WINNERS!

The votes have been collected, and we have our winners. Amy is going to do badges for your sidebars. (Thanks, Amy!)

The results were very close. There were clear winners in four categories: Best Blog, Best Audio/Visual Post, Best Personal Photography, and Best Theme Blog. All of the others were within one to three votes.

Best Blog: This is an award for the best blog overall. It includes Flickr streams, podcasting and vodcasting.

1. Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills 
2. Wondering & Pondering
3. Gay White North 

Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills is -- well, I'm not really sure how to describe it. I usually say that it's a blog about grammar, journalism and David Hasselhoff worship, but that's just a blatant ploy to get people to click on the link. Wondering & Pondering is a fabulous site about life as a teenaged girl, and Gay White North provides commentary on issues from around the world, with a special focus on gay issues.

Best New Blog: Best blog that started in 2009. The blogger does not have to be new to the NWT, and it does not have to be the writer's first blog.

1. YKOnline
2. In The Net 

This result made me smile. Both of these blogs are run by people under the age of 20. YKOnline is a community blog that is quickly becoming one of the hottest websites in Yellowknife, and In The Net is written by a nine-year-old soccer player. Watch out for these guys. They're going to be fierce competitors next year.

Best Post: The single best post of 2009.

1. Old people are just ADORABLE (Wondering & Pondering)
2. THREE-WAY TIE: I'm confused! (In The Net) and More than just a piece of paper (Michael's Meanderings) and How NOT to write about northern Canada (Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills)
3. It's hard being famous (Ferry Tales)

Jacqueline's story about her great-uncle Russ walked away with the prize. Well, maybe it shuffled away slowly, using a cane. In any case, it was ADORABLE and deserved to win.

Best Series: This can be a number of posts over a long period of time or a time-limited series.

1. TIE: Uganda's Kill The Gays Bill (Gay White North) and Being David Hasselhoff (Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills)
2. Bonjour Quebec! (Wondering & Pondering)
3. Old Benny (Ferry Tales)

This category went to the bloggers who cover topics of international interest. Gay White North wants to keep people from being murdered in Uganda, and David Hasselhoff is HUGE in Germany.

Best Youth Blog: Best blog written by an NWT resident who is younger than 20.

1. Wondering & Pondering
2. In The Net
3. KyleWiTh

Jacqueline was determined to win, and her efforts paid off. She's even created banners for your website so you can show off your support. Pick one up on her site.

Best Audio/Video Blog Post: Best individual podcast or video.

1. I'm confused! (In The Net)
2. LEAVE SARAH PALIN ALONE (Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills)

There could be no other winner. "I'm Confused!" has been viewed almost 10,000 times, was posted on scienceblogs.com and other less reputable websites I refuse to mention, and continues to attract a steady stream of comments from weirdos who can't spell.

Best Northern Story: Best story about the NWT. It can be a single post or a series of posts that tell a single story.

1. Giant Mine (In The Net) 
2. TIE: A Yellowknife Morning (YKOnline) and WARNING: The following post contains graphic images of animals getting it on (Michael's Meanderings) 

Sometimes mass murder's easier to deal with when an eight-year-old boy explains what happened.

Best Professional Photography: This category includes all professional photographers. In this category, the only content to be considered is the blog's original photography. It can be a Flickr stream.

1. Dave Brosha Photography 

I was disappointed that we only got one entry in this category, but I think it was because as soon as Dave entered, we all knew he was a lock to win first place. Congratulations, Dave. You deserve it.

Best Personal Photography: See above, but for amateur photographers.

1. Lillian Liza Photography 
2. YKOnline 

Great job, Lillian and Liza. We all look forward to seeing more from you.

Best Theme Blog: Best blog in which all or almost all posts are about a single topic or use a set format. This includes corporate blogs and blogs about specific places. The theme does not have to have anything to do with the NWT.

1. Book Mine Set 
2. Gay White North 
3. YKOnline

Don't mess with the Book Mine Set's fans. Those guys are fierce. I'm really pleased that we have our very own litblogger who has been so successful at encouraging literacy. John deserves to win.

Congratulations, everyone! I'll see you on your blog! Remember that if you'd like to be listed on NWTBlogs.com, send an e-mail to the webmistress and ask to be added.