There is no plaque on my wall — and no icon on my blog — that marks Hope Street as the winner of the Morning Call’s 2012 Best Local Blogs contest, Family Blogs category.
That tells you something about my ambivalence regarding blog contests. I would much rather “win” a new pair or two of appreciative eyes than a contest, any day of the week.
But I didn’t think I should just abdicate my title without any effort at all. So, fighting, cussing and spitting like the ’73 A’s, I am wading back into the fray to try to repeat my victory.
The local paper’s 2013 blog contest is officially underway, and Hope Street is entered in two categories: Family and Personal.
(Hope Street’s ill-tempered and unmarriageable sister blog, Neck Pickup, also is entered in two categories: Misfits and Music.)
If you like what I do here, and have the time and desire to support me through voting, by all means go ahead.
Voting starts today and continues through April 22. If the rules are the same as last year, you can vote once every 24 hours. Knock yourselves out.
If you’re just not that into it, that’s fine with me too.
Obligatory legal disclaimer: You will probably have to register on the paper’s website to be able to vote in the contest. By no means do I suggest you provide false personal information to the Morning Call and its parent, Tribune Co., which have a fully benevolent interest in knowing who you are and how to contact you. Registering under the name of an old grade-school classmate; an obscure, long-deceased Canadian prime minister; or a character from your favourite post-modern novel is strictly off-limits.
So there you go. Have at it, or don’t.
Win or lose, I’ll still be here, trying to turn little squares of calendar paper into meaningful commentaries on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
See you Monday.
Hope Street 
I’ll vote! Also, registering w/ the paper brought opportunities for folksy contests in the paper which I would not have imagined!
Thanks for your support.