Even geckos love Steemgigs

This line might be something that is strange to you because how could geckos love it when they can't even use a computer. You can love something even if you can't do it because you appreciate and enjoy it.

I can't draw but it does not mean I can't love art. I can't sing now but I can appreciate and love people who do.

[From Unsplash - Nathaniel Tetteh]

I just love this image that shows joining hands as one and often is my go to image for Community because I am a firm believer of the power of a community joining together and being as one. I could feel it last night as we all waited for Terry to finish his talk in the Steem Jet community and jump over to his show in the Steemgigs Discord.

While he was there, I played some music and reminded people to mute their mics or set their discord to Push to talk. I still ended up needed to place people on server mute as they did not comply and we could hear background sounds from their end.

Terry was still not done with his discussion their and to make use of the time I talked about several competitions that were running in Steemit. I have made it a point to be able to try to join as many contests that I can as a means to engage people in the platform as well as hopefully win some.

Every Saturday I publish a compilation report of all contests Ulog: Contest Round up for the week of June 30

I was able to present several of the contests that I had there and I am still running my Explain Ulog Contest if anyone is still interested in doing one.

After promoting the different contests I was asking some of the audience members to join me and talk about themselves so that we can get to know them better. I wanted to take that opportunity to get people talking and getting to know each other as we are all in one community.

We got to know Hive account@melvinv who was really new to the platform and hasn't even created his first post yet but he was already there listening in to a show by Terry. That shows a willingness to be part of something bigger. He was invited by his cousin Hive account@dwightjaden who literally has his entire family in Steemit now haha.

I asked him what he was interested to write about and he said that he was suffering from Depression and that he wanted to talk more about that kind of thing.

This is a topic that I resonate with because when I entered Steemit about 8 months ago I was one of those people that were looking for an outlet. Writing has always helped me deal with my depression and I remember how people were very supportive and non-judgemental to a stranger who made a cry of help.

I was telling him of my experience and the support that I received here and that he should not be ashamed or hide behind it but rather express himself and let people in and connect with them.

One thing that is very important is knowing that you are not alone and one of my good mates here in Steemit Hive account@nathankaye has the Prevent Suicide Discord Channel https://discord.gg/ppVKBvt a place where you can feel safe and have people that will take the time to hear you.

Knowing that someone is out there is such a powerful thing and he made this wonderful song about connecting and talking about it rather than keeping it bottled inside.

Whenever I think about my journey in Steemit I always think of the awesome people that I have met and Terry (Hive account@surpassinggoogle) is one of them that has made me realize a lot of things that are important. That the value of SBD comes after the value of the human being, that we are more than our Steem Reputation and the size of our wallet.

He made me think it is possible to dream again and fly towards it. So Hive account@melvinv use that depression and grow from it. Like what Hive account@mermaidvampire said use your depression and change it to a power that you will not remain feeling down, that you will eventually be okay, it is just fine to admit you are not okay but don't let it define you. Rise above it and know that I also walked the same path before and now I am still walking towards becoming better.

I leave you one of my most favorite song from Serena (Hive account@paintingangels) who composed this wonderful, original song about finding the strength to rise.

Terry Speaks

Okay, sorry I went all out on the depression topic and it did it a huge amount of time but Terry was there listening to people and just feeling the energy of the room. He arrived around 1 AM and he talked a little about his plans for Ulogs.org.

Far from being just one of the condensers of Steem, he also wants it as way to be able to moderate and curate members. He talked about having the ability to set True and Certified Uloggers who is not indicated as interesting because they have been in the platform long nor because of the size of their Steem Power.

It is when they show a strong community spirit, of inspiring people through leaving genuine comments and showing you care about people that Ulogs.org will recognize you as a true and Certified Ulogger.

He talks about running different contests, engagements and motivation. He talks about having the capability to do delegations.

He has a thousand ideas on how Ulogs will have a paradigm shift on Steem and the internet.

