async/await syntax

[kumavis]

hello/
happy to help incrementally refactor to async/await syntax
I think this would be valuable even if the external apis are still cb

let me know if its appropriate to start this. i would PR incremental pieces and aim for 0 change in behavior and a focus on more readable code.

[kumavis]

i see there is a standing but aging and significantly conflicting PR here #82

[dirkmc]

Yes, any changes should be made to that PR.

Thanks @kumavis