Texas Invitational!

The Texas Invitational at the University of Texas starts tomorrow and you can find all the info for it at the Texas Swimming Center website. Taking a quick look at the Psych sheet you'll notice all our favorite Texas boys will be there, including Brendan, Ian, and Aaron as well as Tara Kirk, Roland Schoeman, Neil Walker, Dale Rogers, Craig "Chappy" Chapman, Nick Brunelli, Kirsty Coventry, Lacey Nymeyer, etc. etc. The list goes on and on. If you are swimming fan anywhere near Austin, this will be the place to be. Unfortunately, I'm no where near Austin and I'm in the middle of finals. :/ I'll try to get results posted each day and you can follow it "real-time" with Hy-tek as well. Although, do keep in mind that "real time" can be pretty relative, especially on the first day.

Wheeeee! Swimmin'!

Weekend Wrap Up

Michelle is really busy with Algebra tonight, so I am stepping in to do a weekend wrap up.

Lets start with Brendan! He helped out with the Class 4A Southern Zone TISCA Invitation Swim Meet at the Tex Rex Robertson Natatorium in the Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center in Burnet last weekend.

Before the meet got started, three special guests wowed the crowd. University of Texas men’s head swim coach Eddie Reese, along with world-record holder and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Brendan Hansen and two-time Olympic gold medalist Neil Walker demonstrated championship swim technique to the excited crowd.

Source
How fun!

Over in Italy we have the Gran Premio Italia. I'll do a very select reacap. Full results can be found here.

Cameron Van der Burgh took 1st in the 100 Breast with 59.24. Oleg Lisogor followed close behind for a second place finish with 59.74. The 200 was won in 2:11.49 by Loris Facci.

Brendan's teammate David Cromwell whooped everyone by going 24.57 in the 50 back. (He also took 4th in the 100 free)

Mike Cavic won the 100 fly in 51.64. Took 3rd in the 50 Fly.

Markus Rogan won the 200 back in 1:53.97 beating out Stanford teammate and second place finisher Hongzhe Sun.

Markus also tied with Cameron Van Der Burgh in the overall point total for the three days behind top finisher Cesar Ceilo Filo.


As far as the Bell Grand Prix goes, I understand that our favorite Canadian Joe Bartoch won the 100 fly. Woot! Mike Brown won the 200 breast and Scott Dickens won the 50 Breast. Swimming World Magazine has results.

The World cup has come to an end and Randall Bal won the men's top prize of $100,000 by winning every back stroke event. 21! Congratulations Randall! Way to show em that the USA owns backstroke! Natalie Coughlin took second place in overall standings winning the $50,000 purse for her total points scored. Pretty sweet, especially considering she didn't compete in every leg of the event.

The Texas Invite starts in a few day, so those of you close enough to go need to get to Texas and support Brendan as he competes in his home pool at one of the last few meets held in Texas before he is off to Beijing. Michelle will show us the psych sheet as soon as it is up I am sure.

Weekend Swimming Results thus far...

So many meets this weekend and so little time. I just wanted to touch on a few of the ones that feature our favorites.

Over in Italy we have the Gran Premio Italia with swimmers such as Markus Rogan, Filippo Magnini, Mike Cavic, David Cromwell and Oleg Lisogor just to name a few. A lot of the European big guns and Olympic favorites are participating in this 3 city, 3 day meet. The format is a bit unusual in that some of the races are repeated in each city so if you had a bad swim Thursday, you can try again Friday and Saturday.

So far American's David Cromwell and Hongzhe Sun are kicking butt in the backstroke races with wins in the 50, 100 and 200 distances. Markus Rogan had a bronze medal finish in 100 Thursday and a DSQ in Friday's 200.

Ukraine's Oleg Lisogor and Italy's Paolo Bossini have owned the Breaststroke with South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh breaking through for a win in Friday's 50.

Brazil's Cesar Cielo has taken the title in the 100 free two days running with Filippo Magnini and Mike Cavic coming up second respectively.

And in a model of consistency Mark Foster of Great Britain, Cesar Cielo and Fred Bousquet of France have finished 1,2,3 in that order 2 days running in the 50 free. You can find full results on the Italian Federations website: Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Moving on up North to the Bell Grand Prix in Toronto we get a bit of a preview of Canadian Olympic Trials in a more traditional meet format. All the big names are there including past Q&A participants Scott Dickens and Joe Bartoch.

