So here we are. It’s 2019. We’re almost a month in actually, which is just crazy to think about. It really lets me know just how busy I’ve been as of late. But, here I am. Which means, it’s time for us to play a quick little game of catch-up, that I like to call “wtf has Josh been up to?”
This year has started off in a whirlwind really. But, let’s go back to the close of 2018 for a minute. I’m not going to give a full holiday recap or anything, relax! But, I did want to touch on one little thing.
Through some of the most important years of my life, for the better part of almost seven years really, I was lucky enough to call Chico home. And I will forever do so. When the Camp fire struck the town of Paradise—the beautiful, quaint, perfectly perched up in the mountains town of Paradise—I was… affected. I don’t know what other word to use really. Tragedies happen all around us. But, when they strike so close to home, and hit so many loved ones so directly, it’s different.
My mother actually approached me, and my sister, asking if we would be interested in changing our typical family traditions this year, and instead go up to Chico on Christmas Eve and try and volunteer anywhere they could use some help. We were lucky enough to get in with the Red Cross for a day, serving food and working the shelter, for both those stranded from the fire and the local homeless community. It was a hard thing to see, and I can’t begin to imagine how all of you that are living through this have managed. I was there for a day, and it was almost too much.
Once we were done though, my family let me go on a little trail to reminisce a bit, on my time in my college town, before we left to come home. While my favorite watering hole was closed on Monday, per usual, I was able to stop in the Chico landmark that is Maddison Bear Garden. And here, I was in for a treat. After over a decade, I was able to find my childlike face proudly plastered up on the Mug Club wall still. And it reminded me how important this little place in the world is to me, and how some things will just never change. You can take the boy out of Chico, but Chico will forever remain in this boy.
Christmas had come and gone, and New Year’s approached. Deciding to do something a bit different this year (for the holiday, clearly not in general. If you know me at all, this would be no surprise), I ended up spending the holiday up in Portland and out on the Oregon coast.
I’ve been truly blessed in my life with some incredible friends. Over the years though, the lovely Kortni Bottini went from my old classmate to my coworker, from my PNW connection to my Bay Area bestie. We’ve grown closer and closer over the lat handful of years. But, when she moved to SF, I found in her a gem that you just know you’re lucky to have in your life. A true best friend. So, when she asked if I ‘d want to do Portland, there wasn’t even a question about it.
Spending the week with Kortni, her boyfriend Sam, and Kort’s bestie from her time in NYC Brittani, we rang in 2019 in all sorts of style. From drinks and good eats in a town I’ve really grown to love. Ice hockey to hot tubs, hikes and saloons up in the sky. Feasts fit for a king, to pillow forts and 90’s rom-coms. This wasn’t just a perfect holiday, it was a perfect rest, reset, and vacation from life that we all needed.
Guys. Guess what happened to me. You’ll never guess. * Hears all of you guess “your car broke down?” * MY CAR BROKE DOWN!
Not only did that thing break down, the engine went out. FUN! Actually, I still don’t have it back. But, I do have one of the best humans I’ve ever met to call a friend. The perfect being that is Heather Crockett came in huge for me this year, letting me borrow her beautiful beautiful pickup, while I wait for my Uncle to finish up repairs on my ride.
On the bright side of things with my car though—This “used” engine I’m putting in it only has 1,000 miles, which is insane. And, I put a transmission in it less than six months ago. So, under the hood, the thing is practically brand new. Hopefully ya’ll don’t see any more shots of me towing my car for a long long time.
Speaking of my uncle! He got married!! My Tío David tied the knot to his beautiful bride Lindy just a couple of weeks ago. And, I got to marry them! That’s right, this blog post is actually brought to you my Minister Josh.
There’s not a lot for me to say that I haven’t already said in person, or in another posts of mine somewhere. Just that, to reiterate, this was such an unbelievable honor. Like I said in the address to them during the ceremony, “To be a part of someones wedding, in any way, I view as such a privilege. To be asked to be the person to bring you both together — it is beyond an honor. And one that I am so emphatically thankful to bestow.”
I thank you both, so so much, for choosing me to do this for you two. I love you both, and am honored to be so deeply connected to you for this journey of life you’re taking.
“True love comes when you lose where you end and they begin, and the atoms in your souls forget where they belong, and slowly you become pieces of each other. Too close now to ever be apart.”
And now we’re nearing the close of January! The Super Bowl is just around the corner, which means I’ll be heading up to Truckee to play in the snow a bit with the old Chico crew—a tradition that I get more excited for than any. So, cheers to the new year, and to all that is to come. I look forward to chronicling a bit more of me in 2019. I hope you stay tuned.