It has to be either the live-blogging of the Devon tower or the “tough questions.” Both highlight the benefits of a blog vis-a-vis more traditional forms of newspaper journalism, but both are serious journalistic work. With the Devon tower, we got instantaneous updates — you were us, in the seat. We didn’t have to wait for the next morning’s summary in print. And, it was on a very important issue. With the “tough questions,” you were a tough-minded muckracking journalist on a topic you knew and cared about. And those kinds of questions (at least in those forms) may not have made it past the editorial filters of a traditional daily paper.

The planning for the future series was fine, and if you really like it (as I assume you do), could go into the group above. But I didn’t find it quite as useful or interesting (I can explain why if you want, but it’s probably just a matter of personal preference; others’ mileage may vary).

The final two should suffer from some of the worst forms of a blog as a medium vis-a-vis print journalism. To be clear, I didn’t have a problem with them, but they’re not something to put on your resume or something. Here’s why: The Mike Morgan thing, while entertaining enough in a train-wreck sort of way, was basically frivolous — you’re better than that. If this is something your bosses will look at, you can do better. The Alba thing was about the same level of seriousness, but it was less original than any of the other posts in this list — if I have the provenance right, you more or less just ran with the Lost Ogle’s story. Blogs are great in that things can be shared with new audiences that way, but, well… it’s not your most original work.

I say start with the blog entries that have generated the most discussion. Even if all you actually wrote was a one-sentence question, there must have been something of value in your provocation, however brief. Particularly impressive are the entries with lots of back and forth where key individuals are asked to answer tough questions. In summary, the feistier the better.

Steve -

Whats the contest? How do you enter? There are a few loyal readers (and fellow bloggers) that wouldn’t mind offering you up a little competition. Actually, you are a professional, I would hope they put amateurs like me in a separate category.

As for your post…I enjoyed “The Dance”

- great topic
- great questions
- great editorializing

All followed by a nice discussion.

All good, but for a contest, my vote is for the Devon tower discussion.

[...] was just made to look like a fool over OKCCentral.com.  No, it was nothing Steve wrote, it was something I wrote, or at least attempted to.  I tried to [...]

^ As you can see, out of humiliation – – comes inspiration.

I would throw my vote toward your blogs which either changed something downtown or encouraged people to get involved in changing an aspect of downtown. The two which come to mind right now are the Bricktown Firehouse entries or the eyesore at NW 10 and Harvey. Of course, I don’t know if you can go wrong with something simple like your tribute to Jim Brewer and Mark Schwartz which was back in November in my memory is right. However, if we have to go with one of the above, I say the Devon Tower entries.

Guys, thanks. I know this one came off as self-serving. I just really had a hard time figuring this one out. I’ve got to turn in the entries to the managing editors by morning. I’m going to go with Devon Tower, The Dance and the Bricktown Fire Station.
The tribute to Brewer and Schwartz isn’t a bad candidate either.
Fun tidbit: now that the heat is over with the Mike Morgan bit, I’ll admit that at the time I was expecting I’d either be reprimanded over it or I’d see it promoted on the front page of NewsOK. I’m glad it didn’t result in a reprimand – I’m a bit amused that I got a “Best of the Month” notice for my mischief.

Steve, I agree that the Devon Tower and Bricktown Fire Station entries are some of your best work. Devon for its efficiency and information; Fire Station for what it accomplished.

If I win, I fully realize it’s shared with all of you – I do my most bragging on those of you who don’t just read this site everyday, but participate in incredible discussions that make this blog different from others. You make the difference.

I have to agree with Brent. If I had to choose from that list, I guess I’d say live blogging from Devon. If the newspaper industry is going to last long term, we’ve got to see more live reporting such as this. Perhaps live blogging from City Council meetings would be nice as well. These days anyone with an iPhone can blog live, so the competition will be getting fiercer.

Back to agreeing with Brent, I too have to vote for things that actually get things done, and not just silly talk or wishful thinking. Definitely the Bricktown Fire Station and the Eyesore on 10th, as the City finally woke up. Now if we could just get them to wake up on beautifying the west lower end of the canal…..

I owe you lunch or a lottery ticket or something. And, now that I’m no longer a government flack, can’t I get away with buying? hahahahahahaha! Good luck with the contest. You better win!