I'm pleased to note that I'm the Houston Press pick for Best Local Blog in their annual Best of Houston competition. That's two years in a row, which is pretty darned sweet.
We waited for someone to step up and dethrone Charles Kuffner as the best blogger in town. We scoured the H-town blogosphere, reading what the pamphleteers of the 21st century had to say about sports, politics, music, art and breakfast. We wasted countless hours, time we could've spent paying our bills or cleaning our homes, getting too much information from all the folks out there who've stepped up, sat down and started typing. And we still think Kuffner is the man. He shines when it comes to local and national politics, but he's not above throwing in a random jab at Paris Hilton when the situation merits. And who doesn't like a little bit of that?
All silliness aside, here's another award winner who richly deserves the kudos.
Best Democrat
Rick NoriegaIt's a cliche that politicians who are so eager to send other folks off to war sit safely behind their desks. Not Rick Noriega. He was sworn in for another term as state rep this January -- not in Austin, but in a wooden barracks building outside of Kabul, Afghanistan. Lieutenant Colonel Noriega was on active duty training the Afghan army. It's true the state legislature doesn't have much to say about sending troops overseas, but it's still home to more than its share of platitude-spouting pols who don't have to back up their glib patriotism. Even from Kabul, Noriega continued his good legislative work though his wife, Melissa, who temporarily filled his seat and was named "Freshman of the Year" by the legislature's Democratic caucus.
Congratulations! This is the best.
Posted by: cacafuego on October 1, 2005 12:15 PMDude, you deserve it.
The rest of us are just pretenders.
Posted by: PDiddie on October 1, 2005 1:08 PMCongradultions, This blog not only provides a high standard for the rest of us, but its the place to go to find out whats going on.
Posted by: Liberty on October 1, 2005 1:42 PMCongrats on the repeat ... on to the threepeat!
Posted by: Greg Wythe on October 1, 2005 3:14 PMWhy should anyone be surprised at your recognition. As I might remind you, some of us have been singing your praises to folks for quite sometime - and some of us don't pass around compliments lightly.
Congratulations Charles, a richly deserved recognition and one that is even more impressive to me knowing you do this with a youngster by your side.
Posted by: Carl Whitmarsh on October 1, 2005 3:26 PMCONGRATS!!! I just recently found your blog and find in very stimulating.
Posted by: James on October 1, 2005 4:42 PMI'm just glad BOR isn't based in Houston!
Posted by: Karl-T on October 1, 2005 4:59 PMCongratulations! I'm so proud of you.
Posted by: Ginger Stampley on October 1, 2005 5:09 PMWTG, Kuff! Hard-earned and well-deserved.
Posted by: Beldar on October 1, 2005 6:40 PMYou are the best, kuff...keep it up!
Posted by: Cindy on October 1, 2005 6:41 PMWay to go, you Prince of Punditry! Well deserved. But, honestly, I think the pictures of Olivia put you over the top.
And well-deserved recognition to Rick and Melissa Noriega, huh? Best Democrats around, darn tootin'.
Posted by: Susan DuQuesnay Bankston on October 1, 2005 6:47 PMCongratulations on the repeat win. I may not be as interested in the local political scene since I've been in Houston, but I do know that this is a well written, well respected blog. Now I can say that I know two award winning writers (Frank McCourt, of course, being the first).
Now, I wonder how drunk the judges were at the World Beard and Mustache Championship to give 1st prize to that guy. :-)
Posted by: William Hughes on October 1, 2005 7:29 PMI really thought I deserved to win. But congratulations anyway.
Posted by: banjo jones on October 1, 2005 10:53 PMWay to go Kuff!
Posted by: Lyn Wall on October 2, 2005 9:34 AMIt couldn't get any better that you writing the best blog and the Yankees getting the American League east! This from your Republican father and fellow Yankee fan.
God luv ya,
Dad
I'll see Rick Noriega and raise you James Smith, state representative for South Carolina house district 72. James is a lifelong Democrat and, IMHO, a very likely candidate for governor and possibly the US House or Senate (and SC's best hope to prevent a continuation of the Thurmond dynasty). He's resigned his position in the national guard and enlisted in the army to serve in Iraq, even though he opposes the war. He has a wife and four kids at home. Lets hope he comes back to them in one piece.
Posted by: Andrea on October 2, 2005 11:47 AMOwen Courreges wuz robbed.
I kid! I kid! Congratulations on the Best of Houston pick.
Posted by: mistermark on October 2, 2005 1:25 PMCongrats. Chuckster.
Posted by: Laurence Simon on October 2, 2005 7:36 PMI'm all over this, sunshine. You deserve it.
Posted by: julia on October 2, 2005 9:32 PMGratZ!
Posted by: Amerloc on October 3, 2005 9:39 AMCongratulations Charles. It has a been a pleasure getting to know you personally and read your stuff online. Keep up the great work and as Greg said, "on to the Three-peat!"
Posted by: Byron Barclay on October 3, 2005 11:55 AMWell this news made me smile! Congrats!
Posted by: Ellen on October 4, 2005 1:40 PM