“I can’t stand to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.”
Ernest Hemingway
Last week during my Italian lesson, my teacher Lucia asked me to write a paragraph about something I recently accomplished that made me proud. The paragraph had to be in Italian and then the usual corrections would follow. I was never someone who engaged in self-pride thinking. It was always difficult for me. However, that day was unique. I had no problem finding something to write about. It was something I recently did that gave me that, “Damn..I did that!” feeling, and reinforced a lesson about living life with more spaghetti and less pizza, and I’m not talking about eating. By the way, you’re going to want to read the entire blog. There’s a live-action movie and a real twist in the end!
Growing up, I had absolutely no interest in sports of any kind. When I was a child, my father was hell-bent on me playing baseball. I tried it, but found it was more interesting to sit in the outfield counting bees and picking dandelions. My baseball-playing days were over one memorable day when a butterfly caught my attention and my nose caught a baseball. I think my parents realized then I was never going to be an athletic child.
After moving to California, I was interested in snow-skiing. Ski resorts were plentiful and easily accessible. Despite my interest, fear prevented me from attempting it. I thought waiting until your 30s or 40s would leave you with an injury instead of a sense of accomplishment. I also didn’t have a social network of avid skiers to encourage me to go. We were professional workaholics, foodies and socializers. Skiing wasn’t something we did.
Torino sits at the base of the Alps, and during the winter months, skiing is part of the culture. There are beautiful vistas to see, a variety of ski slopes available, charming villages to explore and warm refugios for après-ski food and drink. When the Italiano talked about winter in Piemonte, skiing was on top of his list of things he wanted me to experience, and I had no hesitation in saying yes to the idea. I just had a few simple rules for me to follow before I started:
Rule #1 Find an instructor who speaks English.
Rule #2 Have fun and try to laugh when you fall.
Rule #3 Don’t give up when frustrated, just enjoy the moment.
Rule #4 Try hard not to break anything.
Meet Sebastiano
Two weeks ago I found myself in Pontechianale, a storybook alpine village near the border with France. It was there I met Sebastiano, the Italiano ski instructor who would teach me the basics for one hour and then leave me on my own. Apparently the English-speaking instructor was unavailable–Sebastiano was the next best thing. Rule # 1 was out the window.
We started on the “bunny-slopes” of course with the basic instructions. However, after 20 minutes or so, Sebastiano revealed his interest in American politics and sprinkled his Italian language with words like impeachment, congress and Trump. Now I had to sort through the relevant words of instruction versus political opinion. This wasn’t going to be easy. Sebastiano also thought that louder was better in the event you’re not understood, after half an hour, the crescendo of his voice was ominous. Eventually, he was yelling commands at me, “Avanti..avanti..vai..vai..vai!” Forward..forward..go..go..go!
I suffered a few falls, and some were intentional. Apparently, this a big no-no. Sebastiano was not happy when he saw my crafty controlled ditch and proceeded to get very stern. It wasn’t my first foreign language scolding, but I couldn’t help but laugh. Honestly, a heated exchange in Italiano still sounds wonderful. I think I lost Sebastiano at this point. I was having fun, even at my expense. Rule# 2 was a definite success!
Sebastiano decided he wasn’t going to put up with my jovial approach any longer. He proceeded to take my hand, lead me to the lift, and break my jovial spirit on top of the ski slope.
It was a gentle slope but daunting for my first day skiing. Sebastiano directed my attention to the young children whizzing by me like Vespas, as if that would make me confident. I was a little jealous of their carefree courage. You only get one shot at that childlike “ignorance is bliss”, and at 49-years old, my shot was over.
The Spaghetti-Pizza Breakthrough
With the sea of children around me, I kept hearing their instructor yell to them,“Fai pizza…fai spaghetti.” Do pizza..do spaghetti. I wondered what food had to do with skiing. Then I realized, he was instructing the kids on how to point their skis. Spaghetti meant skis straight forward for speed. Pizza meant you spread out the back of your skis to slow down or stop–like a pizza slice.
Being a willing responder to both pizza and spaghetti, I immediately resented Sebastiano for not instructing me like a 5-year old. I would have picked up skiing much faster with food analogies. It was so easy to remember, that it became my mantra for the rest of the day.
I couldn’t help but relate this expression to my life that day, living life with more spaghetti and less pizza. Here I was, taking risks, having fun, and choosing to go fast into something without really knowing how I was going to stop. Scary, but I was doing it!
After the “Spaghetti-Pizza Breakthough” I spent the rest of the day using the concept. Sure, at times I tired of falling and thought about calling it a day, but I never gave up. I didn’t feel frustrated, but I felt self-love and pride. After all of these years, here I am in the Alps learning to ski. I enjoyed the cold, the mountains, the beauty of the moment. Rule #3 was a definite check!
