DeafRead 2007 Blog Awards Nominations Announced
 | By JJ Puorro Sunday, January 13th, 2008 |
2007 has been a great year for DeafRead! Only when I was sorting out the nominations, it hit me how good 2007 was for DeafRead. I kept telling to myself, “Wow! I forgot about that entry! Good one!”
I want to thank those who took the time out of their busy schedules to make nominations. I am almost sad that there can only be one winner for each category because there were so many deserving v/blogs. There were so many high quality entries this year…we really elevated discourse this year. This bodes well for the year of 2008!
A small note before we list the nominations: We only listed the five most nominated v/blog/entries per category. (Some categories had two or more blogs with the same number of nominations thus those categories has more than 5 nominees) Without further ado, here are the nominations listed by category:
2007 Blog of the Year
Berke Outspoken, Jamie Berke
The Deaf Edge, Jeannette Johnson
Ear of My Heart, LaRonda Zupp
Mishka Zena, Elizabeth Gillespie
Paotie’s Green Couch, Joshua Dawson
2007 Vlog of the Year
Deaf Progressivism, Barbara DiGiovanni
Deaf World As Eye See It, Amy Cohen Efron
Joey’s ASL Vlog, Joey Baer
Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
Seek Geo, “Geo”
2007 Best Advocacy
Deaf Cienmatic Filmblog, Aidan Mack
The Deaf Edge, Jeannette Johnson
Deaf Progressivism, Barbara DiGiovanni
Ella’s Flashlight, Ella Lentz
Joey’s ASL Vlog, Joey Baer
Mishka Zena, Elizabeth Gillespie
2007 Political
Deaf Cienmatic Filmblog, Aidan Mack
Deaf Progressivism, Barbara DiGiovanni
Deaf World As Eye See It, Amy Cohen Efron
Joey’s ASL Vlog, Joey Baer
Kokonut Pundit, Mike McConnell
Mishka Zena, Elizabeth Gillespie
Mr. Sandman’s Sandbox, Mr. Sandman
2007 Hearing Ally
Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
Moot Thoughts & Musings, Jeannette
2007 Best New Vblog
The Deaf Edge, Jeannette Johnson
DeafRoger, Roger Desmarais
Ear of My Heart, LaRonda Zupp
Living the Questions, Kim
Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
Seek Geo, “Geo”
2007 Best Group/Organization
Alternative Solutions Center, Candace A. McCullough & Sharon M. Duchesneau
Deaf Bilingual Coalition, John Egbert
DeafDC
2007 Funniest Vblog
….ABC, John Lestina
DeafRoger, Roger Desmarais
Deaf Joke TV, Grant Laird Jr., Dave Fulmer, Patricia Germundson
Gary Brooks Show, Gary Brooks
Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
2007 Most Odd/Unusual
Fookem and Bug
Gary Brooks Show, Gary Brooks
The Orange Deafie Blog, Richard Roehm
Paotie’s Green Couch, Joshua Dawson
Seek Geo, “Geo”
TheTate, Tate Tullier
2007 Best Design
DeafEye, Eric Hamlow
Deaf Dish, Teri Sentelle
Deaf Progressivism, Barbara DiGiovanni
2007 Best Concept/Idea
Butterfly like me…Deaf, Kathleen Kinnee
Deaf World As Eye See It, Amy Cohen Efron
Ella’s Flashlight, Ella Lentz
Kalalau’s Korner, Carl Schroeder
Oh, I See, Mike Schmidt
Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
See what you say; say what you see, Jay Krieger
2007 Best Storyteller
Deaf Progressivism, Barbara DiGiovanni
Ear of My Heart, LaRonda Zupp
Kalalau’s Korner, Carl Schroeder
Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
Seek Geo, “Geo”
See what you say; say what you see, Jay Krieger
2007 Best Single Entry
“ASL Music Video in Memory of David”, ASL Music, B.A.D.
