One Era Ends, Another Begins

             

After 37 years of hard work in the auto repair and restoration business and 17 years as owner of Steve's Auto Service, I have decided to sell the business and move into a new phase of my work life.                            I am selling Steve's Auto Service to Ziad "Zee" Nweiran who plans to continue offering auto repair at this location. My last day will be Friday, April 12. The new owner intends to take over the business on that date and to have no interruption in service. I recommend Zee for all your routine car repair and maintenance needs.           As to my own expertise and passion for Classic British Auto Repair and Restoration, I plan to continue offering that service independently. I am still an active member of the New Jersey Triumph Association, and I look forward to working as an independent service provider for Classic British car owners. Please contact me directly at my mobile number, 610-207-7651 to inquire about Classic British Auto Repair and Restoration.         If you have any questions about the transition of Steve's Auto Service to the new ownership, please call our office, 973-829-1618 and we will work to make sure all your needs are met.           Thank you for your business through the years. It has been my pleasure to serve you. Yours in Auto Repair and Restoration,

Steve Bodenweiser           Steve's Auto Service

Wide-eyed Optimism

I caught it from the 1964 New York World's Fair. And I was only eight. Click or tap the image to enlarge the tiny happy people. It's good to be hopeful and inventive and bold. That's what I learned. Life is a super-sized parade of flags leading to impossibly wonderful technology. Click or tap the image to expand the possibilities. A world of possibilities spreads out in spokes from our precious round earth. Our Unisphere. The pathways to knowledge are straight and wide and lined with colorful flags.  Click or tap the image to take a ride on the giant tire. All the nations of humanity dream the same dream. Each one looks eagerly to the future. It's a small world after all, out on the edge of a platter of stars. Click or tap the image to soar up into the air. Shoot for the stars. That's normal. Peer into the distant past and walk among dinosaurs. That's possible. Click or tap image to enlarge T-Rex's teeth. In the near future, things that could be, will be. And it will be magical. Live on the moon or under the sea. That could happen. Click or tap to expand your consciousness. The New York World's Fair ignited the hopes and dreams of an eight-year-old boy. And it still explains a lot about who I am today.   When you are ready to service your space-age car of the future, or even your car of the present, please come by Steve's Auto Service and we will do a great job for you. Schedule your appointment now by calling 973-829-1618.

9 Cartoon Cars and Characters

As a child, I spent as much time as possible watching Saturday morning cartoons and reading the Sunday comics. My mother had different goals in mind for my weekends. "Your room could use some straightening." Aw, Mom. "Why don't you go outside and get some fresh air!?" Aw, geez, Mom. As an adult, I have all the time in the world to appreciate these works of art. And what's a cartoon character without a memorable car? The following quiz starts with 9 visual clues...  Click or tap image to enlarge all the clues. As usual, I have bent my own rules a bit. One "car" has no wheels. Two "cars" have no engines to speak of. OK, you are forewarned about my nutty rules. Can you can name the movie, TV show, comic strip or book and associated characters for each of these 9 visual clues? OK, got 'em all? Good. Scroll down... Keep going... Hi. Wait, go back. You forgot #6.  And the answers are... 1. Doc Hudson (voiced by Paul Newman) is a 1951 Hudson Hornet, and Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is a flashy red sports car from  Pixar's 2006 movie Cars.  Click or tap image to enlarge, or to increase speed. 2. Homer Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) from The Simpsons in his own invention, "The Homer Car".   Click or tap image to make this contraption slightly more ridiculous. 3. Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) and his "toon" pal Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer) in their ridiculous cartoon car in the 1988 live action / animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Click or tap image to travel to Toontown. 4. Sam-I-Am, balancing a platter of possibly tasty green morsels on one finger, with Fox and Mouse in the rumble seats, in Dr. Suess' cartoonish book Green Eggs and Ham. Click or tap image if you might like green eggs and ham, if only you had a closer look. 5. Yabba Dabba Doo! It's Fred Flintstone (voiced by Alan Reed) and Barney Rubble (voiced by Mel Blanc, who also voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, etc.) and the whole gang out for a foot-powered ride in the  1960s TV classic from Hanna Barbera, The Flintstones. Click or tap to time-travel back to the modern stone-age family. 6. I'm not going to panic. There's a bee in this car in Gary Larson's Far Side comic strip. Click or tap to swat the bee. 7. Who wouldn't want a flying car? This has been my dream since I was just a wee lad. Another classic 1960s Hanna Barbera cartoon, starring those future earthlings George Jetson (George O'Hanlon), Jane Jetson (Penny Singleton) and family in The Jetsons.  Click or tap image to buzz closer. 8. Bill Watterson is a genious, OK? And his comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (just like Gary Larsen's Far Side) ended way too soon. You have to love Calvin's fearless spirit of adventure. Calvin is not old enough to get a driver's licence, but this is the next best thing. Click or tap to make the wagon go even more out of control. 9. Charlie Brown isn't old enough to drive either, and besides, he's freaking out about the turn by turn directions, so of course Snoopy takes the wheel in What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown, created by Charles Schulz. Yup, that's also Woodstock, Linus, Marcie and Peppermint Patty. Click or tap to increase Charlie Brown's deep-seated anxiety. How did you do? Did you get all 9? If so, hop in your cartoon car and proceed directly to Toontown for a fabulous imaginary vacation! I will see you there! When you are ready to service your real-world vehicle, no matter how much it looks like a cartoon, please come by Steve's Auto Service and we will do a great job for you. Schedule your appointment now by calling 973-829-1618.

