A bitter highschool yearbook experience rubbed me the wrong way in the past . . .
I would say I hung out with the athletes, the “popular” people in my senior class, or, at the very least the same people deciding and counting the votes for celebs . . . and this is what happened.
I was not the most intelligent, because I was not the most studious. I was said among friends to be the most insightful outside-the-box thinker around, not to be recognized officially. No big deal on that one, since it’s understandable what that category was aimed at.
I was something of a class clown at times, and I heard from a friend that people at a big party were talking about who was the funniest person in our class. They came to an agreement that I had the most humorous way about me. (side note: I dont know why I was not invited to that party in the first place.) Did not get that vote, either.
But this is the important one. Senior year I received a bunch of attention by teachers and students and the local newspaper as the “next big fiction writer” after I won some author sponsored short story contests. I thought, if anything, I might get one of the 4 most talented spots in the yearbook. I didn’t. In fact, one of the winners in that category had a similar last name as me, but I never knew what talent he possessed. I asked people afterwards what this person was talented at . . . nobody knew or could even guess his hobby! (A possible prank, or a slight in my direction? I’ll never know about the last laugh they probably held in secret.)
It taught me this lesson: people can say you’re the smartest or the funniest, the most talented, or any other quality you may deem positive, but that doesn’t mean they like you. They may even prefer the times when you’re not around.
That said, I think you should be able to vote for yourself for awards. I’m fully aware that this will encourage people to hate the idea of voting for you, so they won’t. However, I dont think you should regret self-voting or even second guess yourself for doing so. You should vote for yourself and consider it the only thing to matter honestly.
Envy ruins admiration.
As far as ILP goes, or messageboards in general, I don’t think I’m even noticed. I have been to this particular messageboard, in and out, for a few years. And I doubt people think of me in a notable way that may benifit them/entertain them on the internet.
I suppose the 2009 ILP awards are for fun, so please have some fun. But dont believe the hype.
I also approve this post! =D>
so I seek the middle way… 
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