Mormon Matters introduces the 2009 Niblets Awards!
It’s back! The opportunity to honor the unique and talented Mormon bloggers of 2009. It’s a chance to look back on the year and remember the great things that happened in the Bloggernacle, to come together in a spirit of comaraderie and fun! Mormon Matters will be hosting this event to highlight YOU and your favorite 2009 Mormon blogs, and we are pleased to announce our continuing collaboration with Ziff of Zelophehad’s Daughters, the mighty numbers cruncher, who will handle results presentation at the end of this event.
We’ve fine-tuned the process a little bit this year. You’ll see that the categories are just a little bit different. Please include a link to the 2009 blog/post/comment that you nominate if you wish it to be considered. Put your link in [brackets] so that it will get through our spam catcher. As always, you are welcome to nominate yourself — isn’t that what blogging is all about?? Oh, and try to think of some other bloggers to recognize, too. For-profit blogs will not be considered. This thread is the place to make any thoughtful comments, concerns or suggestions on the categories or the process. They will be duly considered by our panel. Nominations will take place from now through Jan. 24th. So, without further ado, here are our 2009 Niblets categories:
Best big blog:
Best group blog:
Best mommy blog:
Best humorous blog:
Best solo blog:
Best new blog: (must have put up its first post in 2009)
Best blog layout/graphics:
Best overall blogger:
Best commenter:
Most memorable comment:
Funniest thread:
Best post title:
Best humorous post:
Best historical post:
Best spiritual post:
Best doctrinal post:
Best personal post:
Best current events post:
Best book/article review:
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2009:
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue:
Write-in category:
Thank you for your participation. It’s YOU that makes the Niblets great!
Best Post Title: Like a Virgin – BiV
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/12/10/like-a-virgin/]
Best Historical Post: The Milk Strippings Story by John Hamer
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/07/01/the-milk-strippings-story-thomas-b-marsh-and-brigham-young/]
Write-in Category: Best Personal/Life Story Post: Blessing my Daughter (this could be in best spiritual post but it does not quite fit).
[http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=2609]
If you’re going to include “Best contribution to Mormon/evangelical conversation,” I think it would be only fair to include “Best contribution to Mormon-atheist conversation” as well.
Some good suggestions already. Rico, the category is added. Chanson, since there’s not that many of you, would you be offended to be included with the Evangelicals?
Something like: Best contribution to Mormon/postmo, atheist, evangelical or other conversation? Work with me here! Somebody come up with a good name for this category!
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue? I know atheism isn’t a faith, but it seems the best commonplace term for any conversation crossing all theological boundaries.
The MM address seems to be broken, I don’t know if anyone else is experiencing problems or maybe I’ve contracted some kind of virus. The only way I’ve been able to access is via the comments links.
Thanks for doing this for a second year in a row. You’re either gluttons for punishment or committed to the concept–or maybe a bit of both. I think this is a great community building exercise, and also a way to point people to some of the really good stuff that appeared in the Nacle last year that they may have missed. Good luck with the process, and here’s hoping people don’t get *too* mad at you!
I second the call for a “Best contribution to Mormon/atheist conversation” category.
I have only been involved in the Bloggernacle since the end of July, and MM is the only site I have experienced however with my limited insight here are my suggestions:
Best spiritual post: AA’s Do we let the church get in the way of the Gospel
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/08/25/do-we-let-the-church-get-in-the-way-of-the-gospel/]
Best doctrinal post: Hawkgrrrl’s Belief vs Action
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/08/13/belief-vs-action/]
Best historical post: Mormon Heretic Positive Black History
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/03/14/positive-black-history-in-the-church/]
Best contribution to Mormon/evangelical conversation: Rico have you read the seal portion of the BOM
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/09/13/have-you-read-the-sealed-portion-of-the-book-of-mormon-yet/]
Best humorous post: Guest Deserving Charity
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/09/17/lajauna-on-life-lesson-1-deserving-charity/]
Best post title: AA’s Adam and Eve: the First TBM & NOM (I thought this title was shocking the first time I read it)
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/06/29/what-adam-eve-teach-us-about-tbms-and-noms/]
I just want to say that I really like this site, but just a few months ago wasn’t there a million posts about niblets and what not? Frankly, it makes me not want to even check the site. So, I’m voting no on the niblets, as in, I think they detract from the value of the site. Just my humble view.
I vote “best interfaith dialogue” and include non-faith within it.
Dex – you are right that we hosted a very late 2008 Niblets because one hadn’t been done. Like the Oscars, these will be done before you know it. Unlike the Oscars, there will be no beautiful people, paparazzi or cool swag. Rats.