Friday's results included World Champion Brent Hayden (49.32) surprising no one with a win in the 100 free but I have to admit I was a little surprised to see Andrew Hurd (51.01)in the bronze medal position because I've always thought of him as more of a 1500 guy. I guess he's kind of Canada's version of Peter VDK. He does it all. Colin Russell (50.67) was the second place finisher in that race.

Mike Brown (1:02.63) took the 100 Breast title with Mathieu Bois (1:02.65) second and Scott Dickens (1:03.23) in bronze position.

Tanya Hunks won the 400 IM (4:47.71).

Keith Beavers had a great day with wins in both the 200 back (2:01.09) and 400 IM (4:21.37).

And last, but certainly not least, Joe Bartoch got a silver medal in the 50 fly, his time of 24.58 topped only by Thomas Kindler who won by .04 hundredths of a second with a time of 24.54. Jarryd Botha (24.98) finished 3rd.

Find full results from Friday and follow Saturday's action live on the Etobicoke swimming event site.

I'm excited to see how the 100 fly and 200 breast turn out today in Toronto and of course hope the American boys continue to dominate the backstroke races over in Italy tomorrow, although honestly I wouldn't mind seeing Markus Rogan win one. I luff him. The Zagreb Invitational and Brazil's leg of the World Cup start today as well. So much to distract me from studying!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

There's some great swimming over the holiday weekend. The Italian Grand Prix starts today, then the Bell Grand Prix and Zagreb Invitational on Friday and the last leg of the World Cup on Saturday in Brazil. You can check out our schedule to get links and more info.

Brendan Inducted into High School's Hall of Fame

Brendan's family was at the awards dinner last night on Brendan's behalf and Brendan's dad made a little speech....I don't know what he said but I'm sure it was good. From the article:

Brendan Hansen (Class of 2000): He was a four-time PIAA gold medalist and was named Daily Times Swimmer of the Year three times while representing the Fords. He also was Daily Times Sports Figure of the Year in 2000 and 2004. He earned All-America honors as he helped the University of Texas to a pair of NCAA championships. He has earned gold (medley relay), silver (100 breaststroke) and bronze (200 breaststroke) medals in the Olympic Games.

Read more here: Olympian Hansen headlines eight-member hall of fame class

Brendan's Weekend Meet Results and "the Stupid Greek"

Don't you love the way that title looks up there? Meet Results? For Brendan?! Me too but it's not as exciting as it may first appear (suckazz). Brendan swam the 200y Breaststroke and the 100y Back this weekend at the November Unclassified meet held at UT. He won the backstroke with a time of 52.77 and DQ'd in the breast because his goggles slipped and he stopped at the 50 to fix them. Same thing happened at Gulf States a few years back, the first meet I ever saw him swim at. Anyway, they don't list his final time because of the DQ but it was somewhere around the 2 minute mark. Split times were: 28.67 - 58.88 - 1:30.12 - ???. You can see the full results here.

Be sure to check out the Timed Prelims Red Carpet video coverage of the Golden Goggles today. Yeah, you didn't know they were so cute did you? I foresee many more visits to their site in your future. In all seriousness, they did a great job and it was a lot of fun to watch.

And in other happy news, Craig Lord from Swim News reports that the Greek pair of Asterios Kalyvas and Romanos Alyfantis (who will forever be known as "the Stupid Greek" now, thank you Markus) were both DQ'd in the prelims of 200 Breaststroke at the Berlin World Cup this weekend. THANK YOU GERMANY!

I think that calls for a Tuesday morning happy dance.

Floswimming is quickly becoming my favorite swimming site ever...oh, and Golden Goggles Results.

New videos up with Kaitlin Sandeno and the Texas boys having a practice set. In the video are Ian Crocker, Dave Walters, Aaron Peirsol, Ricky Berens, Sean Patton, Daniel Rohleder, Michael Klueh and many others. Hardest working team around!

Also, gotta give a big congrats to previous Q&A'er Mike Cavic for an excellent World Cup meet in Berlin this weekend where he won the 50 and 100 Butterfly. You can read the full results over on WCSN and watch video clips of the coverage. It was a really fast meet with Dara Torres setting two new American records, Randall Bal taking down a World Cup record (and sweeping the backstroke events yet again), and Nystrand, Veldhuis and Pereira all setting new world records.

Jo Fargus has been named to Queensland's Hot 40 list along with several other members of the swim team. You can see all the nominees and vote here.

