Greetings and Salutations my fellow Steemians!

Admittedly, I've been an account holder for about a month now, and have thoroughly enjoyed lurking around in the background. But, the time has finally come for me to stop being an observer, and step into the foreground. This post has actually been almost 3 years in the making, but we'll come back to that.

Let's get to formalities first. My name is Shaun, but I'll be going by crackerman, because like the song says, “I think I think too much!” I am 39 years old. I currently live in Nebraska, USA, am married, and a father of 2 wonderful men, 1 rambunctious teen, and 1 entertaining 9 year old. That's as far as I'll open that door for now, as I plan on including my family and our WILD exploits in my writing.

Which brings me to the next obligatory section: Interests and inspirations. The world in which we live provides PLENTY of both if your paying attention, and I think most of us are! The actual struggle has been within my “self”. I, by nature, am right-brained. However, by nurture, left brained. As before, let's leave that door only slightly cracked so we have something to discuss further in future posts.

What I will delve into a little further is a combination of both previous paragraphs, and in doing so, hopefully bring us around full circle.

In elementary and high school I didn't have a hard time with academia. Things have always just “clicked”, yet a natural curiosity dwelled underneath always making sure to question and analyze things when and where appropriate. But being “smart” wasn't where my heart was. I more looked forward to recess, art, video games, movies, cartoons, legos, etc. I felt so much more fulfillment from being creative! It always felt like this creativity is what fueled my curiosity with academics.

Fast forward to 30 years old. I had felt as though I was settled into myself. I knew what I knew. I had my morals and convictions in place. I was the man I was going to be. Enter my wife. She pushed. She prodded. She pulled me ALL the way out of my “comfort zone”! But I'm doing so, she helped me see who I really was. My boys, unknowingly, joined her in this quest, and together have made me the most assured version of myself to date.

Which finally brings us to 3 years ago. The previous 7 years had been such an introspective journey that reignited a fire, I thought had long been snuffed out. That fire became intensely focused on two things: Content creation and crypto.

I read, researched, and re-read article after article after article, attempting to gain as much knowledge as possible in both of these areas in order to become the “best” content creator the world over. Which in turn would repay me with the biggest gains in crypto for a first timer. But, no matter who, what, or how much I read and researched one very harsh reality kept looking back at me. Each one of these creators had to start from somewhere, and success derives from failure. That's how they learned. That's how you'll learn! This one constant truth manifested itself into self doubt, and therefore I never picked up the proverbial “pen”.

However, it's time to cast self doubt aside, and take the dive! I need to know what I'm truly capable of and STEEM is going to make that happen!

So feel free to join me fellow Steemians, as we discuss virtually any and all aspects of this beautiful world we live in! Life, music, art, movies, family, food, plus so much more.

I look forward to our journey together!

Much love,
Shaun
(crackerman)