Broker's Corner - Local Housing Market Trends

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _    The local housing market is still increasing in value, but it feels like a large train that is definately slowing down.  It is especially true for homes which are over a million dollars in value. Where is the market headed?  There are several causes for the slow down. In my opinion some of the main factors are increased inventory, the substantial gains we already achieved over the last few years, stagnant employment in San Diego County and there are simply only so many buyers for all these homes hitting the market. It will be interesting over the next six months as local builders place so many new homes on the market.  Standard Pacific is a very reputable company that builds excellent homes which they stand behind. For worry free buying they are a good play. I just hope the Fed's don't let interest rates rise.  If that happens so many buyers will be removed from equation because they cannot qualify.  That will cause such drag on the home ownership train that it could slow or even stop. If the train feels like it is on a hill it could also slide back down.  Don't hesitate to call me or stop by one of our three locations if you have any questions.  Ray Shay 858-449-4970 This information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of Shay Realtors Inc.

Yesterday by Ray Shay

Yesterday

By Ray Shay

9.30.14

Paul McCartney

 It was really strange standing among the throngs of people at Petco Park Sunday night listening as Paul McCartney entertained Theresa and I and over 42,000 other people.  The place was sold out and our seats were at a pretty cool location, yet it was almost an event we passed on.

Like most parents when the invitation came in our first tendency was to say, "no." Too much hassle, money, and juggling our kids on a school night.  I'm glad we decided to see Sir Paul who as a former Beatle has a

Petco Park

special place in so many people's hearts.

As he walked on to the stage he opened up with "Eight Days a Week."

After the first song, he stopped, took his guitar off and walked to the front of the stage.  He said, "I want to take a moment and drink this in."  I wondered how many wild crowds had cheered him in his lifetime and yet he still stopped to enjoy the moment.  Maybe that is one way life changes a person.  You take a moment to appreciate what you have before it is all gone.

Ray, Theresa, Jimmy and Kathy DiMatteo with SDPD Chief of Police Shelly Zimmerman

 

The crowds, the cool San Diego night and Paul Mcartney were all amazing. When we walked into Petco Park we were fortunate to see San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman. It was the perfect place for our top cop to greet so many visitors to our fine city.   Props to her Command Staff and Special Events personnel who pulled off another flawless event. 

The best part of the show for me was when Paul McCartney sang  "Yesterday." Like many of the older people in the 

Stage at Petco Park

stadium, I could reflect back to another place and time. A time when I was so young and my two older sisters and three brothers were all into the Beatles music. 

It also reminded me of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Cub Band, Abbey Road, and seeing black vinyl records spinning on a record player in our small home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The best way I could ever think of wrapping up seeing a legendary rocker like Paul McCartney is to include some of the lyrics of a song he and John Lennon wrote together.  I will never forget hearing
Sir Paul sing solo near the end of the show.  A show that we almost didn't make.

   

Have a great week, 

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Broker's Corner by Ray Shay

Consumer Confidence Increases

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _

  

A recent survey showed that about 90% of Americans feel that buying a home is an important part of achieving the American Dream. 

These same respondents indicated that about 64% of them felt owning a home was an attainable goal. This is a significant increase from last year when just over 40% of people surveyed believed it was possible.  

This dynamic has resulted in more homes hitting the market as values continue to increase, but at a slower pace than prior years.   Another interesting aspect of the local market is the large number of

new homes which will be hitting the market over the next 18 to 24 months.   

If you have any questions on what is going to be built, just give me a call. It is really a large and diverse line of properties hitting the market soon.

Ray Shay 858-449-4970

9.23.14

    

Page Skipper by Ray Shay

Page Skipper

By Ray Shay

9.23.14

I walked into our ten year old son Ryan's bedroom this past week and found him lying on the ground next to his bed.  He was resting his head on the carpet as he watched a show on his laptop computer.  Since he was so quiet, I knew he did not feel well.

Something about your child being sick just tugs at your heart in a certain way that is hard to describe. It reminded me of what my mom would say, "Raymond if I could take your place, I would."  I now understand.  I promised Ryan he would soon feel better as I ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair.

