the bank ("I want to make a loan.")

My grandfather was an attorney, but he worked for many years doing title searches. This was important work back in the day, and he was a recognized expert. Now, they send out a paralegal with a laptop, but Israel Dautch knew how to do it.

He was the soul of gentility and gentleness. He adored my grandmother, who was a fiery, fundraising little Jewish woman who at one time was recognized by David Ben Gurion himself for all her efforts to help the State of Israel (which came into being during her watch). My grandfather would say, "I wear the pants in this family. I ask my wife where she wants to go and then I TAKE HER THERE!" Always a laugh, but it was true. And it was perfect.

I think about Grampy often, and remember his kindness and humor. Oh--when I googled him, I found one entry--for their house in Buffalo. I contacted the man who posted it and he was excited to hear about their "Vermont Modern" style house (in of all places, Buffalo, New York.)

So, the man died before the Internet was used by anyone and is listed now only for his house. And the latest word is, the house in question may not be theirs after all.

New Chrysler Looks Good So Far

I am just finishing up a weeklong test of the 2011 Jeep Compass. Like its Chrysler Corporation brethren, it has been significantly improved this year. And the improvements, as far as I can tell, are real.

How do you judge a car? Consumer Reports supplies data on number of defects per 100 cars, but you only have one. It's how the car feels when you're sitting inside it and how it drives. In these two ways, the 2011 Compass is worlds better than the one I tested four years ago.

For one thing, the face is much more attractive. The hood, fenders and fascia resemble those of the new Grand Cherokee, which has been hailed by practically everyone as a milestone vehicle for the brand. It's like getting a nose job from the top surgeon in Beverly Hills.

Inside, the dashboard is not only better looking, but seems to be constructed of significantly upgraded materials. The plastic has a fine sheen to it. The doors are nicely padded. The trim looks great--especially on the steering wheel, which is elegantly presented and contains controls for the audio and trip computer, among other things. The seats are handsome and comfortable. The window control buttons feel nicely rounded. And--it's quiet in there.

Chrysler's Media website claims they've fixed the steering and suspension, and it must be true because the car's a joy to drive--a real surprise for me. Apparently they dialed in a higher spring rate, improved damping, and added rebounding springs, as well as beefing up the sway bar.

I got more than 20 miles per gallon, too, from the 2.4-liter four with continuously variable transmission.

At $26,000, with a bunch of extras, I was impressed. Next: Let's see what they did to the new Dodge Charger!

Homelessness - It Could Happen to You

Imagine for a moment. You're working, living in your apartment, on your own. Then, one day, the company you work for shuts down and you're out of a job. It's not easy to find another one, and your can't pay your rent. You're out on the street. With no relatives or friends to take you in, you're homeless.

Many of us have periods where we need help--but we have a source of funds or a friend or relative with a spare room. Or, we have a range of job skills and can find something quickly. Not everyone is so lucky. It's a slipperier slope than we think.

One organization that's doing something to help homeless people get back their lives is Saffron Strand. Serving Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area, it provides training, work opportunities and transitional employment in local communities. Members work toward independent employment and safe, affordable housing. Saffron Strand Center serves as a base during the workday, with a range of programs.

Dean of Auto Journalists has Driven Off

David E. Davis, the great editor of Car and Driver and founder of Automobile magazine, died yesterday at age 80. He was one of the great personalities in the auto writing business.

Although I never met Mr Davis, I read a lot of his work. He had strong opinions, and apparently wasn't always easy to deal with, but he changed the world of automotive writing, and I'm grateful for that. In my own small way, every time I write a car column, I owe him something.

See the stories in the automotive press for more:

• Car and Driver


• Autoweek


• Automobile

Bach, Schubert, Mendelssohn and David

I just got back from an enjoyable evening of classical music, made all the more special because I shared it with my son. We took in the March concert by the New Century Chamber Orchestra.

The group is made up of 18 string players who play together as an orchestra, presenting a program in four San Francisco Bay Area locations four times a year. This was the last night--and took place in the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center.

We heard Johann Sebastian Bach's Violin Concerto in E major, which is just the kind of pretty, energetic music that anyone would call "classical." The second part was Franz Schubert's Lieder (songs) featuring Melody Moore singing a powerful and gorgeous soprano part. After the intermission we heard Felix Mendelssohn's Octet in E-flat major, which was another aural delight.

After the concert, we went off for a fine dining experience at Ristorante La Toscana in San Rafael. The Gnocchi with red meat sauce was rich, and after we shared a chocolate mousse torte, both of us waddled away from the table, stuffed. Thanks, son!

