recover letters

author: Blaise Thompson <blaise@untzag.com> 2021-12-11 10:52:11 -0600
committer: Blaise Thompson <blaise@untzag.com> 2021-12-11 10:52:11 -0600
commit: 4b3ddc412f91bac90e502daf197334ad8b39c2c8 (patch)
tree: b851d4d68cdfe0aacfa9f00c12fbad7db3269b34 /memories/blaise-thompson-letters
parent: 3649126c32fd0c792198025c1032ce7cb81a2c15 (diff)
44 files changed, 1371 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/index.html b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/index.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07c95d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/index.html
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<meta name="viewport" content="width=80ch, initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta charset="utf-8">
+  <title>2014 winter solstice letter</title>
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="../style.css">
+</head>
+<body>
+
+<h1>2014 winter solstice letter</h1>
+
+<p>
+<a href="..">← back to memories list</a>
+<p>
+
+<hr>
+
+<p>
+Blaise sent this letter to friends and family to celebrate the winter holiday season, 2014.
+In addition to this html version, you can also download the letter as sent: <a href="./letter.pdf">PDF</a>.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Winter Solstice Greetings - 2014</h2>
+
+<p>
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a long time I've wanted to start a tradition of sending out yearly letters.
+In this, the 25th year of my life, I've finally gotten around to doing it.
+I'm inspired by my mother, who has been sending out letters since the 80s.
+It's a wonderful way to keep in contact, and it serves as a great personal record.
+It may seem anachronistic now that we have email and social media, but keeping it a physical letter just feels good.
+Please let me know if your address changes (email is probably best) so I can send you letters in future years.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I'm now a fourth year Analytical Chemistry graduate student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
+I do research in the lab of John Wright.
+We do ultrafast, multidimensional spectroscopy of solar materials.
+I'm involved in many projects, but mainly I'm working on BiVO4 and PbSe quantum dots.
+I'll continue this research for another one to two years.
+After that? I'm not too sure yet.
+Grad school has been very fun for me, I really enjoy working in this field and the people that I interact with are all fantastic.
+John in particular is a great mentor personally and scientifically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As a vacation this year mom and I went out to California by car, primarily to visit bay area relatives.
+It was an all-around stellar experience.
+Driving from Wisconsin to California takes a long time, but the geography is stunningly beautiful.
+Highlights included clouds in Nebraska, Big Trees, Yosemite, and the Bonneville salt flats.
+The bay area itself was also beautiful, of course.
+It's crazy to realize that I haven't  been out to see that side of the family since Grandma Betty's funeral in 2005.
+Will have to make a concerted effort to go out west more often.
+Perhaps I'll have to swallow my pride and get on a plane.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./me.JPG">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+Our family cat, Untzag, died unexpectedly in October of this year.
+She was run over by a car.
+Vehrzheen, the family dog, is geriatric and probably not long for this world.
+2015 will probably be the first year in my life without a family dog or cat.
+Ridgeback, my turtle, is still going strong.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Madison continues to be a great city for me.
+I take advantage of it less then I should.
+I'm going out to eat and grab drinks more in recent months.
+The folk community here is very active, and I was able to dance weekly for most of the year.
+I've been taking a break from contradance over the last several months, but plan to dance again come January.
+I was able to see Yelle and Of Montreal in the same month this fall.
+Both were absolutely fantastic live.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Have a great new year.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Blaise J Thompson <br>
+509 N Lake St. Apt 408 <br>
+Madison Wisconsin 53703<br>
+<br>
+blaise@untzag.com
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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+
+
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+<h2>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03a24e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d41854
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7088482
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\usepackage[margin=0.75in]{geometry}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings - 2014}}
+
+
+Hello to all my friends and family. I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months. 
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.5\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.48\textwidth]{me}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+For a long time I've wanted to start a tradition of sending out yearly letters. In this, the 25th year of my life, I've finally gotten around to doing it. I'm inspired by my mother, who has been sending out letters since the 80s. It's a wonderful way to keep in contact, and it serves as a great personal record. It may seem anachronistic now that we have email and social media, but keeping it a physical letter just feels good. Please let me know if your address changes (email is probably best) so I can send you letters in future years.
+
+I'm now a fourth year Analytical Chemistry graduate student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. I do research in the lab of John Wright. We do ultrafast, multidimensional spectroscopy of solar materials. I'm involved in many projects, but mainly I'm working on BiVO$_4$ and PbSe quantum dots. I'll continue this research for another one to two years. After that? I'm not too sure yet. Grad school has been very fun for me, I really enjoy working in this field and the people that I interact with are all fantastic. John in particular is a great mentor personally and scientifically. 
+
+As a vacation this year mom and I went out to California by car, primarily to visit bay area relatives. It was an all-around stellar experience. Driving from Wisconsin to California takes a long time, but the geography is stunningly beautiful. Highlights included clouds in Nebraska, Big Trees, Yosemite, and the Bonneville salt flats. The bay area itself was also beautiful, of course. It's crazy to realize that I haven't  been out to see that side of the family since Grandma Betty's funeral in 2005. Will have to make a concerted effort to go out west more often. Perhaps I'll have to swallow my pride and get on a plane.
+
+Our family cat, Untzag, died unexpectedly in October of this year. She was run over by a car. Vehrzheen, the family dog, is geriatric and probably not long for this world. 2015 will probably be the first year in my life without a family dog or cat. Ridgeback, my turtule, is still going strong.
