As with the majority of people, I have been aware of bitcoin and various other cryptos for many years. I was around 18 when I first looked into Bitcoin, and back then, the price was around £50/coin - just around the point where I was thinking, "Hmm, this is a little too expensive for me to afford on my meager waiters wages". Of course, my reasons for obtaining crypto back then were **very** different from my reasons nowadays. I needn't say much more... other than the prospects of having a completely anonymous transaction and parcel of Class A's left in my letterbox back then got me as excited as the prospects of decentralization and blockchain technology's potential does nowadays! ![pexels-photo-208518.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ6sX5MEPmhrM4muS8wTTbCG84hBtM4xjMg3euf5i5ovr/pexels-photo-208518.jpeg) *(Image: Class A Fish Oil Capsules in the mail...)* So, for starters, my blog will be from the point of view of having been aware of cryptos since circa. 2011, to begging to explore and develop an intimate understanding of the rapidly expanding and ever-innovating industry from around May 2017. Join me on this journey to hear my reasons and stories behind exploring certain currencies; see my first attempts (and successive attempts) at building mining rigs - starting with a ~£200 machine up to around the £2500 - £3000 rig(s) I now have running; and more! https://steemitimages.com/DQmTovha5DFE5gKnVzJ8eiYSXeftLyZsY5rNvbjcLyKzmYL/1.png *(Image: Sneak peek of the gumtree miner...)* I come from the structural engineering and architecture industry and have strong passion for building, architectural and energy innovation. It is probably for these reasons and my dreams of a better global society that I have became so invested in the ideology and potential of blockchain. If these sound like topic which also tickle your interests, don't be afraid to follow or contact me. I am always happy to discuss anything I have learned with others as it is definitely one of the best ways to reinforce your own learning! To cut what is becoming a post longer than I wanted it to be short, this is my first time trying out Steemit and I must say the concept and innovation behind the platform is truly inspired. I believe this implementation of blockchain is testament to the versatility of the overarching technology we are all quickly becoming a part of and perhaps in the future, people will look back and recognise this incorporation of social media and blockchain as one of society's first successful steps toward bringing the technology to the masses. Tl;dr - **Reasons to follow include:** * Entry-to-mid level Crypto discussion * Mining rig build logs * Opinions on how blockchain might shape our future from a young Scottish man's perspective * Shameless plugs for my creative friends - Graphic Design & Craft * Interesting pieces of engineering or architecture which I come across in day to day life * Topical discussions on Scotland which may not be to the liking of unionists - you have been forewarned! ### Thank you for taking the time to read my first post, and hello! Let's talk!