Missing Matt Damon

EW reader Johanna sent us this tale today:

Eugene has always had a special vibe, more than any other placed I have lived. What happened about a month ago is a prime example of how magical this town really is.

On my way home from work every day, I take West 11th heading West. For the past couple of years, I would pass by a house with an abstract picture of Matt Damon on the window. I didn’t think anything of it at first, but as the years went by, no matter what changed in my life, Matt Damon would always be there to greet me on my way home.
Then, suddenly, about a month ago, I noticed Matt Damon was gone. I knew it was inevitable, since we are a college town, that Matt Damon would eventually move. But the empty window that stared at me as I drove by it every day was beginning to eat away at me.

I decided to fill that void with an ad on craigslist under the missed connections. My original add went something like this:

Dear Abstract Picture of Matt Damon,
You have been the most consistent man in my life for many years. Other men would come and go in my life, but I knew once I took West 11th after work, you would be there to comfort me on good days and on bad days. Rainy days, sunny days, showers with a sun breaks....you'd always be there.

Then suddenly, you leave. No phone call, no forwarding address... I miss you!

Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!

Funny enough, I got several responses. Some on craigslist and some via email. The original owners of Matt Damon contacted me to inform me that Matt Damon had moved to Portland. The new owners of the house also contacted me and were sympathetic enough to put a Titanic poster on the window to remind me that Matt Damon may be lost to history, but my love for Matt Damon will never be forgotten. For your enjoyment, I have attached the responses I got, as well as a final posting from me, ending this magical chapter in Eugene’s life.
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I have it on good athority [sic] that Matt (and the boys that lived there) moved out. (11th and Jackson) It is now inhabited by a bunch of young chickies that either appriciate [sic] someone like Justin Bieber or are keeping Matt to themselves inside there. You may want to consider moving on... or knocking on the door. He may still be inside.
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I thought I was the only one who noticed that picture on 11th. This post seriously made my day. Where in Eugene is Matt Damon? I guess we'll never know.
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Sorry that we took away your sweet prince (Matt Damon). We have just received and Titanic poster that we were thinking about putting in the window. Maybe Leo could be your new man? Once again, sorry. — New members of the west 11th house
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that was my old college house you are talking about!! i cannot express how happy it made me when a friend of mine found your posting on craigslist. truly an iconic part of west 11th!!
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I just wanted to say that I know exactly the Abstract Picture of Matt Damon to which you are referring. His picture always stood out on the drive, haha. This posting made me laugh. Thanks!
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Oh goodness, so funny! We always called that the "Matt Damon House" and by chance we met the guy who lived there. He said he posted it in the window to make it easier for friends to spot the house when driving by. Sadly he moved a while back :( Perhaps we'll see Matt sprout up elsewhere? This made me laugh to see that other people missed it as well!
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I was surprised at how many responses I got from people who also missed Matt Damon. I actually got nine responses...all of whom also missed the poster. I'm glad I'm not the only one weird enough to miss a random picture of Matt Damon on the way home from work. It's moments like these that remind me of how much I love Eugene.

Alas, Matt Damon has moved to Portland....

The current renters were awesome enough to put a poster of the movie Titanic ... in memory of my Matt Damon picture ... who is lost to history, but our memory and our love will never be forgotten.