And, Golden Goggle Awards tonight. You can see photos at Getty and and USA Swimming is offering a webcast available Wednesday via Sportnet.

Winners are:

Breakout Performer: Ben Wildman-Tobriner
Perseverance: Ryan Lochte
Coach of the Year: Bob Bowman
Relay Performance of the Year: The Men's 4x200 Free Relay: Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay and Klete Keller
Female Performance of the Year: Kate Ziegler, 1500 WR at TYR
Male Performance of the Year: Michael Phelps (Ryan wuzrobbed)
Female Athlete of the Year: Katie Hoff (was sure Kate would get this one too)
Male Athlete of the Year: Michael Phelps

You know, I rarely agree with all the results and this year is no different. This was the forth year for these and not to get all political up in here, but in the four categories where the winner can be either male or female, it's only been female three times. That's 3 for 16. I'd love to have seen Margaret Hoelzer recognized for her Worlds performance and Ryan get Performance of the Year instead. And an argument could be made for the coach and women's relay team as well. Mike didn't need three awards. I realize our men's team is stronger, but the women aren't 3.5 times weaker. Just my two cents, and it's worth about that much.

Q and A with Christian Sprenger

Christian Sprenger is a young Australian Breaststroker who has been a force on the short course scene for a few years now, and lately has been showing us some long course skills. After a 7th place finish at Australia's Olympic Trials in 2004, he's gone on to establish himself as a contender for the 2008 Olympic team with a bronze medal performance in the 100m Breaststroke at Australia's 2006 National Championships. So far this season he's earned a silver and bronze from the Japan International Swim Meet and gold in the 50, 100 and 200 Breaststrokes at World Cup in Sydney. Although he's seen most of his success thus far in short course I know many of us would love to see him overtake one of his teammates (coughJimPipercough) in the long course events and go on to represent Australia in Beijing.


Photo Credit: by Delly Carr / SAL.

1. You're having a pretty good season so far with an outstanding performance at the Sydney World Cup. Are you pretty happy with where your training is right now and what are your goals this year, both short term and long? Trials is coming up fast for you guys....

Yeah, I mean there's a lot of good things that I can take out of the Sydney World Cup. However, a lot of things I can still work on, which is exciting to know I could potentially swim faster. Training at the moment is going well, and my stroke is actually starting to look like breaststroke..haha. Lucky for me the Olympic trials are (as you mentioned) fast approaching, so hopefully by then I'll be looking good in the water. As for goals, the childhood dream of representing your country at the Olympics always crosses my mind.

2. Ok, the question I'm asking all Breaststrokers...How have you adapted to the new dolphin kick and what were your feelings regarding the rule change? Overdue or unnecessary?

Definitely Overdue. It was getting a bit outrageous there for a few years. I actually remember standing next to one of my friends at the Commonwealth Games, watching some of the highlights from the night before, and the 50m breast came up (underwater camera). Some dived in and made the race look like the 50m butterfly final for about 5 metres. Unfortunately some still do it!

I don't feel it (the fly kick) has benefitted me so much, as I'm still very weak on the starts and turns. Hopefully, as I progress in those skills, as will that fly kick.

3. We've had quite a bit to say about the You Tube video making the rounds showing Greek swimmer Romanos Alifantis, but lucky you got a front row seat for the show. You were the silver medalist in that video. Can you tell us a little bit more about what happened and how you, your team, the officials and the crowd reacted? What are your feelings on video review for officials?

Haha yes...Romanos Alyfantis...Unfortunately, I have no respect for him as a swimmer. As far as I'm concerned he's just as guilty as any drug cheat. That race was actually the first time I broke the 1.01, and it should have been something to celebrate, yet I watched him fly kick his way to an undeserved win. My Coach/Head coach/Team officials/EVERYONE, could not believe that he wasn't disqualified. The crowd was awesome, they had all sorts of names for Alyfantis, and at the same time made sure everyone knew who really won the race.

4. I don't want to embarrass you but I was reading a profile of you on the Telstra site and it lists Brendan Hansen as your favorite athlete. (ME TOO! ha). Why Brendan?

I don't mind answering that. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a great athlete, and I'll be ready when I get the chance to race him. Hopefully next year... haha.

5. Tell us about your life outside the pool..How's it going? How do you fill your time when not training?

Well, I'm currently studying Industrial Design/Architecture, so I keep relatively busy with that. I also play guitar. I've been in a few bands, but unfortunately I don't have a whole heap of time! haha.

