Friday, January 24, 2020

Some scattered meets in October and November

As October came to a close I got flights on actresses Rosanna Arquette and Catherine Keener. Sadly I was not able to spot Catherine. I ended up getting Rosanna. 

Rosanna Arquette


Next up, around mid November had flights on members of the band Cheap Trick. All but the drummer is original. Had two members on one day and the singer the next day. First up was guitarist Rick Nielsen. Managed to get him but sadly he doesn't look at the camera for photos and in fact told me so when I tried for another shot. Also in the same flight was his son and barely valid drummer Daxx Nielsen. Next flight was bassist Tom Petersson who was friendly.

The next day I go for lead singer Robin Zander. While waiting I got two randoms who came out of the same hallway as he would come out. One is boxer Ray boom boom Mancini and the other is Bryan Cranston (who I have many times). Finally get Robin and he is cool.

Full list of 2 day airport photo ops

Cheap Trick autographs


The next day I went to a spot for actress Janeane Garofalo. Waited after her show. It was cold but got the combo no issue. 

Janeane Garofalo

Autograph


A few days later was an event with Jeff Bezos, James Corden, Kathy Bates, Earth Wind and Fire, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more. Before the event I had a flight on actor David Strathairn. Sadly he flat out refuses photo ops saying he doesn't do those. I get his autograph on a Lincoln poster. 

Go to the event and it's basically worthless upon entries. I then go to the airport for film critic Leonard Maltin. Over a decade ago he was one of the driving forces in getting Disney to release all their cartoon shorts completely uncensored as part of the Disney Treasures line of DVDs. He was super nice and I got him on the certificates that come with those releases. Told him I wish they'd make those Treasures sets on blu ray he goes "so do I". Told him that he should get us Song of the South and his daughter goes "that will never happen". I told him at least there are some good "alternate" ways to get it and he goes "yes there are".

Back to the spot to try for exits. Not 5 minutes after I arrive I see Lin leave. Thankfully I have great photos with the guy and could concentrate on autographs. More graphers arrive. Security tries to tell us we have to leave but we yell back saying this is a sidewalk. Gayle King comes through. I didn't need anything from her but a friend needed an autograph. I tell him she's coming and openly and loudly tell him that security is trying to kick us out but we are saying it's a sidewalk so don't be afraid to ask. They even tried to physically push away our items but we screamed assault. Gayle was friendly and when they told her not to sign she goes "but they're standing here". I also got news anchor Bret Baier in that chaos.

I see both Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton come out but they blank. Never saw Jeff Bezos or Kathy Bates (at least I have the latter). Sela Ward apparently walked by us but I have her. I waited for Earth Wind and Fire but in all the chaos only managed to get Ralph Johnson and couldn't get the lead singer Philip Bailey. I also did not see James Corden who I wanted. 

Full list of photo ops

Signed Lincoln poster

Lin Manuel Miranda autographs

Leonard Maltin autographs


Next up, Michelle Obama doing a book signing at Politics and Prose. It was no photo ops. You had to buy the books one day then go to the event 2 days later. But the books are money. You got up to her, shook her hand, picked up pre signed books. I sold those books for some fuck money. It really  baffled me to see people line up in the cold for the satisfaction of meeting her for a few seconds. I understood why I was doing this but couldn't understand why so many camped out in the cold.

Photo from the signing

Signed books that I sold


Then a Sofia Loren flight close to my house! I have a photo op with her so this was primarily for autographs. It was pounding rain outside so the perfect time for indoor autographs. I go to the airport and see her. Get 2 things done. Her entourage stopped photo ops though. Sadly at an outdoor event a combo hunter got a photo op with Diane Lane. So this small victory came with a huge PUNCH. Could never have imagined that with all the rain outside, I guess hindsight is 20/20.

Sofia Loren autographs


Ended the month of November with a photo op with singer Jesse J at the airport who was very cool

Jessie J


Thursday, January 23, 2020

Swinging 3 cons in 3 states, plus post cons NYC meets

With Chono announced at Icons of Wrestling AKA RF Con in Philly I had to go there. Very few wrestling names of Chono's caliber that are left for me to meet, as most everybody I either met or are dead. Additionally, I have an nWo magazine with most every living wrestler featured on that magazine except for him.

