Ok, I'm back.  Just a few quick things to say about the night.  I know, you're saying to yourself, "D, we've read your posts.  They are not quick."  You're right. But thankfully Pat and MP hit the nail on the head in their posts, so there's not that much to add!

First, it was so nice to see and hang out with the fellow SMFs that were able to attend.  Joe Rock, KLO, MP, and one of the nicest people you on earth, Pat Egan.  Pat, thank you (and MP) for the very nice compliment, right back atcha!! Hope you are feeling better.  And Joe Rock looked so handsome in his big boy clothes, complete with bow tie and tux shirt.  Awww, I was so proud of him!

There's that word again, pride.  That was the theme of the evening.  Pride in LI, pride in where you come from (and not just geographically), pride in where you have been, and pride in where you are going.  Every time I looked at a member of TS, I was bursting with it.  I've seen the Boyz for many years, and in many different situations, and I have never seen them look so happy.  They looked like a family, like brothers, like warriors who had come through so many battles together and and lived to talk about it, and suddenly realized that everything they fought for truly ended up making a difference in so many lives. It didn't seem to me that they were happy about achieving fame or fortune, notoriety or recognition , but that maybe at that moment, when they were all on stage receiving their awards, maybe just for a moment they realized that they had a connection that no five people will ever make or ever share again.  I could be stretching it here, but it seemed to me that they were proud to be there with each other, and each of them was not proud of themselves, but of the others.  Maybe for a moment they realized that this was a band of brothers and friends and without each and every part, this thing of ours would never have happened.  Only the union of these five very unique individuals, each with their own distinct personalities and talents, could have made the phenomenon known as Twisted Sister become the entity that was being honored that night in front of so many of their peers.  It was magical, breath taking, and very emotional.  All for one and one for all. 

The night held an air of appreciation as well.  Each member of TS came up and personally expressed their appreciation for the congratulatory thank you ad taken out by SMFs for the band in Billboard magazine. Some more than once or twice (cough-cough-dee-cough-cough)! I told Dee that it was not he who should be thankful, but we are so very grateful for everything TS has given over the past 30 years, it was the very least we could do.  And if I understood this correctly, Billboard said that never in their history has any fan base taken out an ad to congratulate or thank a band.  Well Billboard, you ain't never met the likes of an SMF before, nor have you ever dedicated any space to the greatest rock band of all time!  Had you seen the light earlier, we woulda been there then, too!  But I digress.

I'd like to close by thanking the Boyz for allowing me to share in a most special and magical night.  I would specifically like to thank MAM and the Lady Mendoza for making it all possible.  I will never be able to repay you.

I have never been so proud. It was so wonderful to see everything they've worked so hard for, all the blood, sweat (lots of sweat) and tears, all the turmoil and triumphs, finally pay off. I wore my father's dog tags to the event, because I knew he was proud, too.  He was watching from his easy chair in heaven, knowing that the choice I made 28 years ago was the right one. (That being, live home and no more following TS, or move out and do all the following I wanted, as long as I wasn't "under his roof" coming home at ungodly hours of the morning!) My Dad was my hero, and I know he's proud of my choice of new ones. Thanks TS, I am forever grateful!

DCT

PS...for those of you who are into this kind of thing, please take a look at the picture MP1975 took of the Boyz as they walked down the red carpet to enter the venue and see if you see what I see.  Pretty powerful and undeniable.