Normally I look back on a year and I think “well that was a crock of Benghazi bananas being broken, bashed, bitten, boxed and badly botched”; or “Wow. That was the best ever. Can we replay that year forever?”
2017 had the gall to be both. The year started all sucky like, with not being able to leave the house due to pain. I had to try and find other ways of entertaining myself as the house gets rather confining when you can’t leave.
It reached the stage where I could no longer walk at all and I needed a wheelchair. The doctor arranged for some home physio and Occupational Therapists to come and see me and try and get me back out again.
I found that going and watching people playing games on several gamingย streaming sites kept me entertained, as I could chat with people about things I already knew about. As I chatted more and more, then some of them told me that I should start to think about doing it as well.
I tried a little last year on a different platform – Twitch –ย but it didn’t go too well. So talking with people on Mixer, an “FTL” streaming platform made me think about it more. WIth FTL, there is no delay. In fact, sometimes it comes through so fast, you hear it on the stream before it comes through your headphones where someone in the party has spoken.
I figured I would give it a go. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? I would be happy if I reached 10 followers, although I knew from the outset that 25 was completely out of the question.
With the help of the physio and occupational therapists, I now use my wheelchair very little, and I have even stepped outside my house three times this year. That is a huge win for me. I am hoping to be able to get out of the house at least once a month in 2018.
So then back to the streaming. I started streaming properly in late September and by mid-October, I had beaten my goal of 10 followers dramatically. On 4th November, I reached a milestone of 100 followers. Beginning of December, I reached 200 and I set myself a goal of 300 by the end of the year.
When the flu, or whatever this pandemic is, hit me on Friday, I was on 295 followers. I never stream on a weekend as that is time for family and friends. My kids told me to do so today though. When I turned my laptop on, I was on 297 followers. I started streaming and people arrived to chat and have a giggle. Then one after the other, three people followed me, bringing my total to 300. That impossible target. 30x more than I ever thought I could reach. And then they carried on coming after I signed off. Currently, it stands at 305.
My goal for 2018 is to reach 500 followers. I just hope I haven’t put it so far out of reach that I will never attain it.
So this year, I have gone from being in a wheelchair to being able to walk (to some degree) again and going from having no followers to over 300.
It has definitely been an up and down year.
I hope 2018 is more up for myself, and I hope it is the best year of your lives for the rest of you.
Be safe, be great, be you.
Happy New Year.
Welcome 2018
A Mixed Bag 
Iโm late saying Happy 2018 ๐๐๐ค
It will be good ๐
Happy New Year my friend. I am glad there was a good deal of positive things at the end of the year and you have set forth some great goals in 2018. Keeping a positive mindset is half if not 3/4 of the battle!
Here’s to a great 2018!! ๐ป ๐
The trying to keep positive is, I think, the hardest part. I am looking forward to some easier challenges this year. I have made new friends who are going to be there to help me achieve some of my goals. In fact, my goal for February has already been smashed. I wanted to gain 350 followers by the end of January, and 400 by the end of February. One friend has said that she thinks I will get 500 by March. She said that in December when I hadn’t reached 300. I am now on 447. This is thanks to the people on the platform I am on, and the help they have given me. 2018 is looking hopeful.
Oh, and one of the new friends has said that he wants to try and make me a partner by the end of the year. Which is where I can actually start being recognised by the platform itself for the work. One thing I have had to do though, and that is stop hiding myself away. I have had to put myself in front of a camera.
Wow…that would be amazing! I will pray for THAT!๐
I have just been reading the comments
and found the reason for the mention of
your wheelchair, I am really sorry that I
have not been around here Al as I have
not known anything about this. That is
one of the main things that happens to
us when we stop blogging. I do wish a
much improved and truly happier 2018
for you my fine friend, it is no joke being
unable to do what you liked before, but
Enjoy your streaming, and 500 followers
will increase much further and beyond
this target, that I have no doubts about.
Be well my fine friend ๐
Andro
Glad you are doing much better.
Having no aliments I wasn’t able to leave the house much this winter due to pure cold!
Temps in the teens on night down to 0 not including wind child factors.
I have no idea about streaming. But good luck to you with that venture ๐
Get and stay healthy! Hugs, Jules
Here’s to a healthier 2018 for all of us!
Happy New Year Al. Here’s to Peace, Health and Happiness.
Happy new Year Princess. I hope this year proves to be better than the last.
[ A Raised Eyebrow ] Huh? A wheelchair? What happened?
And, may you have a very blessed 2018.
I hope to see more blog posts from you this year, my friend.
I had an injection that went wrong in 2002 and over the years the back has got worse and worse until end of 2016 when it got to the stage where I couldn’t move.
[ Whispers ] I am very sorry to hear that, Al.
It’s okay. I plan to make 2018 a better year.
Happy New Year Al. Iโve missed you so much, I hope 2018 would give you good health and peace. Take care of yourself.๐๐
Wishing you a great new year which brings more health and getting your walking back again. I know someone who is doing the Twitch thing, not that I know what it all means, nor the other ones you mention. Still I am impressed with your many followers, well done! Have a good day Al, hugs!
Happy New Year, Al! โค๐
Happy New Year Stefania. I hope you have your best year.
Wow, Alastair! I didnโt realize youโd been through such an ordeal. I definitely hope you continue healing and can become more mobile in the coming months.
Yes, letโs hope for a better 2018. Happy New Year to you and your family, Alastair!
Thanks, Alejandro. Things can only look upwards. I am aiming to get out at least once a month this year.
I hope you have a wondrous and magnificent 2018.
Awesome job on the followers and Iโm so glad to hear you are using the wheelchair less and walking and going out whenever you can. Hope u continue to prosper and wishing you a happy New year. Keep gaining followers and finding ways to entertain yourself when youโre stuck inside ๐
Thank you, Mandi. It has been an overwhelming year for me, and I hope your 2018 is a great year for you.
I can imagine Al, it sounds difficult for u. Hereโs hoping 2018 brings you more mobility! Praying for you! ๐๐ฅ
Wow, that’s a lot of followers, good for you! Here’s hoping that 2018 is even better — and just looks up and up and up. Happy new year!
Thank you Joy. I hope your 2018 is one that you will be able to look back on with enjoyment and pride.
Thanks, Al, I hope so too!