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Day 43: A letter to Jesus

Posted on February 12, 2015 | Leave a comment

That's Jesus taking an order for pick up.

That’s Jesús taking an order for pick up.

No, this is not a letter to that Jesus…it’s a letter to Jesús – my favorite taquero. If you are in the DC area you have to try Jesús’ tacos. I lived in Mexico for a year and Tacos El Chilango is the real deal. If you have any doubt, check them out on Yelp.com – I kid you not that this truck has the highest rating of all restaurants in Arlington County. That’s insane – and awesome all in one. I love these guys – they are part responsible for my overall happiness in DC and also part responsible for the 15 pounds I can’t seem to lose.

You can find Jesús at the corner of 14th Street N. and N. Quinn Street every day but Sunday. Jesús’ brother Juan Antonio has opened a brick and mortar shop at 1119 V St NW which is the same, actually it has a bit more expanded menu, but I still prefer the truck.

day 43-2

 

day 43(English translation)

Dear Jesús,

I wanted to send you a letter to tell you that you have the best tacos! I think that this month marks 5 years since the first time I visited the truck. The meat is always tasty – cut just the way they do in Mexico. The diced onion and fresh cilantro (and cucumber slices) complete each taco. They’re delicious and authentic. You and your team always are kind and treat your guests like friends. Even my Dad, who lives in Pennsylvania, asks about you guys.

Congratulations and best regards,
Reed

Yelp.es user: Prairie S

Yelp.es user: Prairie S

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Day 24: Tom

Posted on January 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

Get closer than ever to your customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves. ~ Steve Jobs

I tried to stealthily snap this photo of Chris hard at work.

I tried to stealthily snap this photo of Chris hard at work.

Customer experience has probably never been as important as it is now. With online marketplaces commoditizing the vast majority of products and services, it’s the customer’s experience – whether face to face or online – that dictates whether they will publicly praise or shame you.

I had some items to ship on Friday and headed to FedEx. They were awkwardly shaped, so I needed to get them boxed up. I’m terrible at these kind of tasks, thankfully Chris, the FedEx team member that helped me, was awesome. It was refreshing to see a young person take his job, and more importantly his responsibility, seriously. I decided to drop his boss a note.

It’s funny – I called back hours later to get the name of the manager and Chris answered – he’d been there all day at that point and still sounded as polite and professional as he did at 9am. I didn’t tell him I was writing this letter to his boss…I just asked for the manager’s name.

Day 24 Tom-2

Tom,

Just a note to tell you how impressed I was with a member of your team. I stopped in on Friday with two large items that needed boxed up and shipped and a young man named Day 24 TomChris did a fantastic job – from making sure that I got the right kind of boxes to guiding me through my shipment options. He took care of everything. His badge said that he was a trainee – I’m sure he’ll be moving up in no time. Please let him know that his professionalism and attention to customer service made an impression on me.

Keep up the good work,
Reed Sandridge

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Day 22: Mr. Zinsser

Posted on January 24, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: pauldrybooks.com

Photo: pauldrybooks.com

It’s scary to write to someone who is internationally known and respected as an expert on writing, but that is what I’m doing today. I’m sending a letter to William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well and former Yale professor. The aforementioned book changed my view of writing more than any other book – and as you might expect, it’s impeccably written.

I half expect to get my letter returned to me, marked up in red pen by the 92-year-old writing authority, showing me how I could have improved my letter. That would be wonderful!

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Mr. Zinsser,

Monogramed stationery from Crane & Co.

Monogramed stationery from Crane & Co.

No book on writing has impacted me more than On Writing Well. You’ve inspired me to always be true to myself and what I want to say – challenging me to examine whether every word is doing new and useful work. Thank you – not only for helping me to become a better writer, but also for influencing so many other writers whose work I read.

With admiration and respect,
Reed Sandridge

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Day 15: Mika

Posted on January 15, 2015 | 1 comment

I was trying to downsize my apartment and was going through clothes when I found a shirt that belonged to a woman I used to date. We haven’t spoken since we ended things and it’s a bit awkward to send her this, but it’s hers and she should have it. Mika is originally from Uzbekistan – hence the last line in which is written in Uzbek.

Mika Day 15

 

Mika,

Sorry I’ve had this so long. I hope that you are doing well and that 2015 is full of good health and happiness for you and your family.

Xayr, yaxshi boring!  (Farewell, may peace be with you!)
Reed

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Day 13: Ken

Posted on January 13, 2015 | Leave a comment


I met today’s recipient five years ago today. A proud and stalwart salesman of the Street Sense newspaper in DC, I’ve stayed in touch with him ever since meeting him through my Year of Giving project. You can read about the day we met and see a photo of Ken in action selling the paper here.

Ken Day 13

 

Ken,

Today marks five years since we met at the Dupont Circle metro stop at the corner of 20th and Q. Your passion and enthusiasm for Street Sense, your customers and soccer all inspire me to be passionate about things in my own life. I know you’ve experienced great challenges in your life, but you face them with strength and optimism and I admire that. I know your birthday is this Saturday – let’s go for lunch one day this week or next week to celebrate.

Your friend,

Reed

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