Final report for 2025 meets - Steel City Con, Bocelli, Conti and more

After my success with Andy Card, I would be out every day for the next week to round off my 2025 combo related endeavors. 

Day 1

I start with some private flights hoping Stallone is in one of them, but no luck. I then go to a commercial flight for actor Michael Crawford. He was the titular character in the original stage production of Phantom of the Opera and has been in several old movies and TV shows.

When he arrives, he stops but is not overly nice. Was a strict one and the photo though I managed to squeeze two. Overall, that was a success. Shortly after at the same airport Lauryn Hill was arriving (which I didn't know in advance, or I would have had items). I got her before but since I was here may as well get an update. She was very nice.

Later in the evening I had another flight for the legendary Andrea Bocelli. I got him in NYC but it was a terrible car shot. Wait at the spot and when I see him I run over, fearful the staff may stop me. But it was late enough in the night where no one cared. I asked for a photo and Andrea gets into his car. I thought I was done but his wife says to come closer. He was nice as can be and I get the photo op.

Michael Crawford

Lauryn Hill

Andrea Bocelli

Autographs

Day 2

With the success of the prior day came a disastrous day. Tried for Stallone and George Strait flights. Never confirmed a Stallone flight but figured out George Strait's flight. And he took 2 whole hours to come out. There were like 30 people and he did nothing. What's worse because it took him so long to come out, I had to miss a Heidi Klum flight. I already have two photo ops with her but wanted to get autographs. 

Went to another spot to try for George Strait. They pulled his van right to the door and ignored going in and leaving. Went to one last spot and saw Peter Criss. He was cool and I got a photo op. But I have a perfect shot from a con. BUST of a day.

Peter Criss

Day 3 

This is the day that I dread as I wake up in the morning and stand all day at a spot. But this year things seemed uncertain, largely due to Trump taking control of things. That combined with the bust of the previous day I decided to bail on this and head to Steel City Con where things are certain. This marked the first time I ever decided to go to a con the very morning of.

Arrive and find decent parking. First get is Ken Kirzinger. I have Ken but someone I knew had multiple items so why not get a free update. Next is the main reason I came to this con, namely Shia LaBeouf. He wasn't very nice and most photos we took were invalid. He got annoyed cause I wanted retakes. 

After the unpleasant experience with Shia I got a free photo op with Disney, Warner Bros, and Hanna-Barbera animator Willie Ito. The only other celebs I got were Lawrence Makoare (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit) and Joel David Moore (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story). 

Left Steel City and came back to try the event I bailed on. Went to one spot and it was a bust. Then tried another spot only saw Gloria Gaynor enter. Stallone had garaged. In hindsight based on the stories I heard I made the right choice going to Steel City Con. While some people were gotten, I already had them and would see them the next day.

Shia LaBeouf

Full list of photo ops

Day 4

After the uncertainty of the prior day, I was very weary going out this day. But I knew others were out, so I had to be there to be part of the action if there was any action to be had. Start at the hotel and I see a couple of Tennis players John Isner and Sam Querrey. I get photo ops. Then I see Frank Stallone walking around. I got him at Chiller years ago so this wasn't anything for me but I got a photo.

Go to the venue where there has apparently been action. I find out I missed Vince Gill. PUNCH. I met him before, but I had some CDs for him to sign. Garth Brooks comes in and doesn't sign but does photo ops. I had no need for another photo op so I didn't bother to fight for it. Then we almost miss one of the best names as everyone almost lets him walk by. We asked him and he was super nice and did multi combos with everyone. Turns out it is the composer for classic movies such as Rocky, Karate Kid, and others. I got the photo op and some blanks. Sadly, I left my Rocky poster (already signed by the director) in the car so I didn't get that done. I went and got my poster. I also have a Karate Kid poster signed by the director but that's at home. 

I would then get photos with Ron Henry and Christal Rheams, session drummer Kenny Aronoff, singer Blessing Offor who is blind (marking my second blind photo op within a week), Kid Kentucky, actor Garrett Hedlund (update since I paid for him at a con a year prior), Chris Blue, Kelsey Grammer, and Jason Crabb. Going in I got the photo op with Kelsey Grammer which was a 15 year update as my last photo with him was from NYC in 2010. Wasn't able to get autographs. But he signed on the way out and I managed to get two 8x10s done. 

