Some months back I think I mentioned that I am really not big on self congratulatory "Milestone posts." It's not that I'm against them, really-- it's just that we seem to reach new milestones almost every week, so it gets to be a bit much.
On the other hand, I was also inspired by something @lukestokes once wrote... namely that the permanence of the Steem blockchain makes this a nice place to simply commit milestones "to the record."
So with that in mind, this is as much a "progress report" for my own benefit as anything else. It will be something to look back on, from another year out in the future. But hopefully you'll get something out of it, too!
It's My First Anniversary on Steemit!
Sun sets on my first year here
Today marks the anniversary of my first post made here. Funny thing is, I wasn't really looking for a place to blog, nor was I looking for an "income opportunity," but somehow I ended up with both.
Without a doubt, Steemit has been the most significant "upside surprise" in my life over the past 12 months.
If there's a single word I could use to summarize the experience of what I have seen in this community, it would be "resilience."
I have seen scores of "rewards for content" sites come and ago in the past 20 years and yet... every time something happens here (spammers, scammers, botnets, infighting, politicking) and I think to myself "this is precisely what takes down sites like this" this community seems to shake off the bad thing and move forward.
The majority of people on Steemit seem to have a vested interest in the site's survival and growth, and they seem to rally when obstacles and disruptions show up.
Apple blossoms
And that's pretty supreme praise, coming from an old cynic like me.
Milestone no. 1: 10,000+ Posts
A couple of days ago, I passed the 10,000 posts mark here!
Which (somewhat to my surprise) evidently makes me one of the 150 most prolific members of the community... at least once you remove all the bot accounts that post their automated messages everywhere.
Given that there are over 600,000 accounts here, I suppose that's quite a bit.
Milestone no. 2: 500+ Original Top Level Posts
I have also recently passed the 500 original posts mark. I'm a blogger, and a writer-- something I have been, for 20+ years.
Most of my posts have been "long form" article-posts here on the Steemit front end, but I have also published a couple of dozen "shorties" through @zappl and a few through chainbb and busy.org.
Hot pink spring flowers
This place reminds me a LOT of the old "social blogging" format and more than anything, that may be what keeps me going here. It was a lot of fun then, and it was a lot of fun now.
Milestone no. 3: 3000+ Followers
This actually happened back on January 23rd-- and it's a statistic that blows me away to some degree,
At its peak (after several years) my long defunct blog on Xanga got up to about 1200 followers, which is where it finished its days. Meanwhile, I have worked almost 10 years to get 1500 twitter followers. And I worked equally long to get a similar number of Facebook followers. And not by "sleeping," either-- I am fairly active with Social Media.
The only place with more support than here are a couple of Facebook groups I still manage, each of which has more than 15,000 members.
Thank you to each and every one of you who thought my ramblings and musings were worthwhile enough to click the follow button! I appreciate you all... even those of you who aren't here so much, anymore.
A Moment of Perspective: By the Numbers
Gazebo
I am a bit of a numbers geek and data collector... a bit in the style of the inimitable @paulag, except not nearly as skilled.
But here are a few numbers for you, representing what "A Year on Steemit" looked like, for me
515 "top level" posts, accounting for a total of 362,815 words (actual word count from saved copies).
9,585 comments, accounting for an estimated total of 615,350 words (estimate extrapolated from last 3 months actual word count).
That also means my average original post is about 704.5 words long.
That also means my average comment is 64.2 words long.
Altogether, that's 978,165 words in a year!
Blooming chives
What does that MEAN in plain English?
I means I completed the infamous "NaNoWriMo Writing Challenge" 19.5 times, or every 18.7 days.
Some really long books:
Length of the King James version of the Holy Bible: 783,137 words
Length of "War & Peace" by Leo Tolstoy: 587,287 words
Length of "Texas" by James Michener: 565,210 words
Length of "The Stand" by Stephen King: 472,376 words
Thanks, and stuff....
I know this is not an Oscar speech, but there are a few people who have made a great difference to to my Steemit experience... and without whom I might not have continued to do this with as much enthusiasm as I do.
Madrona tree overhanging the water
To the curators at @curie who somehow chose my very first post to be included in one of their trails. That made me sit up and pay attention from the get-go!
@doitvoluntarily who was one of my very first regular supporters here.
@onceuponatime who reminded me that you can be both very private and reclusive... and still be "out there."
@tarazkp who joined Steemit the same day as I... and makes my writing look like Mickey Mouse playing in the sandbox!
@klye... because... penis art for every occasion! 'Nuff said...
@lukestokes from whom I learned that a non-aggressive and realistic approach to anarchism is possible.
Two of the greatest commenters/curators in the community @enjar and @eric-boucher.