Living in Italy has been about living life with more spaghetti and less pizza. I realize much of my previous life was planned, methodical and maybe more pizza. I was anxious of risks, worried about not being able to control the outcome. However, once you start the spaghetti flywheel of life, it’s difficult to stop–and honestly, I don’t want to stop. I want to suck from life every bit of experience it is willing to give me.
Yes, there are overwhelming days. Days that feel like a full serving of spaghetti is in front of me. When those days happen; I try ground myself in reality. Who I am hasn’t changed, but how I live my life has changed. Here’s to living life with more spaghetti and less pizza.
Postscript:
Well, if you’re wondering about Rule #4, I’m finishing this blog lying comfortably in my bed in Torino. My right my ankle is propped on a pillow. I returned to Pontechianale this past weekend. On my last ski run of the day, I forgot to tighten my ski boot, fell and twisted my ankle (I told you there was a twist in the end). It was a completely preventable injury. Even though my ankle is the size of a grapefruit, I didn’t break anything. I’m counting Rule #4 as a success. I cannot wait to recover and try again soon!
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I laughed out loud at your baseball story. Having spent many hours at the little league field watching John and Jimmy, I can hear your dad yelling out to both of them. Your stories remind me of the past and I’m loving your present and am looking forward to your future escapades. Keep going, keep learning, keep living life to the fullest, and laugh when you fall.
You know exactly the baseball field I’m talking about, right? Jimmy and John were much better players than I ever could be. I’m so happy you are enjoying the memories. Each time I write, I always have some touchpoint to bring me back to my childhood. I’ll keep going and doing my best to live a full and fun life. Sending hugs to you!
Love, love, love this, as always. I am SOOOOO pizza, but I, too, have added some spaghetti in recent years.
V! Thank you for your comments..you are going full spaghetti these days..and keep it up!!! You’re living your best life..now. I still need my pizza every once in a while! Big hugs from Italy to you!!
Oh, yes, this is my very favorite of your installments! It could be the food analogy, it could be that I understand because I started skiing at 40, it could be because I think we all need to live a lot more spaghetti. A pizza life is over rated! Love you, Lucca!
Oh thank you! This one was fun to write! What a great experience …and being over 40 and starting is the best. You definitely get to be a bit pickier about the risks you take. Did you have all those 4-5 year old children whizzing by you? Kids these days!!! HA! Love ya, Mo! Sending big hugs!
i am SO proud of you! Just look at you go! Many more great things ahead for you Mr. Spaghetti! Love you!!!
Thank you!! You know – we needed to do this years ago, but with more chalet and less sprained ankles! Thank you so much! Trying out the spaghetti…but oooohhh the pizza!!! Love ya!
Loved this!!!! I couldnt wait to read till Sunday on my relaxation day! Im addicted. Don’t stop writting.
I hope you have a speedy recovery with your ankle.
I was cracking up reading this thank you!!! 😙😙😙
I pulled to trigger on this one early! It was too good to resist posting! Thank you Susan..so encouraging! The ankle is coming along better…the bruise is ugly but the grapefruit is now more like a plum 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed..and sending a big smooch to you!
Omg Luke, this was your best blog yet, in my opinion. Your baseball story took me back to when Billy was young and standing in the outfield. He was chewing on the string of his baseball pants watching planes fly over. Not a care in the world Fortunately, unlike you, he never took a ball to the face. He never connected with it to a bat either! He was fine without being an athlete. His love for aviation was much more important to him.
I was blessed enough to take the kids skiing in Colorado a few times. Billy picked up snowboarding like he’d done it his entire life. Alexis and I cried and laughed all the way down the mountain (hill).
I discovered while skiing, it’s very similar to life. You ARE going to fall Getting up on those awful snow boots was very difficult. The more we fall, the more determined we were to get up! I’ll never forget the feeling of utter peace and joy when all I could hear was the swish of my skis gliding down that beautiful mountain!
Much love to you my friend!
Holly, thank you so much for your vote on this one! I really enjoyed writing it – and it came easy. That always says something about how others will relate.
I loved hearing about Billy’s experience. I could see him as I read your comment. I wish I had more opportunity to spend with him, and I know how much he loved flying. There is something about not having the pressure to be great, and just doing it for yourself. That makes it fun. We can all learn a lot from just having fun and not a care in the world!
I can see Billy snowboarding now….but you and Alexis clinging on a slope..made me smile!
You are going to fall..and yes, the process with those boots is a great incentive not to fall in the first place. I can’t tell you how many people helped me put my skis back on or go fetch them when they had separated from the rest of me 🙂
Much love to you…and here’s to hearing the “swish” of skis and and the “swish” of life..gliding down that beautiful mountain! We should all listen for the swish. It’s a beautiful thing.
