Comment by psychomom on October 3, 2008 at 9:35am

I was greeted by a balloon over my casita this morning as I was getting into my car. They waved and made my day, Simple Pleasures. And I love that they launch from the schools. Que Viva la Fiesta!

Comment by Zoe on October 3, 2008 at 9:40am

How cool! Thanks for the wonderful photos. As I'm still in the can't-wait-to-move-to-NM category, I had no idea so many balloons launched from elementary schools. Do you know by chance how/what connections they make between the balloons and the curriculum? science, math, creative writing?

Comment by Jessica on October 3, 2008 at 9:51am

Ah, well, of that I am not entirely sure. It doesn't take place during school hours, so it doesn't eat into teaching time, which is good. But the pilots and crews do talk about the mechanics of ballooning, and at Apache there are usually various art, science, and writing projects related to ballooning around this time of year. My kids are of the younger set (2nd grade and younger) so they tend more to the art side of things.

Comment by Masshole in Fringecrest on October 3, 2008 at 10:15am

Rainbow motif balloons are gay...

Just kidding, this is one of my favorite things about Balloon Fiesta, that on the Friday Morning before it starts I can pretty much be guaranteed to see 15-20 of the things on my commute intot he N valley.

Awesome! Thanks for the pics.

Comment by Jessica on October 3, 2008 at 10:20am

Ah, that rainbow motif comment made me laugh. I used to know a guy who grew up in Salem, and that sounds exactly like something he'd say ;)

Comment by Masshole in Fringecrest on October 3, 2008 at 10:35am

I get so personally conflicted when I choose to use the word "gay" to describe something. On the one hand, it denigrates humans and perpetuates a dangerous and ignorant point of view. On the other hand, sometimes it's a totally accurate and humorous thing to say, especially when said without a hint of judgement, and when the person who says it says it in an atmosphere of tolerance and complete understanding and admiration for the trials and tribulations of the gay community, not to mention actually supports many equal rights causes at every opportunity.

When I was a kid in Mass. we used to say "gay" all the frickin time, with such irreverence and ignorance, "what's the mattah, you gay?" I suppose a lot of kids of the 70's did that, and other like despicable phrases, "eeeny meeny minie mo..." comes to mind...) I'm just glad i am able to reflect on it and understand its context....

Salem, huh? Wicked pissa.

Comment by mombat on October 3, 2008 at 2:00pm

Yeah! We got to Monte Vista this morning just as the balloons were getting packed up, but we still got to see them. One of the parents is a pilot and has been very generous with the balloon. The kids all know it and yell " het there's Dawn's Delight".

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