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Matt Caliri

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I live in Seattle and work with special needs kids as a Behavioral Specialist. I perform improv with ComedySportz, eat novels, and write sandwiches.

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Why I Picked The Number 1 I Did...

Blog Posted by Matt Caliri: 5/4/2010 10:04:00 AM

I've received some bitter responses from my number one pick of the contest I last hosted, that is voluntarily entered, and feel both stunned and sorry that people feel cheated.  But, honestly, the journey (my theme) through the eyes of a child (whether it was an adult using that form, or an actual child) I felt was the most innovative and interesting way to use the theme and take the journey (which I felt also justified the horrendous misspellings...I'm not just screwing with people to mess with them...from 2-15 I worked hard evaluating which would place where.  And in the end: you lose nothing anyway! Other than a grasp of my own artistic interpretation.  I'm really sorry people are upset with me and the contest (some have told me they've left the site and "lost friends" because of me and my free contest??? What? I'm now breaking up friendships of people I've never met? Wow.) Please stay on the site...just don't DEAL with me if you don't like me...don't enter my contest...it'll save you grief. All that said, I have a great new conference going...and I did really love the journey poems...but how much I should like any poem and the reason for my liking, i mysterious and not under anyone's judgement.  Unles you're the host of a contest. Which I was.   Good Day!!!

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Laura
Spears

Date: 5/7/2010 8:14:00 PM

I'm not sure which contest you are referencing, but it does not matter anyway. If it is your contest, you have the right to pick the winner. One of our favorite games at my house is called Apples to Apples. Each round the dealer changes and the dealer gets to pick the winner of the round based on what he thinks is the best answer to the question. What makes it fun is trying to guess what the dealer wants to hear. Same thing with the contests here. You have to please the judge. Even an honorable mention gets others to read your poems. It is always nice to get some response from others and you know that someone "gets you". Several times I have thought that someone who did not place first had a better poem than the winner, but then it was not my contest. To me, the whole point of this site is to be encouraged by others and share our craft. I think some people lose sight of that. Just my two cents.

Sue
Mason

Date: 5/7/2010 9:20:00 AM

Good for you Matt ... I especially like the last two sentences here !! The "judge" of the contest has the right to pick whoever they want as the winner which is probably why I haven't held one ... I could never be brave enough to decide ... LOL ... Thanks Matt for your continuing contributions to the Soup and let the cry babies be on their way ... smile ... The deal is we are ALL WINNERS every day we're still sucking air so they should quit their whining !!

Dr.Ram
Mehta

Date: 5/6/2010 4:25:00 AM

Be happy with beer, laughter, frisbees and genuine feeling. Please don't take us to the old uncivilized times.

Jared
Pickett

Date: 5/5/2010 8:44:00 AM

I am on my third contest Matt.. I have yet to be criticized on any of my final marks... If I did, I would laugh from a good healthy place at the heartache caused by a "free" contest.. You are entitled as the sponsor to judge based on what you feel deserves # 1 and so on... Do what you do my friend, trust me, over time they will forget... Remember when I spiced up the soup with my Three Way Collaboration? Yeah, that was fun.. You can't please them all my friend, so focus on the ones you can please...:JP]

Charmaine
Chircop

Date: 5/5/2010 5:20:00 AM

Hi Matt,this is one of the reasons I'm scared to enter contests,If I enter a contest or give out one,I'd love it to be for the fun of poetry and not to have more problems in my life.Whilst I understand that every one wishes to place in a contest,otherwise participate for what?Yet, I don't understand how one could gossip, be insultive or blame the persona who is judging his own contest,just because He or She have a different perspective.To choose a winner must be tough,especially when some writers participating are our friends,Matt continue giving contests,and continue judging with your heart.You saw deeper than just grammar in the winning poem ,You went beyond dictated law,You reached for the core,I admire you for that...and even if I would have an other preference,doesn't mean I'm right or wrong.Its your contest,and its awesome to share diversity of ideas ,They help us grow,yet if shared with love and respect.. This site is a gem,lets have fun and keep it one. Your friend,Charma

