The Dateby Ray Shay

 

Ryan and Theresa

I know at a minimum it is bad manners for me to be on a date with my wife and son and to keep thinking about another woman, I met the previous evening.  I just couldn't shake the thoughts of her from my tired brain. 

I never dreamed I would be so distracted, because Theresa and I have been consciously trying to enjoy every second were around our youngest son Ryan.  He is at the awesome age where he is so much fun and he still thinks we're both pretty, "cool."  He laughs in his little boy voice at my corny jokes and still giggles uncontrollably when I tickle him in that special, secret spot.

I felt like we were living the dream last Saturday night as the waiter served me an ice cold amber ale in a chilled glass as I prepared to dine with two people who are at the top of my universe.  I glanced around the packed restaurant located in the beautiful and quaint seaside town of Del Mar, California.  Over a hundred people were busy laughing and joking as they appeared not to have a worry in the world.   I noticed gold and grey American Express cards were dropping on top of dinner bills like steady rain on a tin roof.

That is when my mind drifted back yet again to the previous evening and the other woman. Her name is Lisa-Lisa Jones and she is part owner of Jones Brothers Mississippi Barbecue at 6911 imperial Ave. (LINK). I met her while I was with some friends named Rocky, Dan and Ken Fortier.   Ken is a Sergeant on the SDPD Gang Suppression Team.  We were all on a ride-a-long to get a peek at how most people live.  Not the safe, HOA monitored and gate guarded communities that dot our local landscape, but rather residences where there are no garages and life and people just intersect more.

As we pulled into the parking lot of Jones Brothers Barbecue Restaurant in Southeast San Diego, Sergeant Ken warned us, "Lisa-Lisa is great, but keep in mind she is a hugger."  As we unbuckled our seat belts and eased out of the marked patrol car wearing bulky ballistic body armor,

Outside the perimeter of a shooting crime scene later in the evening.

we all glanced around the empty parking lot.   It was about seven PM on a Friday night and there was not a single customer. That is except us.

The empty parking lot and restaurant did not bother me as I knew they had great barbecue.  I was busy thinking to myself, how cool it was that Lisa-Lisa was a "hugger."  This world needs more "huggers." 

My private thoughts then drifted to all the years I had been a cop and how likely it was we would be called away from dinner to respond to either a shooting, stabbing or another type of violent crime somewhere south of Interstate 8. After all, it was Friday evening and San Diego is no longer a sleepy little town along the Pacific Ocean.

For whatever reasons, life just seems less fair in poorer communities.  Unfortunately, my predication of violence proved all too accurate, except for the timing.  We were able to finish our dinner. 

When we all walked into the empty Jones Brothers Mississippi BBQ Restaurant you would think we were returning family members. No hugs, but the Jones' family greeted all of us warmly with friendly smiles.  I didn't ask Dan or Rocky, but I knew we all felt welcome.

The barbecue was awesome, but more importantly, I saw a plaque resting on the laminate counter by the cash register and empty tip jar.  It included a picture that honored SDPD Officer Chris Wilson who was gunned down in the line of duty only a  few miles from where we now sat.  Chris who was married and has a son and a daughter was killed onOctober 28, 2010.  For details and video reflection of Officer Chris Wilson click here

When we finished our meal, I thanked Joe, his brother Nate and his wife Lisa-Lisa for the great food and told them how much we appreciated they still remembered Chris.  Lisa-Lisa blurted out proudly, "of course. I love that man."  What was interesting is she spoke about Officer Chris Wilson in the present tense.  Chris was killed in the line of duty from a gang members bullet over three years ago.  Lisa-Lisa and her family are keeping his spirit and memory alive.  She is a woman I will never forget. I knew Theresa would understand me thinking about her and Officer Chris.

It reminded me once again that sometimes in a few communities the bonds of friendship seem tighter and the appreciation they have for their law enforcement officers feels like it runs deeper.  When we got back to our patrol car we 

Rocky, Joe Jones and Dan

were soon responding to a shooting in the 3300 block of Imperial Ave.  Directly due west where we had eaten dinner. 

As I smiled at Ryan and Theresa with the fresh ocean air surrounding us, I  thought once again about the Jone's family and my time with Rocky, Dan and Ken.  I then took another sip of the cold beer and made a private toast to all the men and woman of law enforcement who were right now walking the point to protect us.  I also felt a sincere sense of appreciation to what appears to be ordinary people like the Jones that on a daily basis do such extraordinary things, like making strangers feel so welcome and keeping the memory of a father and friend alive and part of the daily fabric of their lives.