+
+Madison continues to be a great city for me. I take advantage of it less then I should. I'm going out to eat and grab drinks more in recent months. The folk community here is very active, and I was able to dance weekly for most of the year. I've been taking a break from contradance over the last several months, but plan to dance again come January. I was able to see Yelle and Of Montreal in the same month this fall. Both were absolutely fantastic live.
+
+Have a great new year.
+
+\vspace{10 pt}
+
+\begin{sig}{3cm}
+
+Blaise J Thompson \\*
+
+509 N Lake St. Apt 408 \\*
+Madison Wisconsin 53703 \\*
+
+blaise@untzag.com
+
+\end{sig}
+
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/me.JPG b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/me.JPG
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b33b38f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2014/me.JPG
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/index.html b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/index.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c561d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/index.html
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<meta name="viewport" content="width=80ch, initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta charset="utf-8">
+  <title>2015 winter solstice letter</title>
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="../style.css">
+</head>
+<body>
+
+<h1>2015 winter solstice letter</h1>
+
+<p>
+<a href="..">← back to memories list</a>
+<p>
+
+<hr>
+
+<p>
+Blaise sent this letter to friends and family to celebrate the winter holiday season, 2015.
+In addition to this html version, you can also download the letter as sent: <a href="./letter.pdf">PDF</a>.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Winter Solstice Greetings - 2015</h2>
+
+<p>
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these unusually warm winter months.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Following time honored Thompson tradition I'm already slipping behind in my holiday greeting card schedule.
+I'm writing this the day \textit{after} winter solstice.
+Madison is unusually warm for the time of year.
+Outside it is very foggy and a large amount of rain is expected later.
+Previous snowfall has long since melted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I'm now well into my 5th year of graduate school.
+As of early December I've become the senior experimentalist on the femtosecond materials project.
+Older graduate students in the group are still around but are focusing exclusively on finishing their dissertations.
+Projects that I have been working on are finally being published.
+Writing papers is frustrating but enjoyable once done.
+Currently we are caught up to data collected 1.5 years ago, so there is much to do.
+I'm hopeful that 2016 can be a breakout year where we really can use these tools we've created to say something useful about solar materials.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./me.JPG">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+The picture above is me tubing on a Wright Group boating trip on lake Mendota.
+I was able to hold on for quite some time but did end up being thrown trying to do some tricks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I didn't take any large vacations this year.
+The family did spend some time at Towanda lake in northern Wisconsin.
+It was fun to return to a common childhood vacation location.
+While there we spread the ashes of Vehrzheen
+. It was a fitting goodbye - I'll never forget how much fun Vehrzheen and I had on that lake when we were young.
+The picture below was taken by me on the day we scattered her ashes.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./loon_cropped.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+I'm continuing to enjoy Madison.
+I have started contradancing again.
+I have gotten more serious about weight lifting and fitness as a hobby and have really enjoyed the facilities provided by the University.
+I continue to enjoy living downtown in the hustle and bustle of city life but I may be outgrowing my apartment with stuff.
+May move this fall if I can find a nice place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Have a fantastic 2016.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Blaise J Thompson <br>
+509 N Lake St. Apt 408 <br>
+Madison Wisconsin 53703 <br>
+<br>
+blaise@untzag.com
+</p>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b556633
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ddc4ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf7ad6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\usepackage[margin=0.75in]{geometry}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings - 2015}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}%
+
+Hello to all my friends and family. I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these unusually warm winter months.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.5\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.48\textwidth]{me}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+Following time honored Thompson tradition I'm already slipping behind in my holiday greeting card schedule. I'm writing this the day \textit{after} winter solstice. Madison is unusually warm for the time of year. Outside it is very foggy and a large amount of rain is expected later. Previous snowfall has long since melted.
+
+I'm now well into my 5th year of graduate school. As of early December I've become the senior experimentalist on the femtosecond materials project. Older graduate students in the group are still around but are focusing exclusively on finishing their dissertations. Projects that I have been working on are finally being published. Writing papers is frustrating but enjoyable once done. Currently we are caught up to data collected $\sim 1.5$ years ago, so there is much to do. I'm hopeful that 2016 can be a breakout year where we really can use these tools we've created to say something useful about solar materials.
+
+The picture above is me tubing on a Wright Group boating trip on lake Mendota. I was able to hold on for quite some time but did end up being thrown trying to do some tricks.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.5\textwidth}
+	\begin{center}
+		\includegraphics[width=0.48\textwidth]{loon_cropped}
+	\end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I didn't take any large vacations this year. The family did spend some time at Towanda lake in northern Wisconsin. It was fun to return to a common childhood vacation location. While there we spread the ashes of Vehrzheen. It was a fitting goodbye - I'll never forget how much fun Vehrzheen and I had on that lake when we were young. The picture on the left was taken by me on the day we scattered her ashes.
+
+I'm continuing to enjoy Madison. I have started contradancing again. I have gotten more serious about weight lifting and fitness as a hobby and have really enjoyed the facilities provided by the University. I continue to enjoy living downtown in the hustle and bustle of city life but I may be outgrowing my apartment with stuff. May move this fall if I can find a nice place.
+
+Have a fantastic 2016.
