Come on a journey with me...

I've dipped my toes in the wonderful witness water.

Did I say wonderful water?

Here's a better description:

I stuck my face into a red ant hill of servers and nodes and they're biting my eyeballs.

But it's been beautiful.
In the same way a savage workout hurts, but you love it.

It's like when you scale a mountain in the scorching sun.
It's all worth it when you summit and sit for a scenic lunch.

I've met kind souls who've helped me on my journey.
Like Samwise... others like Gollum.
Funny thing is I've barely left the Shire.

Actually, I just got sent back to my hobbit house to look at the map again.

Here's where I am.
I've nearly set up a witness node 1000 times. (Rough estimate)
I would guess I set up more near-witness nodes than anyone in the month of July.

I kept failing. I tried everything. I almost wore out Google with searches.

Finally, I realized I running the wrong server.
I somehow miscommunicated my order at the VERY 1'ST STEP.
AHHHHHH!

That's basically like Frodo forgetting the ring at home, then running all the way to Rivendell before realizing.

The bright side. I'm home at the Shire.

Ready to roll again. I'm waiting for my new server.
I'm eagerly anticipating taping my eyelids open and jamming my face back in the anthill ASAP.

I've found that anything in life that is good is hard.
The people you meet and the things you learn about yourself along the way are the real treasure.

Thank you, witnesses, @brandonfrye, @sapphic, & @timcliff for helping me carry the ring this far.
I really appreciate all your time and support.

@brandonfrye has exchanged hundreds of messages to help along the way.

The best thing I've learned about witnesses is how hard they work behind the scenes to support your blockchain and each other.

They're an impressive group of people, working tirelessly to maintain Steemit.
I'm honored to add my part.
Cheers,
Brandon @happymoneyman