So my original plan was to visit a few cities to see a few friends, then something happened. I found out that a friend in Colorado was getting married. This meant one thing, all my close friends that I wanted to visit were going to be in the same city at the same time, at the same wedding. I couldn’t miss it.
So I booked and and rolled into Vail with fury. It was amazing to see everyone again. Truly amazing. It may have only been a hour or even 10 minutes, but it was worth it all. I feel awesome to have the friends what I do. I wish all of them the best with whatever they may do and will do all I can to help them get where they are going.
I want to thank everyone who helped me with rides, a couch to crash on, and coffee. I met some new friends that I wish I would of had when I actually lived in Vail. But, the chips have fallen different ways. I am glad to have met them and am officially Facebook friends with them now. Which means random messages about inside jokes and other random things. I can’t wait.
Congrats to the newly weds, I wish you the best.
Peace out CO. Maybe someday we will cross paths again.
Well, it’s been a adventure here in Los Angeles. I’ve had some awesome times with some awesome people. But it’s time to move on. Tomorrow I board a plane to San Fran, from there to Beijing, and from there to Shenyang my final destination. thirteen hours and fifty two minutes to Beijing and another hour and ten minutes until I finally arrive in Shenyang. Total 15 hours of flight time, close to three hours of layovers, one international date line, and a lot of sleep (I hope). I’ve got an Ipod, Psp, in flight movies, magazines, and thumbs to twiddle just in case I can’t. I will no doubt write about watching people. I think it’s fun. So get ready for some more nonsense.
Some may ask why I am moving to China. I argue why not. I’ve come to a point in my life where I don’t quite know what to do but didn’t want to do what I was doing. Colorado is amazing. If you have lived in the valley you know what I mean when I say that it’s a stagnant pool. Not much unlike living in Lowell or Saranac. As of 2000′s census, Lowell contained 4,013 people. Avon contained 5, 561 people. Here are some more stats for you from Wikipedia.
Avon:
There were 1,890 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.23. In the town the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 47.1% from 25 to 44, 13.3% from 45 to 64, and 1.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 141.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 144.0 males.
Lowell:
There were 1,492 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.17. In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
Interesting huh? Well take a look at the last line. In Lowell there are 100 girls per 89 guys. In Avon there are 100 girls per 141 guys. Nice huh. Yeah just awesome. This isn’t my only beef in the valley. And yes it’s a little extreme. There are girls in the valley. Some I found interesting but most were just pro hoes or miss independents. You get the picture. Everyone moves there to have fun, be independent, and live their own life.
After 4pm I didn’t think there was much to do unless you were an alcoholic. I want to see art, shows, photography. I want to see more than 4 movies at a theater, walk around, etc, etc. Pretty much the only venue to see a show in Vail closed last year. That sucks. You began to feel trapped. Not just figuratively but for real. I mean really there is only one road through the entire valley. No culture was my biggest thing. Or a lack of the culture that I wanted to participate in. I didn’t want to always be in the snowboarder crowd with the grungy look. I wanted to be in the east village in NY or LA. Somewhere you could talk to other people with the same interests. The valley didn’t provide this, at least outside of snowboarding. The winter was the only time that I could do what I wanted. And during those six months all I did was work, shred, take photos. That’s it. Like I said I had some awesome times with awesome people. This is just my take on it. Working there was also pretty chill as long as you could deal with rich people yelling at you because your three minutes late. That got to me. I don’t like getting ripped into even if it’s not my fault. Especially if it’s something so dumb like being a few minutes behind. I also didn’t find it challenging enough. Everyone wants a job that they can sit around and do nothing. You can only do that for so long until you get bored. That’s what I was, bored. But whatever, it was a cool job and was fun most of the time. Cost of living was a big thing also. I made pretty good money but I think that I could of made the same somewhere else. I paid more for rent that some of my family did for their house payments, and I had three roommates.
So why China. Well, I needed a change. I want a challenge in life. I want to take photos other then snowboarding. I want to learn a second language. I want to experience something other than America. I want to see as many perspectives in life as I can. So that’s why. I thought the country was so interesting the last time I went, that I am moving there for at least six months. And who knows I may be there much longer. This may or may not answer any questions. But if it doesn’t then go ahead and ask. I’ll answer. If anything it will make myself think about what I am doing. I’m glad that I started this blog. It’s for me as much as it is for anyone else. My brain needs an outlet and whether anyone listens matters not.
Well, the Subaru is loaded up and when I say loaded up I mean I had to stash junk under my feet. Mainly a vanilla scented candle, a small box, and a super clamp/magic arm combo. At least the candle in theory should make the 18 hour drive home that much more pleasurable. Today I leave Colorado. The place that I have hung my hat for the last two and a half years. An awesome place where I have met some of my greatest friends. I head home to Michigan. America’s high five. Unfortunately I don’t have time to go into the details on Colorado or my move to China just yet. A few notes to myself before I go: When planning on leaving, leave when planned. Thus you don’t have to deal with the snow in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Do not acquire any more junk. Make it to Silverthorne, purchase one Slurpee, two Kit Kats, and a full tank of gas. Thereafter the Slurpee will be replaced by bad gas station cappuccino. At least for the next 1200 miles. And last but not least. Hershey’s syrup works great as a early morning pick me up. Tilt and squeeze into mouth. Enjoy. So goodbye Colorado, goodbye blender, goodbye toaster oven. I am so sorry that I couldn’t fit you into my car. I had more important things to fit.. Like snowboards and magazines full of photographs.
Peace.