+
+\endgroup
+
+\vspace{10 pt}
+
+\begin{sig}{3cm}
+
+Blaise J Thompson \\*
+
+509 N Lake St. Apt 408 \\*
+Madison Wisconsin 53703 \\*
+
+blaise@untzag.com
+
+\end{sig}
+
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/loon_cropped.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/loon_cropped.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c37a782
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/loon_cropped.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/me.JPG b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/me.JPG
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15ddd75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2015/me.JPG
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/IMG_20160517_101306032_HDR.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/IMG_20160517_101306032_HDR.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea578fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/IMG_20160517_101306032_HDR.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/IMG_20160703_185954.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/IMG_20160703_185954.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39661d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/IMG_20160703_185954.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/index.html b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/index.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b94d5d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/index.html
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<meta name="viewport" content="width=80ch, initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta charset="utf-8">
+  <title>2016 winter solstice letter</title>
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="../style.css">
+</head>
+<body>
+
+<h1>2016 winter solstice letter</h1>
+
+<p>
+<a href="..">← back to memories list</a>
+<p>
+
+<hr>
+
+<p>
+Blaise sent this letter to friends and family to celebrate the winter holiday season, 2016.
+In addition to this html version, you can also download the letter as sent: <a href="./letter.pdf">PDF</a>.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Winter Solstice Greetings - 2016</h2>
+
+<p>
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months.
+It's snowing hard outside as I write this letter to you.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I'm now in the middle of my 6th year of graduate school.
+I'm still enjoying my time in the Wright group---I hope to be here for a while yet.
+The past year of graduate school has been frustrating in some ways.
+Lots of progress has been made, but I haven't reached the key checkpoints that I hoped to reach.
+I'm looking forward to being a teaching assistant for a graduate-level electronics and instrumentation course next semester.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This summer was busy for me.
+In mid May three college friends (Kate, Nina, and Claire) joined me here in the Midwest.
+We spent a few days exploring Chicago---river tour, museums, food, even a local contradance.
+Pictured below is us outside of Shedd Aquarium.
+We then drove to Madison and spent a few days in Wisconsin.
+Exploring the House on the Rock with Benji was a highlight of the trip for me.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./IMG_20160517_101306032_HDR.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+I was honored to stand as a member of Claire's wedding party on June 24th.
+The wedding took place near Claire's parents in beautiful Napa Valley, California.
+It was a great wedding and I really enjoyed catching up with the Parker, Eckert and Till families.
+It was also great to briefly see the Nielsens---Jim and Tracey were kind enough to loan me a car during my time in California.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After returning home from California I had just 24 hours before flying to Amsterdam for an academic conference.
+Coherent Multidimensional Spectroscopy (CMDS) is a small biennial conference in my narrow subfield.
+My advisor---John C. Wright---was a founding member of the conference and still sits as chair of the organizing committee.
+This year the conference was held in beautiful historic Groningen, the Netherlands.
+The first molecular photon echo was resolved in Groningen (DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.674">10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.674</a>).
+At the conference I presented a poster on my work to make CMDS instrumentation more reproducible and robust.
+Afterwards I spent five days exploring Europe, traveling to Brussels and Amsterdam.
+Pictured below is me in the famous Grote Markt.
+I didn't really plan anything about my trip, just stepped out of the hotel and started walking.
+Everywhere I went was filled with great food, people, and artwork. Very enjoyable---but I was ready to return to Wisconsin after five days.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./IMG_20160703_185954.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+This year I've enjoyed learning more about philosophy, rationality, and psychology.
+Daniel Kahneman's book <it>Thinking, Fast and Slow</it> has changed the way I think about human cognition.
+I'm trying to incorporate these ideas more into my personal behavior.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Have a fantastic 2017. Stay in touch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson <br>
+509 N Lake St. Apt 408 <br>
+Madison, Wisconsin 53703 <br>
+<br>
+1-424-225-2493 <br>
+blaise@untzag.com
+</p>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4b88d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e740f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d2986b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2016/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+% document
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage[margin=0.5in]{geometry}
+\usepackage{multicol}
+
+% text
+\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+
+% graphics
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+% signature environment
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2016}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
+
+Hello to all my friends and family. I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months. It's snowing hard outside as I write this letter to you.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.45\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"IMG_20160517_101306032_HDR"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I'm now in the middle of my 6th year of graduate school. I'm still enjoying my time in the Wright group---I hope to be here for a while yet. The past year of graduate school has been frustrating in some ways. Lots of progress has been made, but I haven't reached the key checkpoints that I hoped to reach. I'm looking forward to being a teaching assistant for a graduate-level electronics and instrumentation course next semester.
+
+This summer was busy for me. In mid May three college friends (Kate, Nina, and Claire) joined me here in the Midwest. We spent a few days exploring Chicago---river tour, museums, food, even a local contradance. Pictured above is us outside of Shedd Aquarium. We then drove to Madison and spent a few days in Wisconsin. Exploring the House on the Rock with Benji was a highlight of the trip for me.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.45\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"IMG_20160703_185954"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I was honored to stand as a member of Claire's wedding party on June 24th. The wedding took place near Claire's parents in beautiful Napa Valley, California. It was a great wedding and I really enjoyed catching up with the Parker, Eckert and Till families. It was also great to briefly see the Nielsens---Jim and Tracey were kind enough to loan me a car during my time in California.
