15 October 2016
That’s actually the title of a very funny movie that was released in
1987 and starred two of the funniest men in Hollywood at that time . . .
Steve Martin and John Candy. The movie is about a guy named Neal Page
(Steve Martin) who is somewhat of a control freak. Trying to get home to
Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his wife and kids, his flight is
rerouted to a distant city in Kansas because of a freak snowstorm, and
his sanity begins to fray. Worse yet, he is forced to bunk up with
talkative Del Griffith (John Candy), whom he finds extremely annoying.
Together they must overcome the insanity of holiday travel to reach
their intended destination. One of the best scenes is when they pass
through a tunnel . . . going the wrong way . . . and through movie magic
(and weird flashing lights) they are seen as skeletons as they pass
between two semi-trucks . . . John Candy bends the steering wheel and
Steve Martin’s fingers grip the dash so hard, they make indentations.
It’s a Thanksgiving “must see!”
Sadly John Candy passed away . . . too young. Steve Martin doesn’t do
much acting anymore, but he’s pretty incredible on the banjo and plays
with a bluegrass band called Steep Canyon Rangers.
Anyway, here’s the deal: Priority 1 . . . as soon as you can tell the
difference between a wrench and a screwdriver . . . you’re going to
learn how to deal with a vehicle.
Last week I ran over something metal and had to get a tire patched.
Today, after grocery shopping, upon returning to my truck, I found a
flat tire! I carefully drove it to an air machine where I pumped it up
and watched for a few minutes to see if it would hold until I could find
someone to fix it. Luckily, it was drivable, and it didn’t take long to
get it fixed. However, the next morning . . . on Sunday no less . . .
it was flat again. I could have changed the tire, but knowing I could
still drive a short distance on it, I decided to take it to my
mechanic’s and leave it overnight so they could put new tires on it. The
only reason I did this was because I felt pretty safe in doing so . . .
I was close to home . . . and any number of people could have helped me
if I had a real problem.
That said, your dad is a pretty good mechanic from what I understand,
so he and I had a little chat about that! He’s agreed that learning to
take care of a vehicle is important!! Am seriously hoping he’ll always
have something older you can tinker with since most modern car engines
are ridiculously complicated and generally require a trip to a trained
mechanic. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t learn how to check and
change a tire and your oil . . . how to determine when you need to
purchase new tires and belts . . . you know . . . important maintenance
stuff! Everyone should know how to do these things . . . but especially
boys! Yeah, I know, this may sound a little sexist, but remember, I
didn’t grow up in your world . . . and I actually had to rescue a man
one time . . . change HIS tire on the side of an interstate
. . . while I
was in a dress and heels!
And if the opportunity arises to learn to drive a train or fly a
plane too . . . then do so . . . these things only lead to new and more
exciting adventures!
“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” ~Thomas Edison
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