it's worse than i thought. i've had 6 different people, who are not judges, give me their top three picks. that would be 18 selections from the 80 photos and there was not a single duplication in the lot.

this helps explain why so many people got in my face about last year's results. people just like different stuff. and, i'd be the first to admit that i could pick 15 photos i'd be comfortable naming top dawg. unfortunately, i can't afford to give 15 people a c-note, so i guess i'll just get more practice at having semi-strangers get shrill with me until next year's contest when we can do it all again.

but, as i pour through these photos i'm convinced of one thing; it is totally worth it.