A smashed windscreen and advice from long ago
Published: Tue, 12/19/17
When I was a child my mother employed a cleaner called Mrs White. If I was at home when she was working we would chat about all sorts of things, I can’t remember what now but apparently we used to get on rather well for some reason. Mr White, her husband was a panel beater and worked in a car body repair shop nearby. On a few occasions I met him too and I would ask him about his work. One time I asked how a car windscreen is installed. I have no idea why I would ask this but I did. Mr White explained that the secret of installing a windscreen was to line the inside of the rubber surround with a cord of some kind. Then, as the replacement screen is pressed into place, the cord is pulled out causing the rubber lip to cover the edge of the glass and hold it in place. That conversation must have taken place at least 45 years ago and in the next couple of days I will be finding out if he knew what he was talking about. (I have no
doubt that he did and further research has confirmed that this is the right method to use when replacing a windscreen. In fact last night I got another tip about how to locate the cord in place before the glass goes in, thanks for that Paul.)
Why is this ancient nugget of wisdom suddenly valuable to me now? I drive an eighteen year old Citroen C15 van. It has just reached 200,000 miles and I have done most things to it to keep it running to this stage. About the only thing I had not done was change a windscreen. Then, last Thursday I was going to visit a friend in rural Oxfordshire on my way from Beverley to Epsom. I was driving down a B road which was still covered in a thick layer of ice and partially melted snow. I was managing to control the steering and deal with bright sunlight reflecting off the ice but I failed to realise that a tree branch had been partially broken down by the weight of the snow as was protruding across the road. There was a loud bang and the passenger side of the windscreen smashed. The branch then dragged over the cab and didn’t do the bodywork much good either.
Not an ideal situation but it could have been much worse. The laminated screen stayed in place and at least the van was still drivable. Which was just as well as I still needed to make it to Epsom to see my mother. Then the good news was that I have kept the windscreen from my first C15 which I scrapped it a few years back. The bad news, I had left it in Crewkerne when I ran out of space for my final load when we moved back in the summer. So, Sunday afternoon I drove back to Beverley via Somerset, 430 miles in less than 8 hours.
I have made a start straightening out the bodywork, this afternoon the old screen comes out. Then I will see if the principle of fitting a windscreen, shared with me so long ago, actually works in this case. Here is what van looks like today. https://www.screencast.com/t/Z8x1Cta8Fv I hope I can show you a very different image tomorrow.
What is most valuable? Knowing very specific techniques? Or, understanding basic principles and then working out how to apply those principles to actual situations? Right from the beginning Ivar would say, there are no techniques in Stav, just principles. Yes, I have certain techniques for training. But the only purpose of the training is to develop an understanding of principles. The principle is then applied to real life situations and the actual technique worked out as required. So, for example there are various techniques for training in the five principles of Stav. However, there is no reason to expect that any of these techniques will be useful in a real combat situation, all that matters is that you are equipped to make an appropriate response. The principles enable you to assess the situation and then formulate and effective response. This use of first principles applies to issues of health and well-being, business and
self-reliance, craftsmanship, spiritual development and all other aspects of life.
No one can be an expert at everything, in fact we will only be expert at very few things in a normal lifespan. On the other hand, we can grasp basic principles which can be applied to many situations with a bit of thought and asking the right questions. The purpose of Stav is to reveal these principles and enable us to ask the right questions, the rest is then up to you.
regards
Graham
PS I had some diaries printed up with the I&F logo. I have been sending them out to people on my mailing list but I find myself with a few more than I needed. So, I am happy to send you one if you were not on my original list but would like one. I am only prepared to send them within the UK though, some details are UK specific and the post will get expensive abroad. Here is what they look like, https://www.screencast.com/t/JfWNZe9a they are 150 by 90 cm and come with a pen in the spine. Just let me know your postal address and I will send you one. It may not arrive before Christmas but will be in good time for the new year. First come first served, I will not be ordering any more when they are gone.