Can you spare a second (part 2)

 Last night (10/22/2012) my family and I attended another event hosted by Galie Jaddunath. This one was a food drive to help support local families in need of assistance with a thanksgiving meal. Our decision to go was pretty last minute, so on the way we stopped at a local grocery store and stocked up on non perishable food items.
 We met my sister Candy and her daughter at the Mall of America (they are both huge Vikings fans). They were both decked out in their Vikings gear and also toting a large bag of non perishable items to donate. We headed up to Sky Deck to get our family outing night started.
 There was a lot of excitement building for all of us on the elevator ride up to the fourth floor. Mine was built around meeting a few Vikings players, my Wife's was about a night out together, the kids were excited to see each other and bowl, and we were all happy to be giving to help those in need.
 Galie quickly helped us find a bowling lane while thanking us for our donations. This time we just let the kids bowl, it was easier that way since the adults were out numbered.

Breanna taking her turn bowling

Lucas watching his ball go down the lane

                                     

 After we bowled for a while we ordered some food, took some more pictures and let the kids bowl for a little while longer. During this time Jerome Simpson and Mistral Raymond started to raffle off prizes that included t-shirts and autographed photos. Jerome also told jokes and riddles to fill the time in between the raffle drawings, which made my son Christopher want to tell Jerome a joke it went like this C-"knock knock" J-"who's there?" C-"smell mop" J-"smell mop who?". Mistral and Jerome both thought it was great.

 As the night started to unwind Candy and her daughter Breanna had a chance to have their picture taken with Mistral and Jerome, they were both extremely friendly and happy to take pictures with anyone asking.

Mistral, Candy, Breanna, and Jerome

 A short time after Candy had her picture taken with them Lucas and I went and asked to have one taken with them as well. Lucas was shy at first and just wanted to hide his face in his hands. Mistral and Jerome were great about trying to encourage him to smile.

Mistral and Jerome tickling Lucas to make him smile :-)

After a minute or two of tickling and coaxing Lucas finally showed his face long enough to snap a picture

Mistral, Lucas, Me, and Jerome

 The last thing we did before we left was played games. The great thing about supporting the events and drives that Galie hosts with other athletes is that the giving is reciprocal. When we donated our non perishable food items, they gave us Sky Deck game cards to play games with. All of our kids had a blast playing air hockey, shooting hoops, racing snowmobiles etc.

Christopher playing Arctic Thunder

 I would encourage all of you to attend any of the events Galie hosts. They always support a fantastic cause, she always says thank you, and she certainly never disappoints with the guests she brings. If you would like to stay current with any of the events she is hosting follow her on twitter, or check out her Facebook page.

 I would like to thank Galie, Mistral, Jerome and everyone else that played a part in making this event happen. It really makes for a great night out with my family while getting to help other people out.

 Thank you for taking the time to read this, and if you see me at Galies next event be sure to stop by and say hello!

@Nathanieljw93 (Nathaniel Wood)

Nathaniel is a featherweight MMA fighter for Team Nova Forca. Nathaniel began his career in early 2011 and turned pro in 2012. His first fight was against Andras Dacza, Nathaniel won in the second round by submission. Here is a video of that fight.

Q: What influenced your decision to do Mixed martial arts?
A: "I've always loved fighting, I love mma as you can combine every martial art together."

Q: What lead you to your fighting style?
A: "My dad already trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so I got straight into that with him."

Q: Do you think the mental aspect is more difficult than the physical aspect of your sport?
A: "I would say neither one is more difficult than the other, I have a great team and support around me."

Q: Two of your amateur fights were won by submission and one by decision, do you prefer grappling and holds versus trying to win by KO?
A: "I always prefer to be standing. I train a lot in BJJ so if needs be I have that as a second option."

Q: Do you train all year round or is it a more relaxed approach until you have a fight scheduled?
A: "Yes I am always training, I just up my game during fight camps."

Q: What does your daily training regimen consist of?
A: "A bit of everything, I like my stand up and BJJ, I mainly get my s&c and cardio during fight camps."

Q: What was the feeling when you stepped into the ring for your first fight?
A: "Nerves, but once I weighed in it was just excitement."

