Let's go speed dating!!! Vol. 1

This blog post is gonna be so good, it'll make you wanna SLAP yo momma!!!! Haha, what's up Valley?? I know, I know, you love all the blog posts, but this one has a little different flavor. We're going to combine some local Midwestern boys with a little Southwestern speed dating flavor...and I can't wait.

Backdrop -- My good friends and close Valley brethren, Ryan Peterson and Dave Dreas went on a little adventure a few weeks back down in Phoenix, AZ. I asked them to share their experience and thoughts about this great night out in a Q&A format, and I will post it virtually word for word. There is a lot of info so I'm going to break up the entire thing into to sections, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 naturally. Without any more yapping, here we go.....

Questions and answers for Petey (Ryan Peterson)-
How did the idea come about for you and Dave to go speed dating?
The idea originally came up amongst all of us KV-Westerners (Nick, Dylan, Travis, and myself) before Dave even moved here. Then, when the time came to do it, Dave and I were the only ones that didn't puss out. Important Note: J-Scott never even considered it. When he heard that we were going, he lovingly asked us "So, you guys are paying $40 to meet a bunch of SKIZZ girls!!??" I also want to note that the idea came up because we just wanted to try something new and see what it was like.....NOT because we can't get dates from the other, typical methods (bars, set-ups, workplace, etc.).


How funny was the conversation with Dave?
Not very funny. He was all for it right away. Dave's a no-nonsense type of guy, and we looked excitedly ahead at this new venture as an opportunity to try something new and dominate in the process.

Was there persuading on either part? or just straight "Whatever", that's how we roll?
It was pretty much the "Whatever, that's how we roll" route.

Questions and answers for Double D's (Dave Dreas)
I want u to describe each of your outfits for this occasion?
Ryan and I both discussed what would be appropriate for this type of occasion. Seeing as neither of us have attended a "speed dating" event we decided to go somewhat casual. We didn't want to be the type that was "cheap/under dressed" or the type that "just got out of work" so we decided to play it somewhat in the middle. I myself, sported a dark blue, short sleeved, Ralph Lauren Polo with a pair of jeans and clean, white Polo kicks. Ryan wore a long sleeved, Perry Ellis, buttoned down, Carolina blue/w white stripes shirt with a pair of jeans and brown clogs. Not to mention, he added extra product!

I want to know of any conversations or thoughts about what you thought your chances were to get digits?
Ryan and I had numerous talks beginning from the day we signed up for the speed dating event. It was a lot of "I wonder" and "what if" type of talk. We wanted to convince ourselves that this was a great idea and that we would have great success stories to tell about. Our main thought, which was a stretch, was that some hot group of girls signed up for this event and just wanted to see what it was like. (Which was why we signed up, to see what it was like) On the other hand, we also discussed what would happen if all of the girls were "nasty" and nothing like us. So to answer the question, Ryan and I both thought that it would be a challenge but definitely not impossible to get some digits. We decided that two was a good number on our way to the "event."

Questions and answers for Petey
So, you get to the event and immediately upon entering the venue, what were the first few minutes like there?
We walked into the CASINO, and were led out onto this back patio type of area. We were the first ones there, so we sat a nearby bar, had a drink or two, and watched the Orlando Magic improbably claw their way back out of a huge deficit AGAIN. We got our name tags, met the moderator, and then that was followed by a good 5-10 minutes of Dave and I standing awkwardly in a circle with a few of the other guys that were participating. After some heartless handshakes and talking about our jobs and the economy, other people started to show up. We were gathered close around the moderator, and he described to us how it was going to work.

How did they organize the event?
They organized the event with the intentions of having 11 guys there and 11 girls. 11 guys showed up, but only 9 girls, so at any one time, two of the guys were sitting at a table by themselves. The girls were all seated at a table for two, and the guys would have a "speed date" with one girl for about 6 minutes, and then the moderator would ring a bell, indicating it was time to move on to the next one. After the bell rang, you were supposed to get up from the table, write down whatever notes you wanted to about the speed date you just completed, and sit at the next table.