Then we see someone walk from a distance no one can decipher who he is at first. Turns out it's magician Criss Angel! Get the photo op. Score! Then I get an update with Robin Zander from cheap trick and Marcus King, Montana Tucker, Frank Stallone (this time no hat).

Then I get a selfie with Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick which is an upgrade over what I have because he always intentionally looks away from the camera. Here he is mostly looking in. Got Robin Zander again. Also got them both on my Cheap Trick 8x10. 

A big botch was for singer Deniece Williams. She came and someone said "Gloria" so I immediately got my Gloria Gaynor vinyl. Turns out it was Deniece Williams and that killed my chances to get a photo op (she barely even did 2 or 3). Got Richard Grenell and other political names. Some of the final names I got going in were actor Neal McDonough (blurry photo op but it's ok I got him at a con years ago) and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger who founded the company with the same name. 

Exits were slim pickings I got Rick Nielsen looking in again and a combo with Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick (update photo op). I then bailed on exits since it was looking bad and went to the hotel where I just missed Peter Criss. PUNCH as I could have used an autograph. Then I saw Bill Conti pull up and this time I got him on my Rocky poster and got a photo op with him all dressed up. 

Saw Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and their sons but couldn't get them. Saw Gloria Gaynor she didn't stop but she did send ins and I got my vinyl and 8x10s signed (it's ok I have photo ops with her). The evening would end with a photo op with Mike Farris and that would be my final photo op of 2025.

Kelsey Grammer

Tommy Hilfiger

Criss Angel

Bill Conti

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Now to showcase autographs obtained:

Bill Conti autographs

Gloria Gaynor autographs

Cheap Trick and Kelsey Grammer

Day 5

The next day I sat out everything during the day but Michael Crawford had a flight out and it was in the evening. I thought since the timing was good and the airport was close to my house I figured I'd go for an autograph. I arrived and got him to sign an 8x10. This would be my final autograph of 2025.

Autograph

Starting December with a 9/11 attack name

Over the years I always tried to get political names related to the 9/11 attacks. Some successfully and some not. One name I've always either missed or failed on in the past is Andy Card, who was White House Chief of Staff under Bush Jr from 2001 to 2006. He was the one who informed Bush about the attacks in what is probably the most iconic photo of the 9/11 attacks that is not a burning building. This is the image I'm referring to:

But I finally got another flight on him and would try for him again for the first time in years. The bad thing is he was with his wife who traditionally tries to shut down any graphers. This time she was hardly a factor. Maybe she is getting old? But I got a perfect shot and some autographs. Success! To boot he writes the entire quote he uttered to Bush Jr when he signs the famous image.

Andy Card

Autographs

Later in the day I decided to try again for Victor Willis of the Village People at the airport. As expected, he was his usual grumpy self barely doing photos and shooting down autographs even yelling at someone for asking. The photo op I got is a slight upgrade over my previous op so I guess I can't complain too much.

Victor Willis

Scattered meets throughout November

Just as October ended on a horrible note, the trend continues when November begins. 

On one day I had two very upsetting failures. First, I tried actor Richard Madden (Cinderella, Game of Thrones, Rocketman) at a flight leaving. He denied and was a complete dick. Even saying he had to get to his flight when he had plenty of time. Then I tried Robert Plant at his hotel and he was a complete dick. Two on one and he wouldn't even do a photo op. A double PUNCH!

A couple of days later I went to a venue to get actors from the Dinosaur Improv comedy show. Luckily I had most but there were still some I needed. The main one I wanted was actor Rob Riggle (Step Brothers, Hangover, and lots more). He arrives on his own and is nice as he signs and does photos. 

Then the rest of them arrive. The good: They are walking and have a way to go. The bad: so many of them. I scramble and I manage to score actress Edi Patterson (Knives Out) and actor Rob Huebel. My shot with Paul Scheer turned out blurry but it's ok I have him from before. There were 1 or 2 lower names I didn't have that I missed but it wasn't worth coming back for exits. 

