Fond of rankings, quotes, and writing about fast food side dishes, Mr. Berkowitz never found much appeal for penning his own bio. Not growing up in Springsteen country NJ; post-college in NYC, and still lamenting the transition from token to Metrocard; nor after settling down beachside in LA, an area he was surprised to discover was more popular with foreign tourists and the homeless than the well-tanned – if not necessarily well-read – city locals.