Tag Archives: Paper Source

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 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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Day 143: Michael Swaine

Posted on May 23, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: Darryl Bush

Photo: Darryl Bush

One of my favorite television journalists is Steve Hartman. When you turn on CBS and see him, you know that you are about to see a story that is going to touch your heart. He did a story in October of 2006 about a young kid with autism named Jason McElwain who became an unlikely hero on the basketball court.

Last night I saw a story he did on an art professor named Michael Swaine from San Francisco. Once a month for the past 15 years Michael pulls a cart with an antique sewing machine on it into the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District and repairs and alters people’s clothes at no cost. He calls it the Free Mending Library. And while what he is doing is awesome in and of itself, the real value is how he is touching the community. The stories he sews are strengthening that community.

Day 143-2

Dear Michael,

I saw your story on CBS last evening – so inspiring. I love it. I looked you up online and found FutureFarmers.com – also amazing projects.

You are doing so much more than sewing – you’re mending a stronger fabric of community which is something we are thirsty for these days. I’d love to know more about other projects you’re involved with as I too am investing in projects that create meaningful community in unique and hopefully inspiring ways. Where’s the best place to follow what you are up to?

All the best,
Reed Sandridge

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Day 142: Jon

Posted on May 22, 2015 | Leave a comment

I spent a good portion of Wednesday with Jon – a colleague who is an expert on conservation in the Eastern Himalayas. He gave a talk that evening that was excellent – Jon is talented at using storytelling to effectively engage his audience. He spoke passionately about the region – especially Nepal, a country that has suffered such terrible loss over the last month.

Jon lives in New Jersey and spends a great deal of time in Asia – so this doesn’t happen that often. I was very thankful to have the time with him and learn more about the projects that he is managing.

Day 142-2

Jon,

What a pleasure it was to spend time with you in Boston this week. Your talk was excellent and the feedback I heard from others echoed my praise. Your knowledge, passion and thoughtfulness touched all of us. I look forward to working with you more in the future.

Best wishes for a safe and productive trip to Mongolia and Bhutan.

Reed

P.S. I ordered a copy of Spillover – thanks for the recommendation.

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Day 140: David Letterman

Posted on May 20, 2015 | 2 comments

“There’s not a man, woman or child in these United States of America who doesn’t enjoy a nice cold, refreshing beverage.” – David Letterman

They wouldn't let me in to meet Dave this morning or even leave this letter for him, so I took a moment, paid my respects to the legend and dropped the letter in a mailbox in front of Times Square.

They wouldn’t let me in to meet Dave this morning or even leave this letter for him, so I took a moment, paid my respects to the legend and dropped the letter in a mailbox in front of Times Square.

I’ve been saying that quote for 25 years – and it’s just as true today as it was the first time I heard Dave say it.

I’m in New York City today and it’s Dave’s last show so I thought I would go by the Ed Sullivan Theater to say farewell and good luck to my friend. With my bags in tow, I hiked up from Times Square to 54th Street and Broadway – it will be sad not see the iconic blue and gold Late Show with David Letterman marquee lighting up the block. It’s been there since my first visit to the Big Apple.

Dave and I started hanging out when I was about 13 or 14 – he spent a lot of time in my living room during the summers when I could stay up late. We don’t spend as much time together any more – I feel he changed, or maybe I changed. Who knows. And frankly who cares? None of that changes the feeling of sadness that I have today as an era comes to an end.

And what about Paul Shaffer? Maybe I should have written him, I guess he’s out of a job now too. He’s been there, donning his bizarre outfits, right next to Dave since the very beginning. I should have added a postscript to my note to Dave, “Please share my regards and best wishes with Paul.”

Day 140

Dear Dave,

Day 140-4I came all the way from Washington, D.C. to personally say thank you for entertaining us for the past 30 years. You changed the landscape of late night television. Best of luck in all of your personal and professional future endeavors.

Thanks for the laughs and the memories,
Reed Sandridge

By the way, if you want a to see a vulnerable side of Dave that you rarely see, check out this interview with New York Times’s Dave Itzkoff.

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