Sometimes we find ourselves so consumed by what we are currently involved with that we fail to notice some subtle and not so subtle changes going on around us. For instance, take a look at the STREET RODDER staff. Have you noticed that former Tech Editor Jim Rizzo isn't around, or how about Tim Bernsau, the latest addition to the STREET RODDER staff? Old standbys like me, Ron Ceridono, Eric Geisert, and Ryan Manson are still here-for better or worse!
For starters, let me say that all is well with Riz as he has moved back to an old familiar garage as the editor of CLASSIC TRUCKS. We will miss Riz immensely around the SR computer motherboard but he's excited about getting back to directing his own title and staff, so we wish him the best. (He tells me not to interpret "being excited" as in getting away from me-I am not so sure! I should point out his office is next to mine and I still yell in the hallway when I need his help. Some thing's never change.)
Tim Bernsau moved from Rod & Custom and has already proven himself as a welcomed and beneficial member of the SR staff. He really does turn in his stories on time and this has totally befuddled the rest of the staff. Senior Editor Ceridono sent me an email when the production schedule was sent out last month that showed Tim was on time. Ceridono asked me, "Is he going to be like this every month; you really don't expect that from the rest of us?" On the one hand Tim was welcomed with open keyboards and toolboxes and on the other hand the old guard at SR is trying to convince me that turning stories in on time isn't really in everyone's best interests. According to the likes of Ceridono, Geisert, and Manson what is "really on time" and isn't editorial integrity something that cannot be time managed? Well, the answer is "on time" is on time and yes, editorial integrity can be managed.
Geisert and Manson's project lists continue to grow, which leads them to getting further and further behind on having any of their projects up and running. What the heck? Some things really don't need to change. Ceridono's project list is always something to behold, changing in numbers and complexity almost monthly!
Although it does appear a certain amount of respectability is creeping into Geisert's life, as he is "thinning the herd" and concentrating on only a "few" projects. As for Manson, well who the hell knows? I can't find him half the time as it is. He tells me he is either in the tech center working on a project I asked him to do or he is on the road handling the Turtle Wax/Street Rodder Top 100 program. He seems to be getting his work turned in and I do know he is involved with ongoing stories for another of our titles, Custom Classic Trucks, and that too seems to be getting done. I am inclined to think all is well and he really isn't holding down a second job as a "greeter" or "super sizing" someone's fast food order.
And then there is Ceridono. Senior Editor Ron Ceridono is quite the globe trotter, at least as far as car magazine staffers go. Before I tell you where he's currently headed, let me catch you up on some past travels.
The short version of Ron's wanderings, as we like to refer to them, begin in Idaho (that was after a move from NorCal) followed by a move to SoCal (which involved several local relocations), next was the almost transoceanic move to Hawaii (don't ask), and now back to the Mainland-near Portland, Oregon. All of this in the last 10-or-so years has left Ron with loads of experience in packing, freight forwarding, and temporary residences. He is also up to speed on company policy as it applies to personal income taxes and medical benefits in multiple states. As an aside, he has a heck of a background in the interstate shipping of pets, so animal vaccines are another of Ceridono's specialties.
It should also be noted that the not so transient staff members have moved offices no less than six times in the last 13 years and we have one more move in us some time over the next six months. This time I am going to make sure I have a "hot line" installed so I can find Manson.
Hopefully, what all this staff movement really means is there will always be car guys doing car things for other car guys to be shown on the pages of STREET RODDER and all will be right with the world. You, the SR reader and supporter, and we the transient and not so transient car mag types have been together for a long time. By the looks of things we've been through good and not so good of times, yet it appears we'll all be together for years to come. I guess in a world with so many uncertainties it's comforting to know where you can turn to find out what's happening, when it's happening, and where it's happening in your world of street rodding. "Manson, where are you now?!"