When I left you last, I had gone to the annual Cauliflower Alley Convention in Las Vegas and had met with many of the people that I was in the Kansas City territory with. Omar Atlas, Roger Kirby and Easy Ed Wisowski were just a few that were in attendance for this the grandest of get-togethers.

I finally retired to my suite at midnight on Thursday after a 16-hour day of fun and enjoyment. What a day I had experienced and the friendships I renewed. Life is too short to not go and see friends that you have made in your lifetime. People that have had an impact on your very existence. People that have meant so much in a special period in your life.

Friday morning started with a breakfast at the World Famous Horseshoe Casino in old downtown Las Vegas. My friends Juan Hernandez, David Ring and Dan Roeglin and a few others gathered in the splendor and elegance of one of the finest eateries in the downtown casino area.

As always, we maintained a discipline of camaraderie and chatted about the good old days. Following a nice meeting, we departed, and I went down on the strip to get a special present for my new granddaughter, Keelie. I went to the Mirage and got a stuffed white tiger.

Getting back to the Plaza, I began a game of cribbage and started the winning streak out by beating two guys in a row. I went down the aisle where all the guys were set up for the nostalgia fair and sales and ran into Jimmy "Boogie Woogie Man" Valiant.

I stayed for a while to speak to some of the greats that had come to the reception room and then went back to my suite to get ready for the Baloney Blowout.

We were all dressed up for the big blowout, and everybody that was everybody was there. I went to a designated table that had been set aside for me, David Ring and Dan Roeglin. We also had Greg Valentine and his wife at our table, as well as Sharon Valentine (John's wife) and her sister and some of the other members of the Valentine clan that came in from Dallas.

Following the Blowout, they began to call out names of some of the notables that were in the room. One by one, they stood and took the applause intended for them and basked in the spotlight once again ... if only for a moment in time. People like Roger Kirby, Omar Atlas, Linda Klein, Maria Bernardi, Greg Valentine, Tom Hankins, Paul "Butcher" Vachon, Tito Carreon, Louis Tillet, Killer Kowalski, Stu Hart, Bruce Hart, Ross Hart, and the list seemingly went on forever. I know I speak for many of the over 700 in attendance ... It was a wonderful feeling to be there.

On Saturday morning, I ventured down to the coffee shop, where I ran into Ross and Bruce Hart with some other people who were having my favorite food on vacation … biscuits and gravy. We exchanged hellos and went about our dining. Penny Banner and Billy Darnell came by to say hello along with Moose Morowski and Sir Oliver Humperdink.

I retired back to the suite, and Juan Hernandez came by to listen to some of the CD's that I had copied for him. They were a collection of country songs from the 50's through the 70's and had a lot of his favorites on them. David was really amazed at how, after a few notes, he was able to name that tune.

I retired to my bedroom to get a nap before the big evening. It was had to fall asleep, but I finally did, and it was a much-needed break.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers