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diff --git a/source/2018-solstice-letter/index.html b/source/2018-solstice-letter/index.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..158fb43 --- /dev/null +++ b/source/2018-solstice-letter/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> |