Went to another spot for director Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Trinity). When she went out the car I had a perfect ask and she was nasty. From this spot I got producer Noah Oppenheim. 

Now I had two choices. Wait for Kathryn Bigelow to leave or bail on this and try for Vicki Peterson of the Bangles and original member of the Cowsills, John Cowsill. I have Vicki but never got John. Given how nasty Kathryn was I chose the easy music venue. After the show both were nice as can be and I got an upgrade with Vicki and fresh op with John. Overall a good day.

Rob Riggle

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Next day I do a flight for director Ryan Coogler. He came out wearing a mask. We asked he told us to hold on. Couple of minutes later he took the mask off and took photos with everyone. I only had blanks and he didn't want to sign blanks.

Ryan Coogler

Next day starts with a flight for actor LaRoyce Hawkins from Chicago PD. We spot him and he is nice as can be. Go to another spot for Olympic medalist and swimmer Ryan Lochte. Randomly see former secretary of defense Lloyd Austin and get a photo op. Get volleyball player Patrick Powers. And finally see Ryan and he is super nice. I also get autographs on blanks. 

Next goal is for actor Sawyer Spielberg, son of the famous director. On the way stop by a small bookstore and get yet another photo op with actress Raegan Revord of Young Sheldon. Then to the Sawyer Spielberg event.

Mooch into the main area where Sawyer Spielberg is supposed to be at. Also there is producer/writer Kirk Saduski and actor James Madio (both of whom I have). After their panel they all do photo ops. Nice and easy. We wait at that event to see who else could be had. See Wilmer Valderrama and get another photo op. Then see Zachary Levi and get an update (well a downgrade since he has a beard) with him. At this point we got kicked out of the event.

Full list of photo ops

Ryan Lochte Autographs

Actor Charlie Weber was at the event I got kicked out of the prior evening and I was upset I got 1-upped by security since I didn't get him. So, I found a flight on him. Before going for him went to another spot at the same airport to see if Magin Johnson would show up, and he did. Got an upgrade with him. In my old shot from over 10 years ago he has a beanie. Here you can see his bald black head. 

Go to the area of the airport for Charlie and on the way there see former speaker of the house Kevin McCarthy and get an update. Also see barely valid actor Kelvin Garvanne and get a photo op. Charlie's plane was so delayed was beginning to wonder if he would even take the flight but all signs pointed to yes. Finally see him just walking around with his girlfriend and he was super nice.

Magic Johnson

Full list of photo ops

Next evening I went for someone who I've had a miserable time with 3 times in the past. He was so unpleasant I wrote him off. I'm talking about Colin Hay of Men At Work, probably best known for the song "Down Under". 

But then I saw photos pop up on facebook. So I thought there was a chance. I went to the venue further away from me since the setup is better. And it was the best setup. We were basically standing next to his van. When we saw him and asked for photo ops to my shock he agreed. A completely different human from the other times I saw him. 

Colin Hay

Next day I start with an unrealistic goal. Leonardo DiCaprio. But by the time I got to the spot he was gone and from eyewitness accounts would have been impossible anyway. All I got from there was an update from Joshua Bell. Tried another event where I hoped to see Danica Patrick or Russel Brand but couldn't figure out where they would go in and out. At least I have a decent shot with Russel Brand from years ago. Only thing I got here was a photo op with John Schnatter who founded Papa Johns.

Final spot for the evening was a book signing for actress Jayne Kennedy. She was super nice. 

Full list of photo ops

A few days later around Mid-November I would go to a venue for singer and musician Marshall Crenshaw who was also in the movie La Bamba. Got the opener who met people inside. Then waited outside got Fernando Perdomo and other barely valids. And finally Marshall Crenshaw who was nice.

Full list of photo ops

A few days later to another venue to try for the original lead singer of 10,000 Manicas, Natalie Merchant. Go to the venue and wait. Then the guy starts telling us she isn't coming out as long as we're standing here. He makes us leave though it's debatable if the ground is public or private.

Minutes later we come back to the lot and wait in the car. When we see activity then we go up again. First we get Erik Della Penna and we get yelled at by the same guy. Despite him yelling at us and tryign to stop us we ask Natalie and she is actually super friendly. 