I’m very interested in the atheist category. If it won’t be a nibblets category, I’d like to at least see it in the category list. Since some say that post-Mormons are more likely to become atheists than people who leave other faiths, I bet a lot of people here have atheist loved ones.
On one hand, “best interfaith dialogue” is the most efficient.
On the other hand, named faith/philosophy groups might draw more people into the discussion, if the nibblet award categories will come up in google.
I’d also like to see an Eastern Philosophy category on the site. I Googled “Mormon Eastern Philosophy” and got tons of stuff, including a Mormon Matters link. I think this is a lively area of interest out there.
But, being new here, I have no idea how many posts there have been so I can’t really offer a “vote” for how the nibblets should be. Just my two cents.
OK, for now it’s “best contribution to interfaith dialogue.” If there lots of nominations for any one faith/non-faith, this could change.
No beautiful people? I’m hurt, Hawkgrrl.
reese – well, obviously there are a FEW of us, but I’m not exactly dressed to kill in my DKNY jeans and Old Navy sweater.
Best weekly feature (atheist, interfaith, or otherwise): Sunday in Outer Blogness
[http://latterdaymainstreet.com/?cat=104]
I will nominate the following for the interfaith dialogue category:
Chanson [http://lfab-uvm.blogspot.com/]
LDS & Evangelical Conversations [http://ldstalk.wordpress.com/]
Bridget Jack Meyers [http://www.clobberblog.com/]
CleanCut [http://latterdayspence.blogspot.com/]
Summa Theologica [http://summatheologica.wordpress.com/]
I’m still thinking about the other categories.
Let the mormon nerd infighting begin!
Doesn’t hurt at all that Ziff is seriously involved.
If you want to do a generic “interfaith dialogue” category, here’s my list of nominees:
LDS-Evangelical Conversations
I Love Mormons
Clobberblog
Irresistible Disgrace
Summa Theologica
Morehead’s Musings
The following are not my ideal picks, but fairness requires I mention them:
Heart Issues for LDS
MarkCares Weblog
I was hesitant to mention them, because both are a little more in the one-sided “what Evangelicals think about Mormons” than really dialogue-ing. But both websites are civil enough in inviting Mormon interaction that I thought they should get a mention. Other atheist and Evangelical websites devoted purely to attacking or critiquing Mormonism, with a poor track record of encouraging fair dialogue with Mormons were left off of my list.
I would have mentioned Main Street Plaza as a nominee, but their main function is not really dialogue so much as examining Mormonism from a post-Mormon perspective – even if they do actually end up fostering a lot of good dialogue.
Suddenly I want corn.
This corn *does* look pretty beautiful
That’s the HUMOROUS Rebecca. I learned my lesson last time.
Best book/article review:
Nick Literski’s review of Mormons and Masons [http://mormonmatters.org/2009/10/29/book-review-exploring-the-connection-between-mormons-and-masons/]
Best moonlighting post (i.e., published to a non-bloggernacle blog by a bloggernacle regular): Margaret Young, “Mormon Like Me: Black Saints, Bigots, and Beck” [http://www.streetprophets.com/storyonly/2009/10/26/25426/110]
Best political post: Russell Arben Fox, “Mormon Hero” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/12/21/mormon-hero/]
Best conference coverage: Jared T, “Mormonism in the Public Mind: Perceptions of an Emerging World Faith” [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/publicmind2/]
Best current events post: Matt Evans, “Church exempted from SLC gay rights ordinance” [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/11/church-exempted-from-slc-gay-rights-ordinance/]
Nearly forgot this one:
Best intentions (cue Oscar Wilde): [http://www.followtheprophet.net/]
* grabs corn *
For best humorous post:
Grounds Crew Poetry by Burgess:
http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/26/not-your-ordinary-grounds-crew-poetry.htm
For best new humorous running feature, Orwell’s Doctrinal Commentary on Especially for Mormons series:
http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/02/15/doctrinal-commentary-on-especially-for-mormons-1-%E2%80%9Cthe-wedge-of-discouragement%E2%80%9D.htm
http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/06/03/doctrinal-commentary-on-especially-for-mormons-2-%E2%80%9Cmen-of-determination%E2%80%9D.htm
http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/07/27/doctrinal-commentary-on-especially-for-mormons-3-%E2%80%9Cthe-duke-and-his-subject%E2%80%9D.htm
Best doctrinal post was definitely Dan Ellsworth’s “Determining Doctrine Using Excel”:
http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/05/31/determining-doctrine-using-excel.htm
Totally agree with Kevin #7 (thanks guys in advance) and Danithew #18 (thanks Ziff in advance).