“The Greatest Irony”, Deaf World As Eye See It, Amy Cohen Efron
“Happy Holidays from Sacramento”, A Spirited Toast from the Cali Bros, Mark S. Nelson
“Is it selfish to intentionally make a deaf child?”, Shane Feldman, DeafDC.com
“Meet Our Parents”, Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
“A Silent Family Earns A Spirited Award”, A Spirited Toast from the Cali Bros, Mark S. Nelson
2007 Best Single ASL Clip
“Aidan and Wayne’s Movies”, Tom’s Vlog, Tom Neville
“ASL and Cooking Dangerous?”, Todos La Vie, Mary Ruth Summers
“ASL Poetry: Bully ASL”, Jon’s ASL Vlog, Jon Savage
“Funny of Deaf lawyer Tom Neville”, Tom’s Vlog, Tom Neville
“Fun with Relay”, Olson Brothers, Andrew & Benjamin Olson
“The Greatest Irony”, Deaf World As Eye See It, Amy Cohen Efron
“Guess Who Showed Up In My Bedroom?”, Deaf Progressivism, Barbara DiGiovanni
2007 Tech/Geek
Ed’s Telecom Alert, Ed Bosson
Jared’s Rambling Thoughts, Jared Evans
Grant Laird Jr. Blog, Grant Laird Jr.
Proud Geek
y3, Tayler Mayer
2007 Youth Vblog of the Year
AJR’s Blogs/Vlogs, Aharon J. Riolo
Brianna’s Vlog, Brianna DiGiovanni
Jehanne’s Vlogs, Jehanne C. McCullough
Sean L. Berdy, Sean Berdy
Tyler Berdy, Tyler Berdy
Thank you all for your nominations!!! For those who may not win an award at the banquet, just being one of the top 5 nominated for each category deserves a honorable mention. Many others did not even make the top 5 cut. Congrats on being nominated and good luck!!!
Voting will begin this week! Happy Voting!
-J.J.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Those lists look good…..is this actual voting right now?
January 13th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
NightOwl, voting will begin this week. Stay posted!
January 13th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Never mind, I didn’t see the last sentence. Just woke up from a nap.
January 14th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Curious. Why didn’t DeafRead.com list alphabetically? Fair?
January 14th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Shit someone nominations Richard Roehm??
I thought He would win for the 2007 worst VLOG
Me surprised no body nominations Ricky Taylor
Guess right time his BLOG in garbage
January 14th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Anonymous, it is listed alphabetically. When alphabetically listing titles, “The” and “A” are ignored. For example, the title, “A Great Deaf Life”, would be alphabeticized by the first letter after “A”, which is “G”.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Careful, someone as dumb as roehm may think this award gives him some sort of credibility.
the list ROCKS!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Something does not looking right. Since the awards are for deaf v/bloggers, why do we have hearing v/bloggers in different category? I am ok if the category has hearing ally but in different category?
I am in lost world.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:33 am
one thing problem, I can’t vote Ella Lentz, Carl Schroeder and Mike Schmidt as a concept/Idea
January 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
????
I am with you – care to explain?
January 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Response to “????”:
Hearing v/bloggers are welcome at DR and thus eligible for awards.
Besides, the Olson Brothers are pretty damn good and very deserving of their nominations anyway….(just my opinion though)…
January 14th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
J.J. Puorro,
Your comment threw me off the wall, “pretty damn good.” Are you trying to tell us that awards is for competition who is better?
I thought the whole point is to recognize for all Deaf/hard-of-hearing b/vloggers.. oops my bad and hearing, too for their achievement. So, no one is better.. we all are equally damn good whether u like it or not.
So with being nominated and getting an award is about to praise for their work and creativity, hopefully to encourage more deaf/hoh b/vloggers to join in this fun b/vlog world.
-SG
By the way, I don’t blame these commentators questioning about hearies. What’s the point having a hearing ally category, then? How about deaf ally?
