Thoughts on 2022 ??

Happy New Year from the?Virunga?Lodge in Rwanda where I'm trekking to?see the mountain gorillas! What an amazing place to finish what has been an exciting year. As many of you know, I like to start the year giving an update on what I've been up to, and I'd love to hear from you as well!?

In no particular order, this is what made 2022 memorable for me:

1. ?Marathon – last year at this time I had never run a 1/2 marathon but I shared with all of you a goal to run my first full one. I was able to run quite a bit in the winter,?ran my first 1/2 marathon in May, and later?completed my first full marathon in October. Finishing was such an emotional experience as I mentally and physically pushed way beyond what my body was wanting to do, but I was proud to have gotten it done. Upon finishing I thought, "well this is done, no need to ever do another one," but as so many runners experience, within weeks I was already thinking about doing another. No promises for 2023, but I might just try for a second!
2. ?Josh.ai – it's hard to succinctly put into words how exciting 2022 was for?Josh.ai. For those who don't know, Josh.ai is a company Tim Gill and I founded in 2015 with a goal of using AI and cutting edge technology to transform the smart home. We saw record numbers, amazing partnerships, and so much growth I am borderline burnt out. That said, I am excited to get back next week and kick off what I know will be our?best year yet!
3. ?Turning 35?– On December 17th I celebrated my birthday with a trip to Napa and?my first hot air ballon ride! I think I can officially say I am no longer in my early 30's, and while I don't get caught up too much with?age, I am definitely noticing a different rhythm than in my 20's. Professionally I feel confident, I am starting to feel like I have some real world experience, but I am also genuinely excited to try new things and experience all life has to offer.
4. ? Provincetown – in case you didn't know, I am officially a resident of Provincetown, MA where I spend?a good portion of my year. Originally being from the east coast, there's something about the weather, the people, the energy, and the community that feels really at home. In addition to a?local running group,?fun on the boat, and?bonfires with friends, I am starting to get to know the town and the community in a way that feels really special. I recently joined the board for a local non-profit called?Twenty Summers?that's doing some exciting cultural work. If you get a chance to visit Ptown, definitely send me note and let's meet up!
5. ?Pickleball – if you haven't played pickleball yet, you're missing out! Truly one of my favorite new sports, I've been able to play in Ptown, LA, Denver, Palm Springs, and even at a ranch in Napa! Just?click through these goofy photos?and tell me this doesn't look fun. If you play, let me know and I'd love to play when we're in the same town!
6. ?Brian – I am very happy to share the wedding plans are back on, now aiming for spring of 2023. We will have?been together for 10 years?by then, and the relationship continues to get deeper. We started the year with a spontaneous?trip to the Grammys?(my first black tie function since COVID started), honored?Brian with a big awards night?in San Francisco, and later in the year we got to see Elton John perform at the?White House. We are together in Rwanda today and will enjoy a trip to Aspen later in January. I am so excited for this partnership and to officially tie the knot soon!?
7. ?Travel – you can probably tell by now I have been blessed with the opportunity for good travel.?Serving on the CEDIA board, I was able to attend ISE in Barcelona earlier in the year. My business partner, Tim Gill, is living in Switzerland for a few years and I was able to?visit the country for my first time?in 2022. Domestically I was able to visit the White House?not once,?but twice, was was a real treat! And this trip to go trekking with the mountain gorillas has been a long time goal and I am so excited to?be here now!?
8. ?Art – while I've always loved art, in 2022 I started more seriously collecting from some of my favorites. At this point I am mostly collecting editions with a focus on?abstract minimalism in black and white?(with some color). Some additions have included Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Indiana (see the photo below), Joseph Albers, Richard Serra, Ed Ruscha, and more. I need to be careful as this can be addictive, but it's been fun learning more about art and starting to collect in a more serious way.
9. ?Health – after a couple years of COVID it's hard not to reflect on health for a moment. First and foremost I will say I am blessed with good health. The big change for me this year, urged on by both Brian and Tim, was getting a?continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?for better diabetes care. While I resisted this at first, and it's not without its complications, I don't think I could have run the marathon nearly as well without it!?

It has definitely been an eventful 2022 and I look forward to seeing what 2023 has in store! I'd love to hear from you as well. Hit reply and let me know what's new with you or what you have planned for the new year!

All the best,

?- Alex