So: G20 Voice has decided to subsidize bloggers to cover the G20 Economic Summit in London in April. And I would really like to go! I mean, if you look at their list of categories, I qualify for two: I’m definitely from a G20 country (GO FIRST WORLD!) and furthermore I believe I am “high-profile and eclectic.”
Also I am dirt poor with no summer job in the Law as of yet, and I would really, really like a free trip to London to help me forget about that for a few glorious days. And did I mention that doing this would probably be really good for my resume? Because it totally would!
So: please nominate me. When nominating me, try to ignore the comic book stuff (as much as you might like to mention Rex the Wonder Dog) and the Photoshops and instead try to mention that I am the senior editor of Osgoode Hall Law School’s law blog, an occasional political blogger (both here and at Torontoist.com), and a “clever humourist with an offbeat, trenchant, observant world view” or similar words to that effect.
I have about four to five thousand readers per day; if I get three or four hundred nominations I am positive they will ask me to go and do important blogging crap! So get on the horn? Please? I realize trying to get one-for-ten is probably unrealistic, but then again so is the idea of going to London to be a FOR REALS JURMALIST and you will note that is not stopping me.
As per usual with all posts where I beg for favours, in comments feel free to request posts about whatever when you actually go through with the two-minute effort of nominating me. I am nothing if not disproportionately reciprocal!
UPDATE: In comments, Zifnab points out:
If they don’t actually check your blog, you’re a shoe-in.
He has a bit of a point, so if you haven’t already nominated me, I would suggest including in your nomination a link to one of my more “respectable” posts. Like this post about environment stuff, or this one about nuclear power, or this one about airships, or this one about gorillas, or this one about term limits, or this one about the Liberal Party being fuckups, or this one about Obama’s election, or this one liveblogging the Canadian election debate, or this one about concrete, or this post at TheCourt.ca debunking allegations made against Chief Justice MacLachlin, or what the hell the political Magic cards or the Joe the Homer ‘shops.
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25 users responded in this post
Done.
Done.
“Why do you think this blogger should be at G20 Voice?”
“Because he is a smart political commentator with a sharp wit, often explaining complex subjects through good natured humour and easy understandable facts. Because he usually gives well founded opinions based on an excellent grasp of the Law (he is the senior editor of Osgoode Hall Law School’s law blog) and even when I don’t agree I can respect where he is coming from.”
Hope you get it!
I did my part. Here’s what I said:
“He’s a smart, funny guy who writes well and thinks well. (He’s a law student.) During the US and Canadian elections, he had insightful and hilarious recaps of the debates and speeches.
Plus he’s Canadian and I’ve learned most of what I know about contemporary Canadian politics from him. (I’m American.) That alone is why I read him. Plus he’s funny. And smart. Did I mention funny?”
Plugged.
And since I get to request a post…do you think you have it in you to put together something about Wonder Woman with as much depth and vision as your ISWtL pieces? No one seems to understand this iconic character, someone whom it should be *easy* to raise up equal to Supes and Bats (DC’s efforts with Trinity notwithstanding, no one’s buying into that line.)
Done. I’m sure it read like a bad job app cover letter, but here’s hoping it helps. At least it wasn’t:
[insert generic cat macro here]
om-nom-nominated
Alright, you son of a bitch, I’m putting you on the favor list…
“Christopher Bird, despite his taste for off-beat humor and pop culture, is a blogger capable of profound insight on matters political, legal, and economic. He has a eye frequently on Canadian and American politics and court cases, not only writing on his own opinions, but presenting facts to his readers and encouraging lively debate among them. In addition to his personal general-interest blog under the name Mighty God King, he also writes for the Torontoist and edits the Osgoode Hall Law School blog. He is a professional and prolific writer, although not above letting his hair down, and would certain make the most of an opportunity to cover the conference.”
If they don’t actually check your blog, you’re a shoe-in.
Right, so writing the reason why you should be nominated as “Because he can use it to research hypothetical legion of superheroes storys set in London of the future, possibly featuring hilarious space-cockney monkeys” except tranlsated into interlac would be a do-not-do? Whoops…
Nah, I’m kidding, I gave the reason as “Because he has shown he can write about canadian politics in a way that makes me give a damn about canadian politics, and I’m not canadian. Because his writing style is vastly entertaining. Because even when I disagree with his conclusions, his positions are well thought out and he gives his reasoning. Because he is a very good blogger!”
Done.
For a minor clarification, would disproportionately reciprocal means you give something of greater or lesser value in return for this?
Well, that depends on how one views such things, doesn’t it?
Super-done.
I’d like to request a piece on Michael Ignatieff, and how you think he’s doing as the Liberal Leader (concerning the budget, maybe, if you’d like) I’ve heard you call him plenty of names before (such as “useless limpdick” for example) but I’m not quite sure of your stance on him.
Done.
My request: Marvel universe rap battle to go along with your DC universe ones. I’m thinking Spider-Man, Dr. Doom, the Thing, or maybe even Wolverine, as long as it’s not just “SNIKT!!” and “bub” repeated ad nauseum.
Also done. I spouted academiaspeak as honestly as I could. Wide range of knowledge uniquely suiting you to consise and insightful etc etc etc.
“as long as it’s not just “SNIKT!!” and “bub” repeated ad nauseum.”
Then you know nothing about Wolverine.
No, it’s just that that’s what MGK did with Wolverine in his Civil War photoshops. It was hilarious then, but it would be redundant to do it again.
Done and done. I hope you get it, the blog posts alone would be worth it.
My request is something about how you think Obama is doing. I have become fairly skeptical of him, and I would appreciate your input, and thinking more about how he has kept doing things that Bush did that Obama campaigned against. Whether it works towards confirming or rebuking my suspicions is irrelevant.
— Robert D.
Will we get non-G20 posts about London? Either way, done.
Done. Hope you get it, it would be fun for us (more comments about important stuff) and great for you.
My request: what you think about the current state of Magic The Gathering, about the recent blocks, or what decks you prefer yourself.
Unless, of course, the decision-maker in this contest sleeps in My Little Pony jim-jams and dresses as Doctor Doom every year for Halloween, and then you’re basically fucking yourself out of some exciting toddle-loo, pip-pip and wot’s all this then.
I told them that you were brilliant at ‘dissecting tricky political issues’.
Hence, I must request – nay, DEMAND – a selection of transverse sections of the bodies of all of the world’s most unlikeable politicians.
Shit. I think I accidentally called you a “blooger” instead of a blogger. If you lose, blame me, and I’ll send you on an exciting some-expense paid holiday in exotic Kalamazoo!
Done and done.
I may have described you as a latterday H. L. Mencken…actually that could hurt more than help your chances.
Done. I also mentioned your blog winning a canadian blog award.
I’ll request something healthcare related, because I couldn’t think of a vaguer topic.
[…] in comments here (and if you haven’t nominated me as a G20 Voice blogger yet, then by all means do so!) […]
So… I forgot to make a request. This you can answer in a simple comment, it’s something i’ve been wondering for a while. I’m an Argentinian and you’ve mentioned us a couple of times (let’s face it, we’re not something that appears everywhere so it stuck) my question is: why? Do you know any of my fellow countrymen? Or did you come down South to our crazy country with its beautiful women, great steaks and huge overblown egos?