It's show time let the Games begin

The waiting is over, and now it's time for the show to get under way in earnest.

Despite several events having already kicked off, today marks the start of biggest thing going right now, the London Olympics.

As is usual with these sorts of things the build-up was beset by controversy over security, inadequate and unfinished facilities, transport issues and worries over the fitness of athletes. All that will be forgotten with today's opening ceremony, which is sure to be spectacular - surely it is written somewhere that as the athletes try to out-do each other and previous benchmarks, so, too, do Games organisers try to set a new standard for glitz, glamour and all-round showmanship.

Of course, the Olympics are big business and the London event the costliest yet.

Sponsorships, construction of venues, broadcast rights all add up to amounts that make the return on our Government's sale of assets seem like pocket change.

But let's not dismiss the action on the sports field. Forget all the worries about security, transport and the likes, the big questions many of us want answered are if Michael Phelps can repeat his efforts of four years ago, who will be the biggest surprise package, or heartbreak? And, how will the Kiwi athletes fare?

There is plenty to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat, and that means bad news if watching sport, especially the Olympics, is not your favourite pastime.

Still it only lasts a few days, and happens but once every four years. These are the cream of the crop. There will be action and drama aplenty.

Now it's here finally here, I can't wait to see how it unfolds.Irritating hang-up

In an era where accessibility is taken for granted, I have been somewhat surprised, even frustrated, by my inability to connect with people.

Now I don't expect people to be available all hours of the day and night. But when people have an answerphone service, I do expect to be able to leave a message. That isn't always the case.

Several times in recent weeks I was prompted to leave a message, tried to do so but was cut off by a friendly, albeit increasingly annoying voice telling me my message had not been recorded properly. That is quite aside from the fact insufficient time is allowed to leave any coherent or meaningful dialogue.

Maybe in the post-"noughties" we expect everyone to be connected and all calls and messages received and replied to in an instant. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic, but I don't think it's too much to be able to leave a basic name and number.

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