Best Historical Post: Ardis Parshall – Keepapitchinin – “Friedrich Schulzke: It fell to my lot to guide the little branch” [http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/01/28/friedrich-schulzke-it-fell-to-my-lot-to-guide-the-little-branch/] (One of Keepa’s best – and that’s saying a LOT.
Best Personal Post: Almost anything from Tracy M last year. She tore my heart out with her posts about unemployment and divorce, and I can’t describe her posts adequately. The following are my two nominations: Mormon Mommy Wars – “Unpretty Mine” [http://www.mormonmommywars.com/?p=1638] and By Common Consent – “Circling the Wagons” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/12/06/circling-the-wagons/].
Best Big Blog: I have to go with BCC and MM.
Best Group Blog: Blog Segullah
Best Mommy Blog: Dandelion Mama – Tracy M
Best Humorous Blog: My Religious Blog & Overheard in the Ward
Best Solo Blog: Clean Cut
Best Overall Blogger: Tracy M in 2009
Best commenter: Hawkgrrrl
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle: Same as 2008, only even better than 2008 – Tracy M (I just can’t articulate what an amazing blogging contribution she made last year by not backing away from sharing her life publicly.)
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue: Irresistable Disgrace and Clean Cut
Best Doctrinal Post: Sam MB – By Common Consent – “I the Lord Am Bound” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/10/25/i-the-lord-am-bound/]
Best Spiritual Post: Margaret Young – Feminsit Mormon Housewives – “Blessing My Daughter” [http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=2609]
Best comment: Margaret Young – Comment #3, “They Fought as They Were Taught” – By Common Consent [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/08/25/they-fought-as-they-were-taught/#comment-156386]
I’d only vote for:
Best Historical Post: Ardis Parshall Keepapitchinin [http://www.keepapitchinin.org/]
Best Overall Blogger: DKL & Hawkgrrrl (can’t split them)
Best Solo Blog: The Mormon Therapist [http://mormontherapist.blogspot.com]
Best commenter: annegb
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle: DKL My Hope for the Bloggernacle [http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/04/09/my-hope-for-the-bloggernacle.htm]
Best Personal/Life Story Post: annegb, Temple [http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/10/18/temple.htm]
We may not have beautiful people, but we have GORGEOUS corn.
Ray: “Best contribution to interfaith dialogue: Irresistable Disgrace” and CarlosJC: “Best Solo Blog: The Mormon Therapist” I second that emotion!
Each week on my personal blog I highlight and link to two of my favorite posts from around the Bloggernacle. In going through the ones I’ve linked from 2009, here are some more nominations:
Margaret Young – By Common Consent – “MHA with Darius” – a three-part series of posts [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/05/29/mha-with-darius-part-1/] (The others can be accessed by changing the number at the end to “2″ and “3″.), “On Abandoning My Friend” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/07/07/on-abandoning-my-friend/] and “The Prodigal” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/06/24/the-prodigal/]
Heather O. – Mormon Mommy Wars – “Being that Kind of Woman” [http://www.mormonmommywars.com/?p=1748]
Kent Larsen – Times and Seasons – “Compassion for the Unworthy” [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/05/compassion-for-the-unworthy/]
Tracy M – By Common Consent – “A Study in Contrasts: The Dole” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/04/23/a-study-in-contrasts-the-dole/]
I already nominated this a month ago, but Funniest thread is: The Bloggernacle Song (inspired by Adam Sandler) -BiV
Any Humor-related Niblet (post or thread) that does not go to Karen H.’s “Come Ye Poets of the Bloggernacle!” is a waste of time and discussion.
http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/09/29/come-ye-poets-of-the-bloggernacle/
Best comment (sequence):
http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/02/22/loving-hitler/#comment-122640
and the three comments that follow.
I’d like to nominate Our Thoughts as the best Canadian blog.
Best commenter: Hawkgrrrl If she doesn’t already, she should get paid to write.
I agree with Kim. Our Thoughts is the best Canadian blog!
