From 814695676b66b6da356380264cfbee10b329465f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Blaise Thompson Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:51:40 -0600 Subject: 2024 letter finshed --- memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2024/letter.tex | 48 +++++++++++++++--------- 1 file changed, 30 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-) (limited to 'memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2024/letter.tex') diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2024/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2024/letter.tex index 78de703..377387f 100644 --- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2024/letter.tex +++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2024/letter.tex @@ -32,37 +32,49 @@ Friends, family---greetings to each of you. It's snowing hard here, a few inches on the ground and we're only halfway through the storm. -Finals week means scrambling to finish up the semester---finish grading, take notes about what went wrong and right, organize the filing cabinet. -At the same time preparing for next semester and dreaming of big long-term projects. +Finals week means scrambling to finish up the semester---grading, taking notes about what went wrong and right, organizing the filing cabinet. +At the same time I am preparing for next semester and dreaming of big long-term projects. Glad to have this yearly letter-writing tradition. -\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.4\textwidth} +\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.33\textwidth} \begin{center} - \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./blaise.jpg"} + \includegraphics[width=0.33\textwidth]{"./blaise.jpg"} \end{center} \end{wrapfigure} -Each year I read through my old solstice letters as preparation for writing. -This year was pretty dramatic---a lot has changed in my life since December 2023. +Each year I read through my old solstice letters. +A lot has changed in my life since December 2023. I have a new job, a new relationship, a new outlook. I'm in a much better place than I was last year. -National politics are scarier than I've ever experienced, but locally things are looking better and better. +National politics are scarier than I've ever experienced, but locally things are looking great. Trying to focus locally... In July I left the Electronics Shop for a new role in the Department of Chemistry. I'm now ``Instrumental Lab Director''. The move is bitter sweet, since this role was previously filled by my friend and long-time mentor Rob McClain. -Rob did such a wonderful job, I'm intimidated trying to fill his shoes. -Furthermore, I really enjoyed my work in the shop. -I'm going to miss the luxury of focusing directly on instrument design full time, especially in a shop with professionals such as Amber, Steve, Matt, James, Sam, Tracy, and Lauren. -Still, after six years I'm happy to try my hand at something new and this position as lab director is exciting. - -VACATION TO PITSBURGH PARAGRAPH - -LOST COAST PARAGRAPH - -HOUSE WORK PARAGRAPH - +Furthermore, I'm going to miss the luxury of focusing directly on instrument design full time, especially in a shop with professionals such as Amber, Steve, Matt, James, Sam, Tracy, and Lauren. +Still, after six years I'm happy to try something new and this position as lab director is exciting. + +In May of this year I visited my friends Darien and Kaitlyn in Pittsburgh.s +Highlights of the trip included the Glass Center, Botanical Gardens, and Pirates Stadium. +I recommend Pittsburgh to anyone who hasn't visited. + +\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{"./tent.png"} + +In July of this year I visited California. +Claire and Ralph have moved into their fantastic new place on California Ave. +This year our ``big adventure'' was the Lost Coast---a 25 mile long stretch of wild coastline. +We spent four days and three nights following the coast, camping on the beach or in small canyons (see photos above). +It was a walk on the beach, but despite the idiom it was physically demanding. +The sun was relentless, and the ocean itself provided a special challenge with changing tides. +We saw wild bear, coyote, river otters, sea lions. +On the way home I was able to spend time with Uncle Jim. + +Home improvement continues at a slower pace than I'd like. +I broke another bone this year, my clavicle, and had to get surgery again. +Trying not to make orthopedic surgery into a habit. +Pets are doing great. +I'm still blessed by a large number of friends and coworkers locally. Thank you all for being a part of my life this year. Please---stay in touch. -- cgit v1.2.3