Monthly Archives: January 2015

Day 6: Matt Hurlburt, Hotel Monaco Alexandria

Did you ever get a gift certificate and have it expire on you before you can use it? Well, that’s exactly what happened here. Expiration dates are often arbitrarily set at a year and have no reason that they could not be extended. I know I have been on the other side of this situation when I have worked for places that issued gift certificates and always worked something out if they expired Continue reading

Day 5: A.R. and Aimee


A.R. and Aimee are good friends of mine. Aimee and I go way back to seventh grade French class.

They were married in October of 2013 and I had the honor of officiating their wedding. Maybe it was the shots of Fireball that A.R. provided or perhaps I was just really nervous to preside over a marriage when I myself, who have never been married, obviously don’t know a lot about what it means to be married, but I realized a few months ago that I may not have given them a gift. And when I say gift, I mean a check, because so often I don’t really know what to give couples, but money seems to always be appreciated.

Anyway, I checked some things and it seems I really didn’t give them a gift at the time…or if I did, I don’t have any recollection of it. So, here you go…better late than never.

 

Orme

 

Dear A.R. and Aimee,

Happy New Year to you both!

A few months ago I was reviewing my 2013 taxes and finances and realized I don’t think I ever gave you a wedding gift?! I thought I remembered putting a card in the box that was set up on your wedding day, but I don’t see any cancelled check on my bank statements and I don’t think I would have just put cash in an envelope, so here is your belated wedding present.

I know proper etiquette says that this is too late, but that’s a load of crap. It’s worse to never give the gift than to give it late.

Miss you guys and hope to see you soon,

Jason

 Jason?! Who’s Jason? Don’t worry, I’m not outsourcing this. Jason is my first name, but most people call me by Reed – my middle name.

Sunday Letters: William Kelly to his mother

I was thinking that I would do something a bit different on Sundays. Instead of sharing my letter on Sundays, I thought I would share someone else’s letters that are interesting or catch you up on the letters that I receive back from the people I’m writing to – I hope to get some responses! As Lazlo Toth Continue reading

Day 3: Michael Amez, Whole Foods

All too often people go out of our way to make our experience at a store or restaurant and we don’t take a moment to thank them. Yet when they do something to piss us off, we are quick to kill them on social media and tell everyone we know how terrible they are.

I was reflecting on the holidays this morning and remembered a nice man who helped my sister-in-law out over Thanksgiving. He certainly didn’t Continue reading

Day 2: Mayor Muriel Bowser

Courtesy of murielformayor.com

Courtesy of murielformayor.com

Today our new mayor takes office. Muriel Bowser, a DC native, will replace Vincent Gray as the mayor of the District of Columbia. She’s 42 and only the second woman to hold the office. I decided to drop her a note on her first official day at work. Go get’em Muriel!

 

 

Muriel Bowser-3

 

Dear Mayor Bowser,

Congratulations on being elected mayor of the District of Columbia. I voted for you and wish you lots of luck. While I know that you will be watching many issues, there are two that are very important to me.

We desperately need to secure voting equality for the 646,000 disenfranchised American citizens living here. We deserve voting representation in Congress.

We also need to increase affordable housing. Each year low-income residents of the District have fewer housing options and the number of homeless individuals increases – up to 12,000 a year ago. I applaud your support of the housing first model.

I'm a Nats fan, what can I say...maybe she has some pull!

I’m a Nats fan, what can I say…maybe she has some pull!

Good luck – buckle in, it’s going to be a wild ride. I hope that you will be able to make significant progress on the above items – and if you can help the Nats win the World Series, even better.

Sincerely,
Reed Sandridge