What type of scoping was being done at this point?
Well, at one point, when the girls started showing up, Dave and I were walking from the bathroom back to the patio area where the speed dating was being held. He kind of grabbed my arm, and quietly said, "Oh my god, Ryan, oh my god....". At first, I didn't know what he was talking about. Then I saw the group of 3 girls that we were about to meet. One of them was about 6-4, black, and appeared to weight a solid 280. I'm not saying this with any hostility, negativity, or degradation.....I'm just answering the questions.

Tell me what your first "speed date" was like. i want to know all the details of the very first 6 minute segment. what did she look like, what did you talk about, etc?
Well, as I mentioned earlier, there was a black, 6-4, 280 pounder in attendance at the event, and guess who my first speed date was? That's right, good ol' Trinity! Now, the first thing I wanna say about Trinity is that Dave and I agreed afterwords that she was definitely the coolest girl there. She was very nice and very personable, but she just wasn't my type, I guess you could say. So I sit down with Trinity and we jump into the conversation. It was the first speed dating experience for both of us, and when I said my age was 31, she excitedly told me that she was 31, as well. Unlike Dave, who was scared to ask the "personal" questions, I asked her if she had been married and if she had any kids. She said that yes, she had been married about 8 years ago, and she told me that she had an 8-year-old son. I asked her if religion was a significant part of her life, and she said not really. I explained how I was Lutheran and I was pretty active in my church. She also told me that she was a nurse and that she loved her job. I told her that I did marketing for my financial group, and how I had worked in different capacities for the Scottsdale YMCA for 3+ years. As you can see, there wasn't a whole lot of interesting things discussed in that date......not to mention the rest of the night. The bell rang, we wrapped it up, and I moved on to the next table.

Questions and answers for Double D's
Tell me what your first "speed date" was like. i want to know all the details of the very first 6 minute segment. what did she look like, what did you talk about, etc?
After the whole group gathered around we were dispersed to our assigned tables. Keep in mind that we have now seen everyone that we are about to talk with. It was brought up, more than once, that we should possibly dip out before this event started. BUT, like model speed daters we decided to stick it out and possibly find our match!

I sat down at the table and the first girl that I talked to was Jamie. (That was her real name) Well to start out, Jamie looked like a Midwestern girl (please don't take offense to that Midwestern ladies, I love you all and hope to marry a Midwesterner someday) She was a little on the heavier side with dark hair. It didn't look from appearance that she worked out which is a big necessity of mine. I am also very particular when it comes to woman's teeth and her's weren't well kept. So far the initial "attraction" wasn't there for me.

So the date started out with the introduction of ourselves and shaking hands. Yes, shaking hands. We proceeded with the usual where are you from, where do you work, what do you like to do...etc. Well, Jamie was a nurse that worked three days on and had 4 days off. I thought that was the coolest thing in the world and proceeded to tell her that! I explained to her that i would lay around by our pool all day if I had 4 days off a week! She giggled! I never really like to ask girls/women their ages because they might take offense to it so I didn't ask Jamie for her age. I assume she was in her late 20's or early 30's. The first few minutes was basically a background check, getting to know some of the details of where people came from and what they do. (If I can remember right she was from California but I could be wrong)

Of course she was surprised that I was from Minnesota along with every other girl, I had to explain why I was down in Phoenix (That got real annoying after awhile). So I asked Jamie what were some "fun" things to do in Phoenix and her response was to "float" down the salt river. Very similar to the Apple River around the Minnesota area. I was real engaged in the conversation and explained to her how fun that would be if my friends ever wanted to float down the river. It was a good chat but then the bell rang.

It's weird because you think six minutes would take forever but this actually went fairly quick. To sum up the first date it was just a bunch of small talk with a little bit of nerves. It was the "first" date of the night so everyone was somewhat nervous and excited!! No politics, sports, intimate or hateful conversations came up so overall it was a good first chat! Unfortunately her time came to an end and I had to move on to my next lovely date!

