Airwave Pandemonium

With my recorder I pursued my quest This assignment seemed like a courage test That’s why my boss sent me Knowing that fearless I’d be Covering this race brought such happiness Hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky Conducted the interview one mile high But now as I reflect What I didn’t expect Was the loud blast that made the balloon fly I thought it would be quiet as we flew Over Doak Stadium up in the blue The radio report Ended up running short When the pilot spoke, the hot air did spew Every thirty seconds or so -- a blast Interview literally filled with gas The edited version From this fun excursion Left our radio listeners aghast But viewing Chief Osceola’s emblem From high above the football stadium A sight I’ll not forget I have just one regret Creating airwave pandemonium * As a radio reporter I was assigned to cover the Tallahassee Annual Hot Air Balloon Race. We flew over Florida State University’s football stadium and it was a great view from the air. But I had to edit out each blast of air when producing the report for Florida Public Radio. Talk about a choppy radio report. I should have interviewed the pilot BEFORE we took off. Duh! Ignorance was my plea to the news director -- I was later sentenced to ground duty. July 20, 2011 Entry for Francine’s “Happiness is a Balloon” contest Written by Carolyn Devonshire