Well, well, well. This month I made sure I wrote enough posts to create enough "cash" (Hive cash, that is!) to be able to be able to power up and when I realised that it was the 1st of September I realised that a momentous occasion is approaching!
Okay,okay. Slow down there little Olsen! I said it's almost my Hive birthday 😂
Yes, it's true, in 15 days from now this young, fresh-eyed, not-quite-as-cute-as-the-younger Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen will have been on the Hive blockchain an entire year! 🙌🙌🙌
Gosh, I've learned a lot. And in the most unexpected ways.
Sure, it's not that surprising that I've learned some (very) basic coding. Sure, I've got even better at blogging. Sure, I've learned a bunch of industry-related jargon 🐋
But what took me the most by surprise is just how much Web 2.0 social media platforms had kept me in echo chambers connecting with so many people who are so much like me.
The biggest thing I've gained whilst being on Hive these last 350 ish days has been perspective. I have learned so much by reading the posts of other people in other countries that are wildly different to my own.
Other people's cultures, religions, beliefs, education systems, work opportunities and world views have challenged me and open me up in the most profound ways. Some of my favourite people on Hive are ones in countries I've never been to and may not ever manage to visit.
And how I love seeing photos of locations around the world!
Sure, I can look up photos of sparkling beaches in The Philippines or dusty towns in Nigeria or cobblestone alleyways in Italy but to have them posted by someone who I can connect with, who tells a story about being in that location, and shares information with us about their home and their life - that is truly meaningful to me 🙏
Now, before I wrap up this post, I must remember what actually prompted me to logon to Hive in the first place: Hive Power Up Day! 😁
So I powered up earlier in the day, soon-ish after the clock ticked past midnight UTC, but before I converted my (minimum) 10.000 HIVE I took a screenshot of my wallet. Why? God knows... um, because it's what we do on HPUD??
I'm sure I'm supposed to compare growth from last month, or look at the averages over the entire calendar year, or even since the beginning of my time on Hive, and I'm totally capable of such things. My High Distinction grade in Statistics at University didn't magically arrive on my final certificate because I wished it into being.
But... I don't actually care enough to track it.
Maybe one day I'll care enough to track it closely but for now I much rather read cool posts, write cool stuff and connect with awesome humans. Oh, and get paid for doing said actions without tracking it all with a fine toothcomb.
So, here's my wallet (pre-powerup) 👇
It's nice to see hundreds of dollars stare back at me when the account started with much less.
I feel good about putting bits down to Savings and letting it slowly grow with that awesome interest rate.
And I imagine at some point 
If you're a Hivean, reading this, and in any way connected to my last almost-one-year-on-here then thank you. I'm glad to know you and be a part of this delightful web of awesomeness.