 

Enjoy your week.

Ray and Theresa Shay 

2013 - Shay Realtors - All Rights Reserved

Broker's Corner

Ray Shay Broker Associate

The latest news on local real estate by Ray Shay, Owner/Broker 

Associate of Shay Realtors of REMAX Ranch and Beach
#1 in home sales in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Congratulations to the Hawks on their beat down of the Bronco's. What do they say, "On any given day?" I thought the best part was the advise Russ Wilson the quarterback of the Seahawks received from his dad growing up, "Hey Russ, why not you?" I think meaning anyone can be the best in the world if they just commit themselves. Great advice coming from a mom, dad, brother or sister.... Never limit what you can achieve.

Let's get back to real estate. Micro Housing is something you will be hearing more and more about. As our children go off to college and making their way in life, housing will always be tough. In Seattle and other towns across the United States you are seeing people increasing calling home about 200 square feet that contains a bed, kitchenette, bathroom and a place to turn around. With rents about $700.00 a month in metropolitan areas they're tough to pass up.  To read more, click here...

Local Market Update     

We can provide you with custom weekly reports. You will find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market trends specifically for our 92127 zip code. Call us at 858.449.7355 or email us today for your custom condo or single family home report.

Zach & "Hump Day" Donutsby Ray Shay

First 'Hump Day" Donut Run

As the San Diego MTS 880 Express Bus destined for Qualcomm Campus in Sorrento Valley pulled away from the curb, I tried to steady my grip as I took the photograph on the left. It was not easy, because I was laughing so hard.  Our newest Realtor, Zach Woodworth was standing there holding small bags of donuts in his hands on his very first day as an employee of Shay Realtors.

I recall Zach didn't even flinch when I told him the previous evening to meet me at Starbucks in 4S Ranch at 0600 hours.  The employees of Donut Touch at 4S Ranch Village were also surprised when we raided their supply of hot donuts at daybreak.

It was not until we were standing on the curb at 4S Commons Shopping Center that we realized we had lots of free donuts to pass out, but no signs telling our story.

Zach Woodworth's First Day

That is when Zack took a play out of the transients hand book, and made a sign that read, "FREE Donuts." He probably wondered what the heck all of this had to do with selling real estate.  

Then it happened. Life and a community outreach opportunity collided. It was another reason for me to smile. As a Realtor friend of ours had explained, you will soon become known as the "Donut Man."

  

I have been called a great number of things in my life, but never "Donut Man." Standing on the curb as vehicles passed us many of the parents looked at us a with a weary eye as their children read our sign and yelled out, "Mom, free donuts!"  Most of the mom's and dad's looked ahead and did not stop.  

One of the first people to ultimately pull over was a woman with two small children in the back of her mini van. She pulled to the curb and exclaimed loudly with a broad smile, "I never met a donut I didn't like."  The kids cheered as we passed them hot donuts through the passenger window.

The GEICO Camel knows "Hump Day"

As Zach and I stood out there on our first, "Hump Day" Donut Run, it was almost like looking at a family photo album, because so many of our friends and clients drove by, honking and waiving. Roger Salvatore stopped with one of his three sons and then Dan London waived as he drove by.

I still recall meeting Dan, his wife Carla and their youngest daughter when they drove past me several years ago, when our family lived in Ivy Gate. I was standing on our driveway, kicking a soccer ball with one of our three boys.  The London's were great people from the moment we met them and we ultimately were able to secure them one of the finest estate view homes in Ivy Gate.   

Dan didn't seem surprised seeing us out in the early morning mist on a random street corner. I think he is used to our sometimes unconventional marketing techniques. What did John Cougar Mellencamp sing, "I'm not handsome, but I'm not shy?"

Shay Team at the new PQ Hub which is in the process of being renovated.

At the end of the morning experiment, Zach and I decided to try doing the "Hump Day" Donut Run for the next few weeks and see how it goes.  So if it is Wednesday and you see Zach or any of our team on the right standing on some street corner, don't hesitate to yell out,  "Happy Hump Day!" Then toss the donuts to your kids and head on to school or work.   

When you see Zach especially, be sure to yell, "Thanks Mr. Donut Man!"  It will remind him of where he started in this unique profession and that real estate really is a contact sport.   

As long as Zach always remembers to get out and talk to people, be honest and work hard for his clients, he will have an awesome career. Best of luck to you Zach! 

Enjoy your week.

Ray and Theresa Shay 

2013 - Shay Realtors - All Rights Reserved