Ten Santa Jokes to Stuff in your Stocking

1. Quick, Santa just finished singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." How should you react? 

Santapplause. 



 2. Logically speaking, what's the difference between a reindeer?

 Fruitcake---a sleigh has no doors.



 3. What does Santa use when he goes ice fishing?

 His north pole! 



 4. What do you call that brief moment when Ol' Saint Nick stops to eat a cookie?

 A Santa Pause. 



 5. What does Santa like to have for breakfast?

 Egg nog, cookies and mistle-toast. 



 6. What's red and white and red and white and red and white?

 Santa rolling down a hill. 



 7. What goes Ho, Ho, Swoosh! Ho, Ho, Swoosh?

 Santa caught in a revolving door. 



 8. What goes oh, oh, oh?

 Santa Claus walking backwards. 



 9. An honest politician, a kind lawyer and Santa Claus were walking down the street and saw a $20 bill. Which one picked it up?? Santa!

 The other two don't exist. 



 10. Santa and Elvis go into a donut shop. Elvis places his order while Santa is removing his ear muffs. Santa is not sure he heard Elvis correctly, but he speaks up anyway. What does Santa say?

 "Ho, ho, ho! That sounds good, Elvis. Make that two jolly rolls!"

Our Little Christmas Tree

We put up a little Christmas tree this year. Our decorations just keep growing every year. Hope you like it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours. Please drive safely and may you and your loved ones have a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Jersey Shore Memories

                   

