From 72a9d18913d9e0397453ff000118e4316ee11db3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Blaise Thompson Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2022 23:01:28 -0600 Subject: start 2022 folder --- memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex | 99 ++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 99 insertions(+) create mode 100644 memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex (limited to 'memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex') diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ebeabe --- /dev/null +++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/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} -- cgit v1.2.3