Recapping My Time At The Black Weblog Awards

Yeah, we won some shit. I was happy.

The Black Weblog Awards was an experience covered in dope sauce with a side salad drizzled in achievement dressing. I’m definitely glad I made it out there. I ain’t been to an award show since that scholarship banquet in high school. Actually, that wasn’t even an award show. That was just a meal and a piece of paper tellin’ me don’t f*ck up or I’ll lose the money on the cardboard check.

My biggest concerns the day of the awards was whether or not my new shirt would fit comfortably given the recent weight loss, and if I’d break out into a fit of coughing or hives while speaking at the mic. Pause. Fortunately, both worked out fine…though I did find myself drinking enough vodka to numb whatever causes coughing.

The set up for the awards was cool. It took place in a big ass room at the Marriott LAX. There were a bunch of tables set up toward the front of the room for those nominated. Then there was a bunch of other tables set up for guests, supporters, etc. The meal served looked OD tasty. But since I f*cked around and ate In-and-Out Burger just over an hour before getting to the awards, I wasn’t able to savor the goodness and chose to instead send my plate to Compton to feed a hood n*gga.

I was seated at a table with some cool folks. If you’re active in social media and read humor blogs, then you probably know Luvvie, who turned out to be an e-celeb. More on that in the next post. Scott Hanselman (So hot right now. Hanselman. #Zoolander), a master of efficiency and speaker at the most enjoyable session I attended at the conference, was with us. DC District Diva, last year’s Best New Blog recipient and eventual winner of the 2011 Best Faith-Based Blog, sat to my right. To her right was Credible J from Brothers With No Game.

BWNG was the competition in just about every category we were nominated in. This man flew to the awards from England because his site was up for 7 categories. Let me say this again…he flew from f*cking England! And to his right was Rox Fontaine, a cool cat who I’ll have no problems cheering for next year. And to my left, last, and certainly not least was Marie Denee, the Curvy Fashionista and source of much inspiration during the trip. She was to my left. More on that in the next post as well.

For those that don’t know, the Black Weblog Awards event was hosted by Kim Coles (You remember Living Single right?Woo woo woo?) and Rene Syler (Former anchor on The Early Show on CBS). They were funny. They entertained. The awards were also put out there for public consumption on Ustream. Somehow my ass and crotch ended up being broadcast across the internet before the actual show started. A few folks hit me up to let me know they saw “them.” Thank infant Jesus I didn’t get caught “fixing” the back of my pants. That would’ve been awkward. Oh yeah, some dude was gooning in the tweets like it was the BET or MTV Awards. I started to reply him, but realized this was his big night so I let it rock. Pause.

We won the Best Blog Design Award. It was the first 1 given out that night and a great way to start off the event. Yeah, sorry for not making it dramatic and exciting. I was happy though. Shout out to Lianne Farbes for redesigning the site and helping us rise to aesthetic greatness. We also won the 2nd award, Best Blog Post Series for Single Black Mail. The first time I went up, I got teased, touched, and called handsome so I hustled back to my seat because I turned some shade other than light-skin.

Yeah Rene, I work out. You like that? (Note: This was a joke for the night. Don't turn this pic into some Bossip shit or I will find you. Run Tell Dat.)

The 2nd time I went up, I did the same but played along with the joke first. I eventually did say a few words to the audience, but I was really focused on winning Best Group Blog. I knew what would happen with Best Relationship Blog and Blog of the Year, so I chalked those up to the game. Real recognizes volume.

We didn’t win Best Group Blog. I got salty and sent a bunch of direct messages and texts to people. I’m still mildly salty. No shame in admitting it. Better luck next year.

Now that we got the SBM formalities out the way, can I tell you how many award winners didn’t come through for the awards or send in a thank you note in case they won (I don’t really know the number)? Without the support of the readers here, I wouldn’t have made it out to LA. I understand it was no easy task and that I was in a privileged position. But best believe that at the least I would’ve sent a message to be read out loud or put together a quick Youtube video for them to show if we won. In the grand scheme of life, it’s not a big deal. In the scheme of what I’ve been working to build SBM into, it does.

I’m just really into showing appreciation, particularly when it comes to the only awards event that this side of the blogosphere has. Why ask people to vote for you for something if you don’t care about actually winning? Sh*t, a couple folks even asked me to accept on their behalf if they won. But real talk, it burned me up to see so many winners’ names get called and the room turn to crickets followed by the reading of a brief description of their website. Meanwhile, I see folks in attendance from all over the country, Canada, and England who were genuinely just happy to be there.

I don’t mean to come across as BooHoo McEmoPisces, but when I tell yall the story of what happened en route to LA, you’ll understand a bit more about why I feel the way I do and was so overjoyed just to make it there. But until then, thank you for your support in getting me to Cali and your votes for Single Black Male in the Black Weblog Awards. It wouldn’t have been possible without you. Hugs-n-Daps.

Reluctantly posted those pics,

P.S. I ain’t forgot I owe some people some things.