hajnalka

I'll be there, with a cooler full o' this & that. Turns out I have a busy Tues - phone conferences & meetings with mortgage loan officers, lawyers, etc. Plus I have to make some rigging supply runs. Best case, I'll make a big batch of cucumber/mint/tomato salad, marinate some pork tenderloins, and bring some premium alcohol and beer. Worst case I'll just show up with some premium alcohol and beer

I can make you the shit-hottest slider thingy ever - let's talk. I'm thinking something like what Peter B has ... or will you be ready for RDS soon? Speaking of Peter B - we finally have the latest Ranch pond swoop DVD in the store! It has all of the 2004 competition - nicely edited, plus a bonus where you can watch all of any individual competitor's rounds. AND a history of the event going back to 1996. Two DVDs. over 3 hours running time, they tell me. They're still behind the counter because I need to ascertain how much to charge for the thing

Eric DID get some cool shots ... have you seen the ones of Dawn #2's sit? Impressive + adorable; not to mention absolutely "shit hot."

Sorry, I haven't been keeping up w/the thread but I planned to bring a sauce or 2 along w/my beef and veggies. I have a kind of neat little collapsible sterno camp stove - can we put a saucepan or something on that and call it a fondue pot? Ellis, don't listen to Marion about bringing wine. You know what I like.

Trying to monopolize this week's get-together feasts? Now I have a dilemma - I can't do both - grillin & chillin at Joe's Thurs, or FFFondueF? Life is great when these are the kinds of decisions I'm faced with ... -D

WHY would you still want to go to NJ when the weather here is supposed to be mid-70s and partly sunny all weekend, we have fondue going on Friday night, we'll have all the kickass CSS women around (can't speak for myself but some can really skydive!) + a slew of stodgy belly fliers who have grippers on their jumpsuits and everything (you'd fit right in) AND we'll have planes going up continuously for a tandemonium fundraiser?? Come play with us instead. Don't want to be un-PC about the fund raising event. Let's just say I plan to follow Dawn #2 around, duct tape at the ready to slap across her mouth, if needed. I have a strong premonition for a great weekend at CSS. Eric - please video/photo fondue! Your images are artful, well-crafted and flattering. (Unlike Nick's on his new camera phone, which tend to be gratuitous and unflattering ...) Tess - what up, yo. Still very proud of your fine, detailed craft clay artwork. We shoulda saved that cherry - it was beautiful. -Dawn/Alex

I'll be there; I promise. NO booty call and Lyman can keep the dogs company . Speaking of John, guess what he brought me from Southport? That's right: A roasted chicken. Pam, give Randy a hug from me. -Dawn

MAK - goodbye, I miss you already! I read your post with some confusion and trepidation, then realized you had told me almost all of this the first time I met you, in the rigging loft. Somehow I thought you'd end up in Arizona or SoCal, not NY. I'll miss you; your quiet ways, your continuous optimism and your beautiful accent. I'm glad we have Karen's excellent exit picture of you on the packing room wall to remind us. Best of luck to you, Mak! Take care + be well. Please come back and see us sometime. -Dawn

Now I'm really sorry I missed it. Justin, you're SO cute when you've been drinking Thanks for keeping me company on Lucy's patio last week. -Dawn

Dzenya - Anytime. Lyman actually has two 105s. I'll put the other one (the swept-wing) on risers for you. This is the canopy that the Samurai is based on - will be a great warm-up for YOUR new Sam. -Dawn

NICE, especially the tone - your empathy shines through. Very enthusiastic!!! However there are too many "well"s, your punctuation sucks and there is no such word as "plumate." I'll edit and PM it back, once I figure out how to HTML red pencil. Sorry I had to miss BP & RR tonight (miss you, Marion, Casey, Eric and Justin!) I have to take care of a friend in need; am sending this from his computer. Sounds like you all had a great day Sunday ... sorry I missed it. When my FFF people are happy, I'M happy. Did David finally shut his whining and enjoy himself? If not, can we just ship him back to FL??? Love to all, Dawn p.s. Eric - be careful w/ the 105 Jedeis ... there's a reason why Lyman used to be called "Hangar Banger."

I managed to get lost in Chapel Hill again (how do I always do that??) but made it home by 5ish. Sorry we missed you today - a bunch of people here. Guido even came out and jumped all day. Good news is that the weekend is looking better all the time.

