Even though I arrived last Wednesday in the midst of a financial collapse and still feeling some jet lag . . . . it's great to be home. Reality's set in, however, as I've been interviewing already and will most likely be working with some company soon that provides SaaS or Web 2.0 technologies. Yeah, I can hear the "ughs", but I'm actually looking forward to getting back to work, believe it or not.
But what a summer I've had, man . . . . too many things to list now but I'll write about them in a future post.
For sure, it was a once in a lifetime experience, as they say, since it's doubtful I'll do it again in 2009.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to read my posts and have encouraged me along the way.
(Don't forget to check the Ozone team blog as I've just put some pics up there, and - yes I know! - I'll put all the good pics on Flickr.)
Special thanks, of course, goes to Ozone for providing the best paragliders on earth, to Coveritallco for giving me THE best travel backpack EVER (http://www.ogio.com/product.php?product=573), and to SFBAPA and Tim Sirianni who both individually contributed to my little trip.
Lastly, I want to thank Ayumi for supporting me and encouraging me to follow my dreams . . . . now it's your turn!
After my last flight in Europe - acro show at Coupe Icare.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Lake Como
Earlier this week, Ayumi and I spent all-day Monday touring all the towns around Lake Como via Ferry, including Bellagio. I've been to a few lakes in Italy and I thought Como would be the same but - I have to say! - there's something definitely special about it. I don't know if it's the history of who used to live there or the present of who lives there now, but it's more beautiful, colorful, and majestic than any lake I've been to.
If you ever come to Northern Italy, you must see Lake Como.
Because I didn't do a great job of arranging a hotel for us (probably b/c they're all ridiculously expensive), we ended up staying in a hostel in Menaggio. Other than the tiny showers and having to share a room with another couple for a night, it was great, cheap, AND had an awesome view.
After dropping off Ayumi at Malpensa the next morning, I headed to Verel/Chambery, France, which is where I am now. I've spent the last 2 days flying w/Lou Marck at Verel - what a great site to train acro. Launch is at 905m and LZ's around 330m - if you can get to 1000-1100m, you'll have enough height to do infinites, which is what these guys do all the time. Then you bench back up using ridge or thermal lift - and this doesn't even include the additional 500 - 600m you'd get off the mountain behind it on the good days!
The lower bench reminds me of Mussel Rock, just 300 m higher . . . . I'll post some pics, along w/a hundred others, when I get home.
I've been at a McDonald's for the last few hours. If there's one good thing about them (at least in France) is that they all have free WiFi, which is great for a loser like me who can't stay disconnected for more than a few days.
Tonight I will head to the Ozone house at St. Hilaire which is where I'll be staying the next 4 nights during Coupe Icare. Even though this is my first time to this most famous flying festival, I'm not entirely excited. While I get to take part (I think) in the acro show they'll have a few hours every day and I'll see the various festivities and manufacturers, l'm NOT looking forward to dealing with so many people for 6 hours/day.
Yeah . . . . I know . . . . what am I crying about, right?
If you ever come to Northern Italy, you must see Lake Como.
Because I didn't do a great job of arranging a hotel for us (probably b/c they're all ridiculously expensive), we ended up staying in a hostel in Menaggio. Other than the tiny showers and having to share a room with another couple for a night, it was great, cheap, AND had an awesome view.
After dropping off Ayumi at Malpensa the next morning, I headed to Verel/Chambery, France, which is where I am now. I've spent the last 2 days flying w/Lou Marck at Verel - what a great site to train acro. Launch is at 905m and LZ's around 330m - if you can get to 1000-1100m, you'll have enough height to do infinites, which is what these guys do all the time. Then you bench back up using ridge or thermal lift - and this doesn't even include the additional 500 - 600m you'd get off the mountain behind it on the good days!
The lower bench reminds me of Mussel Rock, just 300 m higher . . . . I'll post some pics, along w/a hundred others, when I get home.
I've been at a McDonald's for the last few hours. If there's one good thing about them (at least in France) is that they all have free WiFi, which is great for a loser like me who can't stay disconnected for more than a few days.
Tonight I will head to the Ozone house at St. Hilaire which is where I'll be staying the next 4 nights during Coupe Icare. Even though this is my first time to this most famous flying festival, I'm not entirely excited. While I get to take part (I think) in the acro show they'll have a few hours every day and I'll see the various festivities and manufacturers, l'm NOT looking forward to dealing with so many people for 6 hours/day.
Yeah . . . . I know . . . . what am I crying about, right?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ciao Interlaken!
Tonight's my last night in my European home-away-from home.
I wish I could say that Interlaken blew me a farewell kiss with great weather the last few days but that definitely wasn't the case. Instead, we got the first "winter storm" of the year with an expected snow level of 1800 meters . . . . that's only 200 meters above Murren where just a few days ago I was launching in a t-shirt and knicker pants!
What the f--k am I still doing here?????
