And the Oscar goes to…

Dead last. 

36 of 36 to be exact. My fate in this year's office Academy Awards pool.

Despite loving to go to the movies, I somehow rarely find myself actually in a theater. If it hadn't been for a few recent plane rides, I would have entered the competition not having seen any of the nominees for Best Picture. It's no wonder my batting average is so low.

With little to no experience on which to rely, my ballot choices were both random and sentimental (read here any movie set in Ireland or featuring an Irish actor or theme got my vote...) Perhaps not the most strategic, but a heartfelt effort nonetheless.

So here's to the gowns, the glitz, and the glamour. Here's to Jaime Lee Curtis, arms finally raised in triumph. Here's to Gaga's emotion-packed vocals. Here's to the makers of The Elephant Whisperers, reminding us of the sacredness of our created world. Here's to the jaunty Naatu Naatu, the tenacity of Maya Yeoh, and John Travolta's tearful tribute to former co-star Olivia Newton-John. 

Remember, it's an honor just to be nominated...

"Stars are rare creatures and not everyone can be one. But there isn't anyone on earth - not you, not me, not the girl next door - who wouldn't like to be a movie star holding up a golden statuette on Academy Award night." - Sue Mengers