31 December 2021

Awards

Over the years, The Laughing Horse Awards Ceremony has involved much merriment, dancing and the quaffing of alcoholic beverages by the gallon. However, this year because of The Great Plague and almost insurmountable barriers to international travel, it was decided that the much anticipated 2021 ceremony would all happen via "Zoom". And so it came to pass witnessed by a massive worldwide audience that was described by Eric Yuan, the founder of "Zoom", as "the biggest for any world event ever and an enormous challenge to our technical infrastructure".
Bloggers from around the world attended The 2021 Laughing Horse Awards Ceremony via "Zoom"

As you will be aware, The Awards Committee always present a handful of sub-awards or "commendations" before reaching the orgasmic moment when the overall winner is declared. The sub-awards are chosen for different reasons each year and in 2021 only five "COMMENDED" widgets  have been granted. Receiving a "COMMENDED" award means you are entitled to copy and paste a precious Laughing Horse widget into your sidebar. This year's prize-winners may choose from either the regular full-sized widget or the smaller, perhaps more discreet mini version:-
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COMMENDED IN 2021:-

BEST BLOGGER IN YORKSHIRE 
Tasker Dunham for "A Yorkshire Memoir". The Awards Committee said, "It is a rather quirky but well-written blog. Topics addressed  are generally varied and often unexpected. In 2021. most of Mr Dunham's loyal followers loved his fifteen part Icelandic saga recalling his explorations of that "land of ice and fire" back in the nineteen seventies. Mr Dunham normally deals thoughtfully and pleasantly with visitors' remarks and wears the same cultivated mantle when visiting  other people's blogs. Many of his posts look back sweetly on past times. This special commendation is richly deserved."

RESILIENCE THROUGH BLOGGING (Special  Award)
The Committee said this: "As well as writing blogposts, bloggers also have regular lives to lead and sometimes big difficulties arise in daily life. Managing a blog can provide a helpful release valve plus a means of articulating and sharing troubles and awkward feelings."

Residing near Edmonton in Canada is a dedicated cancer nurse known as Nurse Lily or Pixie. For understandable professional and indeed private reasons, she prefers to keep her real name  hidden from view. Her blog tracks how challenging 2021 has been for her. "MyLifeSoFar" is the commended blog and The Committee applauds its author's continuing  resilience.

EVOCATIVE WRITING AWARD
Ms Mary Moon, the author of "Bless Our Hearts" was The Laughing Horse Blogger of the Year in 2018. Through 2021, she has continued to write in very engaging ways about her life in Lloyd, Florida. The Committee said: "Ms Moon is self-deprecating. She articulates often tricky thoughts and feelings with intense honesty and good humour. In another writer's hands her largely domestic subject matter might prove tedious but she is very skilled at making ordinary topics seem as delicious as her famous sour dough bread. It is a privilege to peep into her daily life and the way she sees it all."

CONTINUED BRILLIANCE THROUGH BLOGGING
John Gray from Trelawnyd, North Wales was The Blogger of the Year back in 2010. He wears his heart on his sleeve as he blogs away daily from his cottage or his i-phone. Those who follow "Going Gently" have witnessed his personal ups and downs, his good humour and his spats with awkward visitors. Looking in on his village community has been like living in a Welsh version of  "The Archers". John has brought joy to many and has an army of followers who drop in most days. Though eleven years have passed since his Laughing Horse triumph, The Awards Committee felt that his  continuing brilliant work deserved extra recognition.

NICEST BLOGGER AWARD
There are plenty of really nice people in the blogosphere. Their tendency is to be well-mannered, kind and supportive. If there's something they disagree with then they either don't say anything or they measure their responses carefully. It's so pleasant to have such good people around. Nice bloggers are arguably the oil that lubricates the medium.

Several bloggers were nominated for this new award including Dave Northsider, Meike Riley,  ADDY, Jennifer Barlow and Debby from "Life's Funny Like That" but in the end The Awards Committee picked Kylie, an Australian blogger who is responsible for "Eclectica" from the suburbs of Sydney. This is also a nice blog to visit. In it, Kylie reflects on her family, her dog, work and health issues. Her kindness, common sense and optimism shine through. Earlier this year she gave us a fascinating series of blogposts that exercised her talent for writing haiku verses. She occasionally acts as a doula - partnering women through childbirth and is active in The Salvation Army. Very deserving of the very first "Nicest Blogger" award.

🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘

BLOGGER OF THE YEAR 2021:-

The golden envelope has been opened. The trumpets have been blown and the drums have ceased. The overall "Blogger of the Year" for 2021 is none other than Andrew De Melbourne for "High Riser". Car horns beep and a shaft of sunshine pierces the clouds, illuminating the balcony of his luxury penthouse apartment in downtown Melbourne, Australia. There he resides with his longtime partner of British descent -  the legendary "R".

Andrew has been creating blogposts on a very regular basis since September 2004. He writes with affection about his extended family and his home city which he knows like the back of his hand. He takes us hither and thither like a tour guide. 

The Chair of the Laughing Horse Awards Committee said this of Andrew's blog: "Essentially, it is a nice blog to visit. It has a light touch. Though Andrew can express anger and annoyance about things, he tends to be easygoing. He handles visitors' comments thoughtfully - often with  smidgens of humour. He can laugh at himself and his partner "R" who is always lurking in the shadows of  'High Riser' like a taxman. Andrew is a great advocate for Melbourne and a proud Australian too but he is well-travelled and interested in many things - including transport, street art, food and architecture. After seventeen years of blogging he thoroughly deserves recognition and we  at Laughing Horse are delighted to acknowledge his services."

As far as can be determined there are no photos of Andrew De Melbourne in the entire blogosphere. He likes to maintain a degree of privacy. However, another Melbourne source recently informed me that he once appeared in advertising for Akubra - a company that specialises in bush gear for The Outback - especially hats. Here, allegedly,  is Andrew a few years back, dressed to kill:-
Congratulations on your award Andrew. Please choose one of these widgets to post into your sidebar and then lay back  and bask in the glory of your deserved success:-

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39 comments:

  1. Oh, thank you, Mister Pudding!!
    I'm delighted and honoured to receive the inaugural Nicest blogger award!!

    As I write, I'm eating a local delicacy and wearing my very best old t-shirt with pyjama bottoms. It's very fitting for a zoom ceremony ;)

    Happiest of New Years to you!!

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    1. Well-deserved Kylie. The mental image of you in your old T-shirt and pyjama bottoms is too much to bear.

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  2. Oops, I forgot to be nice and congratulate Andrew! Well done to a fellow Aussie 😊😊😊

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    1. Not only are you thrashing England in the cricket, you are also winning all the blog awards!

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  3. Congratulations to Andrew! Is everyone at this gala wearing nightwear? Because I am. I'd hate to feel as if I had not dressed appropriately for this gala event. I was thinking of wearing the same outfit for our New Year's eve bash as well.

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    1. On "Zoom " you only need to bother about your top half Debby. Nudity below the waist is permitted.

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  4. Oh, Mr. P.! I am so honored! I was not expecting that in the least. You have given me a lovely surprise to end this year with. Thank you so much.

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    1. Thank you for being such an evocative writer Mary.

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  5. That is exactly how I picture Andrew! (Well, maybe a few years ago.) Congrats to all and to the selection committee, which I'm sure toiled long and hard over these decisions. Deserving winners all around!

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    1. If there was a "Go To" blog category you would be a serious contender Steve.

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  6. Congratulations to all the winners and those Commended - well done! Starting the New Year on a high note - what could be better in these times of uncertainty.
    Happy New Year to everyone.

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    1. Your generous spirit is legendary Carol. HAPPY NEW YEAR my friend!

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  7. Well done, Andrew! I have never been to your blog, but I completely trust the committe‘s judgement.
    Good basking over the next 12 months!

    At least I made it to the list of nominees, so flattering! The dressing decision has been narrowed down to choosing between copper brown or petrol blue-green.

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    1. On "Zoom" your fashion choices only need to refer to your top half. Below the waist you can wear Stuttgart FC football shorts.

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  8. Well done everybody and especially to Andrew. Happy New year to all you blog writers. Thanks for the laughs all year YP.

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    1. If there was a Best Blogger on The Sheep's Head Peninsula award you would be in with a chance Dave!

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  9. Fun to read these awards and now I have more blogs to visit, so thank you!

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    1. One can only handle so many blogs Margaret.

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  10. I’m moved ! Thank you xxx

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  11. 'Tis the Wild Night here in Innisbofin.

    Whisht, said I, to the Atlantic Breakers and me pet goat Patsy Nance, Whisht Girl: Neily the Teacherman and Quare Fellow from Sheffield, is giving us his Laughing Nag Awards. It's like the Oscars without the Tears and the Cocaine and the Suicides.

    We never got the Television Reception here in Innisbofin, we sometimes get a snatch of young Simon Dee on Radio Caroline, but we love us Bloggers when the Nights is drawing in, and it's pishing down Rats Tails, and there's nothing to do but Drink, Fornicate, Pray and listen to the Shipping Forecast.