Big Fun at the Tattoo Show

My wife and I had a fine afternoon attending the Body Art Expo in San Francisco this afternoon. The venue was crammed with booths full of people talking about, showing off, and, in some cases, actually applying tattoos to people. The event was friendly, fascinating and definitely worth going to, despite the $8 glasses of Coors. The photo at left shows Stevie, who graciously posed in her booth.

It was my first tattoo event. Since receiving my tattoo last December and January, I have become more interested in the art and industry of skin decoration. There was a wide range to see there--on people's bodies and in the notebooks full of their best work. At many booths, I was offered the chance to get a new tattoo right there! But--not today. I believe that permanent art needs to be thought about a long time, carefully, before an ink-filled needle hits the epidermis.

I picked up a sexy calendar from the H2Ocean company and a huge stack of business cards. You'd expect an artist to have an attractive--or memorable--card, and many of them are (see below).

My wife used the opportunity to do something she's talked about for a while--getting her nose pierced. So now she has a beautiful little sparkly spot on the left side, artfully placed by a man with multiple piercings, earrings and tattoos--who is also the owner of High Class Tattoo in Fresno, California.

A great time, and for my wife, a new adventure.

My Work Life, in a Nutshell

Minus the names, dates and locations, here’s the essence of my CV.

Newsboy. Delivered the morning paper—sometimes in the snow. I learned: How to use an alarm clock, that the job must be done—regardless of the weather, collecting and handling money.

Car Detailer. Washed and detailed our neighbor’s car. I learned: How to take the time to do a job right (it leads to satisfaction—and repeat business).

Dishwasher and Busboy. My first fulltime job before college, in a busy downtown lunch place. I learned: Efficiency, organization, routine, commuting and how to polish silverware to perfection.

Bike Messenger. Delivered packages downtown. I learned: Show up daily and work hard and you’ll rise to the top, the layout of the downtown street grid, why they put multiple gears on bicycles and not to overinflate your tires.

Learned from from the previous two jobs: The value of a college education.

College Student. Started in the Music department but ended up with an English degree (summa cum laude). Learned: To support myself (part-time dishwashing, office work), turn in assignments on time, balance work and study, write quickly and clearly. Published a book review.

Kibbutznik. In the middle of college, spent almost a year in Israel feeding animals, driving tractors and learning Hebrew. I learned: A second language, work planning, the ups and downs of farm life, international travel, effective hitchhiking.

Antiquarian Bookseller. After college, worked for a leading rare book dealer. I learned: To wear a suit, tie a tie, work in a team, assist customers and a lot about old books and prints.

Antiquarian Bookseller Startup Staff. Worked for a fellow former employee of above. I learned: How to run an office, relocate an office, set up and use a pc, write book descriptions, design and produce catalogs, manage a mailing list, wrap and ship packages, use a hand truck and a postage meter.

Telephone Salesman. Sold phones, phone systems and answering machines. I learned: How to serve customers with expertise, structure my time and sell on the phone and in person.

Sports Marketing Employee. Worked for an NBA franchise. Started with mailing tickets, but moved on to network administration, ombudsman, editor and publisher. I learned: The power of organized teamwork, top notch customer service, magazine editing and writing, effective interviewing, how to manage people who didn’t report to me.

Automotive Journalist. During this time, I started a weekly newspaper column. Tested cars and wrote about them. Still doing this today. I learned how to work with weekly deadlines, write the essence of a subject quickly, interview experts and network with auto manufacturers, fleet managers and publications. Co-founded the Western Automotive Journalists.

Sports Startup Marketer. I was jack-of-all-writing-trades for a startup hockey team. I learned: To wear many hats, inflate a 60-foot tall mascot, program a freeway-visible electric sign, how the Zamboni machine works.

Newspaper Advertising—Outside Salesperson. Sold ads for the local paper. I learned: To manage a territory, prospect, follow up, more about deadlines, even more about customer service, how not to take rejection personally, that small community newspapers pay less but are much nicer to work for.

Auto Textbook Editor. Edited the work of tech writers. I learned: Enhanced computer skills, coordinating work with writers, how to job search in a pinch.

Technical Writer I. Produced documentation and online help for major software company as a member of a writing team. I learned: How to jump in the deep end of the pool and swim; work effectively with engineers, product managers and quality assurance people; manage constant change; understand and use documentation software of various kinds; how to move to single sourcing; the salvation of “the next release.”

Employee Communications Manager. Wrote and managed stories for a biotech company’s intranet and email. I learned: How to select and refine a story, place it on an intranet site, and edit HTML.

Technical Writer II. Returned to this role for a small company as a sole writer. I learned: How to select and implement a single sourcing program for online help.

What’s next?