+
+After returning home from California I had just 24 hours before flying to Amsterdam for an academic conference. Coherent Multidimensional Spectroscopy (CMDS) is a small biennial conference in my narrow subfield. My advisor---John C. Wright---was a founding member of the conference and still sits as chair of the organizing committee. This year the conference was held in beautiful historic Groningen, the Netherlands. The first molecular photon echo was resolved in Groningen (DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.674). At the conference I presented a poster on my work to make CMDS instrumentation more reproducible and robust. Afterwards I spent five days exploring Europe, traveling to Brussels and Amsterdam. Pictured above and left is me in the famous Grote Markt. I didn't really plan anything about my trip, just stepped out of the hotel and started walking. Everywhere I went was filled with great food, people, and artwork. Very enjoyable---but I was ready to return to Wisconsin after five days.
+
+This year I've enjoyed learning more about philosophy, rationality, and psychology. Daniel Kahneman's book \textit{Thinking, Fast and Slow} has changed the way I think about human cognition. I'm trying to incorporate these ideas more into my personal behavior.
+
+Have a fantastic 2017. Stay in touch.
+
+\vfill
+\raggedleft
+
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+509 N Lake St. Apt 408 \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53703 \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1-424-225-2493 \\*
+blaise@untzag.com
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/DSC_0043.JPG b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/DSC_0043.JPG
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d6766e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/DSC_0043.JPG
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/IMG_20170820_120702.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/IMG_20170820_120702.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1864960
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/IMG_20170820_120702.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/index.html b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/index.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7629ad9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/index.html
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<meta name="viewport" content="width=80ch, initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta charset="utf-8">
+  <title>2017 winter solstice letter</title>
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="../style.css">
+</head>
+<body>
+
+<h1>2017 winter solstice letter</h1>
+
+<p>
+<a href="..">← back to memories list</a>
+<p>
+
+<hr>
+
+<p>
+Blaise sent this letter to friends and family to celebrate the winter holiday season, 2017.
+In addition to this html version, you can also download the letter as sent: <a href="./letter.pdf">PDF</a>.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Winter Solstice Greetings - 2017</h2>
+
+<p>
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months.
+As I write this letter, the ice fishing season has begun in Madison.
+Brave individuals have taken to the lake near my apartment to test their luck.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I'm now in the middle of my 7th year of graduate school.
+Time flies, and I'm begrudgingly trying to wrap up this phase of my life.
+Not sure what comes  next.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+My good friend Tyler graduated this spring.
+I am happy to see him move on to better things, but sad that we are no longer living in the same place.
+Perhaps life will bring us together again at a later date.
+In celebration, Tyler and I took a short vacation together.
+We camped at beautiful Wyalusing State Park---Tyler's first camping experience!
+The midwestern summer rains caught us, but we had fun despite the weather.
+We also visited House on the Rock and New Glarus Brewery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On August 21st of this year a total solar eclipse crossed much of the Continental US.
+My parents and I took this as an opportunity for family vacation.
+We visited the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, at the intersection of Kentucky and Tennessee.
+After a bit of stress, we ended up finding a nice waterside campsite (below).
+The very large lakes were too large for our small Alumacraft, so we did not get much fishing done.
+I did get lots of reading done, and the time spent away was nice.
+The eclipse itself was pretty magical.
+The family (including Karaby) put on our swimsuits and waded into the lake to watch.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./IMG_20170820_120702.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+In early October I traveled to beautiful Arcata to visit my good friend Claire and her husband, Ralph.
+Claire and Ralph have a wonderful home on a gravel road nestled among impossibly tall redwood trees.
+I enjoyed exploring Arcata and the nearby town of Eureka.
+Humboldt State, where Claire works, has interesting California architecture---one of Claire's colleagues has an office with only outdoor entrance!
+The local Ma-Le'l dunes (below) were interesting---very windy with alien landscape and flora.
+Making pasties and horchata, and enjoying Claire's famous pie, were the highlights of the trip for me.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./DSC_0043.JPG">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+Stay in touch---note new address.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson <br>
+725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 <br>
+Madison, Wisconsin 53715 <br>
+<br>
+1-424-225-2493 <br>
+blaise@untzag.com <br>
+http://blaise.social
+</p>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..982a97d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0c63a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e33c17e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2017/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+% document
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage[margin=0.5in]{geometry}
+\usepackage{multicol}
+
+% text
+\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+
+% graphics
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+% signature environment
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2017}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
+
+Hello to all my friends and family.  %
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months.  %
+As I write this letter, the ice fishing season has begun in Madison.  %
+Brave individuals have taken to the lake near my apartment to test their luck.  %
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.45\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"IMG_20170820_120702"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I'm now in the middle of my 7th year of graduate school.  %
+Time flies, and I'm begrudgingly trying to wrap up this phase of my life.  %
+Not sure what comes  next.