6. The only Aussie bands I know are Silverchair and AC/DC - who else should I be listening to?

The only Aussie bands you know are AC/DC and Silverchair! Haha, well I guess thats ok, cause Silverchair are very good! However, you need to listen to their old albums. eg. "Frogstop", "Freak Show", and "Neon Ballroom." Their new stuff is nowhere near as good! 'Evermore' are really good, 'Jet' are great. Umm, and I just realised I don't know too many artists either, haha. I'm more into the US rock bands!

Christian with his coach Stephan Widmer - Giving us his best Blue Steel. ;)

He's so freaking adorable! And a training mate of Jo Fargus (who we love). So A+ all around for Christian! We should ask him who his favorite US bands are next time. Someone remind me.

Read more about Christian on the Telstra site.

Master's Swimmer in the Spotlight...

I confess, I love Project Runway and of course I'm happy as a clam because the new season started last night. I'm even happier because one of the contestants is a masters swimmer, and not just any kind of swimmer, but the best kind - a breaststroker!


Photo I swiped from his MySpace Page.

Jack Mackenroth is a graduate of UC Berkeley and in 2006 finished 12th in the 50m breaststroke at the Masters World Championships. You can read more about him at his website.

Tomorrow, Q and A with Christian Sprenger! And also, Duje Draganja and Mike Cavic are swimming at this weekends Berlin World Cup. Follow their results online through WCSN's World Cup coverage if you are so inclined.

Q and A with Markus Rogan

Markus Rogan is more than just a world class athlete, Olympic silver medalist and former World Record holder. For many people, he is the epitome of what an Olympian should be. After the disqualification of Aaron Peirsol in the 200 Backstroke in Athens, Markus would have been the Olympic Champion but he stood by Aaron in protest of the DQ and maintained that his friend and competitor was the clear winner of the race and should not lose his medal. His behavior earned him the Fair Play Award in 2004 and of course the respect of his peers and fans everywhere.

In the intervening years he's broken Aaron's short course record in the 200m backstroke, won many additional international medals and been a vocal advocate for the rights of athletes. He joined others in petitioning FINA when they started forcing swimmers to wear sponsor logos on their uniforms and just this past year petitioned the IOC to keep swimming finals at night in Beijing. He is now training to improve on his Olympic results from 2004 and face Aaron once again in Beijing.



1. You are now training in Rome. What necessitated the move and how does "la dolce vita" of Italy work for you as a training environment? How do you feel about where you are with your training right now? Favorite gelato flavor?

In Italy, emotions are part of training. Even when we're dead tired, we're able to let our dreams carry us through the hardest parts of workout.

I moved here because I had no one to train with in Austria, and I started to see swimming as something of a dry sport...I needed more excitement, I yearned for passion in the water.

True Italians don't really eat gelato, that's for tourists...just like Mexicans don't really drink Corona...:)

2. Because of your athleticism and sportsmanship/character you are looked upon as a role model not only in your home country of Austria but around the world. What do you hope to inspire in young people and who are the role models you look to yourself?

I used to have pretty lofty goals as a role model, until I realized that the world's pretty full of them. Now I just hope that I can show children that it's better to go for a swim than to take drugs.

I'm currently discovering a new role model, Barack Obama. I love his match of idealism with a very people-inclusive approach.

3. You have a degree in International Relations from Stanford and I read in one of your previous interviews that you've tested for Business School. Will you continue to swim competitively after Beijing or are you ready for something else? Is it still too soon to think about that?

I hope to hear from Harvard in the next couple of weeks...but it will be pretty tough to get in. I'll stop training after Beijing and see how much longer I'll swim... I'm also going to expand my work as a consultant for my bank, Raiffeisen International.

4. What are your feelings on the use of underwater cameras and video review for officials in swimming? Long overdue or an unnecessary encumbrance?

The stupid Greek!
Of course they should be used!

5. On your website you have photos and results from the Markus Rogan Talent Cup. Can you tell us a little more about what that is?

It's a nationwide talent search for swimmers...we had about 5000 participants (not bad for a country smaller than the Dallas met area) and are hoping that a couple of them will make it to the Olympics in 2016.

6. Ok, I know I said 3-5 questions so you don't have to answer this one if you don't want to, but a few of the young women that visit the site are interested to know what qualities you look for in a woman and are you single?