Best big blog: BCC, MormonMatters
Best group blog: Juvenile Instructor [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/] The Exponent [http://the-exponent.com/]
Best humorous blog: Bishop Gerald Higgins [http://bishophiggins.blogspot.com/]
Best solo blog: Keepapitchinin [http://www.keepapitchinin.org/]
Best new blog: Latter-day Satyagraha [http://mormongandhi.com/]
Best blog layout/graphics: Times and Seasons [http://timesandseasons.org/]
Best overall blogger: Kiskilili [http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/author/kiskilili/]
Best commenter: Hawkgrrl
Best post title: “Enos Envy and Psychospiritual Development” by TrailerTrash [http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/03/enos-envy-and-psychospiritual-development/]
Best spiritual post: JA Benson’s “Tears in Heaven” [http://www.millennialstar.org/tears-in-heaven-a-lds-perspective-on-stillborn-and-miscarried-babies/#more-1647]
Best doctrinal post: David G’s “Noah’s Nakedness and the Curse of Canaan: Gen 9:18-27″ [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/noahs-nakedness-and-the-curse-of-canaan-gen-918-27/#more-2592]
Best book/article review: Matt B’s review of “Lance Allred’s Longshot” [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/book-review-lance-allreds-longshot-the-adventures-of-a-deaf-fundamentalist-mormon-kid-and-his-journey-to-the-nba-harpercollins-2009-a-pilgrims-progress/]
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2009: Jared’s coverage of Mormon-themed lectures and conferences [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/author/jared/]
Write-in Category: Much ado about nothing–”Men Singing the Melody in Church” [http://www.millennialstar.org/from-the-inconsequential-file-men-singing-the-melody-in-church/#more-2019]
I can’t find it right now, but the absolutely best comment was the one where Bridget Jack Meyers explained that God is impotent because he doesn’t have blood. Jack, are you reading this???
Thanks, John (#29) and danithew (#18). I appreciate your confidence in me!
Kew, that was on the “Like a Virgin” thread, playing off comment #6. See also #19 and #23.
I feel constrained to add some sort of caution to those who visit that thread… yikes.
Thanks, BiV!
45 comments in, and no nomination of me yet? Sigh. If you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself. B-)
I nominate me as best blogger, and T&S as best blog.
Also, Junior Ganymede as best new blog, because they started out mostly to protest against me.
Kaimi, just because I like you, I’m going to throw you a bone:
Write in: Most Ironic Comment: Kaimi, from the thread linked by BiV:
“I have to protest the theological implications of Jack’s comment. Does being a God really mean no more sex? How much would that suck?”
Brilliant, Kaimi.
Sadly, JG can’t be the “best *new* blog” … since it’s first post went up in 2008. Happily, that doesn’t disqualify it from winning “best blog layout/graphics” …
Pardon the extra apostrophe in the previous comment. I was no doubt compensating for the missing one in this JG post, which I’d been considering nominating for “Best contribution to Mormon/LGBT dialogue” …
“Because its Christmas Eve, not Christmas Steve.” [http://www.jrganymede.com/2009/12/23/new-holiday-political-slogan/]
Best new blog:
http://culturalmormoncafeteria.blogspot.com/
Best overall blogger:
John Williams
Best humorous post:
http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/12/30/comparative-charts/
Best historical post:
http://culturalmormoncafeteria.blogspot.com/2009/09/joseph-smiths-cane-thing-of-nature.html
http://runtu.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/suspending-relief-society/
http://chriscarrollsmith.blogspot.com/2009/09/joseph-smiths-seeker-uncle.html (because I can’t resist at least one self-nomination
Best current events post:
http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/05/15/is-there-a-trade-off-between-rights-for-women-and-acceptance-of-homosexuality/
http://latterdaymainstreet.com/?p=694
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue:
http://www.clobberblog.com/ (ClobberBlog)
Best overall contribution to the Bloggernacle:
http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/all-gods-creatures-including-mormos/
Most Disturbing Post (write-in):
http://kolobiv.blogspot.com/2008/12/why-i-would-totally-have-slept-with.html
http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/orson_scott_card/?id=6793
Best Podcast: Mormon Expression! (http://mormonexpression.com/)
I just posted a long comment full of nominations, and it disappeared! Is it being moderated??
Ahhh, forgot the brackets. D’oh! I’ll try again:
Best new blog:
[http://culturalmormoncafeteria.blogspot.com/]
Best overall blogger:
John Williams
Best humorous post:
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/12/30/comparative-charts/]
Best historical post:
[http://culturalmormoncafeteria.blogspot.com/2009/09/joseph-smiths-cane-thing-of-nature.html]
[http://runtu.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/suspending-relief-society/]
Best current events post:
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/05/15/is-there-a-trade-off-between-rights-for-women-and-acceptance-of-homosexuality/]
[http://latterdaymainstreet.com/?p=694]
Best overall contribution:
[http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/all-gods-creatures-including-mormos/]
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue:
Clobber Blog
Best New History Blog
[http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/]
“I can’t find it right now, but the absolutely best comment was the one where Bridget Jack Meyers explained that God is impotent because he doesn’t have blood. Jack, are you reading this???” I thought the blood was replaced with viagra in resurrected beings. Can’t find it in my current Gospel Essentials manual, though. Must have been cut by the correlation committee.
