From the Sh*t Happens Files:

My apartment building burned down last wednesday. I was lucky enough to snatch my accordion and other instruments in time. The rest of the damage is mostly smoke and smashed walls & windows (courtesy of the FDNY). Clothes...gone, couch...history etc.

My building owners were doing illegal "renovations" that day, and then there just happened to be a fire that very night. So very sketchy. Welcome to NYC.

Anyway, I was relieved to have my instruments. At least now I can still go to Balfa Camp!

Would you believe that studio apartments in the East Village are now going for $1400/month? How many accordions is that a year?

Best,

Nick B.

Sorry to here about your apartment. At least you got your instruments. My wife laughed at me when we evacuated for Hurricane Rita because the first thing I put in the car was one of my accordions. My thinking was everything else in the house can either go in the safe or be replaced. That particular accordian can't be replaced. Besides, I had to have something to do while we lived like refugees.

I don't see how ya'll pay that kind of rent.

hi brent.....

i know which accordion you are talking about, and i am sure that is the first thing you reach for, before your beautiful kids!
long time no talk, how you doin, ton ami?
roger

Hey Roger...

It was great seeing you and Buffy when ya'll came down. I had a blast playing at my Pop's house with you two. I'm sorry I wasn't able to catch your Liberty performance but I'm sure it was great.

Here's my new e-mail address:

brentabshire@cox-internet.com

Drop me a line sometime.

Hi Nick,
I'm sorry to hear that you went through that, and that you're forced to go "apt hunting," which, in my experience in NYC, seemed like some kind of punishment that I was getting in karmic repayment for horrible crimes committed in a past life. Perhaps in that past life I owned an apt building!

Glad to hear that you got out safely. That's the important thing. And the accordion.
-Andy

Nick,
Sorry to hear of your loss. That 1400 a month, does that include off street parking in NJ or is that another 1400?

Sorry to hear about your recent drama. Glad the accordions are safe, as you know you can always borrow one of mine in an emergency. My East Village apt. was $130 a month (a long time ago). Cheap, but living in Hell would have been more hospitable. Hope you rebound quickly.
Charlie

Hey Nick,
Glad you made it out of there safe buddy. Was ya awake when the fire started? You be surprise how quite a fire can burn before it gets to you. Was ya able to save anything else? See ya Saturday on the Heritage Day in April, I am coming down, but not making the camp, coming for the dance that Saturday afternoon/night.
Mark