Sad, frustrating... yep.
So, you had hope and you lost it. I get it.... That's frustrating.
But sometimes things don't go as planned and plans change. It's not like you paid for a raffle ticket.
Sometimes, life isn't fair and we lose when we link we won.
"It's not like you paid for a raffle ticket".
By making my entry according to the rules stated in the contest I paid for the chance. And unlike some others who paid the same price I didn't receive what I was paying for. You are right that the host can change the rules how they want. They have that right. Like I said I already accepted that I have to aim for steemfest 4. My goals, dreams and hopes are delayed by a year. So be it. I can't change anything about that. At least that means that I can use that additional year to work on myself and improve. So originally I was not even going to mention any of this. But host himself claimed fairness and asked to prove him wrong. I would have accepted and even respected statements like"My money- my rules " or "You are right. I made a mistake but I will do better next time". But claiming fairness? According to my very basic math that fairness was a bit lacking so I called BS on that. I have that right.