ALMOST everything said about Cleveland is correct. It will be a wonderfully fun LC Nationals at a great facility, Rock Hall of Fame and great nightspots on the waterfront. But the Ohio River???
Every location is inconvenient to someone. Hawaii is a great opportunity for those fortunate enough to make the trip. I'm excited for those going --- have a GREAT time!
Matt,
I think I just have a little more tolerance for whining than you do, and don't mind letting people vent, even when it could be annoying (otherwise, how could I justify my own vents?). Rather than a violent disagreement, I think we generally agree on the generalities and the specifics of this case.
But lets be honest about the location - I could imagine a permanent national-meet facility in someplace like Cleveland, or St. Louis, or Colorado Springs, because these locations are relatively centrally located. I could not imagine one in Hawaii, just because it is not centrally located. We are trading convenience of location for a pretty location and the desire to spread the location around the country from year to year. That way everyone is convenienced one year or the other, and the rest get to see new places. But it is fair for people to judge the pluses/minuses differently.
I believe it was Plato that said it first, at least. I once put that phrase ('only an examined life is worth living') in the introduction to the Physics Department in a college catalog. It really was not out of context with the rest of the text, and the Philosophy Department appreciated it. It was *not* appreciated by the students, however (what do physics students fear most? the exam!) :( :rolleyes:
I'm not going to Hawaii for Nationals this year. The reason doesn't really have much to do with the location, it's just that this year I don't have the money and was pretty disgusted with my last 2 National perfomances. But if I did have the money and the interest I would have gone. I wish everyone who is going a great meet and terrific vacation.
Emmett, you are ABSOLUTELY 100% right on the money, as usual. And you know what, I do have to think Masters Swimming on a long term basis. This is my 4th year now, and my subconcious clock says "this is it, your senior year". I need to understand, for myself, that I'm going to be doing this sport (that can only be played, not won) for a good number of years to come.
Thanks. BTW, Indianoplis was probably my most favorite nationals, excellent Micro-Brewerys. :D
Thanks for the rest of you for not comming down hard on me. I know everyone going is as excited as can be, and don't want to listen to the nay-sayers such as myself. I wish you all luck, and it's going to be a great meet. Timewise especially. It won't go too fast, you can bet on that.
BTW, I never did get any takers on my wager?:p
Joe
