Narrative

Vermonter

Big Jay

A narrative is a story or account of connected events. The narrative of every ski season varies significantly year to year, but each season’s narrative always includes a beginning. Let’s call today the preface to a new narrative.

My own narrative became contaminated. I developed a false self narrative and I followed the script off a cliff. The story began to frame me instead of me framing the story. The narrative no longer felt like my own. But in an insidious way, it still felt like I was writing the story. A default program stuck in an infinite loop; the story would not progress, the next page could not be turned.

I cannot control the narrative of the ski season. But I can (exert the illusion of) control (over) my own narrative. I can choose how to present the narrative arc of the protagonist. I can stop the record from skipping incessantly. I can lift the record off the turntable and break it apart like the problematic unconscious self narrative that was endlessly repeating in my head. I choose to recast my tale.

Buddy's Bench

Upper Milk Run

Reach out for help.

And then reach for the next sheet of paper, reach for a pen, and start writing again.

Reach for a summit that once inspired you and then open yourself up to be inspired again.

5 thoughts on “Narrative

  1. This is the first TSW “trip report” post that was written before the skiing was actually done. I think that means TSW has officially completed its gradual evolution from a ski trip blog to a personal blog. Future posts will likely continue in this fashion. Continuity with any given ski day or related images may or may not happen in any given post.

  2. Nice concept, keep it up. It will be interesting to see how the narrative shapes your season. Lovely pictures as well.

  3. I have followed your blog for a while and have always appreciated your writing. Keep writing and keep up the skiing!
    Hope this is the best season yet

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