Today is Friday, my favorite day of the week, and I'd like to write a THANK YOU post to some very special people. I'd love to take the time today to express my gratitude to the amazing people who made my journey on Steemit possible.

![! 1 rainbow man THANK YOU.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbpLczX3oNPsENVb7jYuaY6qyfCiYEggNNm99pu1kMerj/!%201%20rainbow%20man%20THANK%20YOU.jpg)


As Steemit platform gathers momentum I, the silly Janny boy, finally realize the life changing aspect of it. "If" is not my favorite word. Pardon me if I'm being rude, but we have a saying in Czech that I like. It goes something like this: "IF MY AUNTIE HAD BALLS, I'D HAVE AN UNCLE.." But the doesn't and never will. That's how useful "if" is while looking at the past. But I'll say it for the sake of the article: 

"IF ONLY I REALIZED THE POTENTIAL OF STEEMIT WHEN I JOINED IN AUGUST 2016 I'D BE LAUGHING NOW".

But I didn't of course, it took me 4 months to publish my second article! But I am still laughing, because at least, I did not give it up entirely and although "late", I did come back with a (little) bang :) 

## <center>And that I owe to some very precious people...</center>

# <center>Beginning with Randy Hilarski @hilarski</center>

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Randy is a true hero for me. For some reason, he deemed me good enough to support me from the very beginning. He was actually the one who told me to "get my ass on Steemit and fast", to use his words precisely, it was something like this: "Your paintings kick ass and steemit needs more artists. You paint so much if you just post one painting a day you are set for months on a row, so just do it you dummy!" You just gotta love the guy. I wish I obeyed, but then we going again to the story of balls of my auntie... I eventually did and Randy always supported me and continues doing so. 

For those who do not follow Randy @hilarski yet, make yourself a favor and do so now. His crypto articles will keep you informed about tons of stuff, great ICO picks that might change your life, important moves, up and coming coins and so much more. Randy is also a fresh father of Maximus, the beautiful newborn son of him and @anahilarski , his wife and another amazing blogger, in both English and Spanish community. 

Randy is super respected at Steemit and crypto community in general, while being super humble and generous. Follow him!

### <center>Thank you for getting my ass on Steemit Randy brother!</center>

![dbet panama.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWvRmv8RmPFhUmGj585uWt3jmHgMk6vo9jrVjAtw7E3Td/dbet%20panama.jpg)
*Me and Randy and few whales at Decent Bet ICO in Panama, first time we met!*

# <center>Second I bow to today is Jochen @lichtblick!</center>

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Jochen was the DUDE who commented on my first article on Steemit in August 2016 and challenged me to prove my identity by posting a picture with date and steemit logo, which I actually complied to, thanks God, because thanks to that I gained a new amazing trustworthy and generous supporter, and later on a friend for life.
Thanks to Jochen I got to better understand how steemit works and his permanent support made it much easier for me to see results. 

### <center>@lichtblick has the kindest hearts and he changed lives of many steemians by constant support so make sure to follow him! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do brother Jochen!</center>

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPHxPezDbUCYSaUkhdbYniuDv7vHz9qLCSsyt8NpGmLeX/image.png)

*This is his comment of my first article and my response to it. As you can see, I earned mindblowing 6 cents on my first article, which was very motivating:) Later on Jochen told me that after reading my article he thought it was the most undervalued quality article he ever read, which I really appreciated:)*

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcFvRqB2DoErSoXGdBjoyW6AyFqLkgubGp6Ur5vQD2126/image.png)

I met Jochen in person in Prague in December 2016 and that's we really became close friends. He traveled all the way from Berlin to meet me and @gladysmak, so sweet! You can read about that adventure here:

https://steemit.com/christmas/@jankasparec/steem-n-gold-in-prague-merry-christmas-in-jeseniky-and-harley-the-beach-pig

We met second time in Prague half a year later, and this time I had a "whale" present for him. You can read about that here:


https://steemit.com/steemit/@jankasparec/steemit-trio-in-prague-how-i-crossed-the-planet-with-whale-as-hand-luggage

![! jochen jan prague.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQme3Xw1eg8xJmG9iZJHGVL3i44trSktxw9FsX9tCc62pip/!%20jochen%20jan%20prague.jpg)
*Me and Jochen in Prague summer last year.*

![!!.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYTeK47HQyRDY4YXGpUabf5B7zrCUUctPKNB8qrdgEz1o/!!.jpg)

*Together with @gladysmak, my sweetheart who writes amazing posts about Hong Kong and flying around the world, so make sure to follow her too!*

I just had a video call with Jochen today. We talk life, love and crypto. This is a friendship for life.


# <center>Last thank you today goes out to the true musketeer @lukestokes!</center>

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I got to know Luke in our secret crypto trading group, which is kinda hard to get in. We all know each other and the quality of content posted there is, I dare say, stellar!  Luke got in for an obvious reason: he is as sharp as it gets. In many different areas, but as far as we're concerned- he is an amazing  crypto analyst. Besides that he is a true rebel against dysfunctional establishment, very active blogger, a steemit witness, programmer, amazing father and person with REAL VALUES. 

Luke is in my opinion the "highest quality content Whale" I ever saw on Steemit. He is also extremely just and true to the honorable principles. He speaks his truth and he is not afraid to flag BS even if it means to challenge another whale. 

Luke happens to be the only whale that supports me on regular basis, and from a guy like him, who I admire and love not because of his #7-reputation or steempower but because of who he is and the values he embodies, and for that....

### <center>...I am infinitely grateful!</center>

## <center>Make sure to follow @lukestokes and vote for him as witness. IMHO it doesn't get better than Luke as far as quality content and honorable values go!</center>

Last but not least, big shoutout to my love @gladysmak to be the sweetest person who always supports me and who sticks around here although she is severely undervalued on her awesome articles. I love you baby!

 ![1.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmc7au4LrvyvykXShj1cXfDyFdZXRLPRFqN6ndfABx8Yek/1.jpg)

And of course! To all'ya people reading this, blogging, giving an actual shit and posting some real content!! You made this dream of Steemit platform kicking ass real! 

# <center>Much Love To All Of You!</center>

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Thank you for commenting, upvoting, resteeming!

Big Hugs,

Jan
follow @jankasparec

![! hanes microcosm.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmS7i9yNDcsxVFv3TJrW73AdYx3dw5rmXArAouPKThgK4Z/!%20hanes%20microcosm.jpg)