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Fortunately, the sight of water balloons rocketing skyward during the 2009 Periscope Balloon Blast didn't trigger an apocalyptic overreaction by Soviet military forces, as mused by German recording artist Nena in the Cold War-era song " 99 Luftballons." Although a couple of lunchtime dissidents at Wasabi were overheard chanting, "Mr. Kurowski ... tear down this launcher!" Yet, cooler heads, specifically those who misjudged the flight path of incoming balloons, prevailed on this brilliant summer day.
With bragging rights and Target gift cards on the line, five teams took their turn at trying to catch these meteorific balloons with nothing more than a terry cloth towel and a double dose of tenacity. Some were up to the challenge; others suffered the untimely embarrassment of projectile dysfunction.
Things didn't get any easier when it came time for phase two ... the relay race. With balloons far from firmly clenched between their knees, each racer waddled off like an expectant mother, three weeks past her due date. But unlike our mother-to-be, when our racers' water broke, they weren't induced to take the rest of the day off.
When all was said and drenched, the team of Eide, Kass, Straus and Weld emerged victorious. When asked the secret to their success, Christine Eide put it in very simple, yet curious, terms ... "Use a cotton towel with a higher thread count, and don't shave your legs."
How many times have we all said that?