The guy then lectures us how we betrayed his trust and not to come back and get people. Even asking us "why would you guys try and come back". 

Erik Della Penna

Natalie Merchant

Couple of days later I went for a flight for Vanilla Ice. I haven't seen Vanilla Ice in 15 years and wanted autographs. He is his usual nice self as he signs and does photo ops. It's always cool to see someone who hasn't soured up after all these years.

Later this evening I go to a comedy show for Gary Gulman who was in the Joker movie. Crowd is letting out, and the security guard is trying to bully me on the sidewalk and repeats "I'm asking you to please keep walking" as I point out it's a sidewalk. Then I say, "I'm asking you to please leave me alone". 

He continues to breath down my face and since this is a venue I frequent, I'm not trying to curse him out and be memorable, so I simply step away from him and stand a few feet away from him. After which he does his own thing and doesn't bother me again. I wait about 20 more minutes Gary comes out and I say hello to him and ask for the photo op and he is super nice. As I'm taking the photo the security guards simply look on and do nothing. 

Final spot for the evening is a show for actress Jerrika Hinton from Grey's Anatomy. Wait after the show and she comes out. I get the photo op (one of the other performers join in).

Vanilla Ice

Gary Gulman

Bradley Gibson and Jerrika Hinton

Vanilla Ice signed vinyl

Vanilla Ice signed 8x10s

November ends with Gerland Alston, lead singer of the Manhattans. He is not the original lead singer, but he was the lead singer for all their hits. Another comparison is Bruce Dickinson who is not the original lead singer of Iron Maiden, but he is the main one to get. And from what I could gather there are no more original or core members of the Manhattans still alive. So to be able to get the main guy is a special treat. 

After the show go in the venue and he is doing a meet and greet. I purchase a $10 CD (I figured I owe the venue some business at this point) and wait in line. I get the combo.

Gerald Alston

Autograph

Scattered meets throughout October part 2

The evening after CSA Show and Carlisle Comic Con impromptu info for Danbert Nobacon. He is an original member of the band Chumbawamba, best known for the song Tubthumping (I get knocked down, But I get up again, You're never gonna keep me down). 

He was playing a dingy club about 30 minutes from my house. So I dug up the photo I got signed by Boff Whalley and rushed there. By the time I got there he had finished performing and was having drinks with friends. Asked him and he was nice as can be for photos and autographs. 

Danbert Nobacon

Autograph

Next day went for Japanese filmmaker Hikari. Missed her at the film festival so I got her here. She was very nice. 

Hikari

Next day I would go to an event for astronaut Peggy Whitson. In terms of humans that spent the most days in space, she is #1 in history for women, #1 in history for all non-Russians, and #8 in history overall. Went up to her and she was very cool about the photo op but refused to sign. Also got former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. 

Went to another spot where there was a screening for the movie Christy. It was a clean sweep as everyone who entered was super nice. I got Christy Martin herself, director David Michôd, and writer/actress Mirrah Foulkes.

Peggy Whitson

Full list of photo ops

Next evening I want to get actor Louis CK. Before that I stop by a place to get Jim Belushi at his marijuana event. I met him before but since I'm here why not get him again since I'm in the area anyway. He was rather grumpy, but I got a combo. Went to the venue for Louis CK and while there I got a photo op with venue security guard Felix Stevenson who was on the TV show The Wire. 

Sadly, Louis CK was a complete dick and did nothing for no one. Beat him to the hotel and had him 2 on 1 the calmest setting and he still declined. Bust.

Jim Belushi

Felix Stevenson

Autograph

A few days later I try a venue for Steve Hackett who was the lead guitarist of the band Genesis from 1971 - 1977. He arrived and venue and the security guard was literally trying to physically tackle but he did do photo ops.

Steve Hackett

The days leading up to the end of October were not too good. On one day I tried a train for actress Lauren Graham. Waited and when it seemed like she should have arrived, but I found out that the reservation was canceled 1h before the train was supposed to depart. PUNCH. 

Then I thought I'd try for Randy Bachman. I have the photo op but wanted autographs on albums I already got signed by Burton Cummings. Saw him at the hotel and he completely declines. As a hail Mary I went to check a spot for Lauren Graham but nothing there. 

