I've always been risk averse in my life, choosing running and dancing rather than sky diving or race car driving, choosing the security of Medicine rather than risking the career of an artist, a writer, or even a realtor. It is therefore surprising that over the last 10 years or so, my skiing has taken on a more dangerous albeit adventuresome path. It seems that I derived an thrill and joy in skiing faster and faster until out of control. Truly, moment after moment of uncontrollable downhill skiing has generated an excitement, an energy, an immediacy, and a presence of the moment that is hard to describe except that it is exhilarating. It brought a propinquity that ventured far from any heretofore chosen path; it had me face the reality that reality indeed was not always controllable by your will, your machinations, your intellect or your instinct. This culminated in the inevitable fall at Deer Valley two months ago where I was truly lucky to walk away without any injury.
Two months later, at Big White, I can no longer pass this imaginary line. I am truly tentative and gun shy and afraid. I have been given due warning that a serious injury will result from my behavior. How many of us learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them and the inevitable aftermath. I hope that at least in this instance, I have learned from my experience.
My skiing this week will strive for control rather than exhilaration To be sure, that doesn't mean that I will hobble down the hill fighting every yard to keep control. Rather I will use the "proper" technique in navigating the slopes as swiftly as posible but never past that imaginary line of control. Do we ever learn from our mistakes? Words are cheap, time will only tell.
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| crazy cook, Al and Rachel, snow ghosts in the background |
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at the annual party of the Ing's at Big White with
Hawaiian music, hula dancer and ono grinds |
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| famous Gerri Stew |
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| MJ, Allan, Mayra |
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| some of the snow ghosts |
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