Tag Archives: Paper Source

Day 195: Brian and Lisa

Posted on July 14, 2015 | Leave a comment

Summer is a time for the beach, baseball and barbecues. Well, last weekend I didn’t go to the beach or catch any baseball games, but I did go over to the home of the Executive Director of Street Sense, Brian Carome, and his wife Lisa for a barbecue. Everyone there was connected in some way to the Street Sense Media Center, a collaborative where local filmmakers, photographers, poets, playwrights, visual and graphic artists, and audio storytellers work side-by-side with men and women experiencing homelessness to craft stories that challenge our perceptions of homelessness. The work produced in Media Center workshops over the last year has been nothing short of remarkable and it was nice to take a moment and just relax with this incredible group of people.

Day 195

Brian and Lisa, 

Thank you both so much for inviting me to your home for the BBQ. It was great to talk with you and so many other members of the Street Sense family. The food was outstanding – and while I didn’t have the pork since I’m not eating meat right now, everyone was raving about it. I probably should have cheated and just tried a bite. Anyway, I am buying that Weber Cookbook!

Thanks again – it was a wonderful evening.
Reed

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Day 194: Megan

Posted on July 13, 2015 | 2 comments
Barren Hill cocktail at McClellan's Retreat

Barren Hill cocktail at McClellan’s Retreat

At some point I became interested in mixing cocktails. For some of the more interesting ones, it seems I’m always missing one ingredient. Often times it is a tincture, bitters or syrup that has to be prepared ahead of time. So despite my interest in crafting my own cocktails, it’s nice sometimes to go some place that has all the ingredients – not to mention the expertise to make them!

Day 194bAround the corner from my house is McClellan’s Retreat. They opened up last fall where Veritas used to be. I hesitated posting this letter here because people will start to flock to this favorite spot of mine and then there will be no room for me at the bar. I guess that would be a good thing though – both in terms of the bar doing well enough to stay in business and for me not sitting at the bar as often as I may now.

Anyway, Megan is the manager and head bartender there. If you stop by, tell her I sent you. And definitely order the Barren Hill, it’s my favorite. But I caught part of a conversation one day about the pistachio syrup – the fact that possibly they’ve lost the recipe and when this batch runs out, it’s gone forever. So you better go sooner than later.

Day 194-2

Dear Megan,

It was good to see you this past weekend – it had been way too long since I had stopped in. It’s not healthy (staying away that is) and I promise not to do it again.

People talk about climate change, pandemics, ISIS… but what keeps me up at night is pistachio syrup. What will become of the Barren Hill if you run out??? Speaking of which, I was in on Sunday and Chris made me one – it was pretty delicious. You’ve got some competition!

Thanks for being my neighborhood bar.

Cheers,
Reed

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Day 188: Gilson and Keila

Posted on July 7, 2015 | 1 comment

 

Today’s letter is for some good friends in Brazil. They lived here in D.C. for a couple years and come back to visit from time to time. Unfortunately, the last couple times they have visited I have had other travel that has caused me to mostly miss their visits.

Day 188

Dear Gilson and Keila,

I hope my 188th letter of the year finds you well. I realize you are not in Sao Paulo right now – I’ve been seeing some of the great food (and drink) you are enjoying in Peru. I’ve been there several times but I’ve never been to Machu Picchu, that should be exciting.

I made another custom envelope liner.

I made another custom envelope liner.

Things here are going well. I’ve been busy working and writing letters. I haven’t done much traveling lately, except the occasional work trip. They’re usually shorter trips than I was accustomed to at Comptel. Instead of transcontinental week-long trips, I typically go to New York City, Boston or maybe Florida for a few days. It’s a lot easier, but sometimes I miss traveling to places where English is not the first language.

I hope that you are still planning on coming to the US in September – have you already signed up for the Tough Mudder? You are welcome to stay at my place. Hopefully this time I will actually be here!

I miss you guys and hope that it works out to see you here later this year.

Abracos,
Reed

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Day 184: Coach Sutter

Posted on July 3, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: L.A. Times

Photo: L.A. Times

Darryl Sutter is the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. Sutter, who coached the team to a Stanley Cup victory last year, has six brothers, five of which also played in the NHL. He even has a son who plays professionally. It’s truly in their blood.

I don’t remember Sutter playing for the Blackhawks back in the ’70s and ’80s, but I understand he was a good player. I know him as a coach, a profession he’s held for more than two decades. And while he’s clearly a talented at managing players, what I like most about him is how he handles reporters. It’s beautiful. So often they ask just ridiculous questions. Sutter’s blunt deadpan responses make you so uncomfortable you can’t help but love him. Awkward pauses and darting eyes top it all off. Google something like “Darryl Sutter response to reporter” and you’ll get a taste of what I mean.

Day 184

Dear Coach Sutter,

I am not a L.A. Kings fan, but I’m a huge fan of you and how you handle postgame interviews. Let’s be honest, sometimes they’re more entertaining than the games themselves. You’re demeanor is priceless when they ask you inane questions.

I’ve been thinking, there should be a movie about the Sutter family – the number of you that have played in the NHL is remarkable. I’d cast Bill Murray to play you! That’d be awesome, wouldn’t it?

Anyway enjoy your summer and best of luck to you next season,

Reed Sandridge
PO Box 53065
Washington, DC 20009

P.S. I see that the Kings are playing the Capitals next Feb. 16th here in Washington. I probably won’t go to the game, ticket prices here are outrageous, but if there is a way to attend your postgame interview, I’d be honored to be there!

 

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Day 182: Katie

Posted on July 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

Katie is a friend and former colleague of mine. I’ve been living vicariously through her this past year as she is attending the London School of Economics and traveling to fun places throughout Europe.

Day 182

I added some washi tape to the top of this paper as well as to the back of the envelope to dress it up a bit. Also, another recycled envelope liner that I made from a Paper Source bag.

Katie,

I hope my letter finds you well. And who knows when you’ll get this because you seem to be quite the traveller (see I used the British spelling for you!) these days. I’ve followed your jaunts around London, your travelling adventures to Italy (I also loved Cinque Terre…and a charming little town called San Gimignano, I don’t think you went there), Portugal, Spain…you do such a wonderful job of sharing interesting images and story – it’s almost as if you bring us along with you.

While you’re on your fantastic year-long tour of Europe, I hope that on occasion you find the time to discover an absolutely splendid place called the London School of Economics – I hear it is a remarkable institution. Seriously, I hope you are enjoying this experience. I know it wasn’t an easy decision to quit your job and take this giant leap of faith across the ocean, but I doubt that you question it one bit now as you look back. We often overestimate what we have and underestimate what we can gain by trying something new. I’ve lived I’ve lived abroad in three different countries and loved each experience.

I look forward to getting together sometime when you are back on this side of the pond. Until then, enjoy the rest of your time in Europe!

Reed

P.S. I saw that you were selected to run in the NYC Marathon – that’s awesome!

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