He placed these thoughts on the Steem Blockchain with this wonderful post [If Your Post Is Really A ULOG, Then Cheetah Will Rarely Visit. You Can Introduce Those With Cheetah-Worries To The Art Of ULOGGING.](https://steemit.com/ulog/@surpassinggoogle/if-your-post-is-really-a-ulog-then-cheetah-will-rarely-visit-you-can-introduce-those-with-cheetah-worries-to-the-art-of-ulogging]

Hive account@derangedvision enters the room with a rap!

Speaking of Cheetah this is one of the reasons why I invited Hive account@derangedvisions to Steemgigs as we are working to be able to better moderate the use of #ulog. For the past two sessions we discussed some of the abuse that not only curators of ulogs are experiencing but also some of the users who have been seeing some who were recycling content or plagiarizing.

We have seen several people who are actively trying to educate people about the freshness of Ulogs and one of them is Hive account@mermaidvampire who spoke passionately about what Ulogs means to her. So I am expecting your short video so that we can have it as part of the video about Ulogs!

Hive account@derangedvisions (Wesley) is a Steem witness who is active in several communities and supporting initiatives that will help better retain and encourage people to keep Steeming.

If you are interested to know what he does and why I have full confidence in him as one of my 30 witnesses you can check his latest update DerangedVisions Witness Update - June 30, 2018

If you check my witness votes you will see that it is a healthy mix of both Social and Technical witnesses. I believe in having a balance of these two parts. Sure a witness minimum responsibility is to process blocks to keep Steem running but I also think that they need to be a social aspect as well.

Communities is a huge part of the success of the Steem Platform and we need people who cares just like Terry and Wesley.

Derangedvisions was there talking to people explaining things and I appreciate him taking the time to be there.

Not only that but he made an epic rap of Vanilla Ice song "Ice, Ice baby" as requested by Hive account@dynamicgreentk. He didn't miss a beat and just wowed the audience with his skill.

The After Party

Hive account@snook got away from performing her Spoon song but promised that she will do it on the next show! So I am holding you to that. I let her be for this week because his son and his wife is visiting her and being away from each other for quite some time I can cut her some slack haha.

Terry has this gift of being able to get people to sing but so far I am staying away from doing that. Hive account@josediccus is always a great sport and dived right in to perform after some prodding from Terry.

Once sufficiently warmed up he proceeded to display his vocal chops and was serenading the ladies and asking duets from Hive account@julietisrael who really sounds amazing, Hive account@wakkylyon also was amazing as she was asked by Terry to perform.

I must say I was really surprised with Oredebby as she with some initial hesitation did not want to sing but she has a beautiful voice. I was very impressed and awed with the energy of these people.

Of course if we talk about energy no one comes close to Hive account@uche-nna well maybe Hive account@josediccus and Hive account@julietisrael combined.

Hive account@princessvanessa also graced us and was happy to inform us that she was in the Steem singing competition!!! We are so proud and rooting for her to win.

Below was one of her hits and I have to say she is amazing!!!

Hive account@glenyosores was also able to perform and was playing an instrument.

I have to hand it to Hive account@melvinv as it was his first time but he did not shy away from singing "I will be here" giving us a rich baritone warmth that just enveloped us.

Hive account@fycee also sang. It was a night of sharing. Then who can forget the oh so sweet duet of Hive account@sn0white and Hive account@el-dee-are-es as they made us fall in love with them.

Hive account@purpletanzanite also gave us a song and she talked about her charitable birthday plans which I think is awesome!

Our night would not be complete if Darren will not show up and we were happy to know that one of his original songs is going to be featured by BBC. I think that is awesome and is just testament to not letting go of your dream and sharing your passion and talent with the world.

Breathe - Being Played This Evening on 'BBC INTRODUCING' here in the EAST MIDLANDS UK!!

It was around 4:30 AM when I couldn't keep my eyes awake anymore and decided to sleep. Hive account@angelacs was there and knew she could handle the rest of the afterparty.

So there we had another awesome night and hopefully, you can join us sometime! The Talk with Terry Show is every Sunday 12:00 AM Manila Time/ 16:00 GMT 0 Time Zone.

https://discord.gg/Eg3BGaH

Let us do our part and support Terry and his Ulogs project.