Friday, July 18, 2008

It's Official: I'm The Best!!!!!


That's right, confirming what most of us have assumed for twenty nine years, I'm officially THE BEST!

www.expat-blog.com -- the foremost authority on expat blogs on the web -- just named me Blog Of The Month. This is an Oscar, an Espy, a Grammy, an Emmy, A WGA award thing, and a swell pat on the back all wrapped into one. When I started blogging at the gate at JFK airport back on February 2nd, nobody thought this would ever be possible. We proved them wrong, didn't we?

There are a few people I'd like to thank for this award. Firstly, I couldn't have done it without you God. Thank you and god bless you, God. You're the man, God. For those of you who don't know, God has been talking to me directly about my blog over the last few months. He's a busy man between talking to George W. and the other things he does so I appreciate his candor and honesty whenever we get on the phone. Secondly, I've got to thank my parents. I remember when I was blogging on my Apple IIe as a pre-teen and my father said to me, "Son, nobody knows what blogging is right now but one day they'll know. And they'll know your name. But until then go cut the grass." And I remember when my mother said to me, "You should have a blog like Hannah's marathon blog." You were right, Ma. I'd also like to thank my brother and my sister for being so gracious over the years despite knowing that I was the best. I'd like to thank my friends for reading my blog...or at least pretending to. Yeah, especially you, Shronald! I'd like to thank Olivier at expat-blog of the month for his extreme wisdom in realizing the pure genius of www.ahoyhanoi.blogspot.com. I'd also like to thank Ryan for being there for me the last few months even when the blog entries weren't flowing. I'd like to thank Steve for leaving me his camera which has allowed the blog to be what it is. I'd like to thank the robbers who stole all my stuff, yeah you guys too, for being part of the story. I'd like to thank the guy across the street who never wears a shirt and always looks at me with crazy eyes when I leave my apartment. I'd also like to thank my literary managers who literally don't read my blog but have stuck with my script writing over the years. The Timberwolves, my LA ice hockey team. The Williams family. Grahame Fraser and his better half JC. My college friends' coworkers. The people in many nations who I've met along my journey. Man, I knew I'd forget some names so I wrote a few more people down. Hold on, hold on.... I'd also like to thank the man who serves ice tea on the street in the alley by my house who always yells at me, "Me Vietnam! Me Vietnam!" He's helped keep me rooted. I'd like to thank the cockroaches and the rats and the spiders and my landlord who spies on me. I'd also like to thank my students who have taught me as much as I've taught them. I'd also like to thank America for being you. And finally, since I hear the music playing, I'd like to thank Huyen. Huyen, without you this award couldn't be possible. This blog is as much about you as Hanoi. Sometimes ex-pats get sucked into an ex-pat community but spending time with you has allowed me to feel like I'm not actually just living in Korea Town in LA. So thank you.

I RULE!!!!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ben that is awesome!! Congrats!!! You totally deserve it. You definitely have the best blog I've ever read. :-) I always look forward to hearing about your new adventures.

Baby Songer said...
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Anonymous said...

Mazel tov! When I see the number of people reading your blog every day (even though I click on a few of those myself) it amazes me that you have so many followers and fans. So nice to be appreciated for something that you truly enjoy writing.

Anonymous said...

I was voted the best deputy mayor of the year who comes from Knollwood Ave so you have a long way to go. Therefore don't get a big head and think you are on top of the world. But really CONGRATS and keep the blog coming.

Baby Songer said...

It's really amazing how these weblogs get famous. Sometimes, I look up at that Hit Meter you have up there and think to myself, "Wow, what the hell is Top Mortgage?"

Anonymous said...

Since South Pacific is now the biggest show on Bdwy maybe you should make Ahoy Honoi into a musical production. It has romance, humor,mystery, and even horror (spiders, rats & roaches). It can't miss. You even have your first great review.

Tyler's Blog said...
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Tyler's Blog said...

I suppose a backhanded shout-out is better than no shout-out at all. But isn't this post enough to prove I'm the cult follower of the ahoy hanoi blog that I say I am?

Shronald

Benjamin said...

Susan that is a great idea. Do you know any Broadway Producers or song writers? I did sing in Carnegie Hall once but that was a pure fluke.

And as far as you Brad, I believe that you read my blog...when your mother tells you there is a comment about you! Kidding, I know you're my most loyal Livingston reader between 26-29 years of age.

N said...

That was a bit long, but congrats anyway! hee hee (that's how I came upon this blog, BTW) :-)

Anonymous said...

Benny A! Congrats my friend! this is the best award since 5th grade Humanitarian (which i still think i deserved).

i can't believe you said shron was a more loyal reader than me!! i catch up every sunday night!!! (some restrictions may apply).

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the award! I just happened upon your blog and I'm damn glad I did. Wishing you safe travels from back in lala land.

Pam said...

Just found your blog, congrats on the win, you deserve it, it's FAB!

Pam-singapore

Anonymous said...

Yes, it's a cute and fluffy blog. But, will the dashing hero be tackling the tough issues, exploring the seedy underbelly of Hanoi AND will there be a subplot?

a rouge ant