Picking the final products in each category is undoubtedly the hardest part of judging. You're never quite satisfied, there's always something else you wish had made the list.
It's also the fun part though, or at least the days leading up to it is. Today has been one of those days. I've seen more discussion among the judges today than at any other point this year. Even though it's little stuff it's great.
As a judge you kind of long to talk about some of the stuff you've read or seen, to discuss the stuff you really love, and to have some input on the choices you've made. The problem is that there's no good way to do it until the announcements come out, and then you spend so much time defending the decisions you make that it loses some of its enjoyment.
Days like today, however, are nice because you get to talk a little bit without any kind of pressure. It gets better as you get closer and stsart talking about why you like things, but for now it's just nice to make you feelings about some products known.
