Nataly

Ha ha ha!! I've had marmite!! No, not going on a spouse basis.. He's just my favourite boytoy ! Yeah, got ya on the electronic stuff.. You shipped it out? By plane? Boat? I'll definitely have too much just to take with me, but thankfully no furniture. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Usual stuff.. Best way to send over my things (mostly clothes and books).. Anything useful about immigration.. Things I might not have considered.. And any stories about mishaps could be good too.. Even if they're not helpful, they might be funny!! And anyway, I could always learn from other people's mistakes! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Come on, be serious!!! Anyway, I'm on the east coast--not much snowboarding here. I challenge the next person to give better advice! YOU CAN DO IT!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Hi everyone! Knowing that skydivers are an adventurous bunch.. I thought this might be a good place to ask a few questions... I'm moving to the UK soon (gonna go live with my boytoy over there ). I'm in the process of applying for a work visa. I was wondering if anyone else had taken the leap and hopped across the pond (am currently in Canada).. Any advice? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

You know what, I don't even know!! He moved into the flat just about one week ago and is in the process of making it "livable" for us. I don't even care--I'm just excited to head out there (I have naughty thoughts in mind!) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

doing AFF, getting A-Licence, B-Licence and my Coach Ratings. But probably my *favourite* is when my current boytoy announced he'd be flying out to Canada (from England) for a visit.. And then he pestered me until I agreed to move out there! London here I come!!! Nataly :) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Thanks for the link! Yeah, I agree that the guys weren't very "manly" for my tastes.. Pretty gay, too--skydiving in your underwear.. I don't see how it relates to modeling. Not that I have a problem with seeing hot men in their undies--these guys just weren't hot. Who decided these guys were attractive, anyway?? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

FUCK!! How does anyone live without for 10 years??? Jesus.. To be fair, I haven't been "playing the field" long enough to go without for 10 years.. But I can't imagine giving it up until I'm 34 either! 2 years and a bit is my record--amazing how much the right jerk can put you off.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Hey, was watching TV and saw "the search for America's hottest male model" (hosted by Carmen Electra). The boys weren't so cute, but damn! They got to go to Perris for a jump! I'm *sure* I spotted Uli in there with his red jumpsuit--Uli you're such a hottie!! Anybody else watch the show and recognize anyone?? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

17 piercings and no metal detector has been set off. And yes--get a hood ornament. Best present I ever gave myself Just have one tip--be nice to your piercer.. Be clean, trimmed, and wear fresh underwear!!! I mean.. seriously.. piercers don't always enjoy the experience either!!! Wow, my picture looks seriously warped--I'm not that distorted in real life!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Right now?? I'm thinking of an uber-cute guy I met while travelling. He's on the other side of the ocean, and claims he's coming over for a visit. I don't know whether to jump for joy or slap myself out of the daydream. I'm tired of half-assed relationships and I'm thinking this is just another one of those--you know.. the ones that go nowhere. Isn't it funny that at any given time, someone, somewhere is thinking of a guy or a girl.. I think the important relationships in our lives (lovers or friends) are often put on the back-burner, and yet ask anyone what means most to them.. Love. Whether platonic or otherwise--isn't it what we all live for? Dunno.. I'm just the twat that's hoping someday I'll grow up and be involved in something real.. Nataly PS: Casch--go after it, man! She'll totally melt if you chase her.. (Just don't stalk! ) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I can *totally* relate.. Funny enough, I wasn't scared until jump #17. Sure, my heart was pumping, and I was excited, and I took my time climbing out on the Cessna's wingstrut.. But fear? Nope. More like anxiousness--until faithful #17. I came from a Cessna DZ, and didn't do AFF. I did 10 jumps over 2 years, with a grand total of like 12 seconds of Free Fall, then I went to Zephyrhills and did my AFF. Jump #17 was AFF level 7, where I had to dive out. The weather had been crap for about 5 days, and I was jumping with someone new, who totally freaked me out--plus, I had to do a dive out exit. There's great video of me standing in the door, petrified.. for about 40 seconds. That may not seem like a long time, but start counting and you'll see I was there *way* too long, listening to the AFF instructor yell at me to "GO!" What changed things is that at one point, he yelled so loud and insistantly, that I knew if I didn't jump he'd just kick me out. Then I thought, hey, I've done this before!! I just went for it, and the rest is history. It was a crap jump, but it's on video to remind me that the scary part is *not* going--once you're out the door, is a piece of pie!! Blus skies.. Just GO!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