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We will end Vol. 1 there and as you can see our boys are off and running with the bulls...not literally, well....?? Haha, I'm just kidding, Lot's of troopers out there need some love too if you know what I mean. Just not sure 6'4, 280 lbs. is in that "maybe" category for anyone not named Andre the Giant. But, so far so good for our Valley boys. A couple nice respectful dates to start out, now lets see if anything gets out of hand for Vol. 2, in our next installment of "Let's go speed dating!!!!!"

And in honor of our boys, I have to give you guys a classic................

Winona...man that playground is rough....

I spent the last week in Winona coaching the Team Football Camp there, and I have to say that I was sad to go. It was an amazing week. I ran into old Winona acquaintances, met a lot of new people and just had an awesome week. Big shot out to the Warrior Team Camp, Coaches, Warrior football players, and the two great looking girls handing out Gatorade at the field!!!

Also, I happened to end up downtown every night and partied like a champion, but no big deal that's expected out of an self respecting Winonan, right? I ate at Sammy's Pizza, Rocco's Pizza, Bub's, Winona Sandwich Company, Hyvee, Hardee's (after the bars, of course) and, last but not least, Acoustic Cafe. I think I did a pretty solid job on the food front for my marathon week back to Winona.

This post isn't really going to bee too long because it's late and I'm spent. We've started Offensive staff meetings at UST, and football season is about to get cranked up!! I just wanted to inform the Valley that I hadn't forgotten about them, and I will be coming with some more gooooooood stuff in the next little bit.

One quick thing I want to address before I get out of here, is that this past week was the first time in a while that I dominated the Devil's Playground. I have an anecdote for the difficulties it so often presents. It's called "Limon & Water". This is my pledge that this is the best drink on the planet for hangovers. It gives you a little sweetness, but not over the top with the Limon because the water takes the edge off. AND you're getting hydrated while tipsy. Half business, half prevention. I promise it works. I have to give credit where credit is due, a fellow Winonan, Mike G. put me on to this magnificent wonder. So, while this post may not be content heavy, let it be known that you can be 30 years old, close the bar down 7 days in a row, be productive during each day, and DOMINATE that town that so often has dominated you...with Limon & Water. Pinky swear.

I'll get up with you fools in a hot minute, check out these sweet lyrics, as my summer winds down...

"Dear summer, I know you're going to miss me, for we've been together like Nike Airs and crisp tees, S dots with the Polo fleeces, purple label s**t with the logo secret..."

Out like a trooper, unless I've had a couple...
Mcquillan

It matters not how slowly you go, but that you do not stop...

Valley, Valley, Valley, what the business baby!!!! I'm doing great, thanks for asking. The Tourney was an amazing weekend, we got lucky with the weather as it began to rain, but held off. People came out in big numbers, the cutie pies showed their stuff in the sun, and some great basketball was played. Congrats to the winning team led by Erik Ferden made up of Brad Meyer, Mike Schroeder, Kevin Strobush, and Jeff "Orange". Well done people and you all know I'm looking forward to next year...

Those of you that know me, know I like to talk a lot of trash. I will talk about basically anything. I like to think I have something to offer to conversations, and that's part of the reason I started writing this blog. We talk about a lot of fun and silly things on here and there needs to be time to just relax and talk about nonsense like that. Today however, I'm going to use this forum to talk about something a bit more serious, and a little closer to my heart. I still think this will apply to almost everyone who reads it, so I look forward to any feedback.

The title of the post is a quote by Confucius. If you're not sure who that is, He was a Chinese philosopher who is credited for lots of greatness. His teachings have influenced Asian cultures tremendously, and worldwide cultures as well. He was born 550 years before Christ. I bring that up because it helps to illustrate the thesis of this post. I'm talking about all our lives. Their directions, motivations, successes, and failures, and our reactions to the twists and turns we experience. People have been concerned with the navigation of their lives for a long time, clearly. Obviously, things have changed over the 2500 years since Confucius, but our desires to be happy and successful have not.