Ryan Shay

Then an idea popped into my head. "Hey Ryan, how about I get one of your old favorite books and I will read it to you in bed?  You know, like
we used to do when you were younger." Ryan didn't even raise his head from the carpet as he said In a very clear and articulate voice, "No dad, that's weird."


I thought it would make him feel better, but In a way, I think it was more for me than him.  Reading a book to our children at bedtime was always a family ritual. At this moment, I once again realized how fast he was growing up.  I was just trying to put the breaks on time.

I think moms are much better at reading to their children than dads. I recall laying down with our sons after they had been fed, bathed, and were dressed in their pajamas.  They would pick out a book or two and

bring it over for me to read.  I would encourage books like, "To the Moon and Back" or anything short or with lots of pictures.  It is not easy to admit, and I am not sure if the the statue of limitations are up, but I have a confession.  I was a bonafide, "Page Skipper." 

That is correct.  I was a dirty scoundrel.  After frequently working long hours as a San Diego Police Officer and doing all the other duties of a dad, I think I was often more tired than our children. To this day, I don't know how Theresa and so many other moms can do it.  They put their children to bed and read ever single word in the book to them.  How is that possible?
 
Sometimes our kids would catch on and yell out while holding their favorite teddy bear, "Dad you skipped a page."  Actually, it was probably more than one page.
 
What our kids did not realize it was a terrifying race against the clock. Laying next to them in their bed I was like a tranquilized dog. One more page longer and I would be saying words that did not make any sense as I fell asleep.
 
More than once, I would wake up to them calling to Theresa, "Mom, Mom, dad fell asleep again." I would sometimes rally, while others nights Theresa would take have to just take over as the closer. The whole experience brings a smile to my face as I realize how fast those years flew by.

A few years back ...

I once again realized we cannot turn the hands on the clock back. In about eight short years the front door to our home will close and there will no longer be little boys or young men to laugh with, or to run my fingers through there hair as they lay quietly by their bed.
 
It makes me recommit to working less, finding new ways to connect with our children.  I may have been guilty of being a "page skipper" but I don't want to miss another second of time as we strive to make the most of our precious time together.
 

Have a great week, 

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Broker's Corner - Knowing the Housing Market by Ray Shay

Know the Housing Market 

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _

I can't tell you how many times I wrote about it, talked about it, and reminded our clients, friends and strangers, that the market was ripe for buying.  Many of them listened and they saw their investments increase substantially over the last two years.

Another reminder of the improving housing market came out this week when Realty Trac confirmed that the number of residential properties repossessed by lenders by way of foreclosure in August declined on a year-over-year basis for the 21st consecutive month.

When your thinking of buying or selling a home speak with a full time Realtor that is especially familiar with the local market.  It is worth the phone call.


9.16.14

"Jimmy, Where's My Chicken Wings?" by Ray Shay

"Jimmy, Where's My Chicken Wings?"

By Ray Shay

9.16.14

Jimmy Mok

I feel lucky to say, "I love my father in law, Jimmy." I feel like he is my own little Chinese Teddy Bear.  Sometimes, I just want to pick him up and give him a big fat squeeze.  Like any teddy bear companion, we have been hanging around each other for a long time.

I still recall that sunny fall morning in Parsippany, New Jersey, when Jimmy shook my hand for the very first time.  He smiled and said, "how you?"  I have learned he frequently leaves out the "are" but regularly

follows up with his trademark laugh.  

Jimmy and Helen

Jimmy's family is everything to him. Witnessing his love for Theresa's mom, "Helen" was something to see.  They were married for over fifty years and he cared for her the best he possibly could as she suffered and ultimately passed from ALS.  It gave me a private peek into his soul. Jimmy is a good man.
Jimmy would frequently suggest to Helen and all of us that he wanted to open a Chinese restaurant. Helen would of course smile, laugh and then shake her head side to side and say, "no." We all knew each time Jimmy tried to run that idea up the flagpole it would never reach the top.    