Best current events post:GeoffB [http://www.millennialstar.org/the-conservative-perspective-on-glenn-beck]/
Best hisotrical post: Joyce Brinton Anderson [http://www.millennialstar.org/the-wall-fell/]
Write in catagory
Family life: Nicoleen Peck [http://www.millennialstar.org/a-strict-parent/]
Best commentor: Brian Duffin
Okay, I’ll throw out some of my favorites (that have yet to be nominated).
Best group blog: New Cool Thang
Best Solo Blog: DMI
Best commenter: JacobJ
I don’t pay enough attention to remember individual posts…sorry.
Best group blog:The Red Brick Store [http://theredbrickstore.com/]
Funniest Blog: Overheard in the Ward at http://overheardintheward.com/
The fact that it hasn’t been nominated possibly speaks for itself, but I’ll self-nominate anyway.
Best Personal Post: Ben Pratt, The Weight of Heritage [http://www.millennialstar.org/the-weight-of-heritage/]
Best Doctrinal & Philosophical Speculation: everything at New Cool Thang [http://www.newcoolthang.com]
Write in category:
Best new CoC Blog: http://thefirestillburning.wordpress.com/ (you can put it in best new blog if you want.)
Thanks Ray for all the nods. I appreciate the thoughts.
More self-promotion:
Best doctrinal post:
“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful”: Random thoughts about Elder Callister’s Ensign article, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/06/dont-hate-me-because-im-beautiful-random-thoughts-about-elder-callisters-ensign-article/
The participatory nature of salvation for the dead, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/07/the-participatory-nature-of-salvation-for-the-dead/
Best historical (or something like that):
Mormon Studies on a Budget, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/06/mormon-studies-on-a-budget/
Best current events post:
Gays and the church, whose ox is being gored?, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/10/gays-and-the-church-whose-ox-is-being-gored/
Gender Roles and Acquaintance Rape, at http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=2637
Best humor and/or best horror:
Rough Dawn Breaking, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/09/rough-dawn-breaking/
Best visual post:
Bugged, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/08/bugged/
Best personal post:
Parents are people, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/11/parents-are-people/
Best new feature:
A Mormon Image, at http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/category/features/mormon-images/
More self-promotion:
Best doctrinal post:
“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful”: Random thoughts about Elder Callister’s Ensign article, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/06/dont-hate-me-because-im-beautiful-random-thoughts-about-elder-callisters-ensign-article/]
The participatory nature of salvation for the dead, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/07/the-participatory-nature-of-salvation-for-the-dead/]
Best historical (or something like that):
Mormon Studies on a Budget, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/06/mormon-studies-on-a-budget/]
Best current events post:
Gays and the church, whose ox is being gored?, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/10/gays-and-the-church-whose-ox-is-being-gored/]
Gender Roles and Acquaintance Rape, at [http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=2637]
Best humor and/or best horror:
Rough Dawn Breaking, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/09/rough-dawn-breaking/]
Best visual post:
Bugged, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/08/bugged/]
Best personal post:
Parents are people, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/11/parents-are-people/]
Best new feature:
A Mormon Image, at [http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/category/features/mormon-images/] and [http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org//?p=2724]
Nomination for Funniest Blog: Overheard in the Ward at http://overheardintheward.com/
Best Historical overview of a priesthood office
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-19393-Salt-Lake-City-Mormon-History-Examiner~y2009m10d12-Patriarch-of-the-Mormon-Church-Establishment-of-the-office
3 part series on the office of presiding patriarch.
Best humorous blog – Spanish Fork 401st ward!
Best big blog: BCC
Do we need a definition of “Big” here? Seems like there was a problem with that in the past. I think the problem was that mostly-female blogs, like fMh and MMW are insulted by being called “big.” Wasn’t that it? Maybe we need a category called “Big Boned Blogs.” Though that has its own set of problems…
Best group blog: Nine Moons!
Best humorous blog: My Religious Blog
Best overall blogger: Kevin Barney
Write in catagory:
Philosopical post Ben Pratt[http://www.millennialstar.org/musings-on-the-multiverse/]
Best Personal Post: J. Stapley’s “Of Sons and Fathers”
http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/10/02/of-sons-and-fathers/
Best Spiritual Post: Steve Evans’ “Tesserae of my Faith”
http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/11/16/tesserae-of-my-faith/
MCQ: The nomination process usually takes care of who is a big blog and who is not. I believe FMH was contending in years past that they are indeed a big blog. A couple of years ago JI got nominated as a big blog, too.
Personally I’d say that the big blogs are T&S, BCC, Mormon Matters, and FMH. There may be a couple of others that people consider “big.” If so, go ahead and nominate them!!