I am madly in love with my girlfriend. Our mutual friend, Aaron Peirsol, got her phone number for me about six months ago. Today's our five month anniversary! Unfortunately, she's in China at the Miss World Pageant. In her normal life, she's in med school and we're planning on having somewhere between 3 and 20 children.

Markus with his girlfriend Miss Austria Christine Reiler. Photo credit: Zwefo

Nice work Aaron! Although I'm afraid some girls will not be so happy with you for that ;). Everyone be sure to root for Miss Austria on December 1st.

Those of us who went to Montreal in 2005 have many fond memories of riding the metro with Markus. I won't embarrass Blair (or the rest of us) by detailing it all but she accidentally got a little up close and personal with him. Good times...good times.

Y'all can read more about him on his fabulous dual-language website. He's got technique videos, games, photos, and much more.

2007 - 2008 Meet Schedule

I'm always amazed at how many swimming fans have never been to an actual swim meet. Of course, up until 2005 I myself had never attended anything bigger than the local club team's meet so I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. A group of us from BHO attended Montreal Worlds in 2005 and had such an amazing time that it's been hard to stop and now I feel like an old pro (although I still don't write all the split times on my heat sheets. L.A.M.E. ;).

I decided that this year I'd try something a little different to encourage all you readers to get out and cheer on your favorites in person so I've started putting together a sort of "Psych Sheet" for the season, that just lists our favorites (ie: the swimmers who return my emails) and the meets they plan to attend. This in no way lists EVERY meet scheduled this year, but as I hear back from folks I'll add to the schedule and you can start planning to attend. For the most part swim meets are very inexpensive, tickets costing anywhere from a few dollars to $25, Trials, Worlds and the Olympics being exceptions of course $$$$$.

Check out the schedule (I'll keep a handy link to it in the sidebar) and find a meet near you!

FloSwimming Video Interview with Brendan

Yeah, I know. I was all, "What the heck is Floswimming?" too. But who cares, they have a great video interview up with Brendan from just last week.

Anyway, go watch Brendan. It's great! And then go watch Eddie's interview and Dale Rogers!

Q and A with Nick Brunelli

Nick Brunelli is one of our top sprinters and National team members who will be battling for a spot on the Olympic team this season. He just missed qualifying for the Athens team in 2004, with a 3rd place finish in the 50 Free and after suffering a shoulder injury at 2006 Summer Nationals, and subsequent surgery to repair the damage, things weren't looking so good for 2008. Thank goodness no one told Nick! He had an amazing summer and looks on track for big things this year...


Nick and his fiance, Jennifer Van Assen - Photo courtesy of Nick Brunelli

1. A lot has happened since the last Olympic season, you graduated, you're engaged (congrats!) and you've had a pretty serious shoulder injury to recover from. How is training different for you now than it was 4 years ago? Is it a matter of knowing what to do and just executing the plan or are you still tweaking your training program each season?

Thank you on the engagement! Jennifer and I are now happy to be planning our wedding. The date is now official too! It's June 13th, 2009. We thought after the Olympic year would be best.

As for swimming, training is very different than what it used to be. I am more cautious of what I am doing in the water so my shoulders don't break down as much. I have been on a strict rehab program that will lead right up to Olympic Trials. In my swim training, I have a very good relationship with my coach Mike Chasson and that helps when I think things aren't going well or I think I need something else. It does help a lot to know Mike and I can talk about my game plan anytime. The plan for me right now is to continue the things we know work and to add small things that can compliment those things. You don't want to change anything to much this close to trials.

2. As a professional athlete who also coaches, what do you think you most contribute to the swimmers you coach and the kids you clinic? Do you think your swimmers consider you hard or a pushover? What do you most hope your students take away from their time with you?

I am a constant learner of the sport and very serious about the things I do and teach. I always try to make everything better within my stroke and others I coach and teach. But with that said I do like a comfortable and exciting environment where anyone I teach or coach can question what I think is right or wrong. But if I'm sure I am right, you better do it my way or I am not doing my job. People pay me to teach them what I know best and if I don't know best then I shouldn't be doing it. I love helping swimmers too much to be teaching them the wrong things. I feel like anyone I have coached or taught, they had a very positive experience.

3. You had a great summer, bronze in the 50 and 100 at Nationals and two more bronzes in Japan. Do you feel like you are right where you need to be with your training? How happy are you with your results?

