Just your AVERAGE charly.

Hello Everyone,
I'm sure that every person starting off with their first blog entry searches desperately for that awesome opening line that will blow away the reader and make him or her the biggest blogger on the block. Well for sure you won't find it here. I think I'll start with some baby steps testing the waters to make sure it's not too cold before taking that first dip. WOW! I still have you here. Okay let's see....A little background on myself, well first of all I'm a pretty young guy just tasting his 30's (remember 30 is the new 20). Born and raised in LA. Degree from UcLA and own my own business. The last two years has been a time for some amazing experiences from constant traveling to Mexico (I speak fluent Spanish) and the east coast. Yet traveling has only given me more of an appreciation for the City of Angels. There are few places in the world where you can pretty much satisfy your every whim. Sushi? Skiing? Surfing? All in the same day! Come on now! So what sets me apart from the millions of others out there telling you how good or how bad their lives are? Or perhaps telling you how LA is in fact a hell hole.
Every morning I wake up an ordinary person with an extraordinary life. For the last 5 years I have attended every Laker, Clipper, and Kings home game (sans a few due to illness). So what? you may say. I've got a cousin whose a stadium usher who hasn't missed a Yankee home game in 19 years. Well I'm not an usher, an executive, or even a season ticket holder. However the nature of my business allows me access to some the most incredible venues in LA. Rest assured that I conduct a legal and profitable business. Anyways, last weekend I attended the season ending series between the Dodgers and the Giants. Baseball games seem to drag on forever so I was not looking forward to spending my entire weekend at the Stadium. However I did have some clients that I had to conduct some business with. While baseball may not be my favorite sport, the atmosphere in a stadium with so much tradition and history as Dodgers Stadium has a level of energy that draws you in and takes you to the days of long summers and worrying about homework. As I walked down the field level concourse, a peanut vendor, whom I have gotten to know over the years came up to me and greeted me warmly. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. He said, I've been here for the last 49 years and today is my last day. His eyes were red from crying. do you know that short Asian man that sits down in this aisle? He asked me. I really didn't feel like telling him I didn't so I simply nodded my head. Well he came up to me and brought me a roast beef sandwich from Cantor's deli. I just burst into tears when he gave it to me. It is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. I'm still crying. I spoke to the old vendor for a bit longer congratulating him before he ran off to tell his story to someone else. The next day someone had told me that he was interviewed by famous Dodger announcer, Vin Scully and it was played over the Jumbo screen. He received an ovation from the crowd and I'm sure the tears were flowing all weekend. It's amazing to meet people like that. I think that the people I have met over the years have been an incredible blessing. While most people obsess over celebrity sightings and their actions (and I see many), LA is an incredible city because of the stories of its people rather than those produced by its industry. There are days that seem surreal. And while you may find me at the Farmer's Market in the early mornings waiting for the first apple fritters to come out of the oven at Bob's or jumping on the early train to San Juan Capistrano for some tortas at El Campeon everyday brings the promise of new adventure. May your life be extraordinary whoever you are!
Cheers