Monday I learned from a man wearing an ascot (he wasn't even wearing it ironically) that he now owns me. No not Matt, though he does have a rather nice ascot (thanks Monica). Our little company got acquired by a very large multinational firm that specializes in in vitro diagnostics. Super.
United States Senate
713
Sir,
By the time you receive this letter, you will likely be our President-elect, an event that we have long anticipated with excitement. We therefore wish to be among the first to congratulate you on your victory, your historic and inspiring campaign, and your hard work all across this nation over nearly two years. You have transformed American politics from a game for cynics and strategists played out in a small number of battleground states, to a nationwide debate that can involve all Americans, no matter the state in which they live or their previous political engagement. This in itself is no small feat, but what is more interesting is that your campaign has made itself a phenomenon that has captured the attention of those Americans through the enunciation of high-minded themes delivered high-mindedly. You have made hope one of the centerpieces of your campaign, and the growth, robustness, and disciplined behavior of your organization so far has given us a concrete token of the rewards of the hope you encourage.
Senator, hope is, as you no doubt know, one of the most powerful emotions we can have. But it is also one of the most delicate. You have successfully conjured it out of the hardened hearts of Americans, and have harnessed it for this election. But now that the election is at an end, the real work must begin. You have built up a strong grassroots organization and much goodwill within this country and abroad. In the long road ahead, you will be tested as all leaders are. Often, the ideas of politicking, pandering and triangulating for the sake of your political career will be seductive. At those moments, sir, please recall that at your bidding, we have shed our cynicism for the chance to have a new kind of President, a leader rather than a politician. Please remember that we are vulnerable because we have invested so much emotion in the hope of a better future and a better government that starts with us (and you) today. Above all, sir, we bid you remember that many of us have entrusted you with our fledgling and nascent hopes, and that it will not be easy or perhaps even possible to generate new hope if these are betrayed. We know you value hope and the engagement of the broad community of Americans. Therefore, sir, we charge you to protect that hope which we have given over to you.
We wish you the very best of luck in your Presidency. For the sake of us all, and for the sake of our faith in a brighter tomorrow, may
Sincerely,
Matthew A. Green and Gabriela K.Tanaka
Citizens
Young People
First-time Campaign Volunteers
The tweets on the earthquake began seconds after the earthquake occurred. It took the AP about 10 minutes to put out a short blurb on the news wires. I stayed on twitter to see what the progression on messages would be. There were some general trends evident in the messages. For about the first half hour or so after the earthquake the messages were along the lines of "OMG! Earthquake!" then they were followed by messages from LA along the lines of "I'm ok. Earthquake not that bad" and at this time also messages to people in LA with well wishes "shout out to my LA peeps hope you're ok". The I'm ok messages went on for about another hour or so and then came the sometime hilarious: what was I doing during the Earthquake messages. My favorite was of a woman who was at the OBGYN and in the middle of an exam when the earth shook. 
Every once in a while I get the urge to do a bit of baking. A few weeks ago I decided to make some sugar cookies and decorate them like Cynthia's kitties Miko and Uli. I asked Matt if he would like to make a kitty cookie so I showed him how and walked away. When I had returned I came to see the Matt pretending to be a kitty cookie. I particularly enjoyed eating that one.
In the late afternoon we finally got out of the house. The sun never peaked out behind the clouds and it was a typical winter day in Portland, chilly and moist. The gardens with their gentle curves and calming waters did not disappoint. The highlight of the visit was the stop at the tea house inside the gardens. A huge variety of teas, each served in its appropriate pot and cups, was a welcome respite from the chilly outdoors.
Monica's loverly new hat, Matt's new pince-nez, ascot, woolly hat and Teddy getting in on the fun with a new tie. Perhaps Matt and Monica will tell you the story. I just do pictures.
