How long have you been on the Blockchain?
Since July 25, 2017 that would be almost 4 1/2 years. My time actually goes back even further, as I first heard about what became Hive back in spring/early summer 2016, from a crypto friend on Facebook.
He was into Monero and Ripple I think, at the time, and shared a link claiming some guy made $1000 from one blog post. I clicked on over to what was then known as Steemit, decided it had to be some kind of scam, then quickly clicked away. Big mistake, as if I'd joined and started blogging then, I'd likely be a grand old whale now. Live and learn!
What was your background in cryptocurrency when you first came to the Blockchain?
I first heard about Bitcoin way back in 2009-2010ish from a crypto blog. I think Satoshi was still communicating back then, and I immediately saw the utility that cryptocurrency offered. No need to convince me, this was the future looking right at us.
I was all in from the start. The following year 2010, I was unemployed, and received my first five Bitcoin from the original Bitcoin faucet. Then began mining BTC on my home computer (you could still do that in 2010) no expensive graphic card needed.
What was your background in writing when you first came to the Blockchain?
I spent several years learning to blog on Blogger. I wrote about Apple, a company I love, and cloistered myself away knowing almost nobody would see my work. After awhile, my writing began attracting the wrong kind of attention, when some guy from a country near India started copying my articles while stripping out my byline. That's when I realized I might be on to something with this blogging hobby of mine.
However, I was so disillusioned by Blogger's lack of response to my work being plagiarized, that I stopped writing until the arrival of my new home on the blockchain arrived. Finally, there was a place where I had complete ownership of my content, and could be rewarded by the community for my hard work, which was in fact, a labor of love.
How many people did you know when you first came to the Blockchain?
If you mean blockchain people, none. I live in what I call a "crypto desert." Nobody wants to hear anything about crypto in this area, as they think we're all preppers stocking up for the zombie apocalypse, or equate us with Bigfoot hunters out in Washington state and Oregon. They have no idea.
How did you meet people when you first came to the Blockchain?
I lurked for the first month or two, and remember watching tutorials on the platform by 
Who did you look up to when you first came to the Blockchain?
It would have to be Sam, as well as people like Jerry Banfield. Say what you want about him, but I saw the wisdom of his long posts being good for SEO. I learned an awful lot from him as well, and spent many hours viewing videos from him in the run-up to going live on the blockchain.
People like 
How would you describe your first three months on the Blockchain?
In one word: lonely. Like many of you, there were countless posts that no one saw, no comments, nothing. However, it was like taking a ship out for sea trials, and I knew from the veteran bloggers, not to expect anything for at least the first year.
Expectations were managed well, and the tide began to turn later on that year when I decided to leave my virtual monastery, and interact more by leaving thoughtful comments. I received one surprise upvote from a whale in Australia (I forget his name), which was exactly what I needed, at just the right time. After that, it was full speed ahead!
Has being a part of the Blockchain changed you in any way for the good?
Yes. It allowed me to see that we don't have to have our content locked up in virtual jails, and we now have an alternative to the content parasites on legacy social media. I also saw this as a way to support those in developing countries seeking a better life. There's an aspect of freedom in the blockchain that you either get, or you don't. This tends to attract those with a freedom-loving mindset, and that's exactly who I am. For me, Hive is home.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the Blockchain?
It would have to be seeing the community come to the aid of Sam when he lost access to his account. Seeing everyone rallying around him and offering support was heart-warming, and even better when he had access restored. We take care of our own here, and it shows.
If you could advise a new person signing up to Hive, what would it be?
Realize the possibilities right in front of you. You're not just a content creator, you're a content owner. All you need to do is take that first step into your new home on Hive.
What's your story?
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