FWIW I always choose .NET over .COM for any domains I register for my [as opposed to client] projects. I prefer it. It's cheap. It rolls off the tongue nicely. It's one of the original [so trustworthy/familiar sounding] TLDs, and I think it sounds more 'internetty'.

Maybe the situation is different in the US. But, here in Europe, we have a load of separate TLDs. So I don't think there's the same instinct that a domain name that doesn't end in .COM is in any way 'inferior' or 2nd choice.