I don't claim to be any Dr. Phil, or some great philosopher, but I know a little bit about adversity. Do you? I know a little about success, and I know some about failure. Do you? I know what it's like to be lost in this life and feel like I just have no idea what my purpose is. I also know that I never lost faith that I knew there was a purpose for me. I relied on family and friends, I still do, for advice and feedback. Sound familiar? If not, you're lucky, but I bet this still applies to areas of your life. I'm going to tell you a little about my story, what I've used to help, and the way things can turn if you just keep fricken going.

I had a moderately successful high school and college career playing football. It was what I loved growing up. Luckily, I was bright enough to earn my high school and college diplomas as well. I didn't put forth the effort I should have, but sue me for being a dumb kid, huh? After college I moved to Florida to pursue an opportunity to play Arena Football. I never followed through because I got a job in real estate traveling all over the country, making pretty good money. And that was the proverbial hook in my mouth from corporate America. The beginning of me losing focus. Eventually I realized I didn't want to do stay with that job, and I didn't want to live in Florida either so I moved to the Second City. Chicago was great to me and I love her for that. Chicago presented me a lot of career options in sales and things that people don't really grow up dreaming to do, if you feel me. My internal struggles continued on as I began to feel like I wasn't fitting anywhere. I had several jobs, over the next few years and nothing was right. By the way, does this sound like anyone else out there? I imagine it does. I kept using my contacts to try and find better jobs places and that led me to speak on a semi-regular basis with my cousin out east. He works for Best Buy, and I wanted to see what he thought might be available. I'm now going to go to the email he sent me a couple years back that absolutely smacked me in the face with the simple stick, here are a couple quotes that hit home...

"One key thing to remember is you are not alone in this situation or feeling. An incredible amount of people including myself have experienced or experience the self doubt and feelings of not having real control over their professional lives that so often, unfortunately define who we are."

"Take some time to really think about what you love to do if you had all day to do it. Is it outside, inside working with people or working at your own pace alone? Think through the things you read about in magazines or newspapers when you scan the news. Lots of things interest you and some far more than others. And it doesn’t really matter what it is because I bet there is a job out their right now looking for the best person in the role who can really take it to new levels. I remember people saying I like to play video games all day or I like to surf all day and folks would say ya but you can’t make any money at that and you will be a loser, drifter or bum the rest of your life. The last time I looked kids were making millions as the best gamers in the world competing global. Many have endorsements like that Shawn kid who is endorsed by Creative Labs sounds cards under the Fatal1ty brand. Same goes for surfers that make millions traveling the world, getting endorsements and the like. The key is understanding your passion and then figuring out is there a market out there or could there be down the road?

Hang in there. This is the hardest time figuring out who you are what you want to do in life. It will get better and far more clear. I promise.

Find your passion."

I am not afraid to say that as I read these things, I broke down. pretty much entirely. I mean straight sobbing right at the computer. But it was also the light I needed. That was Valentines Day, 2008. I've always known what I'm passionate about, athletics, and specifically football. It took me a little while to understand that there wasn't anything I love more than football. I love other sports, but it would be a waste of time for me to try and pursue a career in anything other than my passion. Have you found yours?

I moved back to the Minneapolis area to take advantage of football contacts in the area. I got a job in the meantime at a law firm, like where I was working in Chicago. I began setting up meetings and sending out emails and calling everyone I thought could help. I worked, I just kept hitting the street, because I knew this was it. I just knew, there was no looking back or second guessing, I just had to make it happen. Clarity is a beautiful thing. Especially when for about 6 years things were not clear. I was laid off on April 1 from the law firm and was told on April 2 that I was wanted to Volunteer at St. Thomas. By spring I was volunteering at St. Thomas University's spring football, and was recently offered an assistant coaching position there this fall. Next week, I'm going to Winona to coach Winona State's football camps. Goal #1 is met, I'm in.

