The Gaper Spirit Animal

[wolfelot]

so were any lawyers involved?

Judging by some pms I received last spring I believe there may have been.

[TGR420]

so were any lawyers involved?

No. This is way beyond that. Lawyers would not know what to do with
Something of this magnitude.

[MJbumper1121]

Fixed for ya

No. This is way beyond that. Lawyers would not know what to do with
Something of this magnitude and beauty.

[wolfelot]

The GSA says his coming out party starts next week and he will deliver unto his fold of maggot believers true blessings and good tithings. This winter he will be at a hill near you. And he will want to ski with you. And, as a newly nearly non profit spiritual entity, like so many of us, he will dedicate his existence to skiing with every person in the world. If not in person, in spirit. And his spirit will help carry those whose path is difficult.

He's coming.

This is something that I prophesied in the early days. Consistent with many other heroes chronicled in sagas throughout the ages, the hero begins their quest not realizing they are the chosen one. Then they become self-aware and have an internal struggle trying to reject their new role as the hero. With time the hero owns it and performs many great deeds. I can't wait to hear what is next in the GSA saga!

[neck beard]

so were any lawyers involved?

Don't know.

But I'll bet some bankers are involved.

[oftpiste]

splat, please pm me with details. I am most anxious to worship appropriately.

[spook]

What a bunch of horrible drivel -- that shirt is like draping yourself in the nondescript outdoor marketing parlance from a start up on-line hoodie outlet. The text is a bag of cliches wrapped up in poor typesetting. There is no essence there at all.

Where is the soul of the Gaper, where is a hint of the iconic images that gave ascendency to the GSA -- if this is his idea of owning it, then he is a pompous fuck.

The King James revision of third century documents is clearly underway, yet another faith I must abandon it seems.

they created him in their image, what did you expect.

one more friendly fire crater along the roadside in history.

[daviski]

Orthodox:




Reformed:




And they call this progress?


Ah the days of yore:

[baron]

Any reports out of NYC of the GSA on treadmills now that power is back on in lower Manhattan?

he rappelled down the staircase of the twin towers ,with that rope (he still wears it on the stairmaster) ....... landing on a baby ,and a fireman

[Son-of-Pbville]

These days are sad.

The path has been altered.

The GSA has taken away what he has created.

Having had my own ears graced with the yet-to-be-self-aware-gaper-whom-had-only-been-recently-choosen-by-the-spirit-to-be-the-repersentative-of-all-gape-in-the-form-of-an-animal I cant believe I am about to say this, but.........


GSA has jumped the fucking shark.



The tears that I now cry will surely stain the tender belief.

It is with heavy heart and lost soul that I now search for the meaning of it all.

OH WHY GSA DID YOU FORSAKE US?

I now retreat to seclusion in the west wing to study the holy texts of the thread, and smoke a J because it is a bummer man.

Even charity cannot save the horror of the "Texted Tee"

** Insert Lucy wail here***

[BaNosser]

[DasBlunt]

what happened? Why is everyone mourning?

[philth]

Yes Why? Biff what's the latest?

[splat]

Where once he did gape, now he rips.

I can certainly understand the need of some to desire a never-ending source of entertainment and ridicule via semi-anonymous sightings of the GSA in action and the jumped the shark loss of faith is also understandable. But shit happens and things change. I mean, look what happened to Jesus when he let the abuse get out of control. Did you want to crucify the GSA only to have to wait until the end of days for him to take his place at the top of the mountain?

What would you have him do - don a Bozo clown suit and do backflips on a minitramp in front of the lodge to humor your reluctance to accept both his and your own enlightenment?

I am not privy to all the GSA has in store, but have chosen to have a little faith and see what happens next. All I really know is that, rather than wave the flag of butthurt because he was the source of so much ridicule and entertainment, the GSA has stepped up and proclaimed, "I like these maggots and I want to give back to them and others." His grace is imminently more forgiving and righteous than I could imagine from anyone, short of the Dalai Lama. Perhaps there is an opportunity for us all to learn something when, by accepting the #1 most gaperifically entertaining entity to ever hit the board, we allow ourselves to be more than what we were a year ago along with him.

Let he who has also pwnerized AK cast the first snowball.

[spook]

so he's getting paid.

[daviski]

Where once he did gape, now he rips.