+
+My good friend Tyler graduated this spring.  %
+I am happy to see him move on to better things, but sad that we are no longer living in the same
+place.  %
+Perhaps life will bring us together again at a later date.  %
+In celebration, Tyler and I took a short vacation together.  %
+We camped at beautiful Wyalusing State Park---Tyler's first camping experience!  %
+The midwestern summer rains caught us, but we had fun despite the weather.  %
+We also visited House on the Rock and New Glarus Brewery.  %
+
+On August 21st of this year a total solar eclipse crossed much of the Continental US.  %
+My parents and I took this as an opportunity for family vacation.  %
+We visited the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, at the intersection of Kentucky and
+Tennessee.  %
+After a bit of stress, we ended up finding a nice waterside campsite (right).  %
+The very large lakes were too large for our small Alumacraft, so we did not get much fishing
+done.  %
+I did get lots of reading done, and the time spent away was nice.  %
+The eclipse itself was pretty magical.  %
+The family (including Karaby) put on our swimsuits and waded into the lake to watch.  %
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.45\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"DSC_0043"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+In early October I traveled to beautiful Arcata to visit my good friend Claire
+and her husband, Ralph.  %
+Claire and Ralph have a wonderful home on a gravel road nestled among impossibly tall redwood
+trees.  %
+I enjoyed exploring Arcata and the nearby town of Eureka.  %
+Humboldt State, where Claire works, has interesting California architecture---one of Claire's
+colleagues has an office with only outdoor entrance!  %
+The local Ma-Le'l dunes (left) were interesting---very windy with alien landscape and flora.  %
+Making pasties and horchata, and enjoying Claire's famous pie, were the highlights of the trip for
+me.  %
+
+\vfill
+\raggedleft
+
+Stay in touch---note new address. \hfill Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53715 \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1-424-225-2493 \\*
+blaise@untzag.com \\*
+http://blaise.social
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/DSC_0131.JPG b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/DSC_0131.JPG
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a53d85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/DSC_0131.JPG
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/IMG_20180511_193937.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/IMG_20180511_193937.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37ab576
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/IMG_20180511_193937.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/index.html b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/index.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..158fb43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/index.html
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<meta name="viewport" content="width=80ch, initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta charset="utf-8">
+  <title>2018 winter solstice letter</title>
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="../style.css">
+</head>
+<body>
+
+<h1>2018 winter solstice letter</h1>
+
+<p>
+<a href="..">← back to memories list</a>
+<p>
+
+<hr>
+
+<p>
+Blaise sent this letter to friends and family to celebrate the winter holiday season, 2018.
+In addition to this html version, you can also download the letter as sent: <a href="./letter.pdf">PDF</a>.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Winter Solstice Greetings - 2018</h2>
+
+<p>
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months.
+It's fairly warm here in Madison, but the bay near my apartment has already frozen over.
+The last two weekends have been popular with ice fishers and skaters.
+As finals week progresses the town slowly empties.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This has been an important year for me professionally.
+On April 23rd I successfully defended my dissertation, earning my doctorate in analytical chemistry.
+See below a picture of me and my PhD adviser John Wright.
+I am very lucky to have worked under John for seven short years.
+John taught me a lot about being an independent thinker and communicator.
+I was blessed to have my parents and good friend Tyler attend my graduation.
+I "walked" with two other Wright Group friends---Kyle Czech and Jonathan Handali.
+The ceremony that I attended (just for masters and doctorates) was huge---I'm still amazed at UW-Madison's size.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./IMG_20180511_193937.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+Of course, the high of graduation is typically followed by the panic of trying to find a job.
+On July 23rd I began working as an instrumentation technologist for the chemistry department.
+This is a research support role where I work on solving technical challenges facing researchers throughout the department.
+I am the supervisor of a "makerspace" where students and researchers can come work on instrument construction and repair.
+We have specialized equipment and a large inventory of parts for purchase.
+I take on a large variety of different jobs---everything from fixing humble hotplates and glassware drying ovens to designing custom oscillators for mass spectrometry.
+The people that I work with on a daily basis are driven and kind---they have done a lot to help me overcome my lack of formal training in electrical engineering.
+For me right now, this is a dream job.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I've had several opportunities to travel this year.
+A few weeks after graduation my friend Tyler was gracious enough to invite me to his home in New York for a 1.5 week vacation.
+Highlights included eating at Di Fara Pizza, exploring Coney Island, and seeing The SpongeBob Musical on Broadway.
+It was so fun to visit Tyler and see how far he has come since his own graduation.
+I was also glad to visit my friend Felix at Yale during the same trip.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In July I spent nine days in Iowa City with my parents.
+After so long, I enjoyed spending such a long time at "home".
+The barn construction project is going along beautifully, and I was able to help with some humble drywall work.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Over the thanksgiving break I traveled to the west coast.
+I flew into Las Vegas, where my parents picked me up for a quick 24-hour Death Valley experience.
+We woke up early to watch the sunrise from Dante's View.
+I hope to return to Death Valley for a longer trip some day.
+Here I am standing on the floor of Badwater Basin---282 feet below sea level.
+After leaving, we picked up Karaby and drove straight to Roseville, where we had thanksgiving dinner with the Trumbly & Decker Family.
+It's so nice to connect with extended family after many years.
+</p>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./DSC_0131.JPG">
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+Wishing you and yours a happy new year. Stay in touch!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson <br>
+725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 <br>
+Madison, Wisconsin 53715 <br>
+<br>
+1-424-225-2493 <br>
+blaise@untzag.com <br>
+http://blaise.zone
+</p>
+
+
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d483fdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ba3c9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a71ad8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2018/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+% document
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage[margin=0.5in]{geometry}
+\usepackage{multicol}
+
+% text
+\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+
+% graphics
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+% signature environment
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2018}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
+
+Hello to all my friends and family.  %
+I hope that you are feeling peaceful, cozy, and happy in these winter months.  %
+It's fairly warm here in Madison, but the bay near my apartment has already frozen over.  %
+The last two weekends have been popular with ice fishers and skaters.  %
+As finals week progresses the town slowly empties.  %
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.4\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"IMG_20180511_193937"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+This has been an important year for me professionally.  %
+On April 23rd I successfully defended my dissertation, earning my doctorate in analytical chemistry.  %
+See left a picture of me and my PhD adviser John Wright.  %
+I am very lucky to have worked under John for seven short years.  %
+John taught me a lot about being an independent thinker and communicator.
