*Yawn*

The Olympics begin today.

I don’t really care.

I remember when the Olympics were a big deal. Back when the Winter Games and Summer Games happened in the same year, and only took place every four years. Everyone would gear up for them. It was exciting. Shelly, when she was little and before I was born, gave my mother a heart-stopping moment when she stood up in her high chair and did a tumbling forward roll, her best imitation of Nadia Comaneci. Me, I was just excited when McDonald’s would have the game pieces, where your prize would depend on what medal, if any, the US got in a particular event. I remember waiting for the diving, ice skating, swimming, gymnastics events… I remember big moments. And I think the IOC made a huge mistake when they decided to split the games so that they stagger every two years. Yes, I understand there are some athletes who may have wanted to compete in both Winter and Summer games, and may have needed the break in between to adequately train. But it had the effect of diluting it, so that instead of one big event that you waited for every four years, held your breath, and built up to… you just get a bigger-than-usual sporting event every couple of years, often with the same athletes going after the same medals. It just took away the special-ness of it all. And so, yes, the Olympics start today. They start in beautiful Torino, Italy. And I don’t really care.