Arrive there and throughout the con it was good to see IVP Chris, Tiscione, Scorpion Faced Tony, K&S Kenny and Steve, among others. Get my Chono combo, get an upgrade with Doug Gilbert as he has shades in my old shot, and Jordynne Grace and Crazzy Steve both of Impact Wrestling fame.

Masahiro Chono


Full list of Icons of Wrestling photos


Autograph


Next up I go to Sopranos Con in Secaucus, NJ. My main wants were Annabella Sciorra and Tony Sirico. By the time I got there Tony had bailed on the con. And Annabella was never even there to begin with. Even tried asking staff about her but no one knew anything. I had a handful of secondary wants besides those two, but the prices and lack of splits put a damper on that. So I picked one name from that list and got that name so my time here isn't a complete waste. Namely Kathrine Narducci of Bronx Tale fame.

Kathrine Narducci


Drove to Queens to Winter Con. They had a Farscape reunion. Sadly the prices and lack of splits put a damper on those as well. Though I would have surely gotten Virginia Hey if she did not cancel. Tom Skerritt was there and I could have used an upgrade. But he had a  beard and was pro op only. So I scratched that off the list. I only got Laurette Spang of Battlestar Galactica fame.


Laurette Spang


After having swung 3 cons in 3 states within a span of 12 hours, it was off to the streets of NYC. The first spot is one for Daniel Craig. I have him but he has a mustache in my shot plus Last Jedi director Rian Johnson whom I never met was also slated to be there. It's a mob scene as Daniel arrives and does one photo op and signs. Then Rian comes and I score that photo op. 

Believing that Daniel wouldn't stop on the way out (he didn't) I would go to the "easy" show spots. First spot was for Enrico Colantoni of Galaxy Quest fame but it looked like the spot was done. It's ok I would try again the next day. Next up I go to the spot for Susan Blommaert whom I missed before. It was the last day of the show and this time I knew what I was looking for. I wait and never see her. Then I mooch inside the venue and seems there is some sort of cast party. I sneak in there and see her. I ask for the photo and she is nice as can be.

Then I go to a spot where Ed Harris is. I have him but wanted a shot with actress Rosalyn Coleman and a better shot with Nick Robinson. Ed wanted no part of photos (it's ok as again I have him). Never saw Rosalyn as she either slipped by or left before I arrived. Finally saw Nick and got the photo op. I also got actress Eliza Scanlen and other barely valids.

Next up was a spot to get the information for the next spot. Will Ferrell was the host and two huge names I needed were present. Namely Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame and Ryan Reynolds. I had zero expectations for those names because it was raining, they are super hard, and I've failed on them in the past. Most notably Roger Waters who people constantly have autograph successes but I always fail at time and time again. So it's the breaking point and lo and behold Roger Waters walking to a car with security. A bunch of us run to the side he is on, he starts signing and I beg and plead that I have nothing to get signed and want the op. He goes "if you can take it". Not sure how but somehow, someway, I get a lucky valid shot as it didn't seem like he was trying to pose. Not the greatest shot but considering the stressful situation, the rain, and how many times I failed on him while he was on tour, I'm super happy with that. 

On to the next spot, Ryan Reynolds doesn't even show. To boot the rain didn't subside. See Common and Tiffany Haddish. I shake Common's hand telling him I have multiple ops with him. I try for Tiffany as she leaves but she denies. Try to get autographs from Will Ferrell as he leaves but he completely ignores (at least I have him). Despite the rain and long wait, this spot wasn't a waste as I got fresh photos with actress Rachel Dratch and actor Nicholas Braun.

Rian Johnson

Roger Waters

Full list of  day 1 NYC photos


Parked for free by Times Square and wake up in what would be my final day in NYC for 2019. I get a tip for actor Len Cariou at a show. Try for him going in but only see actor Craig Bierko. It's ok I would try later. Go to the next spot for Enrico Colantoni. First I get young actor Alexanger Griffin then get Enrico, both very nice.


