One, Two, Grip, Flex--but Don’t Forget to Brake
Mark Rattiner looks at a car and sees a gymnasium.
To a flabby and stressed-out world, he asks: Why waste all those hours behind the wheel? Why not arrive at work or home fit and mellow?
Why not buy Autocise ($19.95), a new audio tape prescribing a series of steering-wheel-gripping and tummy-tensing exercises for drivers?
Rattiner, 66, of Point Loma, says he thought up the Autocise idea while recuperating from heart bypass surgery. He’s a semi-retired real estate agent and former owner of a San Diego cheesecake store.
“This is for people who say they don’t have time to exercise,†Rattiner said. “Too many people arrive at work stressed-out and unproductive and have to spend 30-minutes drinking coffee to get ready for the day.â€
The tape, consisting of instruction backed by soothing music, tells the driver to put the fingers and palms in different positions on the steering wheel and squeeze, push or pull.
The California Highway Patrol is unconvinced. “The CHP recommends you don’t do anything but drive when you’re driving,†said John Marinez, CHP spokesman in San Diego.
Rattiner thinks the CHP is being an automotive Cassandra. A more relaxed driver is a better driver, he argues:
“An exercising driver is much less likely to get frustrated and shoot someone in traffic.â€
Rattiner sees Autocise, now available through an 800 number, as particularly good for tennis players and golfers--grip and upper body strength being so important.
I met Rattiner when he joined our foursome recently at Torrey Pines.
He says he had done some Autocise while driving to the course. I followed my usual regiment: eating doughnuts and listening to an oldies tape on the car stereo.
For comparison purposes, I could tell you which of us did better on the course.
But, frankly, I don’t think one round of golf proves anything. Besides, doughnuts get enough bad press already.
Hoping to Get the Brush
Back to the future.
* A car of a different color.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider Sheriff Jim Roache’s request to paint 60 new sheriff’s cars black and white.
Bye-bye to the Irish green favored by John Duffy.
* Tom Payzant, superintendent of San Diego schools, is to meet with Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Brom on Feb. 6, in the bishop’s office. Their first-ever meeting.
Among the possible topics for discussion: Brom’s position on a proposal to place a health clinic at Hoover High School in East San Diego.
Brom’s predecessor, Leo T. Maher, successfully fought school-based clinics because he felt they would lead to counseling about abortions and birth control.
The current clinic plan does not include such services, but anti-abortion activists feel it’s only a matter of time. Brom has yet to take a stand.
* Supervisor Susan Golding’s highly probable try for mayor will be managed by George Gorton, who helped run Pete Wilson’s gubernatorial campaign.
The Golding campaign will include help from Mike McDade (organization), Nancy MacCutchin Chase (fund raising), and possibly Tom Shepard (strategy). All three were key to Roger Hedgecock’s 1983 mayoral campaign.
Grim Laughs
One thing after another.
* Comedian Jay Leno is heartened about that newborn otter at Sea World whose mother had been doused by the Exxon Valdez spill:
“The pup is swimming well and getting 15 miles to the gallon.â€
* Overheard in a San Diego store: “ . . . as worthless as an Iraqi war bond.â€
* North County bumper sticker: “Only Elephants Should Wear Ivory.â€
* San Diego Police Chief Bob Burgreen told his cops to make no public comments on the Persian Gulf War.
Sheriff Jim Roache is taking a different tack. He has asked deputies to drive with their headlights on to show support for U.S. actions.
* The anti-war campaign in San Diego has its own flag: white background, with red heart and blue peace symbol. A Point Loma woman is doing the sewing.