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 5/4/2010 11:45:00 PM

Christopher, don't feel like you will be discriminated against simply for thinking our friend, Frank is a funny guy. I often come to blogs saying how funny I think that dude can be and "Frankly," I love sarcasm. Hmmm, I have too much to say. maybe I will blog about it! andrea

Phyllis
Babcock

Date: 5/4/2010 3:32:00 PM

Hi Matt We all should take time to appreciate the people who sponsor poems. I am sorry you received bitter responses. As adults on a family site we should act as responsible adults. It was your contest and you picked what you felt was relevant to the topic. Have a great day. God Bless Phyl

Vince
Suzadail Jr.

Date: 5/4/2010 1:43:00 PM

Hi Matt, I read the works of kids where I work on weekends, They have a difficult time with spelling and punctuation but it comes out of their hearts, so it's never wrong. It's your contest and I don't believe questioning the final picks makes any difference. I thought these contests were for fun, not for ego massaging. Have a great day. Vince

Debbie
Guzzi

Date: 5/4/2010 1:08:00 PM

It is interesting to note why...your choice was made. It would never have occured to me to think of that Matt. Hey, all our brains work differently with our own pasts forming our likes and dislikes. I think it was very kind of you to let us into your thinking. I for one am very happy when I win but I write because I MUST WRITE! Often I enter with a verse simply to support the contest which is being run by someone who supports mine. We..the writers always get something from entering..we get stretched into a new area. We get a poem! So Thank YOU VERY much for explaining! And we are here to discuss poetry & that's what we're doing ;)

Carrie
Richards

Date: 5/4/2010 12:50:00 PM

Hi Matt! From what I've heard, you aren't the only sponsor of a contest, who has been chastised for his choice of winners....which is really a shame. The contest is Yours...to judge in any way you see fit. We don't have to agree with your choices...however, when we enter a contest, we know that our poetry is there at the descretion of the "eye of the beholder"...some may love it, some may hate it... if we can just realize that it is the opportunity to improve our writing...and not the result that really counts....we must not take ourselves so seriously...it takes the fun out of the contests. And certainly...credit should be given to those who sponsor...who think of new and interesting subjects for us to create and expand our love of poetry. Thank you for that.....even if I'm not always in agreement...I respect you and all of the contest sponsors. Thanks to all!

Joyce
Johnson

Date: 5/4/2010 11:53:00 AM

Matt, I entered a poem in one contest on this site and it did not rate even an HM. I entered it later in another and it won second. The sponsor and judge has the last word and should not be disputed. Keep on sending challenges. Joyce

Linda-Marie
Sweetheart

Date: 5/4/2010 11:20:00 AM

Well Matt having run 5 contests thus far myself I can understand the criticism of your plight and it can be hurtful but the judging is left to the discretion of the sponsor and each poet likes a different form of poetry or a special them.e to create something.. following guidelines is key to any contest.. your choice of winners should not be questioned .. remarks welcome but not to discredit any poet on site.. take a deep breath Matt and exhale the negativity... nothing ventured..nothing gained.. or lost... as u said... and if friendships were truly tight.. nothing could break them up... u get my vote of support Matt... with luv from the "Sweetheart"

Joe
Flach

Date: 5/4/2010 10:45:00 AM

Matt, you shouldn't have to feel the need to justify your rankings in your contest. These contests are great. Anyone entering has got to know that they are judged with the biases of the host making the selection. I am sure each and every contest would have a different result if judged by different individuals. Even if your poems are selected top poems in most contests does not mean your style, creativity, form, story...will meet the preferences of everyone who judges a contest. Ego's and vanity are hard things for each of us to deal with. If it were me, I wouldn't loose any sleep over some disgruntled individuals who feel you made a mistake in your judgement. Like you said, they can simply avoid your next contest. Peace, Joe

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