Wednesday, April 1, 2009

GEORGE GERVIN CELEBRITY ROAST

Since my participation on SURVIVOR FIJI 07, I have been so very fortunate to be invited to attend so many events, both in and out of San Antonio. I am always EXTREMELY grateful to be included for it has not only led to more work opportunities for me on tv, but, more importantly, to making new friends such as Chris Canales (Grid Iron Heroes) and the NBA legend, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler...here's a photo turned video..lol

Here I am with a dear friend/work colleague, Megan Alexander who is amazing now as a Correspondant for Inside Edition in NY. I know she worked very hard to get this opportunity and I'm so happy and proud of her. Megan was a fervent supporter of mine. While I was on SURVIVOR she reported on me weekly constantly prediciting me as a Top 3 Winner. I'm sorry Megan, it was so much harder out there than anyone can possibly image. In fact, on the current Survivor Tocantins, a soldier who had been to Afghanistan's body broke down and he was voted off sooner than I was. THAT, folks, is how hard it is on SURVIVOR! So, Megan and all of you who applauded my participitation on Survivor Fiji..Thank you so much! You have NO idea how what your support meant to me. I'm forever grateful to you for your weekly recaps and invitations to have me on as a guest on "Great Day SA." This is one event where I had to pinch myself, more than once, to make sure that I was really a part of this elite group of Sports legends. One of those times, was when Sean Elliott announced me. He says: "and now, we have a celebrity from one of the Top Reality Shows.." and I say to my girlfriend "Ooh, I wonder who's here?" and then I hear Sean say: "I hope I can pronounce all the r's in her name...and somethin' about eatin' bugs.." and then I knew he musta been talking about me. Again, a surreal moment for me to hear Sean Elliott saying my name, and may I say, Sean, you pronounced my name perfectly..probably thanks to your gorgeous wife, Claudia, helpin' you with your Spanish :) 5 years ago, I arrived in this city knowing no one and having nothing here so this was, indeed, a special moment for me. Here I am, again trying to get a photo & my camera was apparently stuck in "record" more...I'm tellin' u, I'm doin' my thing on TV no matter what it takes!lol
OK...just remember I'm not a videographer & therefore not responsible for the turning around of the video :( As my son would say "it's better than nothing!" :)
As if just being included as part of the "celebrities" attending and getting to walk the Red Carpet wasn't enough, when I arrive at the event, I'm told that one of the main sponsors had requested me at his table. What an honor it was for me to have been seated with Esq. Andrew Toscano and his LOVELY family. They made me feel like a superstar with their admiration of my "Survivor" status. I am so grateful to them for that, for allowing me to share in such a delicious dinner...and for the fact that their table was right up front!!! :) Here's a video I took of the ICEMAN as he reacted to all of his NBA colleagues Roasting him:
Before the dinner, we met up at the Fairmont Hotel...where I was greeted by the dashing Isaiah Stanback and Courtney Brown. (I'm wearing another Nick Verreos (NIKOLAKI) design). I have to add that I had a blast with these guys the night before, we all went to Posh Lounge "dancing". I saw that these guys have some seriously picky taste cuz they didn't dance with ANYONE. Thanks for the "Top Gun" jokes all night!! Here I am with the very elegant Dallas Cowboy, Courtney Brown, who, may I add, is quite the gentleman. Hey Courtney, thanks for finding out my "civil" status with "Maverick." LOL In my 5 years of living in San Antonio, going to Spurs games and even becoming friends with some of the Spurs, I had never gotten a chance to meet Coach Popovich. I was so happy to finally meet him

George Gervin Celebrity Roast...the night before!


This year an AMAZING event took place here in San Antonio...and it's about time. The ICEMAN George Gervin was Roasted!! More than a handful of legends from the Sports world gathered in San Antonio to applaud Mr. Gervin not only for his achievements on the basketball court, but for his achievements outside the basketball court. The initiative to create a foundation to help keep children in school and focused as everyone in his organization helps this children make their dreams come true. I was so very fortunate to have been invited, by the lovely and professional couple Mr. Robert and Mrs. Liza Ortega whom, I feel, went beyond their call of duty in helping to organize this event. It began with a celebrity Golf Tournament, which I skipped because I'm still only a professional miniature golfer, but I'm about to get on this Golfing bandwagon cuz I HATE missin' out on "stuff!!." What I didn't miss out on, however, was the Spurs game the following nite. We were invited to watch this game from several of the Suites where we had a BLAST!! Here I am when we were waiting outside the AT & T center. My son was so jealous when he saw the above photo of me with Isaih Stanback and Courtney Brown from the Dallas Cowboys. With this image, and their autographs...and a promise to take him to watch them play in one of their games...they don't know about this promise..lol, my son was happy!
Here I am with my friend lookin' dashing as always! Priest Holmes. He and I, I recently found out during a laser hair removal session (hey! remember, I'm half Greek half Latin...so I gots to get rid of some serious hair..lol), that we go to the same Spa where I am one of their Spokesmodels. Stadia Med Spa, owned by Dr. Jaime Garza.

Signing Autographs at the Army Booth!


Sgt. Navarro was very sweet to ask me to sign autographs once again this year at the Army Recruiting Booth at the San Antonio Rodeo. I had a great time and was accompanied, actually, by a very beautiful girl that I had just judged in the Miss Fiesta SA pageant. I met, as I always do, very inspirational soldiers a couple of whom I am seen in this image. Thank you, US Army, for inviting me to do this again this year and, more importantly, thank you to ALL of our soldiers for their heroic service to our Nation.

I was also accompanied by the Spur's COYOTE. It was impressive to see how he's able to sign autographs with his paws..lol!

San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Event 09


This year, once again, I was fortunate to attend this WONDERFUL event honoring people such as Henry Cisneros and Jesse James Leija. It was also nice to run into friends that I hadn't seen in a while like, Josh Davis..who let me wear his Gold Medal!!(I'm wearing, of course, one of my brother, Nick Verreos'(NIKOLAKI) designs)
Here I am with the very outgoing, Avery Johnson.
To say it was an inspiration to meet Liza Hunter Galvan is the understatement of the year. What an AMAZING woman..speaking of SURVIVOR...Her little girl is the EPITOME of one!! Here I am, blessed to be in their presence