Introduction aka About me

Hello Steemians!

Your responses to my first blog post exceeded all my expectations! I really appreciate the support and advice I received from this community. I’m having fun responding to all the comments, checking out the recommendations, and voting for the witnesses. While I was trying to come up with ideas for my next post, I came across something I had started over a year ago for my introduction. LOL, I’m so unorganized..ADD strikes again..but I finished it up, and posted it anyway! Check this weeks post off my to do list! Yay me!

here it is:

Hello, my name is Laura Shrout, and I live in Davenport Iowa. What I hope to accomplish with this blog is:

  1. Learning how to write. I have a lot of thoughts in my head that I always think somebody else might want to hear.
  2. I would like to learn to produce content that is educational and entertaining.
  3. I'd like to open up about some of my challenges that I've experienced throughout my career.

My career background is quite diverse. I started out in my teens as a cook. I made breakfast for many farmers, truckers, and Lake of the Ozarks weekenders in a small, rural, south-western Missouri town. By my mid-twenties I was working in various factories, but the eighties were tough and layoffs were common. I did that for a few more years, and when the wire and cable factory that I was working at closed down in 88, I was a bartender for a little bit. I really hated dealing with drunks in that small town, so I started back to college at a small vo-tech school in 91, and graduated in 97 with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Technology. While I was in college I worked in the lab, as a professor's assistant, and as a tutor. My final semester, I was hired by Hewlett-Packard as a Customer Engineer. I worked there for 12 years, and then in June of 2009 I was part of the dot com bust casualties.

After I got laid off I was able to draw unemployment for a couple of years, however it wasn’t enough to cover the mortgage, so I lost my home to foreclosure. I went all over the place for interviews, but no one was hiring a half deaf, late 40 something female, with a background in proprietary HP hardware. I tried to start my own repair business, but a lack of money for training made it impossible for me to compete.

The repair business wasn't paying the bills so I jumped back into the kitchen at a local restaurant that was focused on cooking from scratch. That was a lot of fun at first, but my hearing impairment caused problems on the line during busy lunch and dinner rushes. There were also some ableist co-workers who considered me inferior and not worth my position. Fighting them was not worth my time and energy so I moved on to other kitchens. Not much different, except for the bosses. I did this for a couple years, then I started picking up odd jobs cleaning, and other gig jobs like mystery shopping, gas station audits, etc.. It was pretty tough trying to cobble together a living wage to pay bills with so many different jobs.

In January of 18 I started working for a local restaurant delivery company. In March, I started with Instacart. By summer of 18, I was also doing Grubhub, Doordash, and Shipt. I was loving those jobs! Pretty flexible, and paid the bills and I was getting plenty of work. By December, I was able to get a loan to buy a 2011 Honda CRV 4WD, which I now drive. I was so lucky to get this car, it was very low mileage and looks like new. I was so excited that I signed up to drive for Uber and Lyft. I now drive exclusively for Uber, it’s my favorite, and after all the different gigs and such and spreading myself thin to manage them all, it’s so nice to just focus on one gig that I can do well.

Now that I have my income somewhat stable, I feel I can focus on becoming healthier. Part of my journey in self growth, is to pick up some healthy hobbies. I’m sure that writing and learning about crypto trading will fill that bill. I’ll be writing more about what I’ve learned so far in my next blog entry!

peace out y'all!

Laura, the hustler



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Welcome to Steem @laurashrout.

Do read A thumb rule for steemit minnows - 50:100:200:25 for starter tips.

Spend time reading Steem Blue Paper to know how Steem blockchain works and if you still have any queries ask them on our Ask me anything about Steemit post and we will try to answer that.

You can earn Steem rewards for reading and sharing your insights using our Highlights Extension

All the Best!!!

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Welcome to Steemit laurashrout. The official FAQ can be found here and has A LOT of information https://steemit.com/faq.html - Also remember, Steemit is just ONE of the sites built that uses Steem the blockchain. You should also check out DTube and DSound for starters and if you're a gamer, Splinterlands! There are many other cool apps but I can't list them all here, there's just too many! But I'd also like to mention Steempeak, it's a better blogging platform that has a lot of cool features. The latest project you should also check as a new member is a palnet! Welcome to the blockchain! :) Oh, and if you're interested in creating your own tokens or smart contracts, check Steem engine!

