[WWW] DDP 11.12.03 column

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Last Friday I left for the Jersey Shore to do a benefit for MDA.
Anytime I can do a charity event in Jersey, I can kill two birds with
one stone, so to speak. I get to give back and I get to see my friends
and family. I'm still as tight right now with the guys I grew up with
as I was when we were kids. My closest friends, Gary Rossi, Kenny
Kleest and Kevin Crimmins will always drop whatever they're doing
whenever I come into town. Now, if I was there every week, I'm sure
their wives would have a problem with that. Since I'm not, they don't.

The first night we had a great time hanging out and telling stories.
The kind of stories that make you cry you laugh so hard. The next day
I got to spend time with my family, watch a couple of soccer games,
and then Gary and I headed up to the MDA charity function to benefit
ALS. It was a black tie affair. As soon as we got out of the car, we
caught the lunar eclipse. As I'm watching the moon disappear, out of
the corner of my eye I see the one and only Mick Foley walking towards
the door. We were both equally surprised to see each other. (Pictures
on site) We were both here to see the same guy. His name is Terry
McGovern. I first met Terry McGovern when I was 18 as he was throwing
me out of his bar called The Riptide. I'm sure I was doing something I
wasn't supposed to. Not long after that night, I would start working
in the bar business myself and, at some point, made my way back to
apologize to Terry. Not that I never got thrown out of another bar
after that, but I never got thrown out of one of his again. I would go
on to run nightclubs and own them, while Terry went on to own other
nightclubs and then running the show for Bruce Springsteen, which is
why Mick was coming there. I introduced him to Terry about three years
ago when he wanted to see one of Bruce's shows. Terry has been like a
big brother to me and has hooked me up so many times it's ridiculous.
I'll never be able to pay him back fully in any way, shape or form.
When he called and asked me to be part of this benefit, bingo – I was
there.

This was the greatest gala I have ever seen, with first class food and
the most incredible memorabilia ever. The only thing that was publicly
auctioned off was a signed Bruce Springsteen guitar which Springsteen
auctioned off himself…and then he played Jersey Girl on it and blew
the roof off. Then he personalized it for the person who had donated
$15000 for it. Everything else was done by silent auction.

The night was hosted by Phil Villapiano former NFL Raider. He was one
of the most gracious hosts I've ever seen… and what a character, in a
good way. The Chairman of the committee is a guy I went to school with
named Craig Sulaitis. Between Phil, Craig, and their staff, they
raised over a half million dollars that night for MDA.

While I was there, I met one of the biggest wrestling fans ever.
(Pictures on site) His name is Raymond and he is one of the bravest
guys I ever met. Without a question, this cat was my hero. His mom was
a doll. She said she actually had pictures of Rocky Johnson holding
Ray as a baby and also has pictures of him with the Rock, Hulk Hogan,
and a hall of fame of legends. Talk about a kid who lives life at 90%.

The next day I was off to Atlanta to see my girls…the Leonard girls -
Kimberly, Linda and Brittney. Kimberly and Brittney are like my
adopted daughters. It was Brittney's 16th birthday so I had to make
sure that I showed up to make it extra special. (Pictures on site)

After dinner with my girls, it was off to the Wattses, Eric and
Georgie Watts, that is. Anytime I come to town, you can pretty much
find me at the Wattses. Eric and I got to spend some quality time and
then I was off to see the doc, the guy who put Humpty Dumpty back
together again for all those years, and then I was back to L.A. again.

Right now, I'm back home for two days and then I'm packing again and
heading out with Kimberly to Hawaii.

Until then…Aloha…

Be Unstoppable, and live life at 90% 

Diamond Dallas Page