It seems that for a lot of us, many of our happy childhood memories are about visits to the Jersey shore.                   Remember when you were very young and your family traveled to the shore? You climbed up the couple of steps onto the boardwalk to catch your first glimpse of the beach and waves and ocean and the broad view of the distant horizon, and you just could not believe how wide and open that view was.                      Seagulls and seabirds whirls overhead. It seems like an unbearable wait to have to change into your suit in the bathhouses. You are given a little rectangular patch, a colorful fabric tag with a pin to attach to your clothes somewhere so you can pass through the booth on the boardwalk at the top of the steps that lead down onto the sand.                      You and your family move slowly in your flip-flops across the hot sand down the beach to a somewhat less crowded spot. The beach is alive with people and umbrellas and activity.         There are volleyball nets and players, lifeguard stations with warnings about the surf conditions, kids making sand castles, adults lying on their towels sunbathing, sitting in low beach chairs under the shade of colorful umbrellas and many people standing at the edge of the wet sand with toes in the water, plus many heads bobbing in the surf just beyond where the waves are breaking.         A plane flies by, up the length of the shore just out there over the water, towing a banner advertising something or other you don't really care about, but still you revel at the low-flying spectacle.                       You strip down to just your swimsuit and run to the edge of the water. When your feet hit the foam the shock of the cool temperature takes a few seconds to get over. Then you pluck up your courage and make a slow-motion dash for it through the deepening inrushing water under you have to dive all the way under to avoid a crashing wave.             You come up for air with a taste of salty ocean water in your mouth. You float effortlessly in the salt water. You find the sandy ocean floor with your feet and position yourself in vigilance to watch the incoming waves.         You don't have a big surfboard but you know how to body surf or you might have your little kick board. So you position yourself and wait for a good wave. Just as it arrives you push off and if you're lucky it catches you and drags you up along with it until you crash smack down under water and up onto the beach, almost uncertain for a moment which way is up.                      Later you dry off on a towel and the sun is warm but pleasant on your skin. You can't believe how good that feels. You notice a gull nearby seemingly floating almost motionless in one spot, straining against the wind like it's on a tether, six feet above the sand.            Hunger pangs kick in and your parents take you for lunch, which is a hamburger and french fries and a chocolate milkshake, all of which are treats that you don't get at home. Your parents order something "yucky" like clams or oysters, and offer you some, but you turn your nose up at that.            In the afternoon there is more beach time including another swim, some digging in the sand, an attempt at a sand castle, a walk down the beach and some beach combing which if you're lucky, you snag some shells, glass and stones polished to rounded perfection and shiny wet. When you these treasures home they never look quite as awesome as when you found them, but still they are happy reminders.                      Before you go home you really have to beg now to get your parents to allow you time on the boardwalk and arcades and if you are incredibly lucky a ride or two. The Go Carts always catch your eye and one year it is finally your turn to climb behind the wheel. "Driving, at this young and tender age!" you think. "I am just unstoppable now."                      You try to take a shower in the bathhouses but there is only one temperature: ice cold. You get changed back into your street clothes but there is sand and salt all over your body because, really, who can deal with that cold shower?             You are itchy but happy on the ride home. You stick your pinwheel out the window and it spins like crazy. You snack on salt water taffy in the back seat and "spoil your appetite" for dinner later that evening back at home, where everything returns to ordinary.            Years later when you have your driver's license and can make the trip on your own with your friends, you explore the full length of the boardwalk, enjoy corn on the cob on a stick, or a frozen chocolate-covered banana on a stick, or really any food at all as long as it's on a stick. You play skeeball and win prizes and ride the rides and do all the things your parents tried to restrict you from doing to your heart's desire.                      But you still enjoy the boardwalk and the hot sand, the waves and the gulls, and the airplane flying by waving it's banner.                       All of us at Steve's Auto Service wish that you and your loved ones are safe and sound, and we send our best wishes to those working to rebuild and recover all over our state from Hurricane Sandy.