OMG…I never knew you had the same baseball technique I did! I am glad you are going the full spaghetti and also taking advantage of the Piemonte…I am never too old to start something new, so that puts you just 11 months ahead of that range.
You and I should play for the same team…we’d lose every game but have lots of fun in the outfield. LOL. Yes..you have 11 more months than I do to do some damage. Full spaghetti is the way to go!
Oh boy! We’ll definitely have to go skiing when we’re there!
My first experience was much like yours, only my Sebastiano was my partner and he had no idea how to ‘teach’ the basics even if he spoke English. I eventually got myself over to the ‘bunny slopes’ and tagged behind a bunch of kids with their instructor. That’s how I learned!
Yes, you have to suck every bit of experience as possible. You only have one shot at this life and make it fabulous!
Well I have a feeling, based on all of those Mammoth pix, we will be on different slopes skiing! Would love to have the chance.
I’m telling you, if you can follow those kids..they will definitely speed up your confidence. Those children are fierce! I was still on the bunny slopes..and they moved on to the “red” slopes! Watching the little ones go for it…was just inspiring.
Here’s to every experience possible! You have a great weekend, Tony!
Lucca,
Iam laughing out loud as I write this note. I have a very clear pic of you in outfield daydreaming…and seeing you flying down the ski slope I bet you were shouting pizza, pizza spaghetti!!!
You just keep breaking though all the barriers… and glad u didn’t break any body part in the process. Rule number 2 should be “no thy equipment” tighten the boots and be sure ur bindings will release!!!
Keep enjoying life my friend. Hi to the Italiano!!!
Much love and adoration!!
You would have been a much better ski instructor!! I was literally verbalizing out-loud…pizza… no more spaghetti…a little more pizza..spaghetti!!! And yes, those damn boots! I did learn a new phrase…”stringi gli scarponi”, Tighten those boots!
Love and hugs back to you both!!!
I love your story as usual. The video is great and you are looking good in the last clip! Proud of you fearless one!
Thank you Ms. Linda!!! Oh there could have been so many more clips for that video! Lots of material to work with..LOL. Love you bunches!
Such a good story. love the video and proud of you! keep on living life and loving every minute of it. Hope your ankle gets well soon! Love
Thank you! The ankle is on the mend…the bruising is shifting a bit..so either it’s healing, or it’s going to fall off…LOL . Thank you for your kind words and support! XOXO I do miss my Florida family! Love back to you!
I love this! I am right there with you on the slopes…that video could have very well been me! LOL! I love your approach to life and I love you! Keep living your best life, you deserve it my friend!
I have a feeling Cheryl, if you were there…none of this ankle business would have ever happened! We would have our feet up in a nice chalet sipping some incredible wine! Thank you for your words of encouragement! We both deserve it!
Bravissimo! Hai fatto incredibilmente bene! You are such a great writer. I was there with you for a moment. The video is hilarious … but ended beautifully! Keep on living keep on loving keep on laughing. Me? I am stuck here with Sebastiano’s opening topics! Alora……..
LOL…grazie mio amico! You and I should go skiing together…could you imagine? We might actually break rule #4…but what a thrill we would have. Senza tentazioni, senza onore!
ciao Lucca , so totally enjoyed this one ! I so related . I was pizza pizza. MOLTO BRAVO ! Io sono invidioso
this is a saying about life but often given at weddings from Statigliano , surely known to your great grandparents.
Always drink from the glass that is full
Always fill the glass that is empty
don’t just leave the glass full
and never leave it empty
si stringere la vita !
Gina,
Io e te siamo stati la pizza, ma stiamo cambiando! Grazie per le belle parole. Mi piacciono tantissimi. 😘🤗
Great story Luke and thanks for sharing the ski lesson clip – that was entertaining. Certainly some falls – but you looked like a pro coming down the hill at the end! SCORE!
That’s much more than I can say for myself, when my oldest son took me up snowboarding the first time. Let’s just say, I made it down the hill, but I think I bounced off of every part of my body getting there. Lol.
Hope your ankle is doing better and as always, thanks for sharing.
Paul
Paul, I’m glad you enjoyed the video! If you can’t laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at – right? Needless to say – I’ve been sitting out the last few weeks. Who knew that an ankle would take three weeks to return to almost normal. I’m recovering well – but still avoiding the slopes. I know the feeling of bouncing off immovable objects..the ground being one of them! 🙂
Thanks for reading and for the comment – and I’ll keep trying to improve the skiing so I’m sure more videos will follow! Enjoy the day!
Luke