In the past  few weeks, Jimmy's dream to own a Chinese restaurant became a reality. He and his business partner Joanna Huang opened Quality Taste Chinese restaurant at 9225 Mira Mesa Blvd, suite #110.  It is located at the southwest corner of Black Mtn. Road and Mira Mesa Blvd, behind Wells Fargo Bank. 

Quality Taste Restaurant

Another secret about Jimmy is he loves fried chicken wings.   Their restaurant has awesome Chinese food, all types of "Hot Pots" (including vegetarian) that you can cook right at your own table and of course, chicken wings.

Let me tell you how over the next few weeks any of our eWeekly readers can get a FREE order of fried chicken wings served with a smile, a laugh, and maybe even a "how you?"

  

.

Chicken Wings!

The secret is simple.  You don't need to print out a coupon or sign up for an email VIP program.  After you order your entree at lunch or dinner look around for Jimmy or Joanna.  Then extend your arms to each side with the your palms up like the server forgot something and holler out nice and loud, "Jimmy, where's my chicken wings?"
 
It will be so funny. I wish I could be there to hear so many of you hollering it out and other patrons staring at you.  Don't be shy.  It will get Jimmy laughing and the sound of his laughter is like music from above.
 
What you will see is a broad smile from Jimmy.   He will then jump up from his sitting position (near the Karl Strauss keg) and will shuffle to the door of the kitchen and yell, "another order of wings."  It will likely be in Chinese.  There will be no charge for the chicken wings.  They are on the house as they say
 

Jimmy and Joanna

Quality Taste Restaurant has delicious food.  One of my favorites is the spicy red fish plate from Northern China.  He also has our local brewery, Karl Strauss beer on tap.  Something about the hot food and cold beer is a great combination.
 
When Jimmy brings the chicken wings to your table be sure to ask, "how you Jimmy?" You will probably get the "how you" back with that smile and again the laugh.  I really don't mind sharing my little teddy bear with our two thousand or so readers.

 It's been his life long dream and at seventy-nine years old it finally happened.  Hey, more power to you Jimmy.  I hope at seventy-nine I keep pursuing my dreams.     

Somewhere in my heart, I feel if someone can share a dream that adds to our sense of community it will help enrich all of us. So, when it cools down a bit, get on down and tell Jimmy, "Where's my chicken wings?"  
    
  

Have a great week,

  

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

The Phone Call by Ray Shay

The Phone Call 

By Ray Shay

9.9.14

Friday Night Lights at DNHS

I love watching youth sports.  I'm always up for just about any sport including baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball or a football game.  I especially enjoy Friday Night Lights at Del Norte High School.  It is something about seeing the kids turning into adults, the spirit of competition, the dance team, the cheerleaders and of course the parents.

 

Even if one of our three sons did not attend DNHS, Theresa and I would still probably attend some of the games. The National Football League could learn something from high school football. The problem with the NFL is their football train has way too many stops.

I feel like the minute the train starts rolling we have to stop for commercials courtesy of, "TV timeouts." Honestly, how many beer, car or Viagra commercials can a person watch in a single evening? If I was the National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, I would simply cut the number of commercials in half and double their price.  At the end of the day, we would have happier fans, much better football, and the NFL would still make a truckload of money.  

Unfortunately, the problem Theresa and I ran into Friday night outside of Del Norte High School had nothing to do with high school football. Sure, most of the fans thought the play calling was questionable and they didn't like getting skunked by our rival Rancho Bernardo High School.  But that  

is all part of high school sports, take the bad with the good as they say and hope the coach and team learns from it. 

What really ruined our Friday night started as a dark cloud of acrid smoke drifting into DNHS parking lot.  It was coming from two adults smoking dope as they sat on the wall of Fairbanks Commons affordable housing, which is located directly across the street from Del Norte High School.   
 

As we approached the two adults I bit my tongue but the words "Are you kidding me?" leaked out under my breath. Both of the criminals looked at us when I said it.    

I knew there were about to be hundreds of high school kids walking past these two geniuses. I slowed my pace and started to confront them and then I made the decision to keep walking.  

