Saturday was a pretty relaxed, laid back day. It looks to me like attendance for the Invasion is down this year, and not very many of the locals seem to be around. Got four good jumps in before the customary one hour before sunset shutdown. Then they started night jumps. Seeking entertainment, some of us wandered over to watch the landings.
The first thing I noted was the row of cars parked along the west side of the field for illumination, with their headlights shining downwind. Strategically placed so that the jumpers would be blinded as they approached the ground. When I pointed this out I was told they would be landing away from the lights, going east.
"But that's downwind, and it's blowing about 10 miles an hour." I replied.
"It wasn't blowing that fast when they took off." I was told.
"It's blowing fast now, lets move the damn cars and change the landing direction." I said.
"Plan the dive, dive the plan." I was told.
In the end, the cars stayed where they were, the winds remained strong, and we were treated to the sight of glow-stick covered skydivers appearing out of the darkness to go screaming across the landing area, in most cases overshooting completely, (those that made the landing area at all, there were some issues with spotting) and vanishing in a cloud of dust when they couldn't run it out and did faceplants.
Nobody died, nobody lost an eye, and my rule about only doing night jumps at home because trying to get all your crap home with a cast on your leg is a pain in the ass received some positive reinforcement.
Then we went to eat. That seemed like it would be a fairly straightforward proposition, but we hadn't counted on Paul. Shortly after we were seated at the "Golden Corral All You Can Eat Buffet", a woman of considerable size came in with her husband and son. Very considerable. Massive. E-friggin-normous. She was nearing a bright yellow windbreaker, and when she passed by one girl at the table made a remark about a school bus. Paul piped up saying "For $10 each from everybody at the table I'll go over and make a pass at her."
I came back with "Hell, you'd do it for 25 cents each from everybody". In a flash Brian dug into his pocket and threw 2 quarters on the table saying "Ones mine and one is for Diane." Loose change began being tossed at Paul from every direction, the challenge had been made.
And Paul accepted.
He rose up, grabbed a fresh plate, and headed for the buffet. He casually sauntered up beside her, and started chatting. We missed the first 30 seconds or so because we were too far away to hear, so Garth Johnny and I grabbed plates and went to eavesdrop. The first thing I heard Paul say was "I'm having a great day, I had a lot of fun, and I got to meet you". I couldn't stay for long because I was going to lose it and start laughing so I returned to the table, but Garth and Johnny hung on a while longer. Paul gamely plodded ahead, not even backing down when she pointed out that she was here with her husband and son. I have to hand it to the guy, he pulled it off with style, and showed a sincerity he definitely didn't feel. Although she rejected his advances, she encouraged the compliments, telling him to keep it coming, so for myself I feel no guilt about the crass nature of it.
When she was out of sight on the other side of the restaurant, and Paul was returning to the table, we welcomed him back with a round of applause.
Beth and Tim haven't appeared, even though I waited in the Bar until midnight, they were supposed to be here at noon. I hope they show up soon, or I will have to bunk with the Winnipeg crew, and Brian snores like a chainsaw.
It's now Sunday morning around 8:30, I heard an Otter take off around 15 minutes ago, so I guess I better go get some breakfast before heading to Camp Canada. Although it's sunny, the outside air temp is 3 centigrade, so I'm not in any real rush.
Larry
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