May 4, 2005
Welcome to my space on the World Wide Web. Rather than discussing important current events with this, my first post, I would like to tell you about something I did recently. It was a small thing, but sometimes the smallest things are the most important.
I was driving back from a meeting in Culver City in one of my favorite cars, a fully restored classic 1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster. It's truly a special car, and it never fails to turn heads even among those who do not immediately recognize its driver. In order to save time, rather than going north through Palms and thence to the outskirts of Beverly Hills, I had decided to take Venice Boulevard. It's a rather run-down area, but with the occasional surprising bright spot. Suddenly, I realized that my view of the world had changed...
It wasn't that serious of an issue, but my rear view mirror had suddenly fallen off the windshield.
I, of course, had several options. I could continue driving to Beverly Hills and have an assistant or the concierge handle the matter for me. Or, I could stop in at one of the auto repair shops, of which there were several in the area. However, I decided to momentarily shed the cocoon in which I - and all other celebrities - ensconce ourselves. I decided to fix the matter myself, with my own two hands.
I soon spotted an auto parts store, and I asked for their advice. After the usual "hey, aren't you Ward Beecher?" I was well on my way to fixing the problem. You will no doubt be as surprised to learn as I was that they have specialized adhesive to attach mirrors to windshields. I had assumed it would be a general purpose glue, but I had no idea there would be something specially made for the task.
I read the instructions and set to work. Thankfully, my mechanics had provided me with a glovebox full of useful tools, and I had soon applied the preliminary adhesive and then the final adhesive that presumably does the actual work. After a brief wait during which I signed a few autographs and otherwise saw how actual people live their day-to-day lives, I successfully reattached my rear-view mirror.
While I have done some remarkable things in my time - as well as some things of which I'm not proud - the moment when I reattached my rear-view mirror is a definite highlight. I felt that not only had I accomplished something, but that I had learned things and gained new, valuable life experiences.
As I said, sometimes it's the smallest things that teach you the most.
Posted by Ward to Ward Beecher at May 4, 2005 10:17 PM
A celebrity group blog from Ariadne Huffanan and Prince Gerdt von Linbloewer. Punditry from America's top minds. Your new home page. All you need to know.