Something I learned long time ago is that if someone is not in imminent danger and your not on duty, you avoid direct confrontation.  Approaching people under the influence of drugs or alcohol has a unique way of very quickly spiraling out of control.  You just call the experts.  You call the San Diego Police Department or the Sheriff's Department. 

Before the phone calls an emails come rolling in, let me make something very clear.  This is not a cheap shot at affordable housing.  If this would have been BIll Gates multi-million dollar estate home next door to a high school, I would have done exactly the same thing.  There should be an atmosphere of zero tolerance for drugs at that location or anywhere near where our kids live, play or attend school.

After giving the two adults a well practiced glare, I escorted Theresa to our car parked nearby.  I felt like I was back at work scanning the area for rival drug dealers, or people walking up to buy drugs.  All this while I can still hear John Kennedy announcing our athletes battling on the DNHS "Nest" Home Field.  I admit it. I was not a happy camper.   

I called the SDPD and reported what I had seen with a full description of both persons and asked if the police could please arrive before the game got out.  I understand in the big scheme of things that smoking marijuana is way down on the list of crimes in progress.

I also know with modern technology every phone call and every complaint is logged and gives law enforcement officers a tool to combat criminal behavior.  My phone call and description gave a police officer the reason they need to walk up and confront the two young men.
 
I guess my point is a reminder to all of us that if you see criminal behavior just make the phone call.  As a beat cop I was often too busy to respond to the call at the time it was broadcast, but it is uncanny how often that description would be used later in the night to confront and arrest countless criminals.
I know your busy, but just make the phone call.  You can remain anonymous if you like, but failing to call the police is tacit approval saying that type of criminal behavior is acceptable in our community.  We all work too hard to live here.   
Take the time to throw the yellow flag in the air and stop the behavior.  After all, we love our Friday Night Lights at Del Norte High School and we will be back.

 

Have a great week,

  

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Mrs. O'Malley by Ray Shay

Mrs. O'Malley

By Ray Shay

9.2.14

I was sitting in our 4S Ranch Community Hub earlier this week when the 4S Ranch Little League Baseball, Board of Directors were selected.  They are all volunteers.  Some people think they are crazy to do their jobs for no pay, but to me and most people who really know what it is like to coach or 

4S Ranch Little League Board of Directors

manage youth sports teams, they are all heroes.

I played youth baseball for about ten years while growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is where I met Mrs. O'Malley. No, she was not a coach or on the board of directors.  Mrs. O'Malley and parents like her are the scourge of coaches and well meaning volunteers.

 

It all started when I was about sixteen years old when one of my favorite umpires, Mr. Azar, told me about a baseball team who did not have a manager.  Not a single parent would step forward to help with their upcoming spring season.

 

To the surprise of my parents and to two of my good friends, who I volunteered as assistant coaches, I agreed to manage the team.

About halfway through the season, I really found out what it meant to be in charge.  I still recall the phone call on that Saturday morning as the sun streamed into our small linoleum countered kitchen in the high desert of New Mexico.

My mom turned to hand me the phone after several harsh rings disturbed our morning breakfast.  Unlike today, there was a thick brown wire attached to the handset and the phone even had a big dial on it that would make noise when I pulled on a number.   

 

As my dad looked up from reading the paper and my mom listened in disbelief we could all hear Mrs. O'Malley.  She started yelling before the phone even reached my ear.  Anyone who has been a coach or manager has probably received such a call.  I was a rookie.  I was dumbfounded she was going off on me.

Mrs. O'Malley's harsh words shattered the stillness of the morning and bounced around our small kitchen like unwanted marbles in a tin can. I can laugh now, but I was so surprised as she screamed, "My son is the strongest kid on the team, he has always started and played the entire game. Now that you have been the manager he has sat on the bench for some of the game while the other boys loose the game. I am furious at your leadership!"

Wow. My dad paused, but did not set the paper down or make any effort to take the phone from me.  He just looked at me, wondering how I was going to respond.  He was always smart like that.

So many years ago...

