Alex,
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>Thanks for putting it so precisely. I've been insulted for being an MVP before (not in the UT though), where some people mistakenly think I do Microsoft's bidding, when in fact it is the other way around as I see the MVPs more as representing the user's POV in front of Msft, while helping the community with whatever knowledge and experience we bring to the table.

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I agree with you about us representing the users. When I first received the award, in my reply, I said that I felt both honored and humbled. Honored in the my peers and the folks at MS thought enough of my skill set to give me such an award. Humbled by the company of developers my name was now going to be mentioned with.