Q: What is the process of beginning a MMA career? How do you go about finding a team etc..?
A: "I think your best bet is finding out where top MMA fighters train, you can't go wrong if you are training with the best."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "Haha unfortunately I'm not that well known yet!"

Q: What is your greatest MMA memory?
A: "So far winning my first fight, was the best feeling. Hard work pays off."

Q: What MMA goals are you currently working towards?
A: "It would be my dream to be able to fight for a living."

Q: If you could fight against anyone past or present who would it be?
A: "It would be great to fight some top UFC fighters, not quite there yet though haha."

If there is anything else you would like to add please do so here.

"Shout out to my team Nova Forca and my s&c team 'The Athletic Edge'. Also my dad/ head coach."

@C_Blackburn16 (Clayton Blackburn)

Clayton Blackburn is a pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He was drafted in the 16th round of the 2011 draft out of  Edmond Santa Fe High school. During Blackburn's first year of professional baseball he  was dominant posting a 1.08 ERA through twelve games. In 2012 Clayton went 8-4 with a 2.54 ERA over 131 inning pitched.
All questions were sent via email to Clayton.

Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "I have two older brothers that played baseball and I have grown up loving the game."

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?
A: "Charleston, SC. The ballpark was nice and the city was great as well."

Q: What is your best baseball memory?
A: "Signing my professional contract."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A: "Very happy moment as well as stressful, but something I got to experience with my family."

Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today?"
A: "No, everyday you experience something new and it doesn't feel like work."

Q: What is the best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?
A: "We caught a frog one day in Savannah and decided to put it in one of my teammates lockers, and when he opened it he fell backwards."

Q: What is the funniest/strangest thing you have seen in the clubhouse?
A: "Probably the frog incident."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?
A: "Hunting and Golfing."

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: "Golf."

Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A: "My Dad."

Q: What did it feel like to get your first strike out?
A: "Great Feeling, it is something you have worked for your whole life, and for it to happen is a great feeling."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "Opposing teams hat."

Q: What is the biggest personal change you have made since becoming a pro-athlete?
A: "I have grown up a lot from being around older guys all the time."

Q: If you could play with or against and athlete from any sport, who would it be and what would you play?
A: "Golf, Tiger Woods."

Q: What are your thoughts on fan mail?
A: "I enjoy reading fan mail and signing autographs."

@Thealy5 (Tucker Healy)

Tucker Healy is a pitcher for the Vermont Lake Monsters a minor league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. I came across Tucker on Live Group Breaks, a card breaking forum I am part of. The site operator suggested I try to do an interview with him after reading many of the other interviews I have done. Tucker pitched 29.1 innings in 2012 while posting a 3.07 ERA and 3 saves. Here is what Tucker had to say.

Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "At a young age my dad coached baseball so I've been around it my whole life."

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?
A: "Brooklyn was awesome to play at this year. Stadium right on Coney Island!"

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: "Sleep for sure."

Q: What is your best baseball memory?
A: "We threw a no-hitter as a team that was really cool."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A: "Honored and excited for the opportunity."

Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?
A: "Not that I can think of."

Q: What is the best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?
A: "Quite frankly we didn't have many pranks this year. Maybe stealing one kids bats until game time."

Q: What is the funniest/strangest thing you have seen in the clubhouse?
A: "That's appropriate haha. Uhhh one of our teammates putting small speakers into a cup thinking it would project the sound."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?
A: "Hanging out and sleeping in. Just relaxing, and playing golf of course."

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: "To play basketball. To watch football."

Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A: "Dad."

Q: What did it feel like to get your first strike out?
A: "Relieved. But I had to focus on the next hitter."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "Probably some kids back, bare skin."


Q: What is the biggest personal change you had to make since becoming a pro-athlete?
A: "Adjusting my eating habits to the pro schedule. Eating really late at night."

Q: If you could play with/against any athlete in any sport who would it be and at what sport?
A: "I'd say pitch against Albert Pujols."

Q: What are your thoughts on fan mail?
A: "I don't mind it if it's a kid trying to get an autograph."

Q: Do you collect sports cards/memorabilia? If so anyone in particular?
A: "Yes I collect Patriots and Ladainian Tomlinson as weird as that seems."