Author Archives: Reed Sandridge

Day 149: The Ruta Family

Posted on May 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

I met my buddy Ryan Ruta while living in Valladolid, Spain back in 1995. We spent a semester studying Spanish at the Universidad de Valladolid. It was a tremendous experience and I made a couple of friends along the way, Ryan was one of them.

He ended up moving to Bolivia to do some post-graduate work, met his wife Twyla, got married, started a family and joined the Foreign Service. Every couple of years they move to a new country and he often comes back to Washington for periods of time, so we get to catch up then.

He was here back in April and I’ve been meaning to write him ever since.

I used some Wasi tape to add an international touch to the header of this piece of stationery.

I used some Washi tape to add an international touch to the header of this piece of stationery.

Dear Ruta Family,

I hope my note finds you well. One thing that I always enjoyed during my time abroad was receiving handwritten letters from friends and family.

I’ve been writing a handwritten note or letter to someone every day this year. Today is Day 149! I’ve written to all kinds of people – family, friends, celebrities, politicians – just yesterday I wrote to former President George W. Bush. Ryan even helped me leave an anonymous note with $10 in it at Starbucks on Day 104 while he was visiting here in DC. I’m sorry there’s no money in this letter for you, I learned long ago that sending cash in the mail is not a wise decision. That reminds me though of a short story, Una Carta a Dios by Gregorio Lopez y Fuentes. Have you read it? You can find it online – it’s really short but worth reading.

I hope to some day visit you guys while you are living abroad. I don’t know if I will make Honduras, although it’s one of the few countries in Latin America that I have not visited. It would be fun to see you and check it off of my list of countries to visit.

I hope that Bianca, Diego and Lexi are all doing well – hopefully making new friends and adapting to life there. I guess the same could be said for both of you too!

When you have time, drop me a note and let me know how you are doing. And definitely let me know when you’ll be in Washington as I always enjoy seeing you and catching up.

Abrazos,
Reed

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Day 148: President George W. Bush

Posted on May 28, 2015 | 1 comment
Photo: People.com

Photo: People.com

It’s been  nearly six and a half years since my neighbors George and Laura Bush moved back to Texas. I haven’t seen or heard from him hardly since then, so I thought I would drop him a note.

Day 148-4

Day 148

 

I embossed a bicycle on the card - the President enjoys mountain biking.

I embossed a bicycle on the card – the President enjoys mountain biking.

Dear President Bush,

I am a big fan of old school handwritten letters – hence this one to you. I heard President Clinton was giving you a hard time for not being on Twitter….well, that’s just baloney. You don’t need to be on Twitter – although I did see that your father has an account! It’s cool you’re on Instagram – you should posts some photos of your paintings though, I hear you’re pretty talented with a brush and canvas.

I take you for a man who prefers the handwritten letter over messages limited to 140 characters. I’m on a mission to write a handwritten letter every day for a year – you’re Day 148. Perhaps you’d be kind enough to drop me a handwritten note.

Best regards,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. I live about 8 blocks away from your old house on Pennsylvania Ave.

Day 148-3

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Day 147: Bryan Henderson

Posted on May 27, 2015 | 1 comment

Grammar is not my strong suit. Neither is spelling for that matter. I regularly receive emails from friends and followers pointing out blunders on my blogs. It doesn’t bother me that they point them out, in fact, I appreciate it. What bothers me is the fact that I commit the mistakes in the first place.

I recently saw a story by Steve Hartman about a man from San Jose, California who has spent the past four years eliminating more than 47,000 instances of “comprised of” on Wikipedia. I had to write this guy a letter. Coincidentally, I discovered he lives less than five miles away from the first house I lived in off of McLaughlin Avenue.

Day 147

Bryan,

I recently learned about your four-year crusade to eradicate “comprised of” from Wikipedia. I have a handful of social projects that have corresponding blogs – I checked them and found that I had committed this error on YearOfGiving.org and AnthonyAndMe.com. Don’t worry though, I went back and changed every instance of “comprised of” to “composed of.” Thank you for your Wikipedia service and for drawing attention to this common mistake.

Best regards,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. I half expect to get this letter back from you with corrections made in red pen!

 

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Day 146: Dad

Posted on May 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

Day 146

Dad,

When I look back at the letters that I have from you and Mom growing up, the majority were sent while I was spending time away from home at camp, as an exchange student, at college, etc. I’ve kept those letters, I treasure them. They bring back beautiful memories when I hold them in my hand and read the words that you wrote by hand.

As you spend time at the cabin, I thought you could use some mail. It was great to see you this past weekend – I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together.

DadJason

With Dad at a Nationals game a few years ago.

I wonder if you saw the Nats yesterday – close game, they beat the cubs 2-1, Ramos hit the game winning home run. You should google Michael Taylor’s catch if you didn’t see it already, beautiful!

Things here are going fine. I got your check for the Street Sense event on June 2nd. Thank you, that was very generous of you. Put Oct. 1st on your calendar – the 2015 Street Sense Gala. It’s shaping up to be a really cool event.

I’m going over to Ryan’s tonight to babysit Jacqueline and Mackenzie – Ryan and Mandy are going to see comedienne Amy Schumer.

We need to talk about our trip to Europe – we put it on hold as I recall when you had your knee surgery, but that’s been four years now and we still haven’t made plans for the trip.

I’m not sure how long you’re planning on staying up there, but maybe I will try to come visit. And I hope you know that you are always welcome here – I really enjoy when you visit. Maybe we can find time for you to come when we can get to a couple of Nationals games. That would be fun.

I know you have things you want to get done up there, but I hope you take some time to relax and enjoy yourself too.

I love you very much,
Jason

Day 146-2

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Day 145: Willie Mays

Posted on May 25, 2015 | Leave a comment
Portrait of San Francisco Giants center fielder Willie Mays before game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park. San Francisco, California 7/5/1962 Photo: rsvits.com

Portrait of San Francisco Giants center fielder Willie Mays before game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park.
San Francisco, California 7/5/1962
Photo: rsvits.com

Sixty-four years ago today Willie Howard Mays, Jr. made his major league debut with the New York Giants – now the San Francisco Giants. Despite being armed with a sure glove and a powerful swing, he struggled in his very first days in the big leagues. He went 0-23 in his first 23 plate appearances until belting a home run in his 24th at bat.

I embossed his number on the back of the envelope.

I embossed his number on the back of the envelope.

I was curious if that is why he wore number 24 or if he already used that number. I did some research but didn’t find anything conclusive so I decided to ask the “Say Hey Kid” himself.

Mays went on to play 22 seasons and earned an impressive .302 lifetime batting average. He was rookie of the year in 1951, voted to 19 All-Star games, won a World Series, earned 12 Gold Gloves, and even hit four home runs in a single game – something only 15 other players have ever done, the last being Carlos Delgado in 2003.

Day 145

Dear Mr. Mays,

Today marks 64 years since you debuted in the Major Leagues. There hasn’t been another player with your level of talent and passion for the game since you left baseball in ’73. Your famous catch in the ’54 World Series remains one of the most iconic baseball images of all time. You are the greatest of them all.

Day 145-2I’m curious, did you choose 24 from the start or did you pick that after getting your first hit on your 24th at bat – a home run at the Polo Grounds if I’m not mistaken.

I hope to hear from you.

With tremendous admiration and respect,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. Happy belated birthday!

 

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