The Hipster Geezer Restores Your Musical Soul Have you long since left high school? Drifted beyond your twenties? Left your musical youth far behind? Don't despair, the Hipster Geezer is here to help.   Mr. Geezer has continued to do the listening for you and he is here to tell you: There are great new songs. The great music lives on.  Now Mr. H. G. knows what you are thinking: Radio is dead, the music industry is dying, I can't relate to boy bands and rap and Disney pop sensations.  Not to worry. There is a rainbow of glorious music all around you, like a field of diamonds in the rough. You just have to know how to pick it out.  He who is Hip and Geezery has only one desire: That you can hang in there with your young friends and relations and nod knowingly and toss out: "Sure, Radiohead? Love 'em" and "Animal Collective? Yeah, they give me happy feet!" or "Did you say Mumford & Sons? I can't get enough of those four guys!" Most people settle on their favorite music in their teens, but you can recapture your teenage soul. Follow along as your hippy but not too dippy guide dances on ahead and shows you the way... Let's kick it off with a dose of driving folk rock and a blast of acoustic guitar and harmonica with a soaring female high harmony. Turn up the volume for The Decemberists with guest harmonizer Gillian Welch and "Down by the Water". Let's rock! The Decemberists - Down by the Water (Live on Austin City Limits 08-09-2011) [HD 1080p] Feeling down? Cheer up! How about a blast of happy? Try out Goldfrapp and "Happiness". You just gotta wonder how the guy in the video can do the bunny hop that long! Come on, laugh, it's funny! Goldfrapp - Happiness Here's a live version of one of the Hipster Geezer's favorite songs, "Kate" by the one and only Ben Folds Five. I guess their name makes sense for this trio, since they make as much joyful noise as a quintet. Piano rock, fuzz bass, blasting drums, catchy melody, wacky harmonies, who could ask for more?  Kate BEN FOLDS FIVE Feeling stressed? High pressure job? Chill out, Man. Relax! The Hipster Geezer just checked, and everything turns out just fine for you. Close your eyes and sip a soothing beverage with Wilco and "Sky Blue Sky". Jazzy guitar, brush drums and Jeff Tweedy's reassuringly soothing vocals. Ahhhhhhh. Are you feeling better now? Wilco - Sky blue sky OK, now that you've chilled out and recharged, let's get up and dance our happy dance! Electronica extraordinaire, here we come, with Animal Collective's "My Girls." Animal Collective - My Girls (2009) OK, your feet might hurt a bit after that last one, so take a break, take a seat right next to me here and clap along with Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent and "Marry Me". Exquisite vocal and guitar and a nicely dark lyric married (pun intended) to a ridiculously lose and happy melody.  #22.1 St.Vincent - Marry Me The H. Geez (as his most pretentious friends call him) wants to remind you that Radiohead pretty much does no wrong, and this song, "Let Down" will not let down. Radiohead - Let Down Remember when Radar O'Reilly was coached by Hawkeye to win over a classical music loving nurse by repeating the words "Ah, Bach!"? OK, repeat after me: "Ah, Mumford!" Good, that should do it. Enjoy this Stadium Celtic Folk anthem by the UK quartet Mumford & Sons, "I Will Wait". Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait Let's close it out with a timeless and beautiful melody and a wonderful sentiment from Sara Watkins, formerly of Nickel Creek (also well worth checking out), from her recent solo recording, "Take Up Your Spade." You are welcome! (See if you spot Jackson Browne sneaking into this video not to mention background vocal). Sara Watkins - Take Up Your Spade Congratulations! Now you are a Hip and Edgy, and ready to hang with the cool kids! The Hipster Geezer reminds you to take your songs with you on the road, and don't forget to keep your road machine tuned up at Steve's Auto Service! Call 973-829-1618 or drive straight over to 128 Washing Street in Morristown, NJ to get your engine hummin'!

King Charles the Re-Gifter - A 100 Mile Road Trip

Today we are jumping in the car and traveling to Connecticut-or perhaps it is Pennsylvania. The reason for the confusion will become apparent shortly.

Please adjust your rose-colored sunglasses and pull your ball cap down tight. I am putting the top down, and in my crazy imagination it is a breezy sunny day, high of 70 degrees, blue sky with soft wispy clouds off to the north-perfect pretend weather for another in our series of imaginary 100 mile road trips. Buckle up, and so long, Morristown NJ. Here we come, unknown mystery location!

We are revving up now, pulling out on the road, the wind in our faces. We're speeding along now over a lovely smooth blacktop, and I'm cranking up Credence Clearwater Revival's "Travelin' Band." Say, let me interest you in the backstory about our destination...

Our story begins with King Charles II of England, who made a mistake, which kings sometimes do.

Since I know that you enjoy family trees, let me tell you that this long-ago king is the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin, 9 times (generations) removed.

Also, I happen to know that you enjoy royal scandals. This rascally king, while failing to produce any little princes or princesses with his good queen Catherine, did find the time to woo 8 different mistresses, utilizing his fancy mustache and long curly hair, and before you could say "Bob's your uncle", 17 illegitimate children resulted. Shocking!

Anyway, back to the mistake. In 1662, young Charles was just a 32-year-old rookie king-he had just been crowned the year before-when he gave the Connecticut colony a charter to certain lands in North America that included a place known as the Wyoming Valley, which has a lovely and for now undisclosed river running through it. Unfortunately, 19 years later in 1681, the now seasoned but possibly senile 51-year-old tyrant re-gave the same lands to William Penn in a bold act of re-gifting.



As they say about Wyoming Valley, "It's the gift that keeps on getting given."

And of course, all of this King Charles II business completely ignores the Shawanese and Delaware tribes of native people already occupying this part of Pennsylvania (or Connecticut, depending on how this story turns out). The name for this "Wyoming" valley in Connecticut (or Pennsylvania, depending)  was coined when some white guy half heard and then garbled the Delaware Indian word "Maugh-way-wame." How you get "Wyoming" out of that, I don't know, but the word means "The Large Plains" (even though this is Eastern United States we're talking about).

