For my own sake, I took a look back at what was another wonderful and exciting year. I feel as fortunate as ever.
Below I share some examples of things I’m proud of.
Find my full archives here.
- I became CEO of the company I cofounded.
- I did a whole lot of public speaking.
- I launched a six-month, pop-up weekly storytelling podcast to close out Story Shuffle, culminating in a live recording.
- I threw axes for the first time. I cut down a tree.
- I went on my first writer’s retreat (invited by a friend).
- I took on several house projects, including starting to finish my basement (with my dad) and installing several ceiling fans and light fixtures.
- I went to Miami again for a conference and brought my wife.
- I installed my first circuit breaker (and framed walls myself) for the first time.
- I sold street newspapers with One Step Away for the first time.
- I went on an annual tuxedo bar crawl.
- I went to Ringing Rocks State Park for the first time.
- I road tripped through Oregon, including Crater Lake.
- I shot a compound bow for the first time.
- I went hang-gliding for the first time.
- I learned more about making my French Press coffee (use freshly ground beans! don’t agitate the grounds! decant immediately! time precisely!) after drinking it for several years.
- I won a field day with my coworkers.
- I hosted my first proper concert.
- I played with cocktails at home for the first time. I grew mint for mojitos and mint juleps, I used bitters for old fashioneds, I tried mixes for rouges and even got pretty good at using egg whites for whiskey sours.
- I went to Charleston, South Carolina for the solar eclipse and for a super fun long weekend with friends.
- I went to a Burlesque wrestling match. (And a cool version of Midsummer Night’s Dream)
- I did my first bicycle trip — an overnight, 60-mile, round-trip weekend adventure!
- I was published by McSweeney’s Internet Tendency.
- I reported out a long profile of a complicated self-described investor.
- I went to Lithuania for some reporting.
- I vacationed in Morocco.
- I went to San Francisco to moderate a panel, take some meetings and see my older sister.
- I read a book by a new writer of color each month. (Though I got a little behind)
- I celebrated blogging on this site for 10 years.
- I gave a lightning talk to 400 HR professionals.