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Wow, that is a ton of great information!! I'll be sure to check all that out! Thanks so much! So fascinating!

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Hey laurashrout! If you would like to make your personal feed contain the top trending media and talking points of the whole internet, consider following @coffeebreak and @topicstoday accounts - And welcome to Steem!

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I'll most definitely check it out! Thanks!

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Welcome to Steemit laurashrout. The official FAQ can be found here and has A LOT of information https://steemit.com/faq.html - Also remember, Steemit is just ONE of the sites built that uses Steem the blockchain. You should also check out DTube and DSound for starters and if you're a gamer, Splinterlands! There are many other cool apps but I can't list them all here, there's just too many! But I'd also like to mention Steempeak, it's a better blogging platform that has a lot of cool features. The latest project you should also check as a new member is a palnet! Welcome to the blockchain! :) Oh, and if you're interested in creating your own tokens or smart contracts, check Steem engine!

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Dear @laurashrout,

Welcome to the community! You made an awesome start here, I like your intro and so you have my support. Please keep sharing great contents that you feel passionate about.


As part of our on-boarding & welcoming initiative, we have curated your intro post. In addition, we will also feature your post to one of our daily curation post to introduce you to the Photocircle community.

Cheers!
@photocircle


PC comment footer 02.png

Learn about this new photo curation project by clicking >here<


Alternatively, you may also check on the latest article about our on-boarding initiative by clicking >here <

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Hey, I am going to be checking this out later! I've got some ideas for some posts, but I need to go do some photography first lol! Thanks for your support!

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Good to hear that :) Feel free to mention @photocircle to your post so it will be easier for me to find it. Cheers!

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Hey there! Welcome to Steem! Where did you first hear this platform from?

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I am really trying to figure that out. LOL. I have another account that was created in November 2017, and that is when I first heard of Steem. Maybe I was following a political writer? Anywho, I am really good at getting distracted from my original intentions, and was able to get an account created somehow. Most likely by some friendly Steemian trying to promote the platform.

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Now that I think about it, I believe I created an account to sell stuff on the marketplace here. Is there a classified ads section?

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Welcome to Steemit laurashrout!

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Welcome to Steemit laurashrout. The official FAQ can be found here and has A LOT of information https://steemit.com/faq.html - Also remember, Steemit is just ONE of the sites built that uses Steem the blockchain. You should also check out DTube and DSound for starters and if you're a gamer, Splinterlands! There are many other cool apps but I can't list them all here, there's just too many! But I'd also like to mention Steempeak, it's a better blogging platform that has a lot of cool features. The latest project you should also check as a new member is a palnet! Welcome to the blockchain! :) Oh, and if you're interested in creating your own tokens or smart contracts, check Steem engine!

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The hybrid between education and entertainment is the secret to engaging and shaping culture, the future. So, I like what you are saying. I'm from Oregon. I'm not been to Iowa. Someday maybe. Welcome to Steemit. Upvoted. Resteemed.

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Thanks for your support and comment. That's so interesting that you would say that, because I firmly believe that statement! I've been to Oregon a time or two or three. Beautiful place! Great brews!

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It would be nice to replace UBER and give the drivers a larger cut through technology like the Steem blockchain / free software. Great opportunity exists within Steem today. Welcome.

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I TOTALLY agree with you!!! I wish someone was doing this. Sign me up if they are.

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Congratulations @laurashrout! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

You got more than 10 replies. Your next target is to reach 50 replies.

You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

You can upvote this notification to help all Steem users. Learn how here!

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Welcome Laura,
to the Steemit platform, Yes its happening you are a steemian now. I am warm welcoming you as a new user. And you receive this message because you used the #introduceyourself tag!