    The Wife has gone to live on Dogger Bank with her Fancy Man Donny O'Trump and he's welcome to her.
    I'd say more, Lads and Lasses, but Patsy Nance needs her Walk Outdoors, so she can have a Bowel Movement and a Run along the Cliffside, keeps her Frisky.

    Keep up the Grand Work in 2022, sure ye've nothing else to do, have ye's?
    2022 will be the year of the Great Reset, when the Chinks finally take over the World, with a lot of help from yon eejit Vladimir Putin, and I think the Pope's in on it too, the Devious Ould Bogger. I said Bogger not Blogger.

    Hamel(d)
    P.S. What exactly is a Yorkshire pudding, Neily?
    I've never swallyed one meself, do ye have it with the Oatmeal and Cream in the Morning, is it a Kosher Delicacy?

    P.P.S. Do ye think Tasker is a Real Live Feller or is he just making it up as he goes along?
    I had me doubts about that Iceland jaunt of his, didn't Hammond Innes write up that Ould Guff when Mary Quant invented the Mini Skirt? The Nice Looking Girls were a bonus but. Not that I think of passing on the DNA at my age, 93 in March.

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    1. Sincere thanks to our correspondent from Innisboffin - an island sanctuary for retired boffins. Rather like Alcatraz but with books and esoteric conversations. And Tasker Dunham is indeed real! I once saw him down the chip shop. Similar in appearance to Elvis.

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    2. So there's a Boffin as well as a Bludger, a Blagger and a Bugger?
      Your Grammar School beat my Hedge School any day, Neily.
      I learned the Anglo-Saxon words from the Lassies-o.

      Ye's all lead such Interesting Lives, you Bloggers.
      I suppose ye're all writing Bestsellers about what ye Cook for your Dinner, and Squelching on a bit of Dog Shite when ye take in the Dirty Washing?

      Didn't some fella write a Book like that once?
      Diary of a Nobody it was called, they made it into a Dirty Feelum with Britt Eckland.
      No, wait a minute, that was The Wicker Man, a saucy bit of Horror-Porn.

      They Burned some fella in his Long Johns, and all because he Undressed Britt in his Imagination. It was set in Calvinist Jockland where they do those things.
      Sure I could have been a Writer meself if I'd had the Imagination.
      Hamel(d)

      P.S. Ye might write a Post about Yorkshire Bats.
      Bats give me the Shivers, the way they hang Upside Down when they Sleep, and Cheeping all through the Night, but if you don't write it, Tasker'll beat ye to it.
      I think Tasker wrote a Post about Britt Eckland once or I am only dreaming?

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    3. I thought wee Nicola told them to celbrate the new year responsibly.

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  12. All very deserving and congratulations are wished to everyone. I like the new badge. You are certainly doing your part to encourage bloggers, Mr. P.

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    1. We all need positive strokes from time to time Jenny.

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  13. I would like to thank the academy and of course the anti-depressant, Effexor, for keeping me going. Truly it's been a shit year.

    Let's hope next year is better for everybody and thank you for the lovely award Mr. Pudding.

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    1. Effexor sounds like a mythical land beyond the mountains - where dreams come true. Congratulations Nurse Lily!

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  14. Anonymous11:26 pm

    I don't know what to say beyond thank you. I often have certain bloggers in mind when I write posts and then think, I wonder if they are rolling their eyes yet again as they read my words. No matter. Clearly I get something right. Thank you.

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    1. Seventeen years of sterling blogging work! You have earned your victory Andrew! Congratulations my friend!

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  15. I always like to see the Laughing horse awards. It gives me a chance to see some good blogs.

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    1. I well remember your own stunning victory in 2017 Keith.

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    2. ...and you notice that I still have it displayed on my blog that I won the award.

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  16. Anonymous10:55 am

    There are three photos of me on my blog, all published a long time ago and I couldn't fine them now. One is of me in drag. I was going to email you photos of me but you don't have any contact details. My email address is in my profile should you wish to be disillusioned about my handsomeness.

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  17. Darn it, missed out again (and I'd bought a new frock specially). Here's my disappointed but gritting my teeth graciously smile. Happy New Year, YP.

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    1. To be in with a chance of winning an award you must blog more regularly ADDY. That's life I am afraid!

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  18. Goodness, Mr. P., praise indeed. And three years running! But best blogger in Yorkshire? Surely not. Such a person would post every day, whereas I'm doing well to manage one a week.
    Congratulations to High Riser, a well deserved winner.

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    1. It's not quantity but quality Mr Dunham. Some Yorkshire bloggers publish over three hundred blogposts a year but it's mainly drivel.

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Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

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