Short story conveys The Power of Tahoe

Posted on January 28, 2008
Filed Under LT Writers |

He believes Tahoe is the stage to experience the genuine potential of one’s individuality.

In this short story, Michael Ribaudo, shares his experience of growing up in South Shore with keen observation and insight.

Heady Manipulation by Michael Ribaudo

Small towns have a low population with not the greatest of access to the world that’s happening. The metropolis: where people are making moves and taking care of the ‘biz’. So the odds of a small town kid becoming a superstar in a traditional team sport or activity is slim and closer to none—at least that’s what they say when you’re young. Coming to a realization of success materializes out of an efficient use of apparent resources.

The world still pays dues to the mega-star on the television or the cereal-box champion, but the grassroots, word-of-mouth, “seen him somewhere”, recognition of the underdog-like, independently-renown participant in the scene, not watching the scene, is gaining the attention of people who make a difference in the realm of sub-culture.

Being out in the ether, to-ing and fro-ing with others who are actualizing their value through interaction, communicates an exchange, a metamorphosis of ideas and perceptions. Take a chance on risk. The individuals who are top-notch, and even the ones who are good enough to get a head-turn, thrive on the will and dedication to experiencing the new.

By doing something that you wouldn’t normally do like wearing a tuxedo to the bar or riding switch all-day on the mountain, a great story awaits after the first few drinks and an enhanced sense of your riding ability is a committed day away. Manipulating the possibilities by changing the tune that directs perception advances the realm of capabilities. Just flip things about to gain a new perspective and the world will open up and give back.

If you listen to those who don’t want to change, those who watch the ‘tube’ incessantly—fit in the typical mold of sub-urban living—then nothing new will happen and life will consist of funneling into a spectator after not amounting to anything in the systematically cradled haven of mainstream sports, sports that thrive on a system of others.

It’s the solace of independence that shines above labels and the restraints of expectations. Why subscribe to any preconceived notion or appearance? Tahoe encounters all walks and the spectrum of styles is highly represented. Those who pose are sniffed out within the first minutes. The population may be small in South Lake Tahoe, but the styles and people are widely diverse.

Be you by being real to the representative blend of historical trends, dislikes, and likes. In a place like Tahoe, the availability to test the self’s capabilities is endless. It’s a platform to gain empowerment by experiencing the genuine potential of one’s individuality. Tahoe is the training ground to do what it is that 90% of the population watches on television. The access here rests on the honesty with the eccentricity, particularly oneself. It’s embracing the quirks that compose what make each individual unique. Escape the trends and the groups, the cliques and the scenes. Create yours.