So . . . I started hearing about the big Slow Food Nation shindig last year, when Carlo Petrini was in Chicago promoting his book, and I was keeping tabs on it and sorta, kinda thinking about going. But while big blowout events like this–which optimists are predicting to be the Woodstock of the Age of Artisanal Food–sound super fun in theory, I have to keep reminding myself that I get antsy at the Green City Market, for g-d’s sake. At last weekend’s American Cheese Society gala, the bajillion different cheeses crammed into one hotel ballroom were so overwhelming (not to mention, smelly) that I only lasted 45 minutes. How on earth would handle an entire pavilion full of honey? I decided to pass.

I still think that was a good call–Leah, who’s on the U.S. committee for the Ark of Taste, is going, and promises a full report. But as the date looms, and the press beats louder, I can’t help feeling a little wistful. Maybe this will be the foodist event of a lifetime. Am I missing out? Am I a lazy reporter? The New Pornographers are playing! That honey looks reallllly good.

Then again, I tried to go to Woodstock II, in 1994, and just got stuck in traffic.