SXSW Web Awards

Here I am, more than a week after the event and finally catching up on my “blogging” responsibilities. They certainly feel like responsibilities after winning Best Blog at this year’s SXSW Web Awards.

For those of you who couldn’t be there or haven’t heard the story already, I was a little under-prepared when it came time to accept the award. I didn’t expect to win. Looking at the diverse group of finalists in my category I was having a hard time sussing out the judging criteria.

As my category approached I was soliciting ideas for things to say. Keith suggested I taunt Scrivs whose Business Logs was also a finalist in the Blog category. Given what I know of Scrivs (and that ego) I figured there was no harm in a playful jab between peers. So when I took the stage I mumbled a quick “thanks” into the mic, peered out through the blinding stage lights to my best guess at the Business Logs crew’s general direction and said, “Yo, what up now Scrivs?”

Sure enough, there was some laugher and some commotion from the Business Logs table, then Paul strode up onto the stage and snatched the mike. “Shaun would like to thank his mom and his girlfriend—” I had to correct him here, “—fiancee for doubling his traffic…” The crowd seemed to love it and he saved me from having to come up with anything too clever. Thanks Paul.

Funnin’ aside, I do want to belatedly thank Shawn for organizing the awards, the judges for their decision and congratulate all the other finalists and winners from that night. Another obvious “thank you” goes to The Girl for tolerating the late, absent nights, the excited geek ramblings when I do finally call it a night, and the inevitable tired and grumpy mornings. How could I not ask her to marry me?

While I’m at it I also want to congratulate Loobylu who won Best Designed Blog at the 2005 Bloggies.

Lastly, I was interviewed by G4 Media after the Web Awards and may appear in a segment sometime next week. I’ll update this post with show time information when it becomes available.