I was welcomed with good advice too when I started so here i am. I know that steemit may seem very overwhelming right now but don't worry. After a few blog you will be the best blogger and contributor.
If you have any questions just ask your questions on any of my blog posts and I'll be more than happy to assist you with whatever questions you may have!
I may know the answer. But very important I recommend you to never give up any off your passwords they are yours ! Please for safety tips read and visit the white paper.
To easy post use Partiko and to control your account use Steemify.
https://steemit.com/busy/@exyle/using-steemify-to-stay-up-to-date-about-the-blockchain-like-project-destiny-please-consider-blockbrothers-for-your-witness-vote The Steemify App I use is great, it is available in the Appstore and its Free.
It gives you insight on what is happening in your account.
Maybe great to join Steemterminal in Discord and visit @heyhaveyamet to See more newcomers onboard.
Here is what we do :
https://steemit.com/heyhaveyamet/@heyhaveyamet/meet-the-hhym-and-the-steem-terminal-crew-part-one-hhym

We got alot of mwnwbers from the usa so thats a connection already. Come and join its so much fun!
Good Luck, Have fun and I wish you loads of success on here! :)
GREETZ from Holland
Britt

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Britt, thanks so much for your reply! I'll be sure to check out the links you gave me, so much information! I'll look for you on discord, as well!

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I am so glad you landde in the terminal i am going there now to interact

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Welcome to the Steemit community @laurashrout!
We sincerely hope you find everything you are looking for here and have found a new home here.

Seven suggestions:

  1. Guard your passwords carefully, and only publish with the posting key,
  2. Use your active key only for wallet transactions and steemconnect,
  3. The master password is only used to reset compromised passwords,
  4. DO NOT lose your passwords; copy and store offline,
  5. Do not publish other people's work, be it photos or written, without credit,
  6. An introduceyourself tag is used only once, and
  7. When you open your steemit.com, in the upper right corner of the page there are 3 bars. Click on those, and then on the "welcome", and you will get a lot of reading material that will help you.

I found you because @xcountytravelers and @brittandjosie from @heyhaveyamet presented and promoted your publication to get more exposure and help you grow faster.

If you find yourself overwhelmed and need some guidance, or if you have any questions, there are informed Steemians available who can help you; you can click to go to the Steem Terminal in Discord here:

SteemTerminalBanner.jpg

Have fun and happy Steeming!

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wow! You have lived a life!

thanks for sharing...

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Congratulations @laurashrout!
Your post was mentioned in the Steem Hit Parade for newcomers in the following category:

  • Comments - Ranked 3 with 26 comments

I also upvoted your post to increase its reward
If you like my work to promote newcomers and give them more visibility on the Steem blockchain, consider to vote for my witness!

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Hello, Welcome to Steemit. I would also like to welcome you to Snax ecosystem 🙋‍♀

According to https://snax.one/, Snax is a blockchain platform that has been created for people to receive rewards for their social activities (e.g. your day-to-day activities on Steemit).

If you like, you are welcome to get FREE SNAX Tokens by following @corenet and commenting the latest post from @corenet 🙏

Link: https://steemit.com/snax/@corenet/get-free-snax-tokens


Get FREE SNAX Tokens 💰 from Snax BP sweden
Snax-ML1.png

Rules/Conditions:
👉 Step 1: Follow the steemit account @corenet
👉 Step 2: Write a comment to the latest published post by @corenet

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HAPPY TO HEAR IT'S MORE STABLE! HI, IM FRANCESCA @PRETTYNICEVIDEO MAYBE YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT THE #FREEWRITE TAG. LOTS OF GOODIES TO GET YOURSELF INTO. GOOD LUCK AND IF YOU EVER HAVE QUESTIONS, JUST ASK!

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@laurashrout

That was quite a post!!

You have experienced that "living" that many of us older folks know ALL about. A Small town in the Ozarks you say? Interesting... I am around an hour and something away, from the State Capitol in Jefferson City, MO...
It's a small world after all... I am glad to see you are finally being able to get things sorted... or at least "attempt" to anyway. Conversely... good to see you found us at the @steemterminal, as we are always willing to do all we can, to help both new... as well as current Steemians, with answers to questions... providing great information, sources, and at no extra cost (lol) a humorous, but positive environment to be in. I wish you continued success in what EVER you decide to do here...

Wes...

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