Tess -- you're too funny -- you've got your catalogs mixed up, girl! I'll fill you in next time you're out; you'll appreciate it. Great new euphemism though - "skydiving equip stuff" ...for when the planes are tied down. Looking forward to seeing you and everyone else in Chapel Hill next Tuesday. We can make it a belated Casey's 21st celebration since there was such a low turnout for Jello shot night. Joe, I'll try to help you guys out w/the bar tab thing. Does Lucy's have any really good Scotch? -Dawn

Speaking of catalogs ... I should be getting that backordered special "vintage" shipment either tomorrow or Sat ... care for a preview? OOh! Have you heard about the new VS IPEX? I quote: "Two years in development by an international collaboration of designers, engineers & technicians using the latest in digital and laser technology and proprietary manufacturing processes." I CAN'T WAIT - sounds like this will blow GCT right out of the water. So let's definitely shop. You know I'm always up for bowling as well. Not sure winds would affect our sheltered "lane" ... but what if it rains + freezes and we got ICE on the patio? We could have creeper curling!! Damn, wish I'd thought of that a few months ago ... I haven't had any decent bruises in - well, actually it's only been about 6 weeks (shut up, toy bike boy) -Dawn

HA! Good one, Pammy! Don't feel bad, Mike ... just remember how SEXY you look in your new Freak'n suit. Maybe go try it on again in front of a full-length mirror and "get yo freak on." Floaty Mike (hey, can we even still call you that?) - I'll be there Fri. night either way. With Lyman you just never know. If you decide on fondue, let me know what I can bring. -Dawn

Marion (and everyone else; even belly fliers) - Don't forget that the Canadians are still here for the rest of the week, so there'll be lots of jumping every day.

Frenchy - I'm so glad to hear that your little guy is OK; so sorry that ever had to happen. I hope everyone's battle wounds are OK and am sending healing vibes + kisses. Thanks again to Chris for pushing my truck out of the ditch ... I swear I didn't see the thing or I wouldn't have driven straight into it. You're right - it was a deep ditch, and you were very manly. I'd heard a lot of good things about the SDV gang; now I know it's true. I couldn't have spent such a surreal Friday night with a nicer bunch of guys. -Dawn

I LOVE IT - They were out working on Villa Hispas throughout the day today. They have a floodlight on the sign, they brought their own packer ... and did you see the size of that grill? Bienvenidos, mis hermanos. Moat Monster - can't wait to see you! -Dawn

Eric - Verrrry nice pics, man! (Way to revive the thread, too.

Dzenya - No jumps yet, but the weather looks pretty good for tomorrow. Everyone seemed pretty stressed/overwhelmed today when Billy let them go early, between 1 and 2 p.m (In fact Randy was talking about going off somewhere to shoot himself in the head.) They were using the rest of today to work on ground preps. From what I've seen of the courses over the years, the ground preps take way more time than the actual jumps - this is why I never volunteer to play student anymore. YOU would be great though! You could get all excited and pretend to not understand anything anyone said to you. How's your main D-bag these days? I hope it's behaving. -Dawn

Does anyone have an e-mail address for Eli who was visiting a few weeks ago? If so, please PM ... thanks. -Dawn

Safety Day is still going to be tomorrow night (Sat. Mar 12) at the DZ. We've had some requests to change it, as the weather isn't looking great, but we're not going to. So I hope to see you all there ... you just might learn something. Think of it as a social event, like the chili cookoff during Cabin Fever. In fact we're thinking of changing safety day to coincide with Cabin Fever in future years. It always seems to fall during the ACC tourney, and SOME PEOPLE (not to mention any names, hi Marion hi Paul) take college BB way too seriously. Go Deacons! Speaking of which, we were talking the other night about having a DZ NCAA pool. If anyone's interested let me know. #2 - Downwind patches are scarce and highly sought after. Usually we only give them to sponsored teams (CSS4) or high-visibility/exposure teams (Foxes.) On the other hand you've been one of the best Downwind/Windline/Freak'n customers ever, so maybe we can work something out. -Dawn

#2, you're scaring me. How 'bout, can Lyman just come live with you in Chapel Hill for a month? That way you could gaze at him as much as you want --in person -- and maybe you two could finally fully explore this intense yet adorable love/hate/obsession thing you've got going on for each other. Sound good? It could be a kind of John Lyman time-share ... and he'd never have to worry about calling someone the wrong name! Speaking of which, I have some prints for you too. The one of you and John; you, Nick, Janice and SpongeBob; plus some excellent pics of our tie-dye creeper bowling outfits, complete with matching Fox River ski socks. Eric, if I could get my hands on just one print it'd be the one from last year, B&W of Dawn in the car on the way back to Chapel Hill after Jeff & Nicol's party. What a classic - it really should be an album cover. Hope to see you all this weekend. We just got back from Renfro's place in the mountains and are MUCH more relaxed and happy. -Dawn Edited to add: Casey! Ohhh yeah, girlfriend, this is going to be a BIG weekend for you. Let's have fun - you bring the Jello shots, and I'll bring the tequila.

I agree. And now you have your accordian player back (she rocks!) plus that new bass guy ... your band has, like, 12 guys in it. I think it's great how you all get to sit out certain songs and get a chance to drink beer, dance, etc. Fun! Can't wait to see your new Ouragan ... and Marion's! My favorite chick is going to have some serious "star power" going on. I miss you too, man. -Dawn

We're working on it ... I'll try to keep you updated.