#IBA10
March 31st, 2010
It wouldn’t be the Irish Blog Awards without the usual bitching about the winners, the backslapping, backstabbing, talk of cliques, the whole charade. The fact that they weren’t nominated, didn’t win, weren’t put in the correct category, a whole host of other pathetic excuses for why this event which has brought many people together should not exist.
To you I say “Go fuck yourself”.
The weekend, and event were both superb, and Damien cannot be faulted for his hard work in once again finding a great venue, and bringing so many good people together.
I’d truly rather not to bring attention to the attention-seekers and whinney fucks, but, having been a judge in the past, I can tell you there is a long process and a number of criteria to base evaluation on. Where I got caught before was in believing I’d get it done in 15mins when in fact it takes well over an hour — which of course is a good thing. And there were around 80 judges in total.
No I don’t read Beaut.ie, being a fashion blog as it is, but I am well aware of its place as a very decent blog. I would, however rate it very highly.
Remember, being a blogger in Ireland is not an exclusive club. Being a winning blogger isn’t either. And there is no rule that states the winning blog must be in some way relevant to the times, or reflect any current financial or political climate
I had a discussion recently about how there are so many new people at such events; many new blogs popping up, and how they have their own communities that those who have been at it a while aren’t even aware of, and as such, they may not even be aware of the “established groups”. Proving that there is no central control for bloggers, no mothership or process of being initiated into any larger, more established groups. It just happens. Good content will see to that.
The awards have only gotten bigger and better each year, but I don’t know anyone who goes for the winning. Winning should be a bonus. I stopped worrying about that a few years ago myself. Not that I’ve given up wanting to win, clearly that wouldn’t be a good attitude, but rather that I look forward to meeting people I may not have seen in months, or in some cases, since the year before.
Thanks to those who filled that hotel with a great atmosphere. To the others, read above, though thanks for giving me loads to read after the event as always. It’s become the best part.
Congrats to the winners. And to old and new friends, we’ll get together before the year’s out.
Here are my photographs from the photo walk in Galway.
By the way, the campaign for the Irish Blog Awards 2011 to be held in Belfast has started.
