Hi. My name is Draven Xarcell Vestatt from North Carolina USA. I am fumbling with what to say in my introduction to the Hive Community, simply because I am a private person and I don't like to talk about myself or family. So I hope the Hive community can appreciate what I am about to share...
PERSONALITY
First, I am a very opinionated guy who loves to discuss ideas. I like to sit around in my spare time creating things and improving designs on existing systems. Although, I am not much for gossip or small talk. Actually, come to think of it, I really don't talk much at all. Not unless I really have something to say.
People who meet me consider me to be quiet, polite, and well mannered. The ones that actually get to know me, find me to be compassionate, understanding, respectful, and complicated.
Some people may find me to be disagreeable. I really hate that, but I like to think it is because I am capable of questioning things. I like to do my own research on an idea or topic before coming to a conclusion. Everything in life has its PROS & CONS, and I believe a wise person can see this no matter how trivial the subject matter is.
EDUCATION
I am mostly self-educated and avid learner. I took several community college classes, but never earned a degree. However, I have earned several certifications & diplomas in various aspects and industries ranging from Public Notary to Clinical Hypnotherapy(yes, this is a real thing that is accredited and has a US federal job code number).
WORK EXPERIENCE
I have professional work experience in major big-box retail(12yrs), business development & branding(4yrs), project management(2yrs), documentation writing(100+), web hosting(5yrs), front-end web development(15yrs), graphic design(8yrs), and photography(4yrs).
PERSONAL PROJECTS
I have several personal projects that I work on in my spare time, such as my own CSS & XML framework, a universal language, a modular board game, and a private project that consumes most of that time. However, I don't currently earn a living on any of these projects and I don't know if any of them will ever be fully completed.
EMPLOYMENT
I used to own my own business that offered web hosting, web design, graphic design, photography, and helped get small businesses online. After 16 years(2005-2021), I had to let this go due to health reasons. I was recently diagnosed(Apr2021) with Parkinson's Disease and this is the first time I have said it publicly, so I hope the Hive community can respect that. Typing with both hands has become almost impossible for me and slow.
CHARITY
I have put in thousands of hours into Free Open Source Software(FOSS) projects. I have helped direct local community blood drives that have raised about 200+ pints that saves up to 600 lives, food drives that has raised about 2+ tons, and book drives that has raised 1000+ for schools.
Since 2017, I have volunteered as a on-call cook at my local county Hospice & Palliative Care facility where I work 13 hour shifts 1-5 days a month, covering other employee vacation and sick days.
FAMILY
My family consists of an amazing wife whom I adore from Cebu Philippines, and I have two daughters. One is an adult now, and the other is still a teenager. I have 4 brothers with one being recently deceased and another who was born deaf. I do know sign language, but I am quite rusty.
HOBBYS
I enjoy watching movies & shows from every genre except maybe musicals. I like music from every genre, but mostly electronic. I also play AAA video games on the big screen, not on PC or on mobile devices.
WHY AM I HERE?
I was doing some research on censorship-free, decentralized, and privacy oriented applications when I found out about DBLOG. From there I found out about Hive. I am new to blockchain technologies and can't say I understand it, yet. Hive seems promising, but I am not sure how I feel about it. I think it has some great ideas, but I also find it confusing and overwhelming. I am thankful for how friendly the community has been thus far.
SPECIAL THANKS
I would personally like to thank @traciyork & @lovesniper for pointing me in the right direction as a new Hive member. Thank you.