Mariposa, Hell

Faithful readers share both the triumphs and tragedies of the Nine Inch Column. Today we must acknowledge the latter.

Alas, it came to your humble scribe's attention yesterday that he did not make the short list for the Leacock Medal. Evidently "six national judges and a group of 10 readers in Orillia" have determined that The Ideal Candidate ranks no higher than the sixth funniest book in Canada (if it's not in the top five, then one can infer that theoretically...).

There is some consolation in the fact that humour heavyweights like Stuart McLean (Secrets From The Vinyl Cafe) and Douglas Coupland (JPod) were among those that made the short list, and that that other municipal election-themed book did not, and nor for that matter did Linwood Barclay. Yet I remain curious (and mildly skeptical) about just how funny a gardening book can actually be.

But in the spirit of good sportsmanship, congratulations to Messrs. McLean, Coupland, Kennedy, Knighton, and McKinnon. You've beaten me this time with little more than your hard work and obvious talent.

I suppose now I'll have to write another book. That'll show you.