So here we are at the beginning of another year! For once I have mixed feelings about the passing of one year and the start of another. My mother said “good riddance” to 2005, but ‘05 was pretty good to me. I fell into a perfectly fitting niche with my work, formed a number of extremely valuable friendships, and got to travel on an almost monthly basis. Most important, my family is just as happy and healthy as ever. So, how could I harbor any ill will towards 2005?That’s not to say there aren’t some things I wish I could change. I was watching TV today and flipped to ESPN, as I usually do. Once I got to ESPN2, my jaw dropped. To my surprise, the Scripps Spelling Bee was on…again. I remember my utter disappointment and anger towards ESPN when it first aired, and that all came rushing back this afternoon. It just doesn’t make sense to me and probably never will. I wish there were something I could do that could change the television tradition that shuns coverage of swimming. After all, it was the Olympic television coverage that drew me into the sport. Imagine what it could do to the masses if it were shown more than once or twice every 4 years!

So here’s to 2006! May it bring more recognition and respect for swimming in the US. And may ESPN air national television coverage for for more athletic competitions. I know I could deal with not seeing Poker every single day.