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Where is Mike?
Aspen Here We Come - 1/6/03

If you didn't know already I've added a new leg to the trip. I'm now going to spend four months living in Aspen, CO and working as a volunteer. I'll be working with two different organizations while I'm there.

The first is the Aspen Race Program where I'll help organize various race events. For my time I'll get a seasons pass.

The second and most excited experience will be with a program called Challenge Aspen. Here I'll get trained to work with people of various ages who have disabilities and need assistance while skiing. I'll actually spend a day blind folded myself from 8-4 with an experienced guide learning what it is like and the appropriate way to work with blind skiers throughout the day. This should be amazing and much of my time will be spent working with this program.

Last minute I was able to convince my friend Scott to move out of NYC and join me for the winter. He's been able to secure a job as an Aspen ski instructor as well as a bar tender and night. We have a two bedroom two bath condo right on the mountain...literally ski in/ski out. I'll post pics as soon as we get there.

To make the vision complete I purchased the obnoxious monster Jeep you see on the home page and below. I just thought it would be so much fun to have one of these out there, especially when people are driving $100k sport utilities. This thing is big, loud, and has a stereo system to match. My goal is to be the terror of Aspen and have a great time doing it.

Stay tuned.

I've turned my Father's place into a used car lot. He's not complaining as he will be using the Pontiac for the winter and has the arduous task of keeping the Vette running. Considering I'm having new super wide tires put on it I'm sure he'll be enjoying himself for the next 4 months.

Wait until he finds out I'll be moving in with him and expecting a deeply discounted rental rate (like free).

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Picked up a Uhaul and started off for NYC to pick up Scott and his stuff. Then down to DE for the fun task of going to DMV for inspection, title, and plates. DMV is about as much fun as going to the dentist.

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What a day...we were the first people in the inspection line. I was worried about passing emissions despite all the precautions I took to ensure it would pass. Good news is that it passed with flying colors. Bad news is that it failed inspection because it had a broken side marker turn signal and illegal blue headlights. Scott and I went to Pep Boys, purchased the parts and a screw driver installed everything and went back to DMV. This time we actually made it through.

The vehicle was filthy inside. I brought it to a detail shop for a total scrubbing and wax. They actually dropped us off at a local bar to wait. Three hours later, and I lost track of the beers, they picked us up. When I saw the jeep I couldn't belive my eyes. They did the most amazing job and it looked like a new truck. They even gave me full interior carpeting for free (much better than the metal floors). For those of you who live in Delaware I highly recommend these guys. They will get all my work from now on. Detail Masters 302-738-7020 right on 273...ask for Carl.

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