We are back safe and sound from the Oklahoma Blogger Roundup. It would be an understatement to say that we had a wonderful time.

Everything wasn't perfect. My technology failed me at a most inopportune time. I wasn't able to power up my trusty laptop, hence I was unable to live blog from the event unlike Michael, Charles, and others. Then my digital camera batteries failed me and I was only able to snap off a few pictures of the festivities. But the evening more than made up for those small snafus.

I was proud to be honored by my fellow bloggers in winning the award for "Best Writing Blog". I know it sounds cliche, but it was an honor to even be nominated, much less actually win the award. There are so many wonderful writers blogging in Oklahoma today and many of them were sitting at my table and right there in the room. I wanted to scream, "I'm not worthy!", but instead I accepted the award with a happy heart and I am profoundly grateful for those who chose to honor me in this way. Go check out the list of winners. There were some truly outstanding blogs who won awards and many others who should have. The room was full of very talented people and Don has a list of many of them here.

So where to begin? I got to be reunited with Aka Monty, one of my favorite people anywhere. If you are seated at Monty's table you ARE going to have fun. Before I go any further, let me set the record straight. Tales of Monty's ass and its size are greatly exaggerated! I was thrilled that she won the award for "Best Audio Blog". It was certainly well deserved.


From that point on I'm afraid to admit that our awards had a lot of fun together.



I think Steph and Lynette corrupted our ducks. There they were sitting all regal and proud, and the next thing you know they are drinking and getting into compromising positions.

I'm afraid to ask what Monty and Terri talked about when I went to the restroom. Maybe I just don't want to know.



We had a few drinks and loosened up even more, which could've been a dangerous thing. I got my groove on, as limited as my groove is anyway, and had the privilege of dancing with my sweetie Terri, Monty, Babs, and Redneck Diva. How lucky can a guy get? Win an award and then get to dance with these lovely ladies? It was great to see Babs again, a classy and beautiful woman for those who haven't had the pleasure of meeting her. It was also great to meet Redneck Diva, even if we didn't drink any appletinis. I still can't believe she drove all the way home after the evening ended. I did manage to take this picture of her before my batteries died.

How did Terri enjoy an evening with a bunch of bloggers? Her night was made when she got to meet Michael Bates. She was a fan of his even before she and I met and I introduced her to the blogworld.

I enjoyed my brief conversation with Fred from Satellite Sky. I didn't realize Fred was an attorney. Now I know who to look up if I get myself in trouble. If I don't get in trouble I'll have to satisfy myself with enjoying his blog.

After we partied the night away for a few hours we settled down to see a premier screening of the film "Mozartballs". This quirky, engaging film looks at people who in one sense or another have a deep connection to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We had two of the film's stars sitting right there with us and it was fascinating to hear their story. I won't give too much of the film away, but I enjoyed the story of Steph and Lynette as well as the astronaut who mused about the meaning of it all listening to Mozart in space.

Now Terri is going to have my trying to find those delicious looking Mozartball treats online. After we left she said, "I am really craving some of those mozartballs now." She had to settle for the Iron Skillet Diner. After everyone left we ducked into the hotel bar and had a couple of nightcaps. I may have had some fans at the awards but Terri had her own fans among the older gentlemen seated nearby. They gave new meaning to the word "ogle".

None of this would've been possible without the hard work of Okie Doke's Mike. He put this together and made it possible for all of us to have a most enjoyable evening. We all owe him our thanks.

There were many more people there I would've liked to have spent some time with. I guess I had to save something for next year. Those of you that I had the pleasure of meeting....thank you! For those who couldn't make it this year? You missed out! Try coming next year.

Now I just have to find a place for my duck. He's resting up, and if I didn't know better I'd think he had a hangover. I may have to hide him from Aubree.



I hope everyone out there had a wonderful weekend. I did.

UPDATE: Courtesy of programwitch and the Flickr site, and at Lime's request, here is a picture of Terri, Monty, and I.


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