The day after that was just as bad. Tried for Daymond John from Shark Tank but saw him too late and ran up but by the time I got to him he was already in the car. At the same place I saw Michael Phelps and he was his usual asshole self. At another spot I tried Lauren Daigle. Mooched inside the event but she was surrounded by security. Sadly, she was taking her time to leave, and I had a non-combo related endeavor I had to get to. I left and about 30-40 minutes later she came out and stopped. I seem to have a Lauren Daigle curse.

Breaking my long running Carlos Santana curse

As most of you have already seen, 2025 was the year I broke my Bill Gates curse and finally scored a combo from him. But in October 2025 I also broke yet another curse! 

Back in 2013 I tried Carlos Santana at an event. I would see him go in and out several times, but I only managed to get a signed 8x10 the first time I saw him. Couldn't get the op and he didn't do anything more the other times he was seen. 

Fast forward roughly 8 years later I had hotel info and his check in time at a hotel. So I blended inside the hotel and waited. He comes in with his wife and handler, and I try asking for a photo op but to no avail. One and one and nada! At this point I quickly exit the hotel since security saw what I was doing. 

Next up it's 2023 and I had an incoming flight on him. It was very low key, and I only told one other person. It was an evening flight coming in and I thought to myself surely only 2 people at night, I'd be ok. But no. He landed with his wife and there were people with him. He completely denied the photo. His people said no. I then tried to get my vinyl signed but still nothing. 

Now back to 2025. I was at Chiller Theater and Chill Out. Impromptu info came for Carlos Santana. He's not getting any younger, so I thought I better do this. I left Jersey earlier than I was initially planning to and head to the venue. He left the venue quickly with security, so I had to rush to the hotel and beat him there. Which happened to be in the exact same city and exact same hotel as my previous hotel encounter with him.  

This time I decided on a different strategy (perhaps foolishly, perhaps not). I wanted to wait till he signed for graphers then piggyback on that and say I had nothing to get signed I want the op (indeed I didn't have anything to get signed because this wasn't planned). After he signed I tried to ask for the photo op. He was agreeing and his bodyguard was cock blocking me. I manage to get in a position for a selfie, but he isn't truly posing despite agreeing to the photo op. Yet another FAIL! Invalid op! So close yet so far! You can even see the bodyguard photo bombing me.

For those keeping score, my score is now 0-4 photo op wise, 1-3 autograph wise. 

But 2025 I would have yet another chance at Carlos Santana. He had an early morning flight not too long after my last encounter. I was dreading this setup. And incidentally, the exact same airport as my previous airport encounter with him. So, I failed twice in the same hotel. Cosmically speaking this means I'm going to fail twice in the same airport. Right? Especially in the early morning. And to boot, he may even have shades on even if he agrees to the photo op. 

Wake up around 5:20 am, go to the airport, get my free parking spot, walk inside the airport, truly dreading what's to come. So now we are 2 people waiting at the airport. Debating what to do. Wait here? Go through security try at the gate? Decided to wait and see him first. A little after 7am I see him, his wife, and the same bodyguard who was cock blocking me at the hotel.

Now here is where the combo Gods shined upon me. The cock blocking bodyguard goes through TSA the normal way, whereas Carlos and his wife go the fast way. So here I have a dream setup presented to me by the combo Gods. Carlos walking on public property with no security and no bodyguard! Just him and his wife. AND no shades! Again, dream scenario, dream setup! 

Waited till they parted ways and the bodyguard was out of sight. Then approached them as they walked. Asked Carlos for the op and to my bafflement he stopped and did ops! This time I got a valid selfie! I couldn't believe it! I did try to get my vinyl signed after the op but he said he was done. Followed them a little more to plead a little more but to no avail. 

FINALLY, I broke my Carlos Santana curse!

Chiller Theater and Chill Out Cons in Jersey

During Halloween weekend in October, I attended both Chiller Theater and Chill Out Cons in Jersey. Both cons had names that I was excited to meet and were taking place the same weekend only 5 minutes apart.