+I was blessed to have my parents and good friend Tyler attend my graduation.
+I ``walked'' with two other Wright Group friends---Kyle Czech and Jonathan Handali.  %
+The ceremony that I attended (just for masters and doctorates) was huge---I'm still amazed at UW-Madison's size.
+
+Of course, the high of graduation is typically followed by the panic of trying to find a job.
+On July 23rd I began working as an instrumentation technologist for the chemistry department.
+This is a research support role where I work on solving technical challenges facing researchers throughout the department.
+I am the supervisor of a ``makerspace'' where students and researchers can come work on instrument construction and repair.
+We have specialized equipment and a large inventory of parts for purchase.
+I take on a large variety of different jobs---everything from fixing humble hotplates and glassware drying ovens to designing custom oscillators for mass spectrometry.
+The people that I work with on a daily basis are driven and kind---they have done a lot to help me overcome my lack of formal training in electrical engineering.
+For me right now, this is a dream job.
+
+I've had several opportunities to travel this year.
+A few weeks after graduation my friend Tyler was gracious enough to invite me to his home in New York for a 1.5 week vacation.
+Highlights included eating at Di Fara Pizza, exploring Coney Island, and seeing The SpongeBob Musical on Broadway.
+It was so fun to visit Tyler and see how far he has come since his own graduation.
+I was also glad to visit my friend Felix at Yale during the same trip.
+
+In July I spent nine days in Iowa City with my parents.
+After so long, I enjoyed spending such a long time at ``home''.
+The barn construction project is going along beautifully, and I was able to help with some humble drywall work.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.3\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.3\textwidth]{"DSC_0131"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+Over the thanksgiving break I traveled to the west coast.
+I flew into Las Vegas, where my parents picked me up for a quick 24-hour Death Valley experience.
+We woke up early to watch the sunrise from Dante's View.
+I hope to return to Death Valley for a longer trip some day.
+Here I am standing on the floor of Badwater Basin---282 feet below sea level.
+After leaving, we picked up Karaby and drove straight to Roseville, where we had thanksgiving dinner with the Trumbly \& Decker Family.
+It's so nice to connect with extended family after many years.
+
+Wishing you and yours a happy new year. Stay in touch!
+
+\vfill
+\raggedleft
+
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53715 \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1-424-225-2493 \\*
+blaise@untzag.com \\*
+http://blaise.zone
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2019/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2019/recipients.org
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78382df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2019/recipients.org
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
+
+* DONE Alisha Nielsen
+* DONE Carol & John Wright
+* DONE Claire & Ralph Till
+* DONE Darien Morrow and Katelyn Fisher (spelling?)
+* DONE Elizabeth Breuer
+* DONE Felix Radford
+* DONE Justin Earley
+* DONE Kate Webber
+* DONE Kyle Czech
+* DONE Kyle Sunden
+* DONE Marcia and Dan Boyer
+* DONE Marilyn Roberts
+* DONE Mark and Roger
+* DONE Myrna Casebolt
+* DONE Nancy & David Thompson
+* DONE Nathaniel Nielsen
+* DONE Nina Halperin
+* DONE Parker/Eckert Family
+* DONE Sam Price
+* DONE Sarah Charley
+* DONE Susie & Mike Truninger
+* DONE The Kohler Family
+* DONE The Manly Family
+* DONE Tracey and James Nielsen
+* DONE Tyler Roberts
+* DONE Zach Ott
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/IMG_20200111_143519.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/IMG_20200111_143519.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5be6e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/IMG_20200111_143519.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/PXL_20201122_163338324.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/PXL_20201122_163338324.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af90e3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/PXL_20201122_163338324.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c3cc67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a714ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdeebd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+% document
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage[margin=0.5in]{geometry}
+\usepackage{multicol}
+
+% text
+\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+
+% graphics
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+% signature environment
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2020}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
+
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+What a year it has been.
+Certainly for many of us it has been the hardest year of our lives.
+Still, there is snow on the ground and I'm enjoying a nice coffee as I write to you.
+I feel so lucky to be able to connect with you all in this small way.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.4\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"IMG_20200111_143519"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I started this year with a few days in Seattle.
+My friend Tyler started a new job there in late 2019, and I visited to explore his new home.
+Tyler was between apartments, so we stayed in a luxurious Airbnb with an excellent view of the city (see left).
+It was special to be able to experience Seattle with Tyler.
+Seattle and Madison share a notable similarity---they are both cities built on an isthmus.
+Madison is between two lakes: Mendota and Monona.
+Seattle is between Lake Washington and Puget Sound.
+
+Like everyone, my 2020 has been primarily shaped by COVID-19.
+On March 17th we were told we have two days to pack up everything and get off campus.
+I took two large carloads of various electronics and instrumentation and holed myself up for three straight weeks in my apartment, not stepping outside my door even once.
+We were originally told shut-down would last eight weeks, but in the end I ended up being kept away from campus for 15 weeks straight.
+
+The most wonderful outcome of quarantine was the opportunity to spend an entire month living in Iowa City with my parents.
+It was so nice to experience their lifestyle---gardening, walking with dear Karaby, enjoying food.
+Iowa City is a lovely place.
+I'm so lucky to have been with loving family for a portion of this isolated time.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.4\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"PXL_20201122_163338324"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I have also used this quarantine period to experience more outdoor places near Madison.