A wee birdie on my lawn
@surfermarly, @teamsteem, @kus-knee and @stellabelle for each providing this community with their own brand of inspiration and help to others. If you're not following these four, you should be!
@papa-pepper for keeping it about as real as it gets. I don't think I could get that close to the wildlife!
@jaynie for being the intrepid bosslady behind Steemit Bloggers.
@cosmictriage, my lovely wife who puts up with my playing around in the world of "monopoly money."
If I didn't mention you here, it doesn't mean I don't care! Everybody in this great community of ours matters! Thanks to everyone, and hopefully next year will be great for all of us.
Animated banner created by @zord189
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Created at 180131 13:58 PST
Congratulations and well done! It’s been such a pleasure interacting with you and discussing interesting ideas over this past year. I love posts like this which are genuinely something you are proud about. That helps us connect with and understand you which makes it all the more fun to celebrate along with you.
Thanks for the kind words, Luke-- you're one of my inspirations here! I have always connected with the idea of combining ideologies like anarchism/liberty with an approach like NVC. If we truly are to help build a better model for the world, that seems like a great approach.
Hey, here's eighteen more words to add to your comment word count. Congratulations, big time, I mean it!
Thank you! Not bad for someone who "accidentally stumbled in here, with no plan." It's the level of authentic engagement that "makes" this community-- and thanks for being part of that.
Bwah Bwah sniff sob sob sniff ¡I am disconsolate! 😭
Someone would expect that unique humor, satire & funny nonsense at least, also would get a special mention in your first year celebration milestone. But don't worry mate. As you already said above:
Yeah my friend! humongous patience & inexhaustible resilience is the virtue of those who know how to wait. So, that one crying now will check again on 2019 for your 2nd year celebration milestone. }:)
And btw, ¡Happy Anniversary! :)
Thank you @por500bolos! I knew I could count on a unique and entertaining comment from you-- and I am always grateful for your visits and humour, of course! What else would I expect of "Gandalf the Pink?"
Congrats, definitely a cool milestone to look back from and lots of great accomplishments in there. You're a great member of this community and deserving of each.
Perhaps the biggest thing I'm looking forward to at my 1 year mark is having Steemd measure my years in moons rather than days :)
You are now officially in the moon club.
Thanks! I'd forgotten about the "moons." I've become part of the Moon Society! Woo-hoo!
Holy. hot. damn.
You have put in the time my friend.
I am humbled by the work that you have put into this platform. I know you were a tad reluctant to share this milestone post, but I am glad you did. I hope you got something out of it, but I am selfishly going to point out that this did a lot for me.
This post really taught me that I am A) impatient and B) need to hang tight.
All the success you currently enjoy is earned. I look forward to putting up some numbers like you someday in the near future.
Honestly. This put me in my place.
Congratulations. You deserve all you're getting.
Thanks Chris-- appreciate the supportive words!
Steemit really is one of those places where you can be consistent and put in the work, and success will come to you. I'm by no means in the elite here, but I have done pretty well by just plugging steadily along... and I would have been a lot further along had I not been forced to power down most of the way due to an unexpected financial issue... but then what a blessing that this was here as an emergency fund.
As one of Steemit's rising stars, you can easily put yourself in an excellent position in six months, or a year... but it does take some patience and a willingness to grind it out for a while. Sure, there are shortcuts, and vote bots and such but they don't last... the moment you stop using them, you're back to making 50 cents a post. Interaction and engagement, that builds something lasting.
Congrats! You're doing great on here. :) I also appreciate how friendly and respectful you are and how you helped welcome my father to steemit. Keep up the good work man! I enjoy your energy and contribution to the community. :)
Thanks, and appreciate the support! One of the great things of Steemit is the interaction and the way we can help each other out through this "pay it forward" system.
You're welcome. :) And I agree! well said.
a year, well done. That's so awesome. Would you believe I was just looking at data from those that joined in Jan last year. What a lovely compliment you gave me. It means a lot coming from someone that in now in the year plus club :-)
Thanks Paula! I'd say you're great example of "taking Steemit by storm," as well as you've done here in just seven months and proving you don't have to be "one of the first" in order to succeed.
One of the things that surprised me was just how FEW people who joined the same day as I were still active... something like 9 out of 200+ and really just @tarazkp and I as "consistent" participants. I hope wem can find a way to inspire more people to stay active in the future.
Congratulations. I'm surprised to see that I've been here for several months longer than you have.
You've done very well.
I only have 3453 posts though which is strange..... because I feel like I post an awful lot.
I added the couple of people that I wasn't already following.
I like the discussions that you often have and I will continue to follow you and interact as much as I can.
Thanks! One of the things I value most about Steemit is the interaction, and the level of interaction... which is SO different from most other social media.