Is that it then? Hell no. I have goals, I have ideas of where I can go in this sport. All the BS I've fought through over the last few years, has done nothing but build my resolve. And this little bit of success, is that reward. I wish I could explain how happy I am. I think for the first time in my life, I'm truly proud of myself. Not because now I'm a football coach, but because I fought and battled. I learned the hard way many times,I used that experience, and it paid off. "It matters not how slowly you go, but that you do not stop." Many tears fell because I just knew there was something, something I was meant to do and I couldn't figure it out. Damn that is frustrating man, sometimes debilitating. And I know people out there understand that. I have a best friend right now going through a rough career issue, I was laid off, my sister was laid off, everyone knows people feeling the pain of this economy. It is damn tough out there and to pretend it's not is setting yourself up for trouble. But I just said to myself that I was tougher. I have a tattoo that reads in Irish Gaelic "Power comes to those who uncover success in every struggle". I believe that completely. I'm not the first person to talk about how great it is to achieve when adversity is present. There's nothing profound in me talking about overcoming life's obstacles. You don't want to hear all that cliche crap. You know all about it right? Now ask yourself why that is? It's because it's so damn true that it's happening all the time. Our lives are spent struggling for those small moments when we smile, cry, or whatever you do when you know you've accomplished something. Remember in the "Pursuit of Happiness" at the very end. After everything He'd been through, and to finally have that "moment" with himself. Man, I remember thinking, "Can I get some of that please?" So I worked, and all it took was my current head coach to tell me that he would love to have me apart of his staff for me to, for the first time, understand the power I had. The fact that it was something I know I loved, something I am crazily passionate about only helped me to know that I AM on the right path. Are you?

I'm not using this blog to preach about anything or tell everyone how right I am about things...well, yes I am actually, haha. But honestly, this was an opportunity to share some of my story, knowing I'm not alone and neither are you. You gotta keep working, there is no quick fix or lottery for happiness. But there is happiness. It comes in small moments, family and friends supporting you, and knowing that you're doing something that you love to do. It's like going out on the lake on a hot day, do you like that? Do you love to do that? Are you happy when you do that? Simple really. Not easy, so don't confuse the two, but simple. I found my passion, it took me a while to figure it out but I found it again. And I feel lucky for that. I have a lot of work to do to get to where I want to go, but there is light at the end of the tunnel...there's always light at the end of the tunnel...there's ALWAYS light at the end of the tunnel.

Find your passion.

Thanks to everyone who helped me and continue to help me along the way, you all know who you are, I am yours forever, know that. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope it applied to your life in at least one little way. I hope my story is another small piece of proof that hard work does pay off, and it will for others everyday. I'm not special, I still really haven't done much with my life, but for me it is nice to read about someone's trials and bring the realness of it home...remind you that this "life" thing is going on all around us. I know it helps me to read about people stories and I hope I could offer some help in return. What we do does not define who we are, ever. It's a mistake to think it should or does. But what we do is important for several reasons, and it does overlap with who we are because of those any reasons. Some things in life we can change and our careers or what we do for money, is one of them. I think motivation and drive in an individual is absolutely necessary. With that it is absolutely true that we can achieve whatever we put our minds to, make it happen Valley!

Out like Michael Jackson...RIP
McQuillan

The Tourney...

Hey yo Valley!! before I get to the main reason for the post tonight, let me say that Valparaiso Florida represented last weekend and your boy certainly did his part. Big shot to the whole crew, I love seeing you guys and I had a blast. There's nothing so nice as drinking all day in your trunks and chilling with good people, I know you all feel me...

Now let me get into the main reason for this post and one of the most important posts in this blog's history. So, listen up.

