Johnny Kramer – Muscles, Mythology & Cerveza, the Nectar of the Gods

This week I had the chance to interview Johnny Kramer.  He has worked her for a while now and is responsible for several laughs around the PreDriven Used Car store and is a pleasure to talk with. Going out of the Runde Chevrolet building you are almost guaranteed to see the house he lives in on the western horizon as it lies on the hill across from Runde’s overlooking our every move.

What do you do here at Runde’s?
I’m a detailer. I do everything:  lot maintenance, checking cars for gas levels, making sure they start promptly, washing the cars and cleaning them up, and basically just making sure they are ready to go.

What’s the best part of your job?
The fact that my boss lets me be in charge when he leaves.  It shows me that he has confidence and trust in me which makes me feel good.

How long have you been here?
I started working here almost two years ago.

Are you originally from the area?
Yea, not Hazel Green, WI, but East Dubuque where I live with my grandparents up on the hill overlooking Runde’s – I’ve been there for six years now.

What’s it like living on top of the world?  What kind of view does Johnny Kramer wake up to every morning?
Oh it’s nice, I like the house.  It has beautiful scenery and there are plenty of places where you can go on a walk which is especially nice with a dog.

What kind of dog do you have?
He’s a Sheltie named Ruben.   He’s four-years-old and everybody gets along with him.

Ever cartwheel down the hill?
Nope, never.

Roll down it?
Nope.

What about in a shopping cart?
Nope.

Ever do anything cool on the hill?
I’ve had bonfires and stuff like that.

What are your pass-times and hobbies?
I love to drink beer. My favorite beers are Michelob Ultra and Michelob Ultra Amber.  Other than that I like to listen to music and read up on mythology. I also work out with free-weights everyday and do a ton of ab crunches with the Ab Lounge. It’s great, you really should try it.

What kind of mythology are you interested in?
Greek, Roman, Celtic, etc. I’m very interested in that kind of stuff. I also like to read old books, mostly pertaining to philosophy and books like Homer’s Odyssey, Dante’s Inferno, etc.

Do you have a favorite book?
No, not really, I just like a nice variety. I don’t really have favorite things because that’s when you get stuck; you have to just enjoy a variety of things.

Do you have a favorite hang-out spot in the Tri-States?
No, I don’t. I basically just stay at home and come to work when I’m needed.

If Johnny Kramer could be any kind of vehicle, what would he be and why?
I’d be something cheap because I’m kinda hard on my vehicles.

If you could be any one thing, what would you be?
I’d probably be a Greek God.  Between: Apollo, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon.

Do you have a favorite Greek hero?
Definitely Achilles because he was an excellent Greek fighter that made Hercules look like a wimp. Dionysus would be another one — the Greek God of partying.

I named my Husky after the Norse God “Odin” who’s associated with wisdom, war, death, poetry, victory and all that good stuff.
Oh, very nice.

You watch a lot of movies?
On and off, I mostly like the Monte Python stuff as well as cartoons like Sponge Bob, Ren and Stimpy, Family Guy, and American Dad.

Do you have a favorite band or musician?
Probably the Beatles, I have pretty much everything they released – Dvd’s, discography, etc. I also like Layne Staley, the singer from Alice in Chains and all grunge music.

If you were to win the lottery what would you do with the money?
I’d buy all of the land up in East Dubuque where I currently live and make a big house on the hill. I would then share my money with the family. If I had enough to give my family enough to where they wouldn’t have to work again, I’d do that. There’s no point in being greedy.   If you have enough, you should share with your family. The most important thing in my life is my family.

What’s one invention you can’t live without?
Beer.

What’s your favorite part of the day?
Going home and drinking beer.

What would Johnny Kramer do if he could be president for a day?
I wouldn’t want the job. If I had to change something, though, I’d stop racism and violence. I’d love one day where everyone could just get along and drink together peacefully.  I’d toast to that.

Wouldn’t people be more prone to be meaner and more violent if they’re drinking?
The rules would be: THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET ALONG TOGETHER.

Once last question.  What is the best car dealership in the Tri-States?

That’s an easy one … Runde Auto Group.

Thanks for the interview Johnny.