All I can say is GET VIDEO!!! You will not regret it "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yeah, I am under 26.. Lots of supposed deals out there, but I probably won't have any plans until I get there--and even so, they'll probably change several times!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Ok, I am asking about where to learn, and *if* it is a good idea to start in Europe. Some tips on this would be good.. In case this wasn't clear, I am not looking to just up and go without proper knowledge/skills. I am not interested in killing myself--this is why I am seeking advice from people who have experience. Things I would like to know about BASE in Europe include where I could get a FJC, how much, where to jump for a beginner, and if it's worth my while to start in Europe (versus starting in the States, for example). I realise opinions may vary on these topics--please share them with me!! Thank you for the link! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Cool, thanks! A couple of people have mentioned this airline and a few others.. Does anyone know if it's worth it to get a Eurail pass? It has just about every country *except* the UK "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Awww man!! I can't make it there on time Thank you so much for the info, though! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Dunno.. I was so hoping to go.. I've been to Sweden, and always wanted to go back--it would have been so awsome to participate in the boogie at the same time.. I might still go, even though I won't be able to jump :( I put my name down for the one in Vichy, but I don't really know what I'll be doing at that point.. What about Swizerland.. How do you register?? What are the prices? I went on the website, and didn't find any info on that.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

First of all, I would like to say that I do not have any BASE jumps under my belt.. I am going to Europe for a little over one month, and I was wondering if it would be a good idea to learn about BASE jumping over there. I know there are some great spots (Norway, Switzerland, etc) for the sport.. What I want to know is if there are places suitable for beginners, and where to go to learn. Any other useful tips would be welcome (ie: cost, equipment, things to watch out for..). Thanks in advance! Nataly :) PS: I am familiar with some of the suggested sites regarding BASE.. I am not looking for lectures on whether or not I should get into the sport--I wish to know about suitable places to start and get instruction. Words of the wise and sound advice are always welcome, though :) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yeah.. I was looking at the Herc boogie and crying like a little girl when I found out it was too late :( Hopefully I won't be such a dumbass when it comes to other events.. Nataly "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Hello everyone! I will be in Europe from 18 July to 20 August.. Any recommendations or travel tips would be welcome! If you have any experience, or visited some awsome DZ's, or touristy-type stuff.. Also, if any of my friends want to see me, e-mail me and let me know.. Thanks in advance Nataly :) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Nataly and I did a couple stupid things while in Perris Valley, California a few weeks ago. Short version: I took a very experienced jumper head-down with me.. Going well until I realized he had NO ALITITUDE AWARENESS... Tried to shake him to let him know the ground was coming FAST.. Got sucked in low instead of pushing him away.. Pulled low, found drop-zone, just missed power-lines, committed to a down-wind landing, stuck my toe out and thought--oh shit--went toe, then knee, then shoulder, then face, then let up on toggles--and smacked over on my back.. Got up, spit out the dust between my teeth, and vainly tried to brush off the dust that covered me from head-to-toe... Hurried to said jumper--he had no idea we broke off low, screaming at very high speeds.. Said that next time he'd pay more attention--dude there will be no next time, I said. Walked away to collect my thoughts & told him later why that dive scared me.. Got up next day, began drinking at 08:00 AM--was thoroughly drunk by noon, and fine by the next day. Moral of the story: at 60-something jumps and 6 weeks into the sport, and second day at a new DZ, under a brand-new 135 canopy, don't assume that a guy with 800+ BELLY JUMPS (oops, forgot to ask that..) is safe for head-down. Nataly "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Hi everybody and thanks for a fucking AWSOME night!!!

Wow!! All fascinating stuff!! Thanks for all the info everybody! This is very helpful for me and gives me a lot to think about.. It's good to hear all kinds of things before going out there.. wouldn't want to break anything useful!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss