Was it worth it?

Not going to lie: I was pretty anxious about going to BreyerFest. The thought of all those people crammed into all those tight spaces at a time when Covid numbers were spiking seemed like a recipe for a super spreader. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a part of it.

Then - two days before I left - I found myself listening to a story on NPR about what to do if you got Covid while traveling. It was mostly logistics - how to find care, return your rental car and deal with hotel staff. At the end, the interviewer asked if maybe we should just not travel during a pandemic. The speaker said, no. This is life now. Get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in crowded places, but go on with your life. Literally, it might be like this forever.

That resonated with me. I realized that I am not willing to put my life on hold forever. I got on the plane and flew to Chicago.

Then I went to Kentucky and stood in all those crowds.

I hugged all those people.

I was pretty good about wearing a mask inside.

Not perfect.

Clearly not perfect.

As it turned out, my concerns were warranted. BreyerFest was a super spreader. For solidly a week, my Facebook feed was filled with pictures of my friends' positive Covid tests.

I didn't get it. I don't know how. I was right there in the middle of it, but somehow, I didn't get it.

Unfortunately, I did get a rip roaring case of Con Crud, which turned into a really nasty and persistent ear infection. I am pretty sure all my friends who got Covid are completely recovered. Meanwhile, I spent my morning at the ENT.

No one wants to see a picture of my nasty ear so here's cute Olive

It's been a painful, frustrating and expensive experience, and I've spent a lot of time thinking about whether or not it was worth it.

Let me tell you: It's not even a close call.

My answer is a resounding yes.

I'm pretty sure most all of my friends would agree. 

This was a fabulous, much needed BreyerFest. Despite everything, I would not change a thing.