Saturday, September 08, 2007

The Night Glow



Seeing as Jonny has just apologised for a meagre two-week gap between blogs, I had better get on my knees and grovel for leaving it nearly four weeks.

Shame on me.

So, the photos from the Night Glow look much the same as they do every year.

I did manage to get one of those 'before and after' shots...





Although it was nowhere near as effective as that one I fluked four years ago...





Now as Jonny will vouch for, the Fiesta follows the same formula every year.

1. They blow up the balloons.
2. Carmina Burana (or something like that) starts playing from the tiny speakers, and as the orchestra reach the huge crescendo all the balloons glow in unison.
3. 30 minutes of terrible chart music and random flickering ensues.
4. Balloons deflate
5. Fireworks
6. Everyone leaves
7. An announcement comes over the PA system reminding all crews to return their headsets to the bay area
8. The night is complete - we stumble home

A winning formula, I'm sure you'll agree.

This year, Mike and Ella came along for their first ever night glow, and I had clearly explained the course of events that would follow. Sure enough, we got a spot on 'the hill', and watched the balloons slowly inflating. I dramatically sang the three rising chords of the Carmina Burana to the group so that everyone knew what to expect, when this happened...



Yes after four almost identical years, they finally changed the backing tape.



Another first was that everyone on the hill stood up, and at times even danced along to the painfully quiet music...



The fireworks were still the real highlight though...



This year's stumble home was also good value, as we kicked an empty bottle all the way home.



In fact, shortly before filming that I had attempted a 'long ball' with inappropriate shoes for kicking, and had a very embarrassing encounter with an extremely nervous chap, who was wondering why five very drunk people were peering over his garden fence.

"Urm, Could I have my shoe back please mate?"