FNORD! Again

2009 was a year of changes and consolidation. It saw the end of Babkha, a micronation that served as a pillar of our sector since before the MCS even existed. It saw the end of the hated MicroHub, which for all of its flaws served as a continuation of the MNN tradition and one of our last links to the larger micronational world. It saw the organization of large chunks of the world into the Small Commonwealth and its Small Economy, which have escaped the pitfalls of so many other organizations by expecting less.

And thus commenced the 2009 FNORD Awards earlier this evening, hosted by its eponymous and erstwhile founder, Scott of Hyperborea.

The awards, held, as ever, in honour of Emperor Norton Day and inspired by Molossia's original Norton Awards, were judged this year by Bjorn Ironfist of Stormark, Ryan Caruso of Shireroth, Emperor Edgard of Alexandria, and Guido Zambelis of Lovely.

A traditional mix of categories has been continued, with the winners of each as follows:

• Most Promising New Micronation: Victoria
• Award for Graphic Arts: Victoria
• Award for Leadership: Chris Mules (Antica)
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Ben Kern ( Rauðbjörn's Saga, Stormark)
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Aryeztur Mejorkhor (Wiki of Aryez)
• Joshua Coales Award for Best New Idea: The Small Commonwealth
• Tony Au Award for Economics: The Small Commonwealth
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: Max Edwards (Litovsker Tagblatt, Ashkenatza)
  
• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising Micronationalist: Andrew Allot (Elwynn, Shireroth)
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Nathan Shepard (Natopia)

The winners, will, for the first time, receive real medals instead of virtual ones, courtesy of Dr. Spangle.

State of the Nation: Ashkenatza in May

Shireroth's DiploCorps have finally summoned up the will to resume their reporting, only to find that others have lost their will to do anything much reportable.

Their latest report from Ashkenatza indicates that the Nohsi, Pachad Emet ben Mavet, has resigned due to absenteeism, an unfortunate pandemic that seems to have afflicted many in that nation of late.

Foreign Minister Maksym Izaak Rozenthal is expected to lead the government for the foreseeable future. An unnamed source is reported to have stated that it has proved difficult for recent administrations to provide leadership when there is no-one to be led.

State of the Nation: Ashkenatza in February and March

Shireroth's DiploCorps has reported that the Shireroth may acquiesce to Ashkenatza's ambitious territorial water claims in exchange for maintaining extensive access rights.

In other news, Ashkenatza's Defence Minister has assumed responsibility for runnig the government as its Nohsi has mysteriously disappeared.

State of the Nation: Ashkenatza in January

Shireroth's DiploCorps has reported that Ashkenatza's elections for its second Nohsi were won by Max Rosenthal, who is also the Baron of K'Tzuni in Shireroth.

In other news, Ashkenatza entered into border dispute with neighbouring Tellia, and initiated a claim for territorial waters around Shireroth's own Naudia'Diva islands and Benacia.