1,680 days ago I created my Hubski account. My friend Mark had been telling me about this website he visited called reddit for some time and I never really gave it a try. Then, one day he told me about how he created a site called Hubski, and it was what he had hoped reddit could be. It was specifically for high quality content, the kind of posts that challenge your thinking and introduce you to new ideas. And, it only had an "up vote." (ask mk for old screenshots, they're a trip to see now)

I signed up but I was a bit intimidated that the content I would share wouldn't be high-integrity enough. I was pretty leery of posting at first. When I joined there were only a few regulars on the site. cgod, steve, mike and alpha0 were users that I would interact with regularly. Then b_b, lessismore, fr33lunch, scrimetime, scarp and others came by...oh and kleinbl00 of course.

But back to 1650 days ago...

About a month after I joined Hubski as a user (thenewgreen), Mark (now mk to me) asked me to join him on Hubski as his partner. We were already becoming friends, but little did I know that this invitation would foster one of the strongest friendships I've made in my adult life.

We were out to dinner with our wives and Mark asked if I'd like to join him on his "project." I said yes and shared with him my idea to have the Hubski logo be the sharing and voting mechanism. -Still my biggest contribution to the site from a functional standpoint, imo.

As for our friendship, it's crazy how much I've shared in life with Mark because of Hubski. We have hundreds of the same friends. We have shared in the "influxes" that come and we have worked together and seen each other almost every Monday night for the last 4+ years. We work very well together. Our strengths compliment each others weaknesses. Though Mark will be quick to tell you that I have no weaknesses. Such is his regard for me.

I don't know about you, but I find that as an adult it's much harder to forge close friendships. It's actually easier for me to make substantive friendships on Hubski than it is IRL.

It's amazing to me how much I have shared of myself on this site over the years. Recently, when back in MI, I was having dinner with mk and gq and in a sincere, but perhaps odd gesture, I asked that in the event of my untimely death, mk visit my kids once a year and tell them about me. That's how much I trust him. That's how much I feel like he knows me. Why? Because of Hubski. I asked that he give my kids access to my Hubski account when they're old enough to appreciate it.

Ideally, he will NEVER have to do that, but anyways, I know that if it came to it, he would.

So, to all of you Hubskiers out there, thank you for your friendship. I've enjoyed the last 1,680 days very much. mk, I am very glad you invited me to be a part of this. As for Hubski, I've been kind of a shitty friend lately, in that I've been absent from the site. I shall return to my once prolific ways, I promise. Also, I have good reason for my absence. I can't wait to share it with you all!

Your friend,

-Steve