The Knopp Valley Tournament

I. Origins
15 Years ago, on a starry night like tonight, a group of teenagers, led by Erik Ferden and Ryan Peterson, birthed an idea for the ages. We loved basketball and most of my friends and I played often for fun outside of school or organized team stuff. We often gathered to play at a court we call "Knopp, pronounced "Nop". It is an outdoor court in a park located in a housing development called Knopp Valley, in Winona, MN. It's a beautiful scene, laid perfectly in the base of one of Winona's gorgeous bluff valleys. A few individuals involved grew up in Knopp Valley, and so games have just always been played there. It was here that a 4 on 4 tournament was born consisting of childhood and school friends. The date: July 4, 1995. Our Nation's and our tournament's birthday. Not one week after the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Kevin Garnett, and during the same month that "Clueless" and that crappy Costner movie "Waterworld" were released, and just a few short months after the Cincinnati Bengals drafted the great Ki-Jana Carter with the #1 overall pick...The Knopp Valley Tournament was born. The Tourney started out small with just 4 teams, but unlike KG, Ki-Jana Carter, or Waterworld, The Tourney stuck around, and we all thank the heavens for the grace shone upon us over the years. Not one tourney has been rained out, very few injuries have occurred and usually only minor, and great friendships and traditions have grown over the years.

II.Traditions and Format
There are captains of the 7 teams each year, and they perform a draft. The draft used to be done with everyone together but life has forced people all over and now is done via technology for the most part. There have been several captains over the years. Many remain constant but there is some shifting. The draft is done like most every one's fantasy sports drafts, in a "snake" format. Since its inception, the draft order has been kept confidential, only the captains know where people were drafted.

Somewhere during this stretch of 1.5 decades a golf tournament got started. Whoever wants to play or can make it get together and hit the links. Then the entire group, or almost all, meet at a local restaurant, recently it has been Ed Sullivan's in Trempeleau, WI. There we gather from all over the country: Arizona, Wisconsin, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, and in recent years Illinois or Florida. There we give daps, hugs, and plenty of mean mugs to our teammates, our opponents, and our family...

Gameday starts at 8am...well, kinda. We hope that people show up by then so we can get started. We all throw in our money, and we take a look at the tournament bracket. A bracket that is beautifully crafted by a local YMCA employee, supporter, and friend of The Tourney, Daryl Anderson. It is a round robin format for the first round so each team plays 6 games. Then we rest for a bit and begin the seeded, double elimination tournament. The Tournament lasts all day long, and is usually done by around 5-6 o'clock. And as someone who has come up from the losers bracket and played the most games possible, it is one hell of a tough day. One thing that makes it easier on everybody is the tradition of playing loud hip hop music all day long. The good stuff too, not this Flo-rida crap, no Souldia Boy (or however you spell that nonsense), We're talking the good stuff...Outkast, Biggie, Jay-Z, Tupac, E-40, Spice 1, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne, EPMD, Beastie Boys....wow soory, I just feel like going on forever. But it is great that this tradition has never stopped and I hope it won't because the music is part of what makes this day ours

After The Tourney is the "Afterparty". We have gathered at different places for food and drinks over the years and this is usually the beginning of a fantastic night and the right way to end a great day and tradition...laughing and enjoying family members.

III. The People
We are all competitive individuals, some extraordinarily so. Our family is made up of high school all-conference and all-state athletes, college all-conference and all-american athletes, and avid hoopers who love to play and have been around The Tournament since forever. Many of us are 30 years old and over, but most are still in their 20's. There is one player who was 7 years old when this tournament started. The Knopp Vally Family is diverse as any group of 35-40 people, but we are close in that we all hold something dear to us, and respect each individual immensely for their contributions to this great tradition. The crowd has grown from about 0, to now more than 50 people regularly stop by, and probably many more. Lot's of parents, girlfriends, friends, and basketball fans, spend the day in the sun watching great basketball. I'm sure lots of the parents aren't happy about all the swear words over the years, so let me take this opportunity to apologize for my part in that...but hey, it's The Tourney!!

From the bottom of my heart, and I'm sure many echo this, I wouldn't be in Winona for the 4th of July if it wasn't for this tournament. Seeing these guys, makes it one of the most fun weekends of the year. I wouldn't trade it, I wouldn't change it, and I wouldn't want it to include anyone other than all the people who have participated and made this day and event so great over these 15 years. And for my Knopp Valley Family, be ready to get it on in a couple days, because I'm coming for every one of you!!! Love you guys, see you soon....

Out like Koehler...RIP homey
McQuillan.