NCAA Elite Eight

We arrived early, because that's part of the fun. No rushing, no crowds, no hurrying to get seated before tip off, no anxiety at all. Since this was our first trip to a public event since Pandemica reared its ugly head, lessening anxiety was a paramount consideration. 

The Chase Center is beautiful and easy to navigate. The escalators and elevators are conveniently located. Every surface was sparkling clean. There were worker bees strategically placed; they each had maps to help us locate our section.  

We were in the 1st row of the 2nd tier, in line with the Arkansas basket. We could see the players' facial expressions and hear their feet pounding the floor. 

There were a lot of Duke alums all around us, though we noted a UofA hat and some Gonzaga tee shirts, too. Deliriously happy fans screaming encouragement was the background noise all night. It was wonderful. 

Being there in person let us feel the explosiveness of the game more viscerally than watching on TV. The time zipped by. 

Everyone showed proof of vaccination (or took a rapid test at the site) before entering. We opted out of our masks, as did most everyone else. There was no coughing or sneezing in our area. It felt safe, normal, convivial, friendly, and large. 

Queen T and I kept smiling at one another, reveling in the fact that we were at a public event, with all the joy and energy immediately available, not filtered through a screen. 

If we were infected, there have been no signs of disease so far.  

I have missed being in a public space while sharing an activity with thousands of others.

It was good to have a bit of normal in our lives.