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You are here: Home / Absent Friends / Jon Swift Awards

Jon Swift Awards

by DougJ|  December 24, 20211:38 pm| 65 Comments

This post is in: Absent Friends

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From friend Batocchio:

 

It’s time once again to continue a tradition started by Jon Swift/Al Weisel, the “Best Posts of the Year, Chosen by the Bloggers Themselves.” Jon/Al left behind some wonderful satire, but was also a nice guy and a strong supporter of small blogs. (Here’s Jon/Al’s massive 2007 and 2008 editions. Our smaller revivals from 2010 through 2020 can be found here.)

If you’d like to participate, just reply to this e-mail or write to me (Batocchio9 AT yahoo DOT com) with your best post of the year before 12/25:

Blog Name

Title of Post

Link

Author of Post

Brief Description/Pitch of the Post (1–2 sentences)

(If it’s not a reply, adding “best post” in the subject line would also help.)

To modify Jon Swift’s 2008 solicitation:

I would be very honored if you would participate and send me a link to what you think was your best post of [2021], along with a short description of it. Please make the hard choice and send me only one link. I would like to post it before the end of the year, so if you could get it to me before Christmas, I would really appreciate it.

One submission per blog, please, otherwise things can get messy. Group bloggers can pick a piece among themselves, but are also welcome to submit their work via their individual blogs, if they have them.

As usual, I’m aiming to find the right balance between “inclusive” and “manageable.” If you know a few excellent blogs (preferably on the smaller side) that you suspect might not be on my radar, feel free to send me their website address (and contact info, if you have it).

Thanks,

Batocchio

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Previous Post: « J6C to SCOTUS: Hurry Up!
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Reader Interactions

65Comments

  1. 1.

    Baud

    December 24, 2021 at 1:50 pm

    I would totally nominate NYT Pitchbot if it were a blog.

    ETA:

    Google uncovered this.
    Meet the NYT Pitchbot | Aryeh Cohen-Wade & DougJ | Culturally Determined

  2. 2.

    Sebastian

    December 24, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    I’d like to see Anne Laurie’s COVID tour-de-force recognized. I for one don’t see anything coming even close.

  3. 3.

    Baud

    December 24, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    @Sebastian:

    ?

    Her stuff is a compilation, so probably not eligible, but it’s amazing.

  4. 4.

    mrmoshpotato

    December 24, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    @Sebastian: Agreed!  I don’t have words for the great service she’s done with her daily COVID updates.  Especially given the grimness of it all.

  5. 5.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 24, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    @Baud:

    It is. I don’t actively go in search, but I would hazard a guess that her Covid news aggregations compete favourably with anything outside of specialised media. If there’s any kind of award or award category that could recognise her work, I’d be right there seconding nominations.

  6. 6.

    Kalakal

    December 24, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    @Sebastian: couldn’t agree more. I can’t thank her enough for all her work

  7. 7.

    Ksmiami

    December 24, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    Hmm. Tony Jay’s scribes about flob a lob Johnson have been a hoot

  8. 8.

    Another Scott

    December 24, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    @Baud: Excellent.  Thanks for the pointer!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  9. 9.

    Sebastian

    December 24, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    @Baud:

    Yes, DougJ has been ridiculously consistent in his mastery. I mean there is not a single bad one in this epic series.

  10. 10.

    Mai Naem mobile

    December 24, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    @Sebastian: yes,yes,yes. Anne really deserves an award for that. I can’t even read it every day because its depressing. I don’t know how she does it.

  11. 11.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 24, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    @Baud:

    If that is in fact a photo of DougJ, he is insanely hot. Just needed to say that.

  12. 12.

    JPL

    December 24, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:  Not him. I am pretty sure he’s a red head and looks more like the Kennedys. He loves Goldens so he’s okay as far as I’m concerned.

  13. 13.

    debbie

    December 24, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Who knew he was Elliot Gould’s long-lost doppelgänger?

  14. 14.

    Another Scott

    December 24, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    @Another Scott: I shouldn’t be surprised, but he is actually really excellent in that discussion.  Thoughtful, well informed, not afraid to give his views clearly. Maybe Cole can get him to post here occasionally.

