Dude don't hate. I was just having some fun. I think your picture is cool and original, and was just trying to explain a little of my thought process in making my picture. Maybe that aspect of lightheartedness didn't come through--normally I include a smiley face or something along with the words so people don't misunderstand. I don't take this thing very seriously, so please take my posts with a grain of salt. It's called a tongue-in-cheek writing style. Look it up.
I have to respond to your post because I feel like it was done with attitude, which I can't really understand or condone: Stiff competition indeed, if you feel like you have to resort to name-calling and character attacks. I didn't post anything with the intention of "begging;" I have more self-respect than that (and frankly, I can just buy the M-100s when they come out). Also, please don't call me unprofessional, or any other name for that matter. We don't know each other. I didn't attack you or even mention you in my post, other than by implying that I thought your picture was good when I quoted Val's comment about your pic being #1. If you are a professional...contestant, or something...then great, good for you, but I'm not, and I can express myself any way I want, especially when it's in good fun on a relatively tame thread. I'm always amazed at how people can start a conversation or comment, "With all due respect…" and then go on to immediately say something disrespectful. Why not just be honest and say, "Hey jack@$$, here's what I think of you…" Whatever.
Either way, regardless of photo contests, I had always expected to buy the M-100 at full price; it's just icing on the cake that Val's offer of some sort of voucher or discount or promo code is super generous. I'm not really feeling the collective love and excitement for the M-100 in this thread any more like in the beginning--it seems like it's devolving into any other trolling grounds. It's great that people have joined Head-Fi just to talk about the M-100, but the spirit of community has given way to competition, which isn't really my style. So consider my photo rescinded from the contest. Have at it. I'll just wait and check back in June.
L8R SK8RS.