January 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
yea, i’m with Seek Geo. Since hearies are eligible for ALL categories and deafies/hh’ies are eligible for all BUT ONE categories, hearies have more categories than deafies/hh’ies. That doesn’t look right, especially on DeafRead.
i mean no disrespect toward codas and hearies. but if ALL categories are open to hearies, then i agree with seek geo that “best ally” should be open to deafies and hh’s, too.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Some great bloggers/vloggers up there, and some new ones for me to explore!
A couple of things though– I’m disappointed that out of the initial categories, several were combined into a single category. I think that does everyone a disservice– I think blogs and vlogs are distinctly separate, and should be acknowledged and recognized as such. To change the rules in the middle of the game isn’t right, IMHO– keep things as consistent as possible, please.
Also, for next year, I think it would be good if you could have a brief paragraph (or a couple of lines) explaining the general parameters of each category. For example, “Political”; politics is fairly specific, so to have nominees like Deaf Cienmatic Filmblog and Deaf Progressivism, which don’t really discuss politics, doesn’t make sense. I’d say the entries on most of those blogs in that category discuss the Deaf community and Deaf identity. If you wanted to say the category focuses on blogs that discuss politics, there’s maybe three that qualify. Now if you wanted to be specific and say “DEAF” politics, then at least two blogs are somewhat questionable nominees.
How do you define “concept” and “idea,” for example?
Also am disappointed the category of “funniest ASL clip” was combined with another category.
Don’t get me wrong– love the concept of the Deaf Blog Awards, think it’s a great way to give our community more exposure, but I think there should be a little more in the way of guidelines, parameters, and most of all, consistency.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:18 am
I am sorry that those nominations are not that great as expected. Bad choices. I bet there were not enough nominations made. You Deafreader have such a bad taste. Deaf Progressivism do not deserve some nominations except for the best advocacy category. Deaf Dish deserves a spot as one of the best concept/idea blog. She combined everything into a single blog; storytelling, photography work, discussions, ASL issues, and writings. What about her funniest vlogs, “I Love Teri”. Deaf Cinematic. oh, please! She is definitely a humdrum. Blah blah blah! I am disappointed with the results not to mention the conference program. It is not worth every red penny. I totally agree with Mr Sandman. No consistency!
January 15th, 2008 at 6:21 am
The nominations insofar truly reflects the longstanding narrowmindness, exclusivity, and reeks of elitism in the deaf minority.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:50 am
J.J Puorro, I disagreed with your comment ‘Olson Brothers are pretty damn good’. I pick Austin Andrews over them. Now I have a strange feeling that you did not honest with vote ballots because Olson brothers are almost everywhere in different category.
I think online vote is more secure, honest, safe than sending email to you.
The last thing is that you should not make a comment here about people who is best or not because you are supposed to be in netural position but right now you are in deep shit spotlight.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am
????, online voting will commence in the next few days. These that were nominated will be voted upon. You’ll have your chance.
There isn’t a easier way to collect nominations than having it emailed. We’re open to suggestions as to how to better collect nominations.
As for blogs that were not nominated, we advertised that the nominations were open more than twice on DeafRead. Did you send in your nomination(s)?
January 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Seek Geo,
I said that being nominated is deserving of a honorable mention. I am not saying that the awards are about who is better, it is as you put it about recongizing those who made contributions..but there can only be one winner…just a fact of life..they don’t have two gold meals at the Olympics, they don’t have two Lombardi trophies, and so forth…
Sandman,
We cannot waste time verifying whether a v/blog “fits” into a certain category based on its content. We only can count the # of nominations for each category and re-categorize entries if they DEFINITELY do not fit such as a single funny ASL clip in the most funny v/blog of the year category.
As for a explanation paragraph for each category, I agree that that would be a good idea. however, I would still expect people to nominate v/blogs that don’t exactly fit..because some people interpret “politics” differently than others.