Go back for Len and get him leaving. The venue has two sides so I am glad I picked the right now. Then go to a spot for Kathryn Gallagher but never see her. I only get a slew of barely valids in that show. Later I find out she was meeting somebody inside so if I waited more I may have seen her. 

My final stand would be an evening show for for Andrea Martin from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But in a HUGE punch the Internet had the wrong running time and it was done by the time I got there. Finally left NYC after this.

Len Cariou

Full list of  day 2 NYC photos

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest and Christmas Con

In early November I went to a small Western con in Williamsburg, VA. My main reason to go was for Patrick Wayne, the son of John Wayne. He was in many movies with his father. Including the epic movie "The Alamo". Another big reason to go was Alex Cord from Air Wolf. Overall it was a smooth and easy con and I got photo ops.

Alex Cord

Patrick Wayne

Full list of Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest photos


Next up, Christmas Con in Edition, NJ. My main want there was Lacey Chabert from Mean Girls, Not Another Teen Movie, Daddy Day Care, Party of Five, among others. 

When I entered the con was pretty brutal as I couldn't get into the celeb area. But I found a roundabout way inside. And when I did most celebs I wanted weren't even at the table, which was an annoyance. Thankfully eventually everyone was there even if some were barely there. Lacey had a big line. I managed to get all I wanted. I got Jack Wagner, Jesse Metcalfe, Jackee Harry, Holly Robinson Peete, and Jonathan Bennett. Jesse's barely valid girlfriend Cara Santana was there and I got the photo as they were leaving the table.

Lacey Chabert

Full list of Christmas Con photos




AEW names, Sting, and more in Starrcast Balitmore

I decided to do two days worth of Starrcast in Baltimore. Luckily I had splits so that coupled with their 50% discount I was able to save a ton of money. Got Adam Page, negotiated with MJF for a photo op, got a an AEW update with Cody and Brandi, Riho, among lots of other ops. One really cool looking one is Jurassic Express.

Leaving the stage I manged to get Excalibur, Scott Hudson, and Mark Madden. All but Mark are fresh. 

Sadly I screwed up big time calling it a day and going home, because people got Kenny Omega at his hotel.

Jurassic Express

MJF

Full list of Day 1 Starrcast pics part 1

Full list of Day 1 Starrcast pics part 2


The next day I had two major wants, namely the Crocketts Jim and David. First up I got a USA painted Sting photo op which turned out awesome. Got Sting on the NWA poster that I made for NWA Legends back in 2009. Then off to Jim and David. Got them on the same poster and also on their entries in t
he WWE_E V3.

Sadly my big screw up was leaving and not getting Muta, who did a awesome suited photo ops. I got him before and saw him on stage and he wasn't dressed up or anything so I left assuming he'd be that way at the signing. Also people got Kenny Omega at the arena. ugghhh. 
Sting


Jim Crockett Jr and David Crockett


NWA Legends signed poster

Monday, January 20, 2020

Rhode Island Comic Con 2019 and NYC report

I didn't attend RICC in 2018, but with several good names in RICC 2019 I figured I couldn't miss it. The biggest one for me was Chevy Chase whom I missed a few years ago at a signing and also failed on him in the street.

I arrive in Providence friday night and get a photo with Patrick Renna from The Sandlot. Parked in the garage and slept. Woke up the next day and it was time for the con. I had splits for most of what I got, but sadly had to skip a lot due to the lack of splits. 

I got The Office actors that were there, Dana Barron of National Lampoon fame, some Stranger Things names, and of course the three Family Matters names that were there! I got a free photo op with the barely valid Lucia Oskerova who was with her husband Anthony Michael Hall. I upgraded my shot with Michael O'Keefe because he has facial hair in my photo op. I was also commissioned by someone to get 4 things signed by Chevy Chase.

Finally it was time for Chevy Chase and I went through the smooth pro op line. 