I am exactly where I want to be really. I feel great and nothings holding me back with training. The past season is history to me right now. I took the good with the bad and moved on. I know what I did wrong and now I'm training to correct that so it never happens again. But to look back on last season I am very happy. I was able to pull off a best time in the 50 free (22.01) and go just about my best in my 100 free (49.04). To do that with what I have been through in the last year with shoulder surgery I think anyone would take that!

4. What is the funniest swim slogan or swim t-shirt you've seen lately?

This was the only one I could think of and it's not really funny but I think it's a clever one. This has no reference to me though: There is no "I" in Team, but there is in Swimmer!

Oh my goodness y'all, I'm so sick, so please forgive me for the somewhat briefer than usual introduction and know that it's certainly not due to a lack of admiration for Mr. Brunelli. Frankly, I think most of you are already pretty familiar with Nick as we even have our own nickname for him here at BHO - "The Back". I think it was originally coined by Erin or Jenny at 2005 ASCC? I wasn't at that meet so my memory is vague on the issue (Nyquil isn't helping me here either) but it has lovingly stuck as a term of endearment. One of them needs to remind us how that came about. ;)

And here are some links so you can learn more about Nick: His Sun Devil Profile, USA Swimming Profile, most recent 20 Question Tuesday, and his Swimroom Blog.

ETA: Special request from Sarah...I think this photo adequately demonstrates why that nickname came about.


Photo courtesy of lala

Water Torture

A great feature on Brenton Rickard from Adrian Proszenko at the Sun Herald.

Talking about his failure to qualify for Athens after going into Trials as the National Record holder...

"I got up for the race and tried to be a hero. I tried to be something legendary, rather than doing what I normally do," Rickard recalled.

"I tried to swim like Superman and found out I'm not Superman.

"I remember in warm-up I wasn't feeling fantastic and that got me worried.

"I remember the gun going, diving in and going at 100 miles per hour, throwing the race plan right out the window.

"I can remember thinking, 'just take off, just blow everyone away, they won't catch you'.

"I got up and tried to do something, looking back, which was absolutely ridiculous."

As we chat beside the pool at Sydney Olympic Park on the eve of the FINA World Cup, Rickard points to the 30m mark.

The point in which he, pardon the French, died in the arse.

"I've had about that much to go and I just fell apart," he said. "You come to the realisation you're physically expended, you have nothing left. By the time I hit the wall I didn't need to look at the board, I knew it had all gone pear-shaped.

"It was the feeling of devastation, of physical illness from both swimming so crazily to the point your body starts to shut down and then from knowing the ramifications of costing yourself a spot on the Olympic team.

"That was my lasting feeling, dragging myself out of the pool thinking, 'what have you done, you're going to be shattered for four years'."

It could have broken him. His parents, Collette and Mark, are affectionately known as the king and queen of the POOS - Parents of Olympic Swimmers.

They had booked tickets to Athens, expecting to see their son in action.

Rickard woke up at 3am every day to watch it on TV. He felt like smashing the TV after seeing the Aussies dominate a meeting he should have been at. When the swimming was over, he'd turn it off and head to the pool at 5am to train.

Aye, heartbreaking. It's a great read, go check it out.

How to set up a Blogger/Google account...

So, you say you want to post at BHO but can't quite figure out how? Or you used to be a regular but now Blogger won't let you sign in? Here is the problem and your solution...

Last year Blogger was bought out by Google, and now you need a Google account to log in, but Blogger doesn't prompt you to re-register from BHO's comment page, you have to go either through the Blogger new user sign-up process again, or go directly to the Google page. I'll talk you through it.

Going through Blogger:

Advantage - you can set up a "display name" so that when you post it shows up as "Sarah" instead of hotmama@yahoo.com.

Disadvantage: Blogger makes the process a little more confusing than Google by making it appear to be a 3-step process that requires you making a blog of your own. In reality, you only need to go through Step 1 to set up an account which allows you to leave comments. When it gets to Step 2 just close the window. You are done.

Going through Google:

Advantage: No confusing Step 1, 2 or 3. It's a straight forward 1-step process.

Disadvantage: It doesn't give you the option of creating a "display name" so if you sign-up with the email address hotmama@yahoo.com, your name will be displayed as "hotmama" when you comment at BHO until you go to Blogger and sign-in with your Google account and set-up a display name.

Whichever way you decide to do it, when you come back to BHO to leave a comment, you simply type in the email address (not display name) and password you used to set up your Google/Blogger account in the required fields on the comment page.

Please let me know if you have any problems doing this and I'll be happy to assist you.