2amtomorning
If you find yourself at the crossroads of insomnia and insanity, this is the place to channel those demons that keep you sleepless. Vivid pictures, poetry, ruminations, and confessions from the nether hours between dusk and dawn. Originally formed to celebrate the city at night, there's a strong urban theme.

green_future
Dedicated to promoting global sustainability, this community offers a forum for discussing current environmental news, research, and issues with tips on how to make positive, pro-active changes to reduce carbon impact. You'll also find information on how to get involved in eco-activism and learn about events near you (i.e., act local; think global). Offering a wealth of data on earth-friendly products and practices, you'll be inspired to don an organic bamboo cape and save the planet.

wtf_sexism
Self-described as "a little community with a lot of rage," you can soak up impassioned vibes and read blistering exposes detailing sexist attitudes in the news, pop culture, and science! A must-join community if you are, or love, a feminist. (NB: the topic of whether a "man" can be a feminist is outside the scope of this spotlight, but will probably wind up on the Writer's Block.)

So my sister-in-law and brother who live in North Carolina came to Minnesota together for only the second time for the holidays. On the way home from the Christmas celebration at my uncle's house, a few of us were for some unknown reason humming Battle Hymn of the  Republic.

Me: You know what's really cool? Mark Twain wrote an awesome version of Battle Hymn of the Republic, a satire. I don't remember much of it but it's definitely worth looking into.

Sister-In-Law: Wait, Mark Twain is a singer, right?

Me: *looks at her for a moment hoping she's being facetious...she isn't.* No...Mark Twain was an author.

S-I-L: *blank stare*

Me: ...Tom Sawyer?

S-I-L: OH!!* laughs* Then who's the Twain singer?

Brother: *shakes head* That would be Shania, babe.

OK, here are the categories. Please reply to this thread (or email me via TWoP) with any nominations you wish to make. You can make as many nominations as you wish between now and January 18th; the only rule for eligibility is the round must have finished in 2009. That means that the current round being run by stills and kimmy isn't eligible. There is a list of completed rounds on the Profile page for this community.

Here are the categories:
Moderator Awards

• Best Overall Round
• Best Original Power (given for a uniquely creative power)
• Best Storyline
• Best single "episode"
• Best death scene
• Favorite clue
• Best Mod

Player Awards

• Best Hero (Single Round)
• Best Villain (Single Round)
• Best Ghost
• Best Overall Player

Mod Or Player (Or Everyone Involved) Awards

• Best moment
• Worst moment
• Best WTF moment
• Worst WTF moment
• Best escape from death
• Best nighttime diversion
• Most epic day

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.

So, one day when I was about 16, my mother and I were driving by a local duck pond that she used to take my sister and I to when we were little. The pond was currently covered in ice seeing that it was winter and all. Conversation is as follows:

Mom: Krystie, you're smart. Can I ask you something?
Me: Uh, sure.
Mom: Where do the geese go? You know, in winter?
Me: Seriously?
Mom: Yeah! Do they like, tunnel under the water and hibernate?
Me: ... Mom. They fucking fly south for winter. It's called migration.
(After about five full minutes of silence and my mother looking like she's taking a Calculus exam...)
Mom: OH YEAH! Don't tell your sister I just asked you that.

My mother has a friend who is a police officer. Let's call her Betty. She has a daughter who we'll call Deirdre. Deirdre is learning to drive, and Betty was helping her practice, sitting in the car with her while she drove around in a deserted area, drilling her on roadsigns and suchlike.

Suddenly, a very drunk man stepped out in front of the car, bounced off the bumper, and collapsed in the road. Deirdre, however, did not stop the car. Betty yelled at her that she had to stop the car, it's illegal to leave the scene of an accident especially when there's a police officer in the car, etc ...

"I can't stop here, there's a double yellow line!"

(Luckily Betty did persuade her that stopping was ever-so-slightly more important, they went back and checked on the guy, and he wasn't hurt, because they'd been going slowly and possibly because his drunkenness dulled any pain.)

EDIT: In case people don't know, we're in the UK, where a double yellow line down the side of the road means you aren't allowed to stop your car there. So it does make a kind of sense, but ...