+I never realized how many wonderful parks there are so close to my home!
+Here I am at Mirror Lake, which I visited with my friend Zach.
+Other highlights include multiple trips to Indian Lake, running from mosquito at Cherokee Marsh, and hiking out in the dark to avoid freezing temperatures during a camping trip at Brooklyn Wildlife Area.
+
+I continue to grow professionally.
+I feel very lucky that I was able to work from home this year.
+I was actually able to attend more conferences than normal, as virtual conferences don't require travel cost.
+There are a lot of people doing exciting work in my weird little world of scientific instrumentation!
+I was one of the very first to return to campus in June, being designated essential to the ``research reboot'' effort on campus.
+Work has been shockingly hard since then, as I am under-resourced and must personally complete all tasks.
+Things have recently gotten a lot better as I have hired two new student assistants.
+This week, staff at University of Wisconsin hospitals began receiving vaccines.
+
+Wishing you and yours a happy new year. Stay in touch!
+
+\vfill
+\raggedleft
+
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53715 \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1-424-225-2493 \\*
+blaise@untzag.com \\*
+http://blaise.zone
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/recipients.org
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4e2149
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/recipients.org
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+#+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
+
+* DONE Alisha Nielsen
+31140 Rhea Valley Rd.
+Meadowview, VA 24361
+USA
+* DONE Bill Goebel
+2413 Calypso Rd
+Apt 2
+Madison WI 53704
+USA
+* DONE Carol & John Wright
+1550 Trusler Circle,
+Oregon WI 53575
+USA
+* DONE Claire & Ralph Till
+* DONE Collin Engstrom
+* DONE Darien Morrow and Kaitlyn Fischer
+* DONE Elizabeth Breuer
+3402 Rutland-Dunn Townline Rd
+Stoughton WI 53589
+USA
+* DONE Felix Radford
+140 Cottage Street 3FR
+New Haven CT 06511
+* DONE Justin Earley
+1830 Denver West Dr.
+Apt 2432
+Golden, CO 80401
+USA
+* DONE Kate Webber & Steve Burger
+96 Bowdoinham Rd
+Sabattus ME 04280
+USA
+* DONE Katherine Taylor
+418 Admiral Cove
+Tarpon Springs FL 34689
+USA
+* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny)
+* DONE Kyle Sunden
+1009 N Sunnyvale Ln Unit D
+Madison, WI, 53713
+* DONE Marilyn Roberts
+1431 N 5th Ave
+Grafton WI 53024
+USA
+* DONE Mark and Roger
+3848 Blazing Star Rd
+Deerfield, WI 53531-9682
+USA
+* DONE Nathaniel Nielsen
+1450 Marclair Dr.
+Apt. A
+Concord CA 94521
+USA
+* DONE Nathan Neff-Mallon
+1830 Northwestern Ave
+Madison WI 53704
+USA
+* DONE Nina Halperin
+Calle Italia 157
+Dpto. 602
+Cercado de Lima 15074
+Peru
+* DONE Parker/Eckert Family
+4482 Medowlark Court
+Napa CA 95668
+* DONE Sam Price
+1010 N Dodge St.
+Iowa City, IA 52245
+USA
+* DONE Sarah Charley
+Sarah Charley
+149 Route de Divonne
+01210 Versonnex, France
+* DONE Susie & Mike Truninger
+902 W.8th St.
+Davenport IA 52802
+USA
+* DONE The Boyer Family
+1338 San Miguel Ave
+Santa Barbara CA 93109
+* DONE The Kohler Family
+5713 Dorsett Dr.
+Madison WI 53711
+USA
+* DONE The Manly Family
+17821 E Baintree Ave.
+Roland Heights, CA 91748
+USA
+* DONE The Nielsen Family
+746 Keeler Ave
+Berkeley CA 94708
+* DONE The Thompson Family
+* DONE Tyler Roberts
+2801 Western Ave
+Apt 723
+Seattle, WA 98121
+* DONE Zach Ott
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/death-camp.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/death-camp.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cf164a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/death-camp.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/lake-superior.JPG b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/lake-superior.JPG
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3cd8b70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/lake-superior.JPG
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a2884b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d7c882
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ebeabe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+% document
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage[margin=0.5in]{geometry}
+\usepackage{multicol}
+
+% text
+\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+
+% graphics
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+% signature environment
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2021}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
+
+Hello to all my friends and family.
+Unbelievably, this is the eighth time I'm writing to you all for the solstice season.
+It's become tradition to look back at old letters as I sit down to write.
+Today is the first large snow storm of the year, but I am warm and comfortable writing at my lovely desk.
+My Endlers Livebearer fish gave birth just a few days ago, so I am taking frequent breaks to enjoy watching the very cute fry.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.4\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./death-camp.jpg"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+I was lucky enough to go on \emph{many} great vacations this year.
+I'd like to highlight three, starting with the trip to California I took with my good friend Tyler over the labor day holiday.
+We flew into San Fransisco where we were graciously hosted by Jim and Tracy in their beautiful home.
+We stopped by Claire's family in Napa and Tyler's home town of San Ramon.
+We then traveled down Big Sur to a beautiful ocean-side campground near Santa Barbara.
+We visited Tyler's uncle before heading inland to spend a night among giants in Sequoia National Forest.
+Finally, we camped for two nights in Death Valley.
+We had the entire campground to ourselves (see left)!