Appreciate the support!
I wasn't aware you are have some many online activities. Happy anniversary from me as well! You are among the few guys on Steemit, who's profiles I regularly check. For the last 5 or 6 months we've found out a few topics we enjoy commenting and it seems we are on the same side for most of them.
Let's keep the ball rolling!
Let's indeed do that! Always happy to see your efforts to build more interaction and engagement on Steemit-- I think we all leaned a lot back when we were part of @merej99's "engagement challenge."
Her challenge was the firestarter for me!
Excellent post dear friend @denmarkguy, congratulations for all your achievements in this year of activity.
my most desires wishes that continue your success !!!!!!!!!!
I wish you a wonderful day
Thank you @jlufer, appreciate the kind words; just plan to keep going as I have been!
Cheers and here is to your next 978,165 words! May they bring you as much joy and successes as the first!
Thanks! This was definitely one of the totally unexpected pluses of this past year. I came here reading posts that "Steemit is a game changer" in social content... and after a year of putting that to the test, I'd have to strongly agree.
Congrats and all the best in 2018, STEEM on .....
Thank you! Appreciate the supportive words.
I'm glad you decided to post this milestone post. It's very encouraging for those of use just starting out.
Your writing stats were fun and my favourite was that 10,000+ Posts makes you one of the 150 most prolific members of the community! That's a big thing.
Can't wait to see where you are next year. Keep up the great work! 💙
Thanks Gillian! You seem to be off to a pretty good start, yourself-- I'm sure you'll go far in the coming year!
Thank you. That's very encouraging coming from you. 😊
Just because numbers are fun 10101 - that would be this numbers post. Last comment you made was 3 hours ago. So This post is your 10101 post. I think that is a pretty cool number. Tomorrow will be my 6 month on steemit, Joined 8/1/2017. I might make a milestone post about it. have a nice steemit anniversary.
Thank you! Yes, numbers are cool... and that's a binary. Congrats on your six months here!
Happy Steemiversary! :)
Thanks Kobie!
keep going @denmarkguy I love you because you love flowers haha ♥♥
Thanks-- appreciate it!
wow! congrats! I have just started blogging on the Steemit platform but not sure how to become part of a blogging community here... I see that you are part of Steemit Bloggers... any thoughts on how I can join?
I wish you lots of success-- just be patient and perseverant. Steemit Bloggers is currently at its "full" membership of 300; once the numbers drop a bit again, more people will be added by invitation.
thanks for the note. I will keep patience and keep blogging and posting on Steemit...
In a years time I hope to be as talented a writer/blogger such as yourself.
This is such a great platform when used correctly.
I am taking it all in, learning and growing.
Congrats on the milestones!
JGV
Just be patient and perseverent and you'll get there, too! Thanks for the kind words.
Congratulation @denmarkguy for celebrating first anniversary on this amazing post. You achieved great mile stone here due to your hard work. 515 post means approx 1.5 post per day. It is not an easy job at all. The comments in your posts shows how effectively you wrote these post. Congratulation you to your all achievements. All the best for future. Cheers
Thank you! Appreciate the kind words and your support!
Fantastic, I'm new at steemit hopefully i will become as successfull as you are in 1 year
Well, welcome then! With a little patience and perseverance, absolutely possible.
Happy one year anniversary... Indeed I bet the journey has been eventful
Thank you! Yes, I have learned quite a lot along the way, as well.
well done im sure all of your followers are very happy to be following you you have great support and i hope some day i can reach what you have succeeded
Just have patience and perseverance and you will!
Many many congratulations...for your achievement.... many many good wishes come in the coming path.. God bless you...
Thank you, for your kind words!
Keep it up & Nevar Give up Dear @denmarkguy hava a Good Year ✌✌✌
Thank you, appreciate your support!
you wellcome sir @denmarkguy
Great you inspire me hope i will be successful like you
Like
Congratulations Buddy
Your success story is a different kind
Thank you!
Congrats!!!!
Cheers !
nice .
Thanks! Appreciate the the support!
Why don't you take your personal axe grinding with @frankbacon somewhere else, rather than spamming it all over the place?
@denmarkguy,
actually this is exactly how I caught this particular piece of Space Herpes.
Whatever IT is, IT has a very disturbing pattern of Acting like a person, but spreading itself like a bad disease. I recommend just Muting IT.
Kind regards... And GREAT Post BTW.
Thanks! It's just kind of annoying to see stuff like this showing up where it's complete not relevant to the content.
That is exactly how IT started for me.
IT will fall down in front of you
and then scream like a child that you pushed IT.
Pretty typical Victim Mentard on the other end of that account.
Exercise caution... it's obviously communicable.