Scientist, rockhound, sarcastonaut

Hi Steemians!

I joined almost 3 weeks ago and have been lurking in he shadows, getting to know some of the communities on this great platform. I feel I've lurked long enough now and feel I can start offering some quality content. I'm not the type to go on about myself, I'd rather talk about things and ideas that interest me. How about a brief introduction and then I'll talk about what brought me here, m'kay?

A Bit 'bout Me
My name is Jaime. I'm married with a crazy cool 5 year old girl and another on the way. I'm finishing up my Master's Thesis in geology (I love those ore deposits), while I work as a GIS technician for the water department. We lived in Washington for the last three years and moved back to Texas last summer. I'm interested in all areas of science, technology, and creative expression. I'm also a entry level drone and cryptocurrency enthusiast.

My background is in hard rock geochemistry. I'm fascinating with the migration of elements through the Earth from its birth until now. I've had the pleasure of going on many a great field trip and study the chemistry of minerals using lasers. Pew Pew! I decided to start studying ore deposits as a graduate student because of a deep love of minerals and crystals.

What's in it for me?
I started getting curious about Steemit and cryptos in general watching videos from @davidpacman, @pressfortruth, and UFDtech on Youtube. They helped demystify the world of cryptos for me while helping me realize how accessible they are to the general public. Cryptos are great, but it's the rise in block-chain applications that really has me excited. A site that pays you for the quality of content you create, not the amount of ads viewers watch? That's fantastic! The power is back in the hands of the people. I can see the distribution of wealth, culture, knowledge, and art shifting away from corporations and the elite in the next few decades. We live in interesting times.

So everyone hates the daily grind right? Working at some random unfulfilling job, earning much less than their worth. A lucky few find work they like, but still have to sacrifice most of their time when they'd rather be with friends and loved ones. Personally I love my current job, but my salary doesn't even let me pay back student loans on top of bills. But cryptos, though? The new online wild west where a smart investor can make a fortune. A world where most any tech-savy individual can can break into the game. More importantly, a chance for freedom from the rat race. That's the greatness I see in a platform like Steemit. Help build a community, earn some steem, and have fun? Sign me up! It's freedom that brings me here. The freedom to provide a great life for my kids and wife, without having to sacrifice the best years of my life.

What do I bring to the Table?
If I've learned anything from the vets like @nonameslefttouse, @molecular-wizard, and @suesa, it's don't pander and just be yourself.

I want to write some articles about science and technology. I have a lot of knowledge stored in these memory banks about Earth history and how/why rocks form. I have a decent size crystal and mineral collection and hope to show those off as well. I'm a bit of an artist as well. I like to use photoshop to make cool images and I'm getting into writing fiction as well. I'm a big fan of puzzles and riddles, I'd like to start a contest about brain-teasers eventually.

You'll find me hanging out in the steemSTEM section and the occasional art contest. If you see me, feel free to say hi.

Shameless self-plugs
My very first post was yesterday in a contest by @geekpowered. Check it out at this link., I'm rather proud of this entry.

I also wrote a haiku for the fractal writing contest by @nyarlathotep that's rather trippy

Sky rings, swirly things
Minds blown wide, staring up high
Acid rain drops free