+Death Valley was definitely the highlight for me, especially the drive through Titus Canyon and the night sky.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.4\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./porcupine.jpg"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+In July my good friends Claire and Ralph Till visited me for a hiking adventure in the Midwest.
+We drove from Madison to Michigan's upper peninsula, where we spent several days hiking through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness.
+It's been years since I've been backpacking, and it was a new experience for Claire and Ralph.
+The Porcupine Mountains were amazing---very private campsites with long trails and very few people.
+For hours we hiked along the southern coast of Lake Superior, enjoying the dramatic geometric shapes of the rocky shoreline.
+Here (right) we three are---tired but happy near the end of our hike.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.4\textwidth}
+  \begin{center}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./lake-superior.JPG"}
+  \end{center}
+\end{wrapfigure}
+
+Near the end of September Kevin and I spent a few days exploring Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.
+It ended up being a tour of many waterfalls.
+We started by camping in Amnicon Falls State Park and visiting Big Manitou Falls (highest in Wisconsin).
+We then camped in Tettegouche State Park (below), where we had our own small private beach with signature Lake Superior pebbles.
+We spent several days exploring the northern coast of Lake Superior---full of picturesque waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, and cozy small towns.
+We'll have to go back soon.
+
+I'm feeling grateful for all the joy I have experienced this year.
+I continue to learn and grow in my professional life.
+Congratulations to Kate and Steve on their marriage.
+Thanks to all who have been great friends, especially Zach, Mark, Darien, Kyle, my Bates Buds, and the Wednesday night game crew.
+
+Wishing you and yours a happy new year. Stay in touch!
+
+\vfill
+\raggedleft
+
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53715 \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1-424-225-2493 \\*
+blaise@untzag.com \\*
+https://blaise.zone
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/porcupine.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/porcupine.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d472948
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/porcupine.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/recipients.org
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4e2149
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/recipients.org
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+#+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
+
+* DONE Alisha Nielsen
+31140 Rhea Valley Rd.
+Meadowview, VA 24361
+USA
+* DONE Bill Goebel
+2413 Calypso Rd
+Apt 2
+Madison WI 53704
+USA
+* DONE Carol & John Wright
+1550 Trusler Circle,
+Oregon WI 53575
+USA
+* DONE Claire & Ralph Till
+* DONE Collin Engstrom
+* DONE Darien Morrow and Kaitlyn Fischer
+* DONE Elizabeth Breuer
+3402 Rutland-Dunn Townline Rd
+Stoughton WI 53589
+USA
+* DONE Felix Radford
+140 Cottage Street 3FR
+New Haven CT 06511
+* DONE Justin Earley
+1830 Denver West Dr.
+Apt 2432
+Golden, CO 80401
+USA
+* DONE Kate Webber & Steve Burger
+96 Bowdoinham Rd
+Sabattus ME 04280
+USA
+* DONE Katherine Taylor
+418 Admiral Cove
+Tarpon Springs FL 34689
+USA
+* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny)
+* DONE Kyle Sunden
+1009 N Sunnyvale Ln Unit D
+Madison, WI, 53713
+* DONE Marilyn Roberts
+1431 N 5th Ave
+Grafton WI 53024
+USA
+* DONE Mark and Roger
+3848 Blazing Star Rd
+Deerfield, WI 53531-9682
+USA
+* DONE Nathaniel Nielsen
+1450 Marclair Dr.
+Apt. A
+Concord CA 94521
+USA
+* DONE Nathan Neff-Mallon
+1830 Northwestern Ave
+Madison WI 53704
+USA
+* DONE Nina Halperin
+Calle Italia 157
+Dpto. 602
+Cercado de Lima 15074
+Peru
+* DONE Parker/Eckert Family
+4482 Medowlark Court
+Napa CA 95668
+* DONE Sam Price
+1010 N Dodge St.
+Iowa City, IA 52245
+USA
+* DONE Sarah Charley
+Sarah Charley
+149 Route de Divonne
+01210 Versonnex, France
+* DONE Susie & Mike Truninger
+902 W.8th St.
+Davenport IA 52802
+USA
+* DONE The Boyer Family
+1338 San Miguel Ave
+Santa Barbara CA 93109
+* DONE The Kohler Family
+5713 Dorsett Dr.
+Madison WI 53711
+USA
+* DONE The Manly Family
+17821 E Baintree Ave.
+Roland Heights, CA 91748
+USA
+* DONE The Nielsen Family
+746 Keeler Ave
+Berkeley CA 94708
+* DONE The Thompson Family
+* DONE Tyler Roberts
+2801 Western Ave
+Apt 723
+Seattle, WA 98121
+* DONE Zach Ott
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e19ed2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+title: Blaise Thompson Letters
+start:  2014
+
+# 2014
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2014/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+# 2015
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2015/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+# 2016
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2016/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+# 2017
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2017/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+# 2018
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2018/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+# 2019
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2019/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+# 2020
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2020/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+# 2021
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2021/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
author	Blaise Thompson <blaise@untzag.com>	2021-12-11 10:52:11 -0600
committer	Blaise Thompson <blaise@untzag.com>	2021-12-11 10:52:11 -0600
commit	4b3ddc412f91bac90e502daf197334ad8b39c2c8 (patch)
tree	b851d4d68cdfe0aacfa9f00c12fbad7db3269b34 /memories/blaise-thompson-letters
parent	3649126c32fd0c792198025c1032ce7cb81a2c15 (diff)