Yeah BiV, I was just making a bad joke. Sorry to Lisa for once again bringing up a painful memory. But it was pretty funny.
Oh, I forgot, I also want to nominate Kathryn Soper for Best overall blogger.
I also think we need a category for posts about the nacle. It could be called, “Best Navel Gazing” or something like that.
Best spiritual post: Jessawhy’s articles of faith http://the-exponent.com/2009/11/23/my-articles-of-faith/
Best doctrinal: The revisionist reformation http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/06/the-revisionist-reformation/
Coolest maps and diagrams: John Hamer
Best blogger: Jessawhy; Lynnette; Ziff; Julie Smith; John Hamer
Best community: fmh
Best marathon runner: Shelah
Best evangelical assassin: (the artist formerly known as Bridget) Jack Meyers
Most heartbreaking-wrenching-joyous-all-mixed-into-one: John Remy’s excommunication, sparked by his blog post, and chronicled at Mind on Fire and Pilgrimgirl
Best solo blog: The Faithful Dissident
Best Solo Blog
[http://thepierianspring.wordpress.com/]
Best Doctrinal Post
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/08/05/why-do-we-redeem-the-dead-dc-lesson-30/]
Best Historical Posts
I know that this is a bit unusual but J. Stapley’s and Nate Oman’s posts on Excommunication were brilliant and so I nominate them together under the title excommunication
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/08/03/excommunication-as-a-function-of-rebaptism/]
[http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/07/the-evolution-of-excommunication/]
Sorry. Pierian Spring is my nomination for best new blog.
Ah, what the heck. Here’s a few more:
Best Historical post: David Howlett’s 2 part exploration of Community of Christ historians and historiography [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/author/david-howlett/]
Best Historical post: Charles C. Cohen’s tribute to Laurel Thatcher Ulrich [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/guest-post-charles-l-cohen-on-laurel-thatcher-ulrich/] Not only is it a brilliant post, but the JI deserves some points for scoring someone with Cohen’s credentials [http://history.wisc.edu/cohen/] as a guest blogger. He’s a Jewish scholar whose research focuses primarily on Protestants (Puritans to be exact) who weighed in on the ways Mormonism has shaped Ulrich’s scholarship on non-Mormon topics.
Best current events post: My own thoughts on the influence of Ezra Taft Benson and Cleon Skousen on Glenn Beck (in three posts available here): [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/?s=Glenn+Beck&submit=Search] (excluding the first post). This was, to my knowledge, the first sustained conversation on the topic, appearing several months before a slew of articles on the topic at salon.com, Religion Dispatches, and the Boston Phoenix weighed in on the issue.
Best post about the bloggernacle: Steve Evans’s “The Bloggernacle Won’t Save You” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/09/01/the-bloggernacle-wont-save-you/]
Best spiritual post: J. Stapley’s “Of healings, canes, and gardens” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/07/13/of-healings-canes-and-gardens/#more-8780]
Best book review: The 12 part series exploring Parley P. Pratt’s autobiography at JI (“Perspectives on Parley P. Pratt’s Autobiography”), organized and headed up by Ben (series wrap up, with links to the several posts here): [http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/perspectives-on-parley-pratts-autobiography-series-wrap-up/] Really, I can’t imagine any other book review comparing to this in terms of depth, breadth, diversity, and quality. It included several bloggers from blogs other than JI (including BiV), as well as some scholars who don’t regularly participate in the bloggernacle at all.
Also, I’d like to nominate Joel at JI for best overall blogger. I imagine many folks around the ‘nacle don’t know him at all (though he does comment on other blogs from time to time). But if one of the criteria for best overall blogger is quality of posts, I no know one who equals Joel. Everything he writes is thoughtful and provocative. He also takes time to respond in detail to each and every comment (including those who challenge him and/or snark him) with thoughtfulness and generosity.
I posted a longer comment with several other nominations (I thought I’d bracketed the links, but may have missed some). Could someone check the moderation queue for it? Thanks.
I’d like to nominate Ziff’s post on the prophets for Best historical post.
http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2009/10/14/predicting-who-will-be-church-president/
Thanks, Kaimi, but of around 600 posts just 1 mentions you, and I’m not sure the Junior Ganymede even qualifies as part of the Bloggernacle.
NOOOOOO, Adam, don’t even START that conversation!
