Several hundred people were already standing and sitting behind the plastic tape separating them from the launch field, watching me. It was strange, like being on stage. I waved, and a few people waved back. Several dozen people crossed the barrier to get a closer look at me, but the festival staff moved them back. I told my crew to hold on tight to my harness and unclip me from the sandbags, then wait for the signal.
Weird thoughts seem to bubble up at such moments.
I was suddenly struck by the fact that, out of all of the hundreds of people here, I was the one tied to all the helium balloons. You get yourself into some weird situations, I told myself reprovingly. Hell , my self replied. It'd drive you crazy if you weren't the one who was doing it. You love this.