New York City

I give to you a letter to NYC in eleventy-one words...

Howdy New York,

I’ll soon be departing but wanted to wax poetic about what I’ll miss most about you.

I’ll miss the twenty minute walk to work and my daily disbelief that I worked at World Trade Center. I’ll miss hearing ‘Tequila!’ from across the bar. I’ll miss walks to Whole Foods Bowery just before it closed. I’ll miss the Saturday ritual of Gotham and Gym Bar. I’ll miss that slice at Joe’s at three in the morning.

Most of all, I’ll miss all the wonderful people that you and the universe conspired to put in my life these past four years. I am a better man because of you.

Ciao

The Search

I give to you a true story in 2x eleventy-one words...

‘We have fifteen apartments to see today,’ said the broker.

The first was a third floor one-bedroom in SoMa. Sean, our guide, told us there was also one on the sixth. The price and location were right. But the broker reminded me that I had paid for a full day. I considered and conceded.

After the tenth stop the first option was still the best. The broker called Sean. The sixth floor apartment had been rented; the third floor apartment was still available. She asked if they could hold it. They couldn’t. We were in the Mission District during rush hour on a Friday. I had a bad feeling about it.

---

It took twenty minutes to return. I gave Sean the completed rental application, credit report, and proof of employment information.

He pointed to the offer letter. ‘It isn’t signed.’

‘It’s the front page.’

‘I need a signed copy.’

I rummaged through my phone, found it, showed it. ‘I signed.’

‘They didn’t.’ He paused.  ‘We’ll also take your last two paystubs.’

I printed the paystubs, handed them to him. But I was too late. A couple had secured the apartment just minutes before. I slumped, disappointed.

Sean excused himself. He returned moments later and said, ‘the guy’s credit fell through on the sixth floor apartment. Would you like it?’

Hello San Francisco!