Today, I got the message from Microsoft that my MVP-title has been "renewed" for the seventh year in a row. Here is an excerpt from the notification email:

Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2011 Microsoft® MVP Award! This award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with others. We appreciate your outstanding contributions in Visual Studio ALM technical communities during the past year.

The Microsoft MVP Award is an annual award that recognizes exceptional technology community leaders worldwide who actively share their real world expertise with users and Microsoft. By sharing their knowledge and experiences, and providing objective feedback, they help people solve problems and discover new capabilities every day.

With  fewer  than  5,000  awardees  worldwide,  Microsoft  MVPs  represent  a  highly  select  group  of  experts.  MVPs
share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others. They represent the diversity of today’s technical communities. MVPs are present in over 90 countries, spanning more than 30 languages, and over 90 Microsoft technologies. MVPs share a passion for technology, a willingness to help others, and a commitment to community.  These  are  the  qualities  that  make  MVPs  exceptional  community  leaders.  MVPs’  efforts  enhance people’s  lives  and  contribute  to  our  industry’s  success  in  many  ways.

To recognize the contributions they make, MVPs from around the world have the opportunity to meet Microsoft executives, network with peers, and position themselves as technical community leaders.  This is accomplished through  speaking  engagements,  one  on  one  customer  event  participation  and  technical  content  development. MVPs also receive early access to technology through a variety of programs offered by Microsoft, which keeps them on the cutting edge of the software and hardware industry.

As a recipient of this year’s Microsoft MVP award, I am proud to join an exceptional group of individuals from around the world  who  have  demonstrated  a  willingness  to  reach  out,  share  their  technical  expertise  with  others  and  help individuals maximize their use of technology. Being an MVP has opened many doors for me as a software architect and (sometimes rather pushy) Microsoft customer and the relationships I've been able to develop have added a great richness to my life. Thanks Microsoft ;-)