We’re watching the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. The Olympics are among my most favorite sporting events on TV. Even the quality of the commercials is elevated during the Olympics. Let the games begin!!

I think we’ll also get our fill of Bode Miller, the bad boy of skiing. I hope that Michelle Kwan can do very well in the ice skating. I’m looking forward to the short track speed skating. Even the half-pipe looks to be exciting! It’s the time of year when I’ll spend more time in front of the TV than in front of the computer. Let the games begin!!

Of course the games have already begun. Before NBC showed the opening ceremonies, they showed the first runs on the downhill. That was some fast skiing! The training half-pipe snowboarding rides were pretty spectacular, and these were only practice rides. I think it’s interesting that snow boarders refer to what they do as “riding”. I have no idea how they make their bodies do those contortions, twists, and turns. Let the games begin!!

The opening ceremonies are about finished. I’m sure that I’ve got a much better view of the ceremonies than those in the stands courtesy of the closeups delivered to my living rooms by television, but I still want to be there, in the cold, the snow, the wind along with the noise, the sights, and smells. I’ll probably never get to an opening or closing ceremony, but I’d sure like to do that! It’s time for the Winter Olympics! Let the games BEGIN!