I stumbled for a few moments as I tried to explain.  I agreed her son was the biggest and could likely be the best player on the team, but he did not work hard, he lacked desire and was lazy.  Some of the smaller kids were working incredibly hard and everyone needed to play.  And yes, I would be staying the course.

As I hung up the phone my dad commented, "not bad."  Years later, I asked my dad why he ever co-signed for me when I bought my first car at eighteen years old and he said, "because you volunteered to manage that baseball team."  It took me many more years to put that whole connection together.

I will never forget Mrs. O'Malley.   I will also never forget when I was driving two of the boys home after the last game of the season.  Both of their bellies were filled with pizza and they each had a small baseball trophy in their small hands.

One boy waited until his teammate jumped out of my parents old turquoise pick up truck that I was driving.  He sat there for a moment and then looked briefly at me.  He then turned away clutching that tiny trophy and said, "Thanks. coach Ray, you are the best coach I have ever had."  He then jumped down to the ground and ran to catch up with his friend. The sad part is that to this day, I cannot remember that child's name.

 As I locked up the Community Hub after the Board had left for the evening, I had a private wish for each of them.  By volunteering to help, you and all the coaches, managers, umpires and support staff will change so many children's lives.  You will save so many more of our youth than I ever did as a police officer.  Your commitment, patience and leadership will help those kids turn into amazing adults. 

Don't ever forget it is about the kids.  Do your best to remember their names instead of some parent who has lost sight of what is really important. 

 Have a great week,

  

PS -  To sign your children up for one of the best run little league organizations in the world, just click on the link below for more information.  The Fall season is a great season to start as it is not as intense or structured as the spring season. 

4S Ranch Little League 

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Two Competitors - One Common Cause by Ray Shay

Two Competitors - One Common Cause

By Ray Shay

8.26.14

Artie Ojeda and Carlo Cecchetto

  

Last Saturday morning in front of Karl Strauss Brewery in 4S Ranch, something unusual and yet very special occurred. Local news anchors, Artie Ojeda from NBC 39 and Carlo Cecchetto from CBS 8 stood alongside each other after completing the Ice Bucket Challenge.   

They were both soaked to the bone with ice cold water and yes, those were real suits they were wearing.  It does not show, but Carlo also was wearing lime green flip flops and Artie being the experienced news anchor as well, was wearing worn denim shorts instead of matching slacks.  The really cool thing is they both came together to support a common cause, the fight against ALS.  

 

Artie and Carlo both spoke in lighthearted terms with each other and  several dozen people in attendance.  They encouraged everyone to support ALS and to attend the upcoming 5K, 10K, Kid's Run to be held Thanksgiving morning in 4S Ranch.  

   

All the money raised goes to benefit ALS victims and the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation.
Click here for Thank You Run details.

 

What Artie and Carlo did not tell anyone is they have both personally witnessed the

devastating affects of Lou Gehrig's Disease and have sought support for ALS victims for many years.  Long before ALS became more well known or anyone heard of the, Ice Bucket Challenge.  

A special moment for me was when the news celebrities were speaking,  I saw our ten year old son Ryan rest his left hand on Theresa's shoulder and lean into her.

I immediately wondered if Ryan remembered that about six years years ago, not long ago after his grandma "Helen" died from ALS that he was riding on Carlo Cecchetto's shoulders.  I'll never forget that Carlo was wearing one of the bright blue Helen's Closet T-shirts as they both participated in the Carlsbad Half Marathon.  

Jennifer, Carlo and Ray

The year was 2010 and It was a beautiful day along the shimmering Southern California coast.  At that time the loss of Helen was fresh in all of our minds.  It had only been a few months earlier when Helen quietly passed while encircled by family members in a special bedroom built by her son in law, Mark Schaefer (her favorite) in the small town of Denville, New Jersey.
  
To honor Helen and find a way to pay it forward, Theresa came up with the name Helen's Angels. Our good friends showed up and joined us on that crisp and cold January morning. We had no idea it was the precursor for our First Annual Thank You Run later in the year.

