5 Will Get You 40

Five years ago, in February 2021, I joined Vocal. I had been looking for an outlet for my pandemic-fueled frustration, a way to work through the grief of yet ANOTHER employer declaring bankruptcy, and seeking the solace of putting my thoughts and experiences into words again.

I had no patience for pruning my WordPress blog and the ease of writing on the Vocal platform was appealing.

Side note: Unless you also wrote on earlier Vocal you won't understand this, but: I missed the direct feedback I had on the blog since Vocal had not commenting functionality then. That, dear reader, is one of the biggest reasons there are Vocal Facebook groups and why one of those is one I created.

• In March of 2021 I made my relationship with Vocal 'Vocal +' official and became a paying member of the platform.
• In 2023 I rewrote the Creator 101 resources and added a few of my own to the selection. (Given the exciting plans for Vocal that Justin shared recently I will need to update these resources again!)
• Also in 2023 I withdrew my Vocal earnings and then paid to become a Vocal Investor.
• 2023 was a busy year for me personally and professionally but I STILL got irritated enough to create a resource to help Vocal users identify AI-created content USING the ACTUAL AI-CREATED CONTENT ON VOCAL! But did I catch flak on that, let me tell you! All 12 chapters are linked in the opening piece below.

Ready for another aside? I just checked and ALL of the pieces I included in the You Can Find It! guide are still on Vocal. When I wrote about them I made a comment on each piece like the one below, explaining the policy. I also reported them as non-disclosed AI content. THEY ARE STILL UP 3 YEARS LATER.

• 2024 was rough, both for me and for some of the people that regularly read my content on Vocal. I decided to investigate the basis for political rhetoric and also the plans and backing for those running for office. Did I 'lose' readers? Yes. Did that make me sad? I don't know: I was so sad already I'm not sure I can judge how much more that loss added to the whole thing, but I missed them I missed the interaction and the normality of things. Would I do it again? YES. I do not regret being Vocal on Vocal.
• 2025 is kind of a blur, honestly. Working through disaster in my day job as I helped people reeling from 2024 hurricanes and 2025's LA fires, preparing for working from home as my spouse underwent three separate medical procedures, and figuring out how to pressure can and build a pantry as I faced the cold hard facts that, ultimately: he and I are alone as we age and need to get prepared to care for ourselves accordingly. Also: see the United States circa 2025 through today. Lots of practical stuff, poetry, and a loose series starting to appear in my writing regarding life for 'Jessica' and 'Karl' which might become a book.
• 2025 was when I also embraced again the practice of entering Vocal's writing Challenges. I did some even though it felt awkward and pushed me into themes I don't naturally enjoy. If you haven't jumped in consider doing that during the latest batch: as of this writing there are ELEVEN open Challenges. You can even suggest Challenge ideas here.

So what does all of that have to do with the '40' in my title? This week I hit 40,000 views on my Vocal content.

What does that mean? Well- there are no more level-bonuses as there were in 2023 (If I remember correctly, it was $20 if you made 10,000 views? Justin@Vocal would be able to correct me on that, but those are now long gone. (And I think that is GOOD; imagine the gaming and bots if that persisted!)

I saw the reads increasing (albeit at a slower level than in years past because (lean in- here comes a secret!) you actually need to CREATE CONTENT in order to have people READ IT! I KNOW! RIGHT?!?) I have slowed in my posting lately, just as I have slowed in my interactions with other Writer/Creators. None the less I noticed an arbitrary milestone approaching with the same fascination I had with my Toyota Corolla when it flipped over to 200,000 miles: I wonder how long reads on Vocal will take to hit 40,000?

May 2, 2026 is the answer. I hit exactly 40,000 reads on May 2, 2026.

What will that change? What is the impact? Well, so far it has lead to some thankful remembrances of the past 5 years (5 will get you 40), resolve to enter 11 more Challenges soon, intent to do better with reading/commenting/interaction, and a distraction from the nervousness of a trip to New York City next month for the 30th Anniversary of an organization I helped found 30 years ago and with which I am currently employed.

That's a lot. Is it all? Nah. Baby; I'm just getting started. Please come along for the ride. I still have a lot of miles left.