Wuf Sighting on Acorn Falls
10-19-2021 “Don’t take that picture without me!”
FNGs: FNGs to 3-Alarm Fun: Welcome Uncle Bondo, Uncle Full House, Uncle Slide Rule, and Uncle Sprinkler, and of course, Mr. and Ms. WUF. When I arrived at his house today, 3-Alarm told me that F3 feels like family—like he has a bunch of uncles. Today, he met “Uncles” Slide Rule, Sprinkler, and Bondo for the first time.
Warm Up: Bondo had announced as early as Thursday, that we were having a “special guest” at the 3-Alarm second F on the coming Tuesday. On Friday, we announced at Kung Pow, then at other AOs, including U-turn on Saturday and Paradise City on Monday. Then, on Monday, Bondo told me we were having TWO special guests! Awesome! I kept it low-key with 3-Alarm so that I would not accidentally spill the beans. “We’re just having a Wolfpack day.”
The Workout: When 3-Alarm and I rolled around the corner at 6 pm, we were pleased to see new faces: Full House, Slide Rule, and Sprinkler. Full House and Davis already knew each other because they were neighbors about five years ago. When we have PAX who are posting to the 3-Alarm Fun for the first time, we do introductions. 3-Alarm wants folks to know a few basic things about him. Specifically, he has several conditions that limit his mobility. Seizures are also part of his condition. In spite of these conditions, he loves to run. And he loves it when the F3 brothers take him. None of 3-Alarm’s conditions affect his brain. Deep down, he’s just like any other 19-year old. Introductions: CHECK!
Lots of other PAX posted: Wild Turkey, Snooze, Forceps, and Lipstick and his three 2.0s. Of course, Full House, Slide Rule, Sprinkler, and myself were decked out in Wolfpack gear. Wild Turkey asked if he had missed the memo about wearing Wolfpack colors. Hmmmm, well I figured he probably didn’t have any—at least he was not wearing a Carolina shirt like last week. I pulled the Tar Heel magnet off his Jeep and placed it in the back. Lipstick left his Carolina gear at home too, and out of luck, Snooze—another Carolina fan, wore a bright red hoodie. Nice! We all hung out anticipating the arrival of our guests.
Right on time, I saw Bondo roll down Acorn Falls. He had to drive past us to park, so I distracted Davis with a photo of Bondo and the rest of the 1983 Wolfpack Cheerleading Squad. That’s right, Bondo was a cheerleader at NC State in 1983—the year the Wolfpack won the NCAA championship in basketball. He was there when Lorenzo Charles dunked the “alley oop” from Derek Whittenburg and the Cardiac Pack beat the Phi Slama Jama of Houston for the 54-52 national championship win. Unbelievable!
As Bondo and his M unloaded the guests and escorted them up the sidewalk, I kept 3-Alarm distracted until the right moment. Then, he peered down the sidewalk and had a look of bewilderment. He squinted. He blinked. He could not believe his eyes. When he realized it was real, he busted out with, Oh wow! over and over again. See photos.
The Wufs embraced 3-Alarm both literally and figuratively. They high-fived everyone else. Bondo and the Wufs gathered around 3-Alarm and presented him with lots of Wolfpack stuff from 1983. The stash included a team photo featuring the star players and Coach Jim Valvano (Coach V), a vintage Pack Power bumper sticker signed on the spot by Mr. and Ms. Wuf, and a copy of the Technician—NC State’s student newspaper, from the day after the Wolfpack won the national championship. Plus, a photo of the 1983 Wolfpack cheerleading squad featuring Bondo himself in his senior year. And a bright red NC State Cheerleading T-shirt, welcoming 3-Alarm to the NC State Cheerleading community. Wow!
From there, we took lots of photos. While lined up for the big Wolfpack F3, photo, we hear, “Don’t take that picture without me!” from up the street. Woody! 3-Alarm and all of us busted out laughing. Woody ran down the sidewalk and dropped into the back like a photo bomber. Now we had our zany component.
Then, 3-Alarm reminded Woody that burpees are required if you are late. BAM! Woody dropped and kicked out five very nice burpees. You should have seen the height on those things!
What does the Wuf do when the Wolfpack scores a touchdown? Howls Awoooooooo! And a pushup for every point. The Wuf dropped and kicked out some pushups.
Mary: After many more photo ops, it was time for Mr. and Ms. Wuf to go. After all, they are students and have to study. We hung out for a bit more before complete darkness. Wild Turkey and I helped 3-Alarm gather up the loot and head in. Another fantastic 3-Alarm second F. This one will be hard to top!
Finally, after the Wufs were gone, Cancun rolled in with his 2.0s. Always great to have him for the second F here. Today, he missed the Wufs.
T-Claps (Recognition): Thanks again Bondo for creating some memories for 3-Alarm and all of us!
Announcements: 3-Alarm planning to run next week (10/26)
