Down, but not out.

Hello all.

I'm going to go ahead and dive right in.

My roommate of the last eleven years will soon be checked into a clinic; a decision supported by himself, his family and me.

He has also racked up several thousand dollars of debt without my knowledge that has my name attached to it due to both our names being on our bills and lease. He took advantage of our system for paying bills and rent (he handled all of it and at the end of the month I paid a quoted amount) and used it to hide his growing debt. My half continued to be sent towards these payments while his fell further and further behind. It took a recent call from my landlord that he was going to have start an eviction notice process in two days time that finally brought the magnitude of this to light. My roommate has no money will be unable to make any while he gets help, so this has fallen squarely on me with minimal time to find a solution.

I am not blameless in this. I saw the signs, confronted it on several occasions but failed in spectacular fashion to follow up. A hard lesson has been learned here that has me balancing compassion, fury and aspiring wisdom. The compassion is that in spite of this, I see that he really needs help, and that I said I would do my best to see that he gets it. At his core, he has the potential to be a good, possibly even great person one day. Buddy, I'll know you'll probably read this, so know that I stand by those words. The fury was taking the time to calm down enough and say it. And this wisdom is saying that is the last time I'm going to stand up for you and help you. May you get the help you need, and may you be better for it. And when you come out of it, may your burden be a little lighter from what I'm seeking to do here.

At immediate stakes is the apartment that I've thoroughly enjoyed calling home for over a decade. Many of you have joined me here for the summer bbqs I love to have. To me, these are the pinnacle of the best sets of memories I have of New York, to have an opportunity to bring great groups of people together for a great time year after year and to have the perfect place to do so.

I'm going to fight to keep this place I call home, but I know when I'm outmatched and this is not something I can tackle alone. I'm down, but not out. Not yet.

I'm asking for breathing room as I sort this out. Breathing room as I look for a new roommate, as I sort out these bills and tackle this debt unfairly placed in my lap. A wise man made wiser by marriage and fatherhood suggested I reach out to all of you.

I've put in what I can. Those that know me well will know most of what I've saved has been siphoned back to help family with a flooded home and emergency medical support. It was never an enormous amount, but it was almost all I had.

If you're in a place to give, I kindly ask you consider it.
Seriously, folks, any amount is sincerely appreciated.  And it can add up quickly.  And if you're not able to or decide not to, no worries. Really. Wherever I have the next big bbq, you're still welcome to be there. I'm not going to short you a Hooker Rib® or fill your drink any less high.

And so here I am standing before friends, acquaintances and strangers asking for help.

I've discovered an amazing thing from many of you. In having these get togethers over the years, I've learned that all it takes is everyone bringing a little to the table to make big things happen.

I'm hoping to make something big happen, everyone.

The amount listed is what is owed.

To stay afloat and keep the place I'm in now, a quarter of that is needed.

If even an twentieth of that amount is achieved, I'll have considered this a success.

Thank you all for you time, consideration and help. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,
Kevin