Please pass the suntan lotion. My nose is getting burned.

So anyway, no one really knew whose land this was, but let's give a tip of the hat to Chief Teedyuscaung and his Delaware tribe who were already living there.

In the 1750s things were getting a bit cramped in both the Connecticut Colony and the Pennsylvania Colony, and new settlers started arriving in Wyoming Valley, each with a claim for the same land. Uh oh.

As a result of these conflicting claims to the same land (setting aside for a moment the native Americans' role in all this, which you just know will not end well for them) the Pennsylvanian and Connecticuter settlers commenced the "Pennamite Wars," which was a sort of mini-civil war.

After the American Revolution, the conflict was resolved, with one group of settlers winning, but with the catch that they had to become part of the other colony's state. I'll tell you which was which when we get there.

And yes, we are almost there. I think I see a "Welcome to.." sign just ahead.

Here are some more clues about the captivating mystery city toward which we are speeding. Anthracite coal was discovered there in the 19th century, earning the place the nickname "The Diamond City." This city is the birthplace of Planters Peanuts, Woolworths, Bell Telephone and HBO.

And here's a good one. In an exhibition game in 1926 Babe Ruth hit the longest home run in baseball history in this city. The ball was still rising as it soared over the fence, landing in a park on the far side of a running track, 650 feet away from home plate. Babe was pleased.

So here we are now, pulling into town. Can you guess where we are?




 
Scroll down.




 
    Scroll down.




 
  Scroll down.




 
  Scroll down.




 
  Scroll down.




 
  That's right, you guessed it, Wilkes-Barre PA, 103 miles from our starting point, on the banks of the beautiful Susquehanna River in Wyoming Valley, between the Poconos and the Endless Mountains!

 

Wilkes-Barre was named in honor of two British members of Parliament, John Wilkes and Isaac Barre, and first named. Durkee's Connecticuters "won" the Pennamite Wars, but had to pledge their allegiance to (and become part of) Pennsylvania as a condition of the conflict being fully resolved.

As for Chief Teedyuscaung, he died in a fire in his dwelling. Arson was suspected. Things never end well for the Native Americans, do they?

But now that we have arrived, we need to learn to pronounce "Wilkes-Barre." Here's how: The name is pronounced Wilks'-ba-ra--with a slight accent on the first syllable; 'i' in the first syllable being sounded as 'i' in 'pin', 'a' in the second syllable as 'a' in 'mat' and the final 'è'; as 'a' in 'mate'. The French 'e' with the 'close' accent has the sound last noted." Pretty simple, right?


We'll see you again for another make-believe 100 mile road trip. Make sure to prepare for all your real-life road trips and your daily driving at Steve's Auto Service. Call 973-829-1618 for an appointment today.

Lessons from a Small Town 4th of July

I wanted to share some photos taken during the festivities in a small town Fourth of July this past week. These amazing pictures have got me thinking about the simple things in life, and how much closer I was to simple joys and pleasures when I was a child.

   Here is a baker's dozen set of photos. I've added a few simple words of wisdom to go with each photo from this small-town Fourth of July adventure.

  In this particular small town, the whole population turns out to walk or ride in the parade, especially parents with young children. They might not have a lot of fancy floats and motor vehicles, but they have everything that counts.

  May you always live by these words of wisdom, no matter what your age. Happy Fourth of July to the young-at-heart in all of us!

1. Join the crowd. Be part of something bigger than yourself.

2. If you want to sing out, sing out.

3. Riding in the back has its advantages.

4. You ARE the fireworks. BE the fireworks. Everyone will love you.

5. Enjoy the passing scene. Look out the window, even if you haven't got one.

6. Be self-propelled and self-balancing. Now you are unstoppable.

7. A flag ribbon always looks good in a pony-tail.

8. Do more with less. Push off and glide.

9. Greet every stranger like a long lost friend.

10. Adorn your life with crepe paper and flags.

11. When the day is long and hot, take a short nap in the shade.

12. You have a stunning mane of hair. Wear pretty ribbons in it.

Bonus: When you grow up, find someone who enjoys your inner-child.