I start Friday with Chiller Theater. First, I get Dave Davies of the Kinks. Upgrading my photo op from years ago where his eyes are closed. Then Marc McLure who played Jimmy Olsen in the Christopher Reeves Superman movies and also from Back to the Future. Sadly, I anticipate this will be the last name I ever meet from the Christopher Reeves Superman.

From the Night of the Living dead area I get photo ops with Belinda Balaski, Dick Heckard, Terry Gindele, Judith Ridley, Sharon Carroll, and Gary Streiner.

Then I get OG SNL cast member Garrett Morris. Then one of my top wants from Chiller Mimi Rogers (Austin Powers), Sheree J. Wilson (Dallas, Walker Texas Ranger), Donna Mills (Play Misty for Me), and Bill Smitrovich (Life Goes On, Miami Vice).

Next one of the last names I never met from Terminator 2, child actor DeVaughn Nixon (also in The Bodygyard) and John D LeMay from Friday the 13th fame. Ended the evening with Ricky Byrd of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts fame.

Dave Davies

Marc McLure

Mimi Rogers

Full list of Friday photo ops

Saturday starts at Chill Out. First up is Marcus Chong from The Matrix. Then one of my top wants for this show, Tracy Scoggins from Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Next I get actor Whip Hubley (Top Gun, Species) and dual and single shots with Catherine Bell (JAG) and James Denton (Face/Off). 

The only wrestling name I would get from that con would be Cyndi Snow. She was the Godfather Ho who won the Hardcore championship. She had a stupid Halloween outfit, but at least she didn't charge for photo ops. I guess free is free. Ended my time at Chill Out with Vanessa Marcil from Beverly Hills 90210 fame.

Went back to Chiller to round off a few more names. I got Taral Hicks (A Bronx Tale), Joyce Bulifant (The Happiest Millionaire, Airplane!) who looks fantastic for 88, Phil Morris (Mission: Impossible), and Steve Railsback (Helter Skelter). After this I would promptly leave Jersey and head towards home to try for Carlos Santana. 

Vanessa Marcil

Tracy Scoggins

Full list of Saturday photo ops

2 cons 1 day: CSA Show, Carlisle Comic Con, and more

On a day around mid-October I decided to hit up two cons plus a comedy show. First was CSA show. It only had one movie name that I wanted, namely Samm Levine. But I got photo ops with Mark Moseley, Muggsy Bogues (update), and Gheorghe Muresan (update). I actually like this photo with Gheorghe better than my previous one because you can see how big he is compared to me. Then I went to the table of Samm Levine and got the photo op.

Full list of CSA show

Then I made the impromptu decision to go to Carlisle Comic Con in Carlisle, PA. My driving force to go there was for actor Aaron Smolinski. He played the child Superman in the original  Christopher Reeves Superman movie. Hardly anyone left for me to meet from the Reeves Superman movies so couldn't pass up a chance for that. I drove there and as soon as I got there I went up to his table and got a photo op with him and a second with him holding a poster of the iconic image of him lifting the car.

Next I went up to the table of Jason Paige who sang the English version of the Pokemon theme song. I got the free photo op. He was signing Pokemon cards which to me doesn't seem valid. To boot, some cards were encapsulated and graded, and he was signing them on the plastic capsule. Like, what is the point of that?

I then got free photos with comic book artists Mark McKenna and Rick Hoberg. I showed Lorenzo Lamas my photo op from RICC years ago. I then got an upgrade with no beard. I also showed actress Jamie Donnelly my Grease group op from Chiller years ago. I then got a solo shot. Ended the con with a free photo op with animator Rick Catizone.

Aaron Smolinski

Full list of Carlisle Comic Con

Drove out of the con and on the way home and decided to stop by a venue. Two actors were doing a comedy show. Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians) who I have, and Hasan Minhaj (The Spy Who Dumped Me, No Hard Feelings, Tron: Ares) who I don't have. Wait there and they came out late, and when they did come out they came out at once which complicated things

 They signaled for us over to come but that did not sit well with the two security guards who were yelling at us saying we're trespassing. Despite the chaos we got photo ops. One of the security guards (who I've known for years) asked me for a ride to the metro to make up for the trouble I've caused. I waited for him to go back inside and get his stuff then gave him a ride to the metro.

Ronny Chieng

Hasan Minhaj