Yes, we combined the funniest ASL clips into the “Best ASL Clip” category because the funniest category was for the funniest v/blog of the year (meaning all of 2007) (Yes, we should have been clear about that though..will keep in mind next year). Also, it wouldn’t be fair if someone like Gary Brooks would be pitted against a single funny entry. People would have to go to Gary Brooks’ website and look at every entry to make a judgement vs. one funny entry. We felt that it should be v/blog vs. v/blog and single entry vs. single entry….
I agree that there needs to be some consistency and things need to be more clear. Tayler and I were discussing a specific method to collect nominations next year other than E-mail. The issue was that people would send E-mail saying (for example), “Joey Baer”…and nothing else…not even a category…not even a URL…not even a summary paragraph..nothing.. (those types got discarded aside BTW) So, we are open to new suggestions as how to collect entries in a orderly fashion in the appropirate categories.
What!,
Deaf Dish was nominated…but ONLY ONE TIME!!!! If you want better nominations…encourage people to nominate…
Roehm,
We can only list the nominations that we received. Next year, encourage some of your friends to make nominations???
????,
Austin Andrews is also “pretty damned good”…personally I like his ASL clip the best of ALL…but he only received ONE NOMINATION!!!!!! A damn shame!!!!
I agree that online nominations would be the best, much better than E-mail for sure. It took me 3 full days to sort out the nominations because of the inconsistency of people following simple directions.
I can make a comment about who I think is good…I can vote just like anyone else. My vote only counts for one vote though.
==========
General comments in regards to hearing v/bloggers:
Hearing people are welcome at DR as long as their entries are deaf-centric. By the way, does anyone realize that Austin Andrews is hearing?? I am sorry, but his ASL clip was the SINGLE BEST ASL CLIP of 2007…and it came from a hearing person. This is a good example of why we should recongize hearing v/bloggers! I am so sorry that I didn’t even nominate Austin Andrews now…I totally forgot about his vlog. (I noticed that some v/bloggers made a “For your consideration” v/blogs in where they reviewed their 2007 entries…and that worked…people do not remember things from 2-3 months to a year ago…people have short term memories..just a fact)
In regards to nominations and votes:
If you do not like what you see here, then next year make sure you nominate who you think is deserving. Then perhaps blog about it to drum up support. That’s what people do for the Heisman Trophy voting…they publish a booklet about the player, make a DVD about the player, and print posters…and send them all over the place…to make the player’s name well known so that come voting time everyone will think of that player…
Also, we got only one nomination for several deserving entries such as Austin Andrews…if we had gotten more..they’d have made it. The point is that we can only go on with the nominations we received…which was why I thanked those who took time out of their busy schedules to make nominations.
It is what it is…we cannot please everyone.
-J.J.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hey J.J.,
While we are at it, why don’t we let hearing people to sign up for Deaf Olympic, eh?
You don’t mind?
-SG
January 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Why no cartoon blog nomination?
January 15th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Same candidates from last year??
I’ve seen better deaf blogs than that. I guess they aren’t recognized yet. Well, most blogs are private but I can assure you that they are much better- more quirky, artistic and unique.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I agree with What!’s comment.
I checked some blogs here and they aren’t really interesting. It is kinda repetitive.
I want Deaf people to be more challenge and open their minds.
We need more flavors in our lives.
I’m surprised there’s no nominations for Deaf Artist/Photographer blogs?
We have tech geek, storyteller, best odd/unusual, best design and etcetera but no artist and photographer?
January 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Mr. Sandman, I disagree with you. Barb not only talks a lot about politics but she DOES it. She deserves credit for what she has done for breaking through barriers. I would suggest you to pay more attention to her political discussion and achievements. If you had checked out Deaf Progressivism, she already have 15 posts on politics. As for Aidan, well,.she does talk about political issues but she is more inclined to advocacy.