Thanks to MM for the work that goes into hosting this. I just want to follow up on some concerns raised last year about the process:
I’d like to ask those running this event to consider a few things: 1) to not make vote results viewable until the end 2) include a chronological view of vote patterns in the results, ie, how many votes were received on what day of voting, 3) Shorten the voting period to no longer than a week. 4) Don’t accept all nominations at face value–the Niblets committee should examine each nomination and do any vetting (though very lightly–take out or reassign only the most obviously misplaced nominations) that may be necessary, using some common sense. See this comment and those immediately preceding and following: [http://mormonmatters.org/2009/07/06/2008-niblets-rock-the-vote-here/#comment-89196]
5) The analysis of what happened in one scenario and what happened in another is all great, but maybe make some clear criteria for “winning” and stick to it, instead of leaving some categories as going one way in this scenario and another way in this other scenario. Relatedly,
6) Make some effort to eliminate single-issue votes (must fill out 1/3 of the ballot to be counted?) and finally, 7) read through the comments on last years results thread and rethink ways to keep serious votes from being excluded and spurious votes from being counted.
I think that having viewable results in real time last year encouraged ballot stuffing instead of encouraging voters to focus on content. Having the voting open for so long last year was unnecessary when it was clear that within the first three or four days the majority of votes had been cast and by likely the more active and informed ‘nacle participants, prolonging it encouraged a rush at the end in some categories to get as many ballots stuffed in as possible. Also note that last year voting numbers hit rock bottom on the 7th day.
These are not demands, just hopeful suggestions. I’m not interested in fighting about it, I make these suggestions with the best of spirits and intentions. You may not agree, and that’s fine. Either way, thank you for putting this on and congrats to all nominees for all the great work this past year.
I applaud efforts to improve over last year including creating a separate category for humorous blogs and excluding for-profit blogs, and otherwise refining the categories.
Thanks.
Hey, that’s not right. There are three posts at JG about me — and between them, they contain approximately 40% of all JG comments.
I think we need Ziff to settle this. Of all the comments in the nacle, what percentage are by or about Kaimi? Start guessing now, and whoever guesses closest to the correct percentage (according to Ziff) wins a T-shirt with Kaimi’s picture on it and a free guest post at T&S (as long as it’s about Kaimi).
I nominate MCQ’s #85 for most memorable comment.
I nominate Kathy’s #86.
You’ll have to wait till 2010 for those.
Also, ZDs as best group blog, MikeInWeHo as best commenter, Margaret Young and Ardis Parshall as best blogger and as best commenter, and Emily Jensen as best blogger. Democrat Dan as most dedicated commenter, and gst as wackiest commenter.
And add John Dehlin to the list for intrafaith dialogue.
Best Series: Nine Moons “5″ series, beginning with this one:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/07/14/5-years-9-moons/]
Best bloggers: Rebecca J and Natalie B of BCC.
Best commenter: Bridget Jack Meyers, Ardis Parshall, Kristine
Most memorable comment: Ardis, comment 5 on this thread:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/07/22/5-is-the-loneliest-number/#more-978]
“There is a wistful note in the writings of second generation Mormons, an apology for not having suffered in Missouri, for being too young to have known Joseph Smith, for riding the train to Deseret rather than walking in the dust of an ox-drawn wagon the way real pioneers would have done it.
I feel an analogous sorrow, a bloggerly grief for having missed the Great Ones of the early bloggernacle, for having arrived so late on the scene that the Banner of Heaven was already a healing wound in the memory of the pioneers, for unconsciously offering the 239th repetition — and a pale imitation, at that — of comments first written in the primeval days of the bloggosphere, when bloggers walked with the gods and rejoiced in novel expressions of original ideas.
But alas, I am only a convert, not one of the chosen who were born in the ‘nacle. Still, I am one grateful to listen to the echoes of past glory, and to lay my humble gifts in the way of comments at the feet of the posts of the patriarchs. Selah!”
Best Navel Gazing: [http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/02/26/the-importance-of-defining-your-terms/]
Funniest thread:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/03/18/dear-utah/]
Best post title:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/02/02/so-take-the-photographs-and-still-frames-in-your-mind/]
Best humorous post:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/04/10/9moon-backlist-drama-revealed/]
Best spiritual post:
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/10/15/how-they-eat-in-heaven/]
Best doctrinal post:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/12/06/inspired-leadership-and-the-priesthood-ban/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/12/28/how-much-do-we-really-trust-god/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/04/29/zion-is-fled/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/04/18/is-satan-really-all-that-bad/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/06/17/non-members-at-the-wedding-and-a-fair-deal/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/09/25/ether-1227-and-revisionist-readings/]
Best personal post:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/03/17/yellow-paper-and-red-tape/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/06/04/finding-optimism/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/12/23/thoughts-on-death-a-few-days-before-christmas/]
Best current events post:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/03/30/a-totally-gay-podcast/]
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/08/17/thoughts-from-sunstone-2009/]
Best book/article review:
[http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/01/19/a-new-perspective-on-the-chosen/]
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/11/03/review-the-new-york-regional-mormon-singles-halloween-dance/]
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue: Clobberblog
Write-in category:
Best Mormon Culture Post: [http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/11/02/a-note-to-my-buddy-the-r-rated-movie/]
Most Aesthetically Pleasing Post: [http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/01/24/words-and-music-by-low/]
Best Contribution to the Bloggernacle: Kristine’s musical posts at BCC.
