As 
Hive account@revisesociology says, the first rule of Steemit is to mostly talk about Steemit. Right you are, sir.
This will be a collection of topics that could be padded out into multiple posts I suppose, but due to the general lack of creativity in my writing style, I can easily fit into one....
Well how about this then! After running the Leagues for every week bar one so far this year, and last year for 15 weeks or so also, 
Hive account@curie have decided to sponsor the weekly post for the next two months at least 😊
This is clearly awesome news for both myself and the people who are taking part each week, but also gives an indication of Hive account@curie's willingness to put their money behind projects that are fueling engagement on the platform. There have been times when I've thought, 'why am I doing this again', as the post generally takes a few hours and (prior to sponsorship by 
Hive account@carlgnash and 
Hive account@paulag) was leaving me out of pocket more often than not. Now though, I can relax with regards to costs, and have plenty of encouragement to to continue.
I have been fully behind Hive account@curie's witness since I started voting for witnesses, which can be done here: https://steemit.com/~witnesses
To enter the Leagues, which is free and includes a lifetime membership, go here and leave a comment asking to join:
https://steemit.com/engagement/@abh12345/the-curation-and-engagement-leagues-steem-prizes-available
Thank you very much Hive account@curie!
Hive account@acidyo's Steemit Fantasy Premier League pays out big! 🏆⚽
Since the beginning of the English Premier League 2017/2018 season which started in August last year, Hive account@acidyo has been running a contest in which a group of football-mad Steem account holders have been competing for glory in the Steemit Fantasy Premier League.
The football season finished a week or so ago, and 48 of the 84 entries were issued a prize relating to their position in the league. I finished 21st, which is a little disappointing, but this is easily to live with considering the prize for this position was 35 STEEM!
The winner collected a colossal 1050 STEEM - That is huge and worth over $2300 on the open market!
Thanks to Hive account@acidyo for hosting the #sfpl and managing the predictions game each week, which I know from experience takes time and effort to organise. I'm really looking forward to next season, and suggest that if people reading this have any interest in football (or not!), lookout for the post (probably following the World Cup) for next seasons registrations.
Cheers!
I inherited a few MVESTS recently 👕👕👕
source - giphy
By a few, it's actually more like 775,000,000. These VESTS influence how the witness rankings are ordered, and the total proxied to me (mainly due to one account), are the 32nd largest on the Steem blockchain.
Just as 
Hive account@donkeypong has recently stated witness voting decisions and criteria:
https://steemit.com/steem/@donkeypong/clarifying-my-decision-not-to-support-eos-related-posts-and-witnesses-100-of-post-rewards-donated-to-curation-initiatives
And 
Hive account@pharesim prior to that:
https://steemit.com/witness-category/@pharesim/a-fundamental-change-to-my-witness-voting-behavior
The 
Hive account@steemcommunity witness also has a particular criteria when seeking witnesses to support. And, I believe the reason for the votes via proxy are due to this stance:
...We will not be offering Bid-bots or trying to profit from delegation. Instead we will champion growth on Steemit by rewarding those that really engage with the platform and within the communities that are already established, and those seeking growth.
From: https://steemit.com/witness-category/@steemcommunity/introducing-steemcommunity-a-witness-project-by-abh12345-and-paulag
If you have given your votes to me via proxy and don't feel this suits your mindset, feel free to remove it. If you think that this is something you could get behind, Hive account@steemcommunity welcomes your vote.
Other news of interest
Hive account@ivoted looks interesting and could be worth a lookout if you are seeking to choose witnesses, as you could also be rewarded for doing so.
Hive account@steemhunt has taken on around 350,0000 in delegated Steem Power with a view to air-drop HUNT tokens to all Steem accounts (extra for the delegators), and looks like a project to follow.
Hopefully you've read about 
Hive account@steemmonsters - This could also be big for Steem and I'm watching with interest there. I should probably get some cards too.
Hive account@pennsif has been running 'A dollar a day' for a little while now and has given over $1000 to charities he has appraised over the past month. I'm sure he would appreciate any further support.
And on a personal note to finish, just 2 more for 10,000 - Thank you to the ones still here!
Have a great day all!
Asher 
Hive account@abh12345