    ;-)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  15. 15.

    Starfish

    December 24, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    @Baud: This is great. Normally, I hate listening to the talking heads things.

  16. 16.

    UncleEbeneezer

    December 24, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    I really wish Al/Swift and Doghouse Riley were still here.  I can only imagine the hilarious shit they’d be writing today.

  17. 17.

    zhena gogolia

    December 24, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    Are store shelves too full?— New York Times Pitchbot (@DougJBalloon) December 24, 2021

  18. 18.

    Barbara

    December 24, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    @zhena gogolia: “After Christmas inventories take the wind out of holiday sales records.”

  19. 19.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    @zhena gogolia: Obviously, Mr. Pitchbot hasn’t been looking for Christmas lights at the Home of the Orange Apron for the past 2 weeks.

  20. 20.

    BigJimSlade

    December 24, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    @zhena gogolia: LO-effing-L!

  21. 21.

    Benw

    December 24, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    It’d be nice to also recognize Watergirl’s Four Directions fundraising series!

  22. 22.

    Baud

    December 24, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Glad to see someone is still fighting the War on Christmas.

  23. 23.

    MomSense

    December 24, 2021 at 4:37 pm

    @Sebastian:

    If her series doesn’t fit the model than they should create a special category for her.  I credit her with helping me to keep myself and my family safe through this clusterfuck.

  24. 24.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    @Baud: I’m on it!  Cancelling orders for Christmas lights left and right!

  25. 25.

    Baud

    December 24, 2021 at 4:43 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Heh.  You’re a mean one, Mr. Billin.

  26. 26.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    @Baud: I’ve been called rude more than once, a badge I wear with honor.

  27. 27.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    OT: My holiday gathering has dropped from 5 people to 3, the kid’s bf tested positive for the rona and it sounds like the kid has it too(migrane and coughing).

  28. 28.

    Baud

    December 24, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Oh no.  Hopefully mild.

  29. 29.

    Another Scott

    December 24, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:  :-(  Good luck to everyone!

    You too, Billin!!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  30. 30.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 5:00 pm

    @Baud: She’s double vaxed and boosted, pretty sure the bf is as well(she wouldn’t put up with it otherwise).

    @Another Scott: Thanks

    ETA: Madame said to not cook too much, I told her it’s not like I can make the roast smaller…

    Anyway, it’s not like turkey for her, she likes roast beef.  Koreans really don’t like turkey.

  31. 31.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 24, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    Okay, this is like John Cole and The Mystery of the Missing Mustard. I bought two big onions when I was grocery shopping the other day. Just realised I haven’t seen them since. They’re not anywhere in the kitchen (I even checked unlikely places, like the freezer and the dishwasher). Checked everywhere in the car. They are nowhere to be found. I can’t imagine a pot roast without onions (was going to be my festive dinner tomorrow), and I’m damned if I’m going to go to the store at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve. Guess I’ll eat something ordinary tomorrow, hit the store on Sunday, and make pot roast my new Boxing Day tradition.

  32. 32.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 24, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Oh, very sorry to hear that. Hope everyone is well soon.

  33. 33.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Thanks.

    I’ve found out that two of my co-workers in my group have had the rona.  One guy was shot 3 times by the LAPD a few years ago.  He said, when he was shot, he knew he’d pull through, with the rona, he wasn’t sure he’d make it.

  34. 34.

    Citizen Alan

    December 24, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    “I just love Tucker Carlson to death!” — my sister, two minutes ago.

    god help me.

  35. 35.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    December 24, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: ​  I’m in shock. I had no idea Dougie played Marlowe in “The Long Goodbye”​. What talent.
     

  36. 36.

    mrmoshpotato

    December 24, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    @Citizen Alan: WTF?  Gross on so many levels.

  37. 37.

    mrmoshpotato

    December 24, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Sorry to hear that.  Hopefully they have mild cases.  I take it they’re both vaccinated.

  38. 38.

    Spanky

    December 24, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    @Citizen Alan: “Those terms are accepted!” is your reply.

  39. 39.