I am not privy to all the GSA has in store, but have chosen to have a little faith and see what happens next. All I really know is that, rather than wave the flag of butthurt because he was the source of so much ridicule and entertainment, the GSA has stepped up and proclaimed, "I like these maggots and I want to give back to them and others." His grace is imminently more forgiving and righteous than I could imagine from anyone, short of the Dalai Lama. Perhaps there is an opportunity for us all to learn something when, by accepting the #1 most gaperifically entertaining entity to ever hit the board, we allow ourselves to be more than what we were a year ago along with him.

Well then we'll see, but if there's no sense of humor left in the end then there's not much point, who needs a Macho Spirit Animal.

if the essence remains so may faith

[Son-of-Pbville]

Splat, Wise words.

Yes perhaps it is not the GSA that has faltered, but that my own expectations were held in too high of regard.

To writ:

The GSA will never die, and is much bigger than any mortal.

IMHO the ski community needs to remember that getting "gnarly" comes at a cost. Recent thread here.

GSA reminds me of why I do the ridiculous act of going out in the freezing cold with plastic boots and carved sticks to ride a chair/legs up a mtn to simply take a risk and slide down.

I love that he is owning it.

It is even better he wants to help others with this momentum.

I have not thought of this as solely "entertainment", and enjoy how it has progressed. It is on the verge of being something much bigger than a "gaper" being the focus of ridicule. This investment banker has brought some much needed smiles and introspection to the community. THANK YOU GSA!!!

Forever I will hold HIS name in high praise.


MY GRIPE IS THE HIDEOUS POMPOSITY OF THE SHIRT!!!

The polemic on the reverse could not have been more cliche or trite.

I am clearly overeacting on this, because a shirt really means nothing. Thanks Splat, I lost the perspective again, I am glad to be reminded.

EDIT: YES, thats right daviski, we should not view the humor with disdain. It is what has made being a skier great, I get a chance to regularly laugh at myself.

[wolfelot]

I have faith in the GSA. Others should not waiver so easily. I'm excited about what is forthcoming!

[b0ardski]

oh ye of little faith...
"Where once he did gape, now he rips."
this is the essence of every seekers journey
when one says to you "lo he is there" or another says "he is here" remember that the kingdom of gape is within



ps the excessive verbosity on the back of that shirt is ,I'll be nice, a distraction

[BaNosser]

What a bunch of horrible drivel -- that shirt is like draping yourself in the nondescript outdoor marketing parlance from a start up on-line hoodie outlet. The text is a bag of cliches wrapped up in poor typesetting. There is no essence there at all.

Where is the soul of the Gaper, where is a hint of the iconic images that gave ascendency to the GSA -- if this is his idea of owning it, then he is a pompous fuck.

The King James revision of third century documents is clearly underway, yet another faith I must abandon it seems.

and this was an attempt at humor..??

[daviski]

that was more about the bullshit shirt and what it may portend


there's been some strong tributes in here:

[splat]

Pville and Daviski - I hear ya both, bros. And I know an honest critique of even His Most Holy does not go unheard. I'm quite certain the GSA appreciates your honest and heartfelt concerns and that He will take them to heart as He considers whatever His almighty plan might be. I am merely a vessel strewing flowers along the path of His Coming. I have informed Him that anything resembling a spammy approach to anything on TGR will garner an antagonistic response, to say the least, and He is aware of this. What He plans to do upon His arrival, I have only an inkling.

He has asked what He can do for maggots that would be most beneficial for and appreciated by them without coming off as a retired banker trying to promote a business venture and I said, "Shower them with that which matters most - stuff related to skiing." And skiing with mags for the ultimate bonding experience. I also mentioned, since I don't quite fully understand the ins and outs His charity for wounded vets, that a good explanation of how that fits in with maggots would be good to hear. I just want to see everyone have a good season, more maggot sharing, bonding and support for each other and an overall good vibe amongst a growing and diverse maggot population. I also asked for a 60/40 female to male ratio in the maggot population. I know...I'm really asking for a miracle with that request.

[wheels]

Praise be to the GSA. In the name of dos go pros the toe raise and the holy harness amen

[stuckathuntermtn]

THREE GO PROS, GET IT RIGHT.



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[My Pet Powder Goat]

It's two Gopros and 1 contour. you get i right, Rookie