How do you think HE feels?

I know many of you feel that the VIVI awards have had enough press but I feel compelled to add my own two cents before this years' winners are announced. I have only been around J-land a few weeks but I was thrilled to see all of the great nominations that were announced last week. 

Since I recognized so many of the nominees, I knew that the journals that were unfamiliar to me must be good as well and I have not been disappointed.  There is some tough competition out there, Folks!  If you think it is trite to say, "It is an honor just to be nominated" then you have not talked with the person who did not get a nomination!

All of the nominees I have read have been very gracious with a little good natured ribbing thrown in as well.  But, I cannot help but realize there are others with a journal who did not land on the short list and probably should have.  It is just a matter of numbers and when all is said and done, we look around and say, I thought for sure so-and-so would get nominated! 

I call this the Giamatti factor.

If you are a movie buff, Oscar follower or a subscriber of People magazine then you have heard of Paul Giamatti.  He starred in the movie "Sideways" and was surprisingly overlooked for a Best Actor nomination.  Everybody else and their dog associated with this movie seemed to have been nominated.  If you google the phrase "overlooked for an Oscar" Paul is a top contender.  When describing the travesty of this oversight, many expressed themselves with phrases like staggeringly, criminally, bizarrely, unfairly, unbelievably, unjustly, incredulously, and undeservedly ... overlooked.

So, do not feel too badly about not being nominated.  Everybody thought that somebody had your back and they were as surprised as you to not see your name!  But look at the bright side - you already have a much better chance at a nomination for a 2006 VIVI Award. 

Paul, on the other hand, felt it in the wallet. 

                 

And, he must wait for just the right script for his personality, be cast for the role, have the movie get critical acclaim, have his own performance praised and then hope to get nominated.  How long do you think that will take??

You also need to remember how much we love you here in J-land.  You know who you are!