And to What! Deaf Progressivism covered a lot of topics and she does deserve to be in these categories since she touched a variety of topics not only limited to politics. She happens to have talent in storytelling and I am always fascinated with her vlog. In fact, she deserves the vlog of the year because her vlog is not limited to one category.
You have a right to your opinion and to explain why you don’t think this and that but it is not nice to say those nasty things who are nominated. They all along with others who are not nominated deserve recognition in the DeafRead community anyway. Just don’t bash nominees like Ella or Carl doesn’t deserve this and that without a reason. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it!
January 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I am in total agreement with some commenters who support Barb Di Giovanni. I admire her scholastic research and original thoughts on a wide scope of varying subjects. Also, I consider her the most versatile for being able to do both blog and vlog simultaneously on the same page. Is it too late for you to add THE BEST BLOGGER-VLOGGER.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Seek geo,
But Deaf people can sign up for the hearing Olympics..hmmm?
Anonymous,
No Cartoon nomination…we can add it next year..but if i recall..we only have one guy, Dan McClintock…right??? I don’t see many?
Izzie,
Not the same candidates from last year, but probably the same people making nominations. If you have seen better…then nominate them next year!!!
As for artist/photographer…can add that category next year…but how many artists and photographers? I can’t think of many???
January 15th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
J.J,
Deaf photographers:
http://xanga.com/mavbella
http://xanga.com/thetate
http://mastervita.deviantart.com/ (I’m not sure if he has a blog.)
http://dejastudio.com/ (She has a private blog. I’ll encourage her to open and inspire people.)
http://catcassidyphotos.com/ (I think she has a Xanga account.)
Check them out!
Post here if you know some deaf photographers or artists!
January 15th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
‘We can only list the nominations that we received’. How come we have five most nominations? One or 10 nominations, both is still in no matter what. Then top five then award to that person who get high vote.
I should shut my hands and stay under the water.
But Deaf or Hearing people can sign up for the Special Olympics? Hmmmm?
January 15th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
JJ, thanks for your thoughtful response. I appreciate it.
You state:
“We cannot waste time verifying whether a v/blog “fits” into a certain category based on its content.”
I disagree. I know it means more work, but that’s part of the responsibility and ethics of running such a contest.
Your next comment: “As for a explanation paragraph for each category, I agree that that would be a good idea. however, I would still expect people to nominate v/blogs that don’t exactly fit..because some people interpret “politics” differently than others.”
Great– I look forward to explanatory paragraphs next year. No endeavor is perfect, and there’s always room for improvement! However, you just proved my point: how is “politics” interpreted? How broad or narrow should the categories be? What is being acknowledged or recognized by that particular category? Food for thought…
Now, as to combining categories: “Yes, we combined the funniest ASL clips into the “Best ASL Clip” category because the funniest category was for the funniest v/blog of the year (meaning all of 2007) (Yes, we should have been clear about that though..will keep in mind next year).”
A half-hearted defense, methinks. My main objection here isn’t so much the fact that the categories were combined (although that could be argued on its own), but that when we were asked to nominate blogs and vlogs in each category, we voters were not expecting to then have categories lumped together after the fact. To me, that’s changing the rules in the middle of the game, and is inconsistent.
I’m not trying to tear you guys down, or to criticize the Blog/Vlog Awards; on the contrary, I think that DeafRead is a great idea, its staff work hard, and that the Blog/Vlog Awards are a great way to celebrate our online community. I just think, as I said previously, that there’s room for improvement.
Wait a Min:
Wow– emotional much? This response was almost completely an emotionally based response, and doesn’t really address why I even brought up Deaf Progressivism and other blogs/vlogs in the first place as an example of how the category itself was potentially flawed (bear in mind that I am nominated in that category as well, and if you follow the logic of my argument, it’s possible I shouldn’t even have been nominated).
You seem to read my comment as some sort of personal attack against Barb. Far from it. While I don’t know her well, I like her and think her voice is an important one, and her vlogs a valuable contribution to the community. I’m pleased to see she’s been nominated in several categories.