At the time,  Carlo was not the marathon runner he is today.  Ryan being only about five years old. was a bit winded. I saw Carlo reach down and pull him up to his shoulders for the final mile. That action is what giving back, supporting others and looking for ways to help is all about.

Diana, Yolanda, Randy, Jeanne, Theresa and Ryan

 
Thank you Artie, Carlo and all our amazing friends, and the Karl Strauss employees who showed up on Saturday morning.  None of you had to be there,  were paid to be there, but there you were regardless, reaching out to help victims of ALS.

That is pretty amazing stuff. A moment in time that Theresa and I will always treasure.  Thanks for being there and thanks to all the people who support and help with the Thank You Run.

It is one amazing race that pays it forward to so many people that could never imagine running up Challenge Hill!

  

 Have a great week,

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Where is the Popcorn by Ray Shay

Where is the Popcorn?

By Ray Shay

8.19.14

  

I love our local Ace Hardware Store.  Who would not appreciate walking into a business and being greeted with a smile, an offer of help, followed by an experienced salesperson and a fast check out?  That kind of friendliness and great service seems like it is from a forgotten era.

For over fifty years Griffith Ace Hardware has offered

fresh cooked popcorn to their customers.  Locally, they have been providing popcorn for over thirteen years.  As I began to exit Ace Hardware in 4S Commons Shopping Center on Saturday,  I sensed something was missing.  I stopped and looked around for what it was.  I then realized their popcorn machine was missing in action.  

I turned to speak with two salespeople and said "where is it?" They quickly guessed what I was inquiring about and replied, "The popcorn machine? We had to shut it down.  The County of San Diego wanted all of our employees to take a food handler course, the popcorn machine had to be fully cleaned four times a day and citizens could not touch the red scooper or we would have to formally sanitize it and....(blah, blah, blah)."

I probably rolled my eyes and slightly shook my head side to side.  Ace Hardware was already on the hook if somehow someone got sick from tainted popcorn. I think Government is frequently over the top and foolishly over regulates private businesses.

No More Popcorn

I walked out of the store only to return the following day and ask if I could at least visit the popcorn machine.  An employee led me upstairs where I found it sitting quietly and all alone in the break room.

It was unplugged with it's trademark red handle scooper sitting all alone in the empty bin.  Not to be held by a local school kid as they scooped the deliciously salty popcorn into an Ace Hardware paper bag.

Like John Belushi said in the one of the greatest movies ever made, Animal House, "Did we lay down when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor... No we did not!"  I think our thousands of Eweekly readers should speak up like "Bluto" and voice your opinion when you go to Ace Hardware.  Tell the employees, "We miss our popcorn, please bring it back!"  

Our efforts may not be successful, but this is America and we should exercise our rights. We can't let Dean Wormer's of the world take away what we love.   That just wouldn't be right.  

Have a great week.    

   

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014  

The Ice Bucket Challenge by Ray Shay

The Ice Bucket Challenge

By Ray Shay

8.12.14

 

When I got the call this past week about the "Ice Bucket Challenge" my first thoughts were I was too busy,  it sounded dumb, and I didn't really want to participate.

  

Click here to learn the story behind the "Ice Bucket Challenge."

That all changed when I returned home later in the day and saw the below video posted by Eric Marenburg who is the Co-Race Director with Pete Hess for our annual Thanksgiving Day, Thank You Run.  The 5K, 10K and Kid's Run benefiting Helen's Closet and the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation.

              

The Ice Bucket Challenge

In the video, Eric says, "ALS is a terrible disease...".  I really don't recall what he said next. The few moments it took to turn away from my day to day operations of family and work seemed to open a large black safe of past memories which brought me face to face with Theresa's mom, Helen and her beautiful smile.

With the fond memories also came the brutal recollection of the terrible suffering Helen stoically endured while in the unforgiving grasp of Lou Gehrig's Disease.  I felt the guilt of my own weakness wash over me like the unwanted  bucket of ice water, I was avoiding.   Wow, what a big shot I was. Too darn busy to take about 30 seconds to do something silly or out of my comfort zone which could bring more funding, attention, or send a tiny message of hope to the victims of a progressive disease which is always fatal.

