Hi Randy,

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this! I'm an Amazing Race fanatic, so of course I think this sounds like a fun, cool vacation.

I'd love to throw my hat in the ring as a potential competitor.

My qualifications:
* I've lived in 3 countries (the US, England & Saudi Arabia) and visited about 50 countries on 6 continents. Needless to say, I have a valid passport!

* I've spent time in many European countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Denmark & Russia. But there are still some European countries I haven't visited (Portugal, Greece, some of the former Eastern Bloc countries) so this might also be an opportunity for me to see some new places, too!

* Competitours' describes the challenges as testing a team's ability to be "creative, resourceful, inventive, a bit zany, spontaneous." I'd certainly describe myself as creative (work in a creative field), resourceful (people come to me when they're trying to find the answers to all sorts of questions, because I usually know how find the answers), inventive (I'm innovative, and a natural-born problem solver), a bit zany (I'd go so far as to say that I'm even quirky…but not the kind of zany/quirky that would make me an annoying teammate or travel companion) and spontaneous (I'm dating a man who usually gives me about 4 hours notice before we board on plane…he forces me to be spontaneous).

* I have friends in several European countries and can tap that network for assistance if it's allowed as part of the game. (Then again, I guess any of us could tap into the wonderful resource that is Flyertalk and its fantastic members!)

* I'm fit (run 3 miles a day, lift weights, do yoga, bike, etc.) so I have the stamina that's necessary for any endurance-type competitions.

* I'm naturally competitive, but also laid back. Trust me, I'd play to win, but I'd enjoy myself while I was doing it.

* I am a student of FT...what travel skills I haven't learned first hand, I've absorbed from these boards and the combined experiences of the other members.

* I play well with others. I often work in team-based groups. I'm always willing to take a leadership position, but I also know when to step back and let someone else take the lead.

* I have a great sense of humor, I know how to lighten the mood when things get tense and I am a repository of completely useless trivia might even come in handy!

* I can read maps, train schedules, plane schedules and bus schedules. I'm great at solving logistical challenges. And I'm not scared to ask for directions!

* I'm a good photographer and decent videographer. I'd make sure to get a lot of great photos that you could use. I have the equipment--video camera, digital camera, PDA, European phone, computer, converters and adaptors--that would be required.

* I'd wear the Flyertalk wardrobe well!

(In the interest of honesty, I'd admit that my biggest weakness are my language skills. I speak passable high-school Spanish, plus have the basic ability to understand other Romance languages. In other words, I'd be best matched with someone who has stronger language skills.)

In addition, I'm self-employed, so I can easily take off for a couple weeks in mid-March!

Thanks again.