Despite my ardent inactivity, and a growing reputation for ground-breaking lethargy, your shut-in editor of Optimuscrime Halifax has somehow managed to garner an award in The Coast's yearly "Best of Halifax" Reader's Poll. Apparently, you don't have to actually 'produce' a whole lot (at least not in the last 4 months) in order to be awarded the title of "Best Visual Artist". You can just ride on the tails of your previous work, and a strong, friendly relationship with the good folks at The Coast.

Which is just fine with me. I sheepishly, and gracefully accept.

It's nice though. I mean, I'm sure that I won with all of like, 7 votes or something, but it's still kind of cool. I got a plaque. (That cute little guy to the left of this text.) And I got to go to the Best of Halifax Party last night. As a matter of fact, the whole of Team Willow was invited, which was a nice little nod.

The party was what I thought it might be: Schmoozy. But enjoyable nonetheless. The sound system was unfortunately appalling, so you could barely hear anything anyone said. But the videos were mildly entertaining, it was kind of fun going up and shaking Kyle Shaw's hand. (a hand I've shaken on other occasions, but never with such theatrical pride.) And the hors d'oeuvres. Oh lord, the hors d'oeuvres!

Ok, so maybe there was actually only 3 or 4 different kinds of little treats going around, but of those 3 or 4 varieties, there were literally tonnes! And they were effing delicious, especially to a man who had not eaten but a tea biscuit since lunch. In order of deliciousness: Mushroom Pillows, (anything that includes 'pillows' in the name is probably delicious) Miniature Spanikopita, (which were served searing-hot) and of course Miniature Samosas.

My personal highlight of the evening of course, served to mostly make me look like a huge, 'too cool' jerk. Readers might like to know what kind of asshole they're supporting by checking in on this 'website' every now and again. The night was barely begun, I had just checked my coat, and received my pin that states clearly "Best of Halifax 2004 WINNER" from the door people, when I ran into Coast editor and chief, Kyle "7 hundred feet tall" Shaw. And the following conversation ensued:

Kyle: Hey Paul! Good to see you, congratulations!
Myself: Hey Kyle! Thanks a lot.
Kyle: Oh hey, you got your 'winner pin'. Pretty sharp.
Myself: Oh, yeah. These are cool. I was just about to put it on.... I.. You know what, maybe I'll just keep it in my pocket. I don't think I want to wear this actually.
Kyle: Oh. Uh.. ok.

And so, what was intended to be a gesture of modesty, (that is, I felt uncomfortable wearing a button that declared me a 'winner' for fear of appearing too proud) actually served to make me look like a big snobby snob. Awesome.

So I eventually put the pin on, and hoped that Kyle would forget about it.