Book Tour Update #1: New York City
January 8th, 2008
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As most of you know, I’m on my book tour right now. I’m traveling America with my coauthor Michael Malice. Right now we’re in New York and the signing tonight at Staten Island was just great. It was exciting to see so many Hughes fans in what is supposed to be Serra country. I thought it would be a little bit of a change of pace on the blogs to have Michael show you guys just what it’s really like to spend two weeks on the road with Matt Hughes. PS - Special thanks to Shannon who drove so far to see me. That’s true dedication! -Matt For those of you who think that spending two weeks on the road with Matt Hughes would be a dream come true, you are right in that it is the most surreal trip of my life. The guy I spend the day making fun of and getting made fun of by becomes famous when we leave the hotel–and then it’s back to teasing, playing gin, and talking religion and politics. Tuesday night (January 8th) we’re in Ridgewood, New Jersey (Bookends, 232 East Ridgewood Avenue) at 7PM and then it’s off to the Mall of Americas in Bloomington, Minnesota (Barnes & Noble, 60 East Broadway) on Wednesday, January 9th at 7PM. Click HERE for more info.
After dinner we had sushi–which the country boy has had before and likes–and iced coffee which he somehow had never heard of (and didn’t quite like either.) –Michael Malice |
January 8th, 2008 at 7:45 am
You guys stay safe Michael. Godbless and nice work with the book. Cheers!
January 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Matt, with everything that you have going for you, you have earned it all. People can say what they want, but nothing can take away what you have done and what you have accomplished. Not to mention, too many people forget how Hard you had to work to get where you are today. You didn’t just get lucky and your fame didn’t happen by accident. Your Heart and Determination to become the best allowed you to overcome many of Life’s challenging obstacles… And now look where you are. I will keep you and your family in my Prayers Matt.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Matt-
I just wanted to Thank you for being such a great guy. I met you in Vegas after the fight and I have been such a fan. I started watching faithfully with my husband ALL the UFC fights and you just became my favorite..honestly it was because you have “kind eyes”. It was amazing going to Vegas to see you but even more refreshing that you reinforced the truth behind those “kind eyes”. Thank you for being friendly just after that fight. I am glad that I got to meet you just by chance right in the hallway where it was quiet and talk to you instead of in a line at a night club. It meant so much more to my husband and I. My only regret was not having my camera but I wouldn’t change it! I look forward to watching you in the future! Good luck on your book tour!
Candace Ahern, New Hampshire
January 8th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Matt,
Seeing you with that baby, made me miss my little one and she’s down the street at the daycare! I’ll be praying for you because no matter how great a man has it, nothing compares with Daddy’s girls’. You’re a great man!
Now I’m going to go lift weights and punch a punching bag so I can feel better about my “mushy” side.
Peace
January 8th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I loved holding my kids like that when they were so tiny. Brings back memories.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
You have so many fans from all over the place, more then what you probably know of. As I drove 8 hours to see you, I am sure that many more will do the same. Be safe and GOD BLESS!!
Kelly
WI
January 8th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Matt,
take care on your tour. hope you stay safe. loved the picture of you and the baby. still no chance you can detour to Pittsburgh, PA?? my 3 1/2 year old has a great arm bar starting; possibly a great UFC fighter in the making
love ya
Deena PA
January 9th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Hey Matt,
Thanks again for the pics! To no surprise, looks as though the Tour is a HUGH success. Please, PLEASE do stretching exercises before signing all those books. I would hate for you to get injured and pull a SERRA before the next big fight WITH Serra. Tendonitis can be a @#$%!. LOL jk
(The fight will happen, and we all know it. We will ALWAYS be pulling/praying for you, as usual.)
Please continue to have a safe trip. A friend from the forums, whom I shall remain anonymous, offered to go in my place to get an autographed book for me at Mall of America. Thank you again…. friend.
God Bless…. Rob from Colorado.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Matt. you were defintely a class act last night at Bookends at Ridgewood, NJ and was early and defintely one of the best I have been to of the 6 signings I have been to at that facility. ((You had to run back and forth like a crazy man between floors to beat Chris Jericho and rile the crowd up with wild chants- but only in a book signing-not a fight:)).
So I just wanted to say thanks brother, just wanted to comment how much of a class act you were last night at Bookends. You conducted yourself as a champion in the terms of being a human. You signed 4 books for me-I took some pictures of a couple others for them and you were so cool. I met this college kid in line who skipped his interim winter class -this kid had no camera-I took a picture for him to be exact. Matt was cool about everything. I was able to take the kid to Rite Aid across the street; get his picture blown up in 5 minutes to an 8 by 10. You made this kids 3 hour drive. I hope he sends it to you:) His smile was infectious.
I am sure you will see many babies in his pics from this signing he held last night and his care was genuine. One lady commented in line half-jokingly thats he does it better than her actual husband.:) I was very happy to buy the book and be a part of his experience in the book signing.
there were no Serra type players, just nice folks and he was early and was a true gentleman to everyone. He put a ton of smiles on a lot of peoples faces.
I know he has a family, but being a retired military SF and MP officer, and 3 tour war veteran I can tell you for sure he would be a great addition to any USO tour.
That was the only comment I wanted to post.:) Oh and do not eat too much desert in Minneapolis—we know how to make it:) But go to Grand on Grand in Saint Paul—they have the best cake and pie anywhere:)
Thanks, Ben Ryan
January 9th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Sounds like the book tour is going great. I wish you the best and a safe travel on the tour. I will be in St. Louis the end of Feb and was wondering if Matt or any of the guys would be at the new gym during that time? I would like to get my book signed and a picture if so. Thanks
January 11th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Meeting Matt was the greatest day of my life. He is such a charismatic guy and great with his fans. I could barely talk when it was my turn to meet him but he was so great.
Matt, You are by far my favorite fighter of all time. Your fight against Royce Gracie was the first fight I ever watched and have been watching ever since. Being from Staten Island, I can tell you now, its definitely not Serra country around here. Everyone I know is 100% for Matt Hughes. Good luck and God bless!
Love, Jessica