Nasty things? What “nasty things” have I said? I haven’t said anything negative at all, merely stated that the nominees didn’t necessarily fit the category, which exposes flaws in how the categories/award process is defined. THAT is the essence of my point– not whether Barb or Aidan are “nice” or not. It’s not my place to comment on that, nor is it relevant to the discussion. So I fail to see why we need to discuss that, nor do I see why you even brought it up in the first place.
I *HAVE* checked out her site before– unless you personally know me (and I suspect you don’t), you have no way of knowing what I’ve seen/read or not. Don’t assume. But what I have seen points more to advocacy, as well as discussions of Deaf identity, and not so much “politics”. This goes back to the point that JJ made– how do you define what is “funny”? What is “political”?
My argument is that there should be some definition to the categories; JJ’s counter-argument is that it’s easier to NOT have definitions.
Anyway, “Wait a Min,” if you’d like to come back and discuss this logically, I’d be happy to hear what you think. But you’re responding emotionally with arguments that have nothing to do with what I’m saying, so at the moment you leave me scratching my head…
January 15th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Comments:
Izzie,
Cool links. That is all new to me except for the “Tate” one. Tate was actually nominated for the odd/unusual and best blog category (twice if I remmy correctly)…just not enough nominations to crack the top 5.
Are those all deafread subscribed blogs?
????,
Yup, the top 5 most nominated ine ach category are listed above. We had many nominatons for each category, but a lot single nominations. I mean anyone could be nominated if we did not list the top 5 by nominating themselves. If I remmy correctly we had like 16 nominations for some categories…top 5 had 3-4 or more nominations each..followed by 11 single nominations…
Sandman,
It is what it is. If this were the Oscars..yeah we’d put in the work to get everything listed in the correct category.. This is a simple second annual awards banquent for a popular internet site that has about 12,000 hits a day on a good day…that is really run by 2 guys and maybe 4-5 screeners who all do this in their spare time… with the Oscars you have an entire “Academy of Motion Pictures” to determine the nominations…
I agree that changing the rules in the middle of the game was inconsistent at best, but we felt that it was the most fair method. Why should one person win an award for the funniest v/blog of the year by making a SINGLE entry versus someone who was consistently funny over an entire year? That was the main reasoning.
Like you said, there’s room for improvement…but this year was better than last year…we aim to set the bar higher with each passing year…
Last, but not least…in your response to “wait a min” above..you said my counter-argument was that it is easier to NOT have definitions…I didn’t really say that per se… My point was that people will nominate what they think fits the best regardless of the definition… Anyway, next year I’ll add something like a one sentence definition along with clear examples…
-JJ
January 16th, 2008 at 6:07 am
how does voting work? I do not see voting poll or something? Just click blue highlight on each person whoever I want to vote???
January 16th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Is it favoritism?? Be honest.
I agree with See Geo.
January 16th, 2008 at 9:27 am
January 17th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
It’s being talked around that human beings should and must be completely neutral. How can a blogger
be allowed to blog and be human editor at the same time and see who votes for whom? One would have to give up as a blogger to remain a human editor and see votes or the other way around.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Good discussion so far and I definitely hope Tayler, JJ, and others will consider feedback from brilliant people here. I agree with Seek Geo. We should not have accept hearing vlogs or blogs. Hearing people don’t play in Deaf Oymplics or Special Olympics. Deafread is becoming DeafHearingRead. It is no longer for deaf anymore. I think it will help if Tayler will limit one category per person. No fun if a person wins 5 categories. Tayler should have asked people to ONLY nominate a site for ONE category. I am really hoping someone with tech skills start another RSS and make it 100 deaf space and more clear guidelines and less favoritism. It is hard to know if a blog or vlog is done bye a deaf person or not. Human editors definitely should not be part of competition. Unethical to many people’s eyes.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
An amazing young lady who will provide a quality service to the deaf community, Allan