Another nominee for best LDS-themed podcast (the only other one I’m aware of in 2009) — BCC Zeitcast.
Best Post: 10 LDS Things I’m Thankful For, by Hawkgrrrl
[http://mormonmatters.org/2009/11/25/10-lds-things-im-thankful-for/]
I 2nd this one:
Best Historical Post: The Milk Strippings Story by John Hamer
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/07/01/the-milk-strippings-story-thomas-b-marsh-and-brigham-young/]
Best commenter: Hawkgrrrl (IMO, balanced well thought out comments, never intentionally offensive)
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2009 Rico – (good range of thought provoking posts, Historical, cultural, spiritual)
Best big blog: Mormon Matters
#95 if John Hamer is watching
since General Conference it would be great to re open the comments on The Milk Strippings Story
Best Commenter: Douglas Hunter
Best big blog: BCC
Best group blog: Segullah
Best mommy blog: FMH—don’t flame me! There are lots of moms over there, and I don’t read anything else that could be a Mommy Blog (I thought they weren’t part of the bloggernaccle?)—I need a Venn Diagram
Best humorous blog: BCC
Best solo blog: Keepa
Best new blog: (must have put up its first post in 2009): As Sistas in Zion [http://www.sistasinzion.com/]
Best blog layout/graphics: 9 Moons
Best overall blogger: Rebecca J (the funny one); Ardis; MCQ;
Best commenter: queno; bbell; naismith
Funniest thread: Haikus on BBC
Best post title: My God is Clean-Shaven [http://www.mormonmentality.org/2009/11/03/my-god-is-clean-shaven.htm]
Best humorous post: Each Life that Touches Ours (or not) [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/10/26/each-life-that-touches-ours-or-not/#more-12811]
Best personal post: Seraphine’s Single in the Church series, the last of which is here [http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2010/01/12/being-a-30-something-single-in-the-church-part-viii-family-wards/]
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2009:
Write-in category:
Bloggernaccle Participant I miss most now that they actually blog rather than just comment: gst
Blog I am apparently the only one who does not read: Mormon Matters
Here’s a few of my picks (science blogs seem neglected!)
Best solo blogs : Mormon Insignts, LDS Science Review
Best overall bloggers: Jared*, S. Faux
Best commenter: Tatiana
Best humorous post: Any Police Beat, but the one with Jim F. was my favorite.
Best personal post: Margaret Young’s “For My Son on his 18th Birthday”
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2009: Steve Evans for keeping the fire alive
Write-in category: Philosophy: Clark and Mormon Metaphysics
For some of these I’ll have to look back in the archives, but a few off the top of my head:
Best big blog: FMH
Best group blog: ZD
Best overall blogger: Reese Dixon
Best commenter: Derek
Oh, and I second the nomination of Karen H.’s “Come Ye Poets of the Bloggernacle!” is a waste of time and discussion.
[http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/09/29/come-ye-poets-of-the-bloggernacle/] for funniest thread.
Oops. That should say:
Oh, and I second the nomination of Karen H.’s “Come Ye Poets of the Bloggernacle!” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/09/29/come-ye-poets-of-the-bloggernacle/] for funniest thread.
Best humorous post(s): Police Beat at BCC
Best poster: Rico (I heartily second this one!). I’m also partial to DMI Dave.
Best commenter: I also love Douglas Hunters comments which are often as insightful as the posts!
Thanks John D for the shout-out on my thankful post!
Best Commenter–also Mark B.
ESO, thanks for the nomination, but I don’t think my “Singles” post series will qualify until the 2010 Niblets, since I started them at the beginning of January.
Best personal post–“A Study in Contrasts: The Dole” [http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/04/23/a-study-in-contrasts-the-dole/]
Re #100: Since I wrote that post (and since the General Conference shout-out), I’ve realized that there’s a lot more that needs to be said about the Milk & Strippings story. I’ll revisit the story with another post in 2010, and we can have new comments on the new thread, rather than just re-opening the old thread.
Whoops Seraphine–guess we’ll have to wait on that one.
I second the 5 series on 9 Moons–especially liked Susan M’s contribution… [http://www.nine-moons.com/2009/08/01/five-hopeful-things/]