I decided I could do better.  I recall turning to Theresa as we stood in our kitchen and saying, "I'm in on the Ice Bucket Challenge and so are all of our kids.   Let's find a bucket." 

Helen (wearing white jacket) with family.  Her favorite place to be.

We did not ask our kids.  We just said, "We have to do this for Helen."  Our Ice Bucket Challenge was not perfect. In fact, we had a few problems. I will give you a few pointers:

#1. Do not get an ice bucket the size of a small car.  It can cause you to bump your wife in the head.

#2. Do not overfill your bucket with water.  It is very embarrassing if you have difficulty lifting the bucket over your head. Especially when the event is being recorded.

#3. Keep a keen eye on your youngest children. They are crafty.  They will discreetly pour the water on to the ground, say "whoopsie"  and then quickly run away when they think no one is watching.

                   

Shay's attempt the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

#4.  Always be sure to challenge someone on the video.  I challenged Teddy Lindsey and said hello to Francis who is an incredible man and artist who lives in Texas who is fighting valiantly against ALS.  and is an inspiration to all of us.

Unfortunately, I forgot to challenge my family, friends, past Thank You Run participants, and our EWeekly readers.  So consider this your official challenge to step up and do something great for complete strangers.  If Justin Tmberlake and local good guy and resident, Dan Barnett can do the challenge.  So can you.  We look forward to posting your videos on the Thank You Run website!  

You have 24 hours and the clock is ticking!!!  As the ice water runs down your back think how great it is to be alive and by your actions you are helping so many victims of ALS. 

Have a great week.    

   

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Radar O'Reilly and the Company Bus

Radar O'Reilly and the Company Bus

By Ray Shay

8.5.14

 

Company Bus

OK, I get it.  If your Google, Qualcomm or even NASA, it is all about the performance of your employees and who you have on your bus.  Are your employees friendly, professional, and are they the best in the business?  If not, why even pull out of the parking lot?

I found out our company bus has a little communication glitch and I don't think it is the public address system.  I have come to the realization that I may be the problem.   

Radar O'Reilly of MASH

This became evident recently when Gretchen, our Office Manager at our 4S Ranch Community Hub location recognized a company need, made arrangements to handle it, and then told me so at the very moment I asked her to correct the problem.  

  

I felt like Colonel Potter of MASH as I looked into her crystal blue eyes and said, "way to go, Radar O'Reilly!"   Gretchen crinkled her nose and slightly squinted her eyes as she looked at me with a clearly perplexed look on her face and said, "Radar O'who?" 

 

The Amazing  Vulcan Mind Meld

I immediately thought what my nine year old son seems to be saying lately, "Oh my gosh."  Earlier in the week, Kevin at

our PQ Hub was training a new employee and I suggested implementing the very effective and time proven interstellar telepathic exchange of information technique called, "The Vulcan Mind Meld"

I reminded Kevin how it is accomplished by placing four fingers from my right hand to my face just like Leonard Nimoy did hoping that would spark a memory and convey how he could exchange the information to the new employee.  It was to no avail.  He just stared at me.  I think Kevin was speechless.  He gave me the same confused look as Gretchen.  I am confident they all probably think I am a lune.  

Boston

 

At our company wide meeting with about a dozen people present we talked about Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, drone technology, international marketing and all the other modern, fancy and cutting edge stuff. I was excited that everyone was on the same page.  

I wrapped up the meeting letting everyone know that Theresa and I would be off the grid tonight because we were, "going to see Boston tonight."

The older employees responded "how cool" while at the same time, several younger ones asked, "you guys are flying to Boston tonight?"

  

I just had to laugh.  I took the time to explain there is actually a rock band called "Boston" and they were playing at Humphrey's at the Bay, in San Diego.   I think one of our favorite bands had it right as the words of one of their iconic rock songs explained,  "Don't look back, the dawn is breaking ..."    

I think we will just keep the company bus rolling forward. 

 

Have a great week.

  

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