I've officially become a Steemit ambassador!

I'm about two weeks in to my Steemit adventure. I've been writing everyday and it's completely unearthed creativity I haven't possessed in years. It's a renaissance of thinking; about the platform, it's implications on social networks, the community and myself. I've also successfully completed my first payout, as documenting in my previous blog "Steemit just became very real for me!". I'm sure you're wondering what I spent my $250 bounty on? Bills.

I've now moved in to the the next phase as a passionate, committed Steemian. The "ambassador phase". Spreading the gospel to almost anyone that'll listen. Even this afternoon, as I wrote this, a man next to me casually asked "Are you a blogger?". I immediately released the Kraken, swallowing him in tentacles of ideology and tales of revenue for content and curation. It's a fascinating phenomenon to watch the same process of digesting Steemit I experienced just weeks ago, work through others.

It's funny how when trying to explain Steemit to the layperson, I juggle references of Facebook and Reddit, tying in Bitcoin [...the majority of typical social media users haven't even heard of]. I always laugh to myself when I say "...I hate Facebook." and the person immediately replies with "UGH! So do I!". How did we get here?! All active participants in a site we hate, making said corporation billions of dollars. 

I'm not exaggerating when I say I've evangelized Steemit to everyone that would listen. During each conversation, watching the concept of earning revenue for our time and content is the hardest notion to sink in. Seriously shedding light [...at least for me] on how horribly conditioned we've become to trading our precious time, talents and efforts; for what? Likes?! Much like any abusive relationship, the most obvious requirements of value and appreciation, becoming distant; unimaginable to comprehend after enduring years of misconduct and exploitation. 

I've had to reel back my enthusiasm a bit when explaining the philosophy of Steemit, and the limitless potential it could reach. When I'm passionate about something, I don't hold anything back. Between the the idea of a new social media platform and the complex inter-tangling of the STEEM cryptocurrency, I've been prudent in reminding myself to acknowledge that I'm not "getting anything" out of this. I'm not working on commission. It isn't a pyramid scheme and I don't get a bonus for them signing up. Sure, we all gain as the platform grows, but there is so rarely genuine altruism in this world, when faced with it, it seems suspicious.

In the coming days, my friend Jasmin of the world renown vintage fashion blog Vintage Vandalizm will be making her introduction post here on Steemit. Jasmin has worked for the most prestigious fashion brands in the world including Christian Louboutin, Agent Provocateur and Betsy Johnson. She's one of my best friends, and her addition to the site will become one of those hallmark contributions in art, photography and fashion sections of Steemit.

Last night, I spent a good half hour on the phone with the subject of my previous two part blog series "Shooting w/ Kiwi pinup Miss Victory Violet", Ella Webster, better known as Miss Victory Violet. She just moved from New Zealand to London, and I stayed up till 1:00a.m. CST to preach the good word of Steemit to her while she sipped her morning coffee. Again, lots of "Get the fuck out of here." and similar expletives when I confirmed that I have already made my first payout. Ella writes a prolific vintage style blog at her site www.missvictoryviolet.com and would be a priceless resource to Steemit, as I've already had several users comment about their love of vintage hair, make-up and styling.

My friend Cora Harrington is a powerhouse business woman, writing for her blog The Lingerie Addict, Teen Vogue and several other syndicated publications. We've become great friends over the last year. Cora has a passionate cause of educating and empowering women, showcasing under-represented demographics, cultures, body types and races and would enrich the Steemit community by an immeasurable magnitude. We have a great collection of work we've shot together that I'll be posting in another two part series in the weeks to come.

And of my diligent ambassadorship, I'm happy to introduce a few talented friends that have already signed up and joined the rank and file. 

First, my brother [...actual sibling], Hive account@customnature. He made his introduction post yesterday with a great story about he recently beat the shit out of his boss [...not kidding] and is currently venturing in self employment, finishing a massive trailer to exhibit rare tarantulas and spiders from around the world. He is also a gifted and prolific painter and SP/FX make-up artist.

Hive account@kellifury is here. Multi-talented model, artist and tattooer. One of my first friends since moving to Minneapolis. I've shot with Kelli many times and made some of my favorite images with her [...including submerging her in the nasty Mississippi River in full wedding gown attire]. Many a night drawing together. She and I have been through it all over the last five years. Really happy to have her here.

Hive account@jezebeljones Is a dark folk singer/songwriter/musician from Minneapolis that I met in 2012 when she opened for Slim Cessna's Auto Club [...one of my all time favorite bands]. I took a few photos during her set because I was completely moved by how dark and haunting her performance was. We became friends shortly thereafter, staying in touch when she moved to Austin. She's back in the Twin Cities and we've shared many a coffee talking about the plight of artists living below their means simply because they're pursuing their gifts. Steemit is a perfect home for all that've lived that struggle.

Hive account@swarddraws is an guy I met years ago at an annual comic book convention. I showed up with about $60 to spend on indie comics. Someone said "Oh, indie comics? You need to find Adam Sward. He's Mr. Indie Comics.". I did find him, and he had a table covered in great self published comics from titles like Meth Wolf to Big Black Boots. Adam is force to be reckoned with because of his artist output and commitment to remaining in the fringe of the comic world […where we all know the best comic books and graphic novels are born].

I convinced Hive account@moony she needs to be here as well. We’re new friends. One that I joked amuses me because we’re totally different from one another. Completely different lifestyles and friend circles. But she’s a stand up person. She’s motivated and passionate about life, and she demands respect. She’s multidimensional, with a love of street bikes, horses and nature. Glad to have crossed paths and I’m really excited to see her posts and thoughts about living as a woman in cultures that are predominantly men-centric.

Last but not least, Hive account@mterrisphoto is going to make Steemit such a visually beautiful place with her unique style of editorial fashion photography. I met her when she attended a workshop I held in LA on available light photography. We remained in touch and became friends and have since watched her blossom in to an industry changing artist in just a couple years. She’s made the commitment of transitioning to career artists and if there’s any one here on Steemit that deserves to spent a lot of time at the top of the trending page, it’s her. Her work is stunning and she’s an amazing person.

Please take the time to visit and follow these new members of Steemit from my circle. I don’t carry dead weight friends. Each of them are active, passionate creatives that push against the status quo, fully aware that they have something special to contribute to the world. In the same breath, I have to thank Hive account@mada and Hive account@lovejoy for introducing me to this revolution and inviting me to the dance.

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