SXSWi: 2006 Bloggies Awarded

Sure, it doesn't have the glitz or glamour of the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, or any of the countless other Hollywood award ceremonies. After all, people who spend their days pecking away at a keyboard may not all be ready for a shindig with tuxedos, red carpets, and Joan Rivers (well, is anyone ready for Rivers? - times two).

But there is some form of recognition for those devoted Internet junkies - the Bloggie Awards, which were given out today at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival. The brainchild of Nikolai Nolan (pictured at the cermony), the Bloggies are given to websites nominated and voted on by users. There are all sorts of categories - from "Weblog of the Year" and "Lifetime Achievement Award" (which is a little unsettling to see a 30-ish person take it home) to "Best Teen Weblog" and "Best Canadian Weblog.".

Some of Bostonist's sister sites were up for awards: Torontoist was nominated for that coveted "Best Canadian Weblog" and Londonist for "Best British/Irish Weblog." Gothamist was a finalist for two: "Best Topical Weblog", and "Best Group Weblog". Sadly, we all got skunked. Wait 'till next year!

The big winners of the afternoon were PostSecret, which took home "Best American Weblog", "Best Topical Weblog" and "Best Community Weblog", and the granddaddy of them all, "Weblog of the Year". Boing Boing captured the "Best Group Weblog and "Weblog of the Year. (A full list of nominees
and winners can be found on the Bloggies site.)

But the biggest winner of them all may have been Nikolai Nolan, who brought the house down with his karaoke rendition of "Stacey's Blog" ("Stacey's blog has got its own dot-com...can't you see I just wanna burn your feed"). Weird Al Yankovic, you're on notice.

Bostonist has got some friends down in Austin, this week we've got one more. Michael Femia made his way down to Texas and will be helping us keep up with the hep cats at the SXSW Interactive festival. For the next week Michael will be reporting for Bostonist on some of the best events he's been able to catch. Find more of his musings here, and images here. Post and photo courtesy of Michael Femia