{"id":4746,"date":"2010-12-31T06:28:25","date_gmt":"2010-12-31T10:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/galadriel.astro.utoronto.ca\/ballast\/?p=4746"},"modified":"2010-12-31T06:28:25","modified_gmt":"2010-12-31T10:28:25","slug":"launch-part-iii-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?p=4746","title":{"rendered":"Launch Part III: Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The final installment in my agonizingly prolonged series of posts about launch day. This picks up with the beginning of inflation, and ends when everyone goes inside to start doing real work. Or, at least everyone goes inside and agonizes over altitude data until we can start doing real work.<\/p>\n<p>The most disappointing part about this series is that safety regulations forced us to all be inside for the actual launch and early ascent.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-4746 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4748'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3681-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ready to Inflate\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4748\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3681-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3681-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3681-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4748'>\n\t\t\t\tReady to Inflate\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4749'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3684-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"It Begins\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4749\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3684-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3684-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3684-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4749'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd so it begins\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4750'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3689-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Other filler\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4750\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3689-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3689-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3689-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4750'>\n\t\t\t\tThe tiny person-shaped helium-filler at the other side (actually, you can tell this is Cory, and Curtis at the first side)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4751'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3697-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Balloon Inflation\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4751\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3697-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3697-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3697-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4751'>\n\t\t\t\tVery soon, the balloon is noticeably inflated and hard to hold down\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4752'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3698-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Let Go\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4752\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3698-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3698-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3698-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4752'>\n\t\t\t\tThe balloon wobbles after being let go\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4753'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3705-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Filling Continues\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4753\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3705-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3705-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3705-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4753'>\n\t\t\t\tAll the while, filling continues&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4754'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3711-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Continuing\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4754\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3711-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3711-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3711-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4754'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8230;and continues\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4755'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3712-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Notarama\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4755\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3712-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3712-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3712-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4755'>\n\t\t\t\tWider scene (for even better, remember the <a href=\"index.php?p=4603\">panoramas<\/a>)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4756'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3713-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Balloon and Sleds\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4756\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3713-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3713-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3713-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4756'>\n\t\t\t\tBalloon with the assortment of sleds it requires\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4757'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3717-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Dangerously Full\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4757\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3717-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3717-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3717-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4757'>\n\t\t\t\tThe balloon is approaching dangerous inflatedness. I must retreat to the safety of the highbay deck with maximum rapidity\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4758'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3720-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"One More\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4758\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3720-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3720-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3720-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4758'>\n\t\t\t\tRight after I take one more picture of BLAST\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4759'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3728-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Parachute\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4759\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3728-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3728-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3728-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4759'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd the parachute\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4760'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3783-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Safe\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4760\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3783-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3783-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3783-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4760'>\n\t\t\t\tThen from the deck, I get a safe picture of BLAST\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4761'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3787-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ghetto Timelapse\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4761\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3787-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3787-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3787-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4761'>\n\t\t\t\tTristan takes his &#8220;ghetto timelapse&#8221;, counting to ten and pressing the shutter\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4762'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3789-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Deck Watchers\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4762\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3789-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3789-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3789-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4762'>\n\t\t\t\tThe deck watchers. Everyone else is inside or still on the pad\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4763'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3796-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"In Portrait\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4763\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3796-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3796-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3796-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4763'>\n\t\t\t\tThe scene in portrait\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4764'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3798-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Piball\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4764\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3798-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3798-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3798-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4764'>\n\t\t\t\tPiball flying one thousand feet above\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4765'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3818-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Getting Full\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4765\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3818-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3818-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3818-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4765'>\n\t\t\t\tThe balloon is getting full (or, as full as it gets on the ground)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4766'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3821-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Inside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4766\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3821-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3821-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3821-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4766'>\n\t\t\t\tI go inside to visit Laura and Barth (and Natalie and Lorenzo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4767'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3833-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"BLAST\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4767\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3833-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3833-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3833-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4767'>\n\t\t\t\tNeed a few more shots of BLAST before launch\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4768'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3850-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Half Tied\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4768\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3850-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3850-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3850-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4768'>\n\t\t\t\tReally happening! One of the fill tubes is tied off\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4769'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3854-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Man Lifting\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4769\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3854-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3854-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3854-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4769'>\n\t\t\t\tRiding the man-lift to remove the pump tube and seal everything up\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4770'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3860-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Inflated\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4770\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3860-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3860-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3860-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4770'>\n\t\t\t\tFully tied off and ready to go\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4771'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3873-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Matt Riding Back\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4771\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3873-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3873-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3873-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4771'>\n\t\t\t\tThe BLAST team members on the pad were told to leave &#8220;as quickly as possibly&#8221;. Matt complied to the highest possible degree\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4772'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3877-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Mark Follows\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4772\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3877-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3877-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3877-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4772'>\n\t\t\t\tMark follows behind\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4773'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3883-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Forced Inside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4773\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3883-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3883-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3883-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4773'>\n\t\t\t\tThen, we receive a radio call that we all have to go inside the highbay. Having previously been told we were allowed to be outside, we were pissed\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4774'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3886-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"What We Saw\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4774\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3886-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3886-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3886-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4774'>\n\t\t\t\tThis is how we saw the launch. Numbers on a computer screen\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4776'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3898-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Allowed Out\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4776\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3898-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3898-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3898-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4776'>\n\t\t\t\tAs soon as we&#8217;re allowed, everyone rushes outside\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4775'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3887-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Holy Crap! We Launched!\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4775\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3887-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3887-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3887-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4775'>\n\t\t\t\tWe actually launched this thing!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4777'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3901-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Filming\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4777\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3901-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3901-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3901-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4777'>\n\t\t\t\tMichael filming. He had left his camera on a tripod during launch, and was kind enough to give us a copy of the video\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4778'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3904-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Getting Smaller\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4778\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3904-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3904-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3904-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4778'>\n\t\t\t\tBLAST getting smaller\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4779'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3908-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"And Smaller\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4779\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3908-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3908-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3908-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4779'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd smaller\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4780'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3915-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Cleanup\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4780\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3915-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3915-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3915-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4780'>\n\t\t\t\tCleanup over at the pad\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4781'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3923-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Even Smaller\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4781\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3923-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3923-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3923-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4781'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd even smaller\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4782'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3930-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Gabe and Luke\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4782\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3930-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3930-250x166.jpg 250w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3930-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4782'>\n\t\t\t\tGabe and Luke return\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4783'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3932-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Still Receding\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4783\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3932-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3932-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3932-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4783'>\n\t\t\t\tStill receding into the distance. The sky is so clear that BLAST can be seen at float for a day, before disappearing under the horizon\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=4784'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3934-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Good Measure\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4784\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3934-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3934-166x250.jpg 166w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/img_3934-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4784'>\n\t\t\t\tOne last photograph for good measure. Goodbye BLAST!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The final installment in my agonizingly prolonged series of posts about launch day. This picks up with the beginning of inflation, and ends when everyone goes inside to start doing real work. Or, at least everyone goes inside and agonizes over altitude data until we can start doing real work.<\/p>\n<p>The most disappointing part about [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9,12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4746"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5861,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746\/revisions\/5861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}