I feel bad for Ayumi. The first part of her vacation here was spectacular and picturesque; however, the second part had her wishing for the warmer weather of northern Pacifica! Yep, it's f--king cold here right now - be thankful you're in 65 degree Bay Area weather.
I wish I could say that Interlaken blew me a farewell kiss with great weather the last few days but that definitely wasn't the case. Instead, we got the first "winter storm" of the year with an expected snow level of 1800 meters . . . . that's only 200 meters above Murren where just a few days ago I was launching in a t-shirt and knicker pants!
What the f--k am I still doing here?????
I feel bad for Ayumi. The first part of her vacation here was spectacular and picturesque; however, the second part had her wishing for the warmer weather of northern Pacifica! Yep, it's f--king cold here right now - be thankful you're in 65 degree Bay Area weather.
We're not even supposed to be in Interlaken right now. We were supposed to be in Monte Generoso, CH for an acro training camp over Lake Lugano, which is right on the border to Italy. This was organized by an FAI judge, Claudio Cattaneo, whose trying to give exposure to his site. I was really looking forward to trying some Infinites from the Rhythmic SAT, but because of the forecast for 1200% chance of rain, he had to postpone it for another 2 weeks.
So, Ayumi and I are heading straight to Lake Como tomorrow for a few days, then she leaves on Tuesday morning for SF. After I drop her off at Malapensa airport, I head to France to hopefully fly Verel for a few days with Lou Marck (Cyrille Marck's brother), before going to Coupe Icare.
My trip is coming to an end, and honestly, I'm glad. In fact, I wish I could leave with Ayumi on Tuesday! I'm really tired of camping and not having the comforts that I have at home. In addition, I really miss flying at Mussel Rock! I know that sounds crazy, but even with all the places I've trained at in Europe - and I've been to almost all of the top places! - "The Dumps" is still my favorite!
While I'll never get the height like in Europe, with the exception of Organya, there's no other place where you can fly for 6 hours straight and get 30 - 40 refills in smooth air!
Actually . . . . I'm full of sh*t.
Mussel Rock sucks.
So, Ayumi and I are heading straight to Lake Como tomorrow for a few days, then she leaves on Tuesday morning for SF. After I drop her off at Malapensa airport, I head to France to hopefully fly Verel for a few days with Lou Marck (Cyrille Marck's brother), before going to Coupe Icare.
My trip is coming to an end, and honestly, I'm glad. In fact, I wish I could leave with Ayumi on Tuesday! I'm really tired of camping and not having the comforts that I have at home. In addition, I really miss flying at Mussel Rock! I know that sounds crazy, but even with all the places I've trained at in Europe - and I've been to almost all of the top places! - "The Dumps" is still my favorite!
While I'll never get the height like in Europe, with the exception of Organya, there's no other place where you can fly for 6 hours straight and get 30 - 40 refills in smooth air!
Actually . . . . I'm full of sh*t.
Mussel Rock sucks.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tourist Time!
It's been awhile since I posted last because . . . . well . . . . not much has been happening.
But yesterday, I took the train to Milano to meet up with Ayumi whom I couldn't wait to see again after 3 months of being apart. With only 1 day there (which is more than enough), we had time to see the Duomo and DaVinci's "The Last Supper", with the latter being really cool to see. While I was only there for a day and went solely to these places, this was my first time and last time to Milan . . . . I thought it was pretty dirty and unimpressive.
We took a morning train back to Interlaken which arrived in the afternoon, leaving us enough time to see Grindelwald and visit the happy cows with their big-ass cowbells.
Since the forecast is calling for rain later in the week, we're gonna try and cram in a lot of activities tomorrow starting with the Schilthorn in the morning, some acro flights for me off Murren in the afternoon, then ending the day with a tour of Trummelbachfalle.
As I've mentioned before, my focus has solely been on acro training since being here, so I haven't seen anything. But now that Ayumi's visiting, I get to be a dumb-ass tourist for the first time . . . . yay me!
But yesterday, I took the train to Milano to meet up with Ayumi whom I couldn't wait to see again after 3 months of being apart. With only 1 day there (which is more than enough), we had time to see the Duomo and DaVinci's "The Last Supper", with the latter being really cool to see. While I was only there for a day and went solely to these places, this was my first time and last time to Milan . . . . I thought it was pretty dirty and unimpressive.
We took a morning train back to Interlaken which arrived in the afternoon, leaving us enough time to see Grindelwald and visit the happy cows with their big-ass cowbells.
Since the forecast is calling for rain later in the week, we're gonna try and cram in a lot of activities tomorrow starting with the Schilthorn in the morning, some acro flights for me off Murren in the afternoon, then ending the day with a tour of Trummelbachfalle.
As I've mentioned before, my focus has solely been on acro training since being here, so I haven't seen anything. But now that Ayumi's visiting, I get to be a dumb-ass tourist for the first time . . . . yay me!
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