    NotMax

    December 24, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    OT.

    The handwriting on the wall says Just. Cancel. It. Already.

  40. 40.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    @mrmoshpotato: The kid had her first vax dose a year ago today since she’s a nurse and they were the first in line.  She believes in science and gets all her vaxes.  I’m sure if the bf felt differently, he’d find her couch comfortable.

  41. 41.

    dc

    December 24, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    I listened to the podcast with DougJ, the interviewer can’t finish a sentence to save his life. Thankfully, DougJ can express himself clearly.

  42. 42.

    laura

    December 24, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    @Citizen Alan: I wish she would.

  43. 43.

    mrmoshpotato

    December 24, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Good.  Hope they both get well soon.

  44. 44.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 24, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Wow! Hope he’s fully recovered now (from the gunshots and the C19!)

  45. 45.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: He has a slight limp from the gunshots, he’s fully recovered from the ‘rona.  I’m not sure when he had it, my other co-worker had it in January.  We have one assistant manager who was out for 2 weeks a couple of months ago, he had the ‘rona

  46. 46.

    Baud

    December 24, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    @Citizen Alan:

    I’m sorry.  At least it’s one less Christmas present you have to buy.

  47. 47.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 5:29 pm

    @Baud: The War on Christmas, one less present at a time.

  48. 48.

    mrmoshpotato

    December 24, 2021 at 5:30 pm

    Update: I discovered in the worst way possible that some of the Cajun spice got into my underwear. https://t.co/71uc5QGCIl— The Rude Pundit (@rudepundit) December 24, 2021

  49. 49.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 5:33 pm

    @mrmoshpotato: Back in grad school, I was helping my Malay gf prepare some food by cutting the jalapenos for her and then rubbed my eye…I feel the Rude Pundit’s pain.

  50. 50.

    Sebastian

    December 24, 2021 at 5:36 pm

    @MomSense:

    You and me both. First read of the day, always kept me top notch informed. The consistency of quality is what amazes me.

  51. 51.

    raven

    December 24, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    My wife just gave me my present, a black Pendleton Board Shirt with Artemis embroidered on it and a thread painting of her little face on the pocket!

  52. 52.

    There go two miscreants

    December 24, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    @Citizen Alan: Death is too good for him!

  53. 53.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 24, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    @raven: How incredibly cool! Could you take and post a photo for us?

  54. 54.

    debbie

    December 24, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Could they have rolled under a seat in the car? Not speaking from experience or anything…

  55. 55.

    Anne Laurie

    December 24, 2021 at 5:54 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: I bought two big onions when I was grocery shopping the other day. Just realised I haven’t seen them since.

    There’s always the traditional folk magic:  Ask (you have to say it out loud)  Brownie  / Saint Anthony / House elf, where are my onions? …

    … and then you find them (remember you left them) in your coat pocket, or in the tray with your car keys, or…

  56. 56.

    NotMax

    December 24, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne

    Perhaps you put them inside the Instant Pot to be sure you didn’t forget them.

    ;)

  57. 57.

    senyordave

    December 24, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    @Citizen Alan: “I just love Tucker Carlson to death!”

    I’d love it if someone would love that pos to death, but in a literal sense

  58. 58.

    Wolvesvalley

    December 24, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Do you know the O. Henry story “The Third Ingredient”? The main character shares your opinion about stew (or pot roast) without onion.

  59. 59.

    zhena gogolia

    December 24, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    @raven: cool

  60. 60.

    Kalakal

    December 24, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Sorry to hear that. Hopefully a mild case or cases. A speedy recovery to all

  61. 61.

    Kalakal

    December 24, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    @Citizen Alan: And by doing so she would make the world a better place

  62. 62.

    Steeplejack

    December 24, 2021 at 6:17 pm

    @raven:

    Cool! Pic, please.

  63. 63.

    Batocchio

    December 24, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    Thanks for posting a thread, Doug!

  64. 64.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 24, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    @Kalakal: Thanks, we hope so as well.

  65. 65.

    DougJ

    December 24, 2021 at 8:54 pm

    @Baud:

     

    thank you!

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