Kellie Williams

Darius McCrary

Chevy Chase

Full list of RICC photos


From then on it was off to NYC. Went to my first and only spot for the evening where Kristen Stewart would be. Sadly she would blank going in and sneak out. Lead singer of Coldplay did no photos. I did however get Elizabeth Banks leaving upgrading my slightly blurry shot from years ago. Also got Lorne Michaels to sign for me. Beyond that spot was largely a waste.

Elizabeth Banks

Full list of NYC photos day 1



Next I start out the day with a spot for Raul Esparza. Try for him going in but don't see him. Mooch some food from the spot, go back to the car to nap a little bit, then back to the spot. Seems he doesn't come out the stage door but I got some of the barely valids and also an update with actress Ciara Renee. Went to the front and I see him coming out and score the photo op and autographs.

The final spot would be a spot for Katie Holmes. The event starts with names I have before namely Margo Martindale, Judith Light, Thomas Sadoski, and an upgrade with Jane Krakowski. Finally Katie shows up and by some miracle she stops and I get the photo op!

With that I decided to leave NYC on a high note.

Katie Holmes

Full list of NYC photos day 2

NYC autographs

Post Chiller/TFcon meets

With the cons in the rear view mirror I go to the hotel for a Dave Chappelle event to see who I can get. Sadly it wasn't a success as I got no one big and even Neal Brennan declined photos saying he was not shaved.

Go to the next spot hoping for better results but turns out most celebs aren't even there. Neal Brennan does pose here though. And I see Morgan Freeman but he does nothing going in or out (at least I have the photo op from before). Evening is a bust.


Full list of photo ops


Next day at the main spot, results are a little better. I get a first time photo op with John Legend (though that success would mean less as I would get him again in the future). Got autos from Common, Tiffany Haddish, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman (all of whom I have previous ops with). Get George Lopez on a Smurfs photo (again, didn't need a photo). Morgan Freeman as expected blanks. At one point on exits a huge shocker takes place as Chris Tucker stops for everyone who asked! I upgraded my hat and shades shot meaning my day is officially not a waste.

At the party after the event I get more autos and photos most notably an upgrade with Marlon Wayans. Chance the rapper was there but didn't stop. Then security kicked us out and this ended the evening.

John Legend

Chris Tucker

Marlon Wayans

Full list of photo ops

Autographs obtained

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Chiller Theater Halloween and TF Con

After a post NYC power nap, exit the car and would start with Chiller. Sadly couldn't get all I wanted due to the lack of splits. I only had a couple of splits and also split combo prices for some. Some highlights include Michel Qissi from the Van Damme movies, Tony Cox from Bad Santa, Krista Allen from Final Destination, Friday the 13th names, Robert Towers from the MOTU movie, the kids from Forest Gump, among others. Here is a full list of photo ops obtained.

List of Chiller Theater pics part 1

List of Chiller Theater pics part 2

List of Chiller Theater pics part 3


The next day I would do TF Con in Reston, VA. Arrive there and get my main want out of the way. Namely Dan Gilvezan AKA Bumblebee. Also got Vince DiCola (who composed music for the Transformers movie and Rocky IV), David Sobolov AKA Gorilla Grodd, Paul Eiding AKA Perceptor, and Michael McConnohie AKA Hot Shot/Ironhide. I needed some of those in my Transformers movie poster but sadly had to pass as I had no splits and couldn't get full combos. I did get Vince DiCola on the poster since it was basically a free photo op with the autograph. I also got free photo ops with whatever artists and writers were around.

List of TF Con pics

Signed poster

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Pre Chiller Theater meets in New York City

Prior to the October Chiller, I would go to NYC for some meets. The first night I would go for the "easy" show spots. First spot my main want was actress Susan Blommaert from the original Pet Sematary and more recently John Wick 3. Sadly never see her and only get comedian Marga Gomez. The reason is she cut her her short for that show and I was looking for longer hair. It's ok, I would make that up in the future. 

Next stop my target is Haviland Morris from Sixteen Candles and Gremlins 2. Spot her and she is nice. While there I get an upgrade with actor Jay O Sanders and fresh shot with actress Maryann Plunkett.

Next up was a spot for Peter Dinklage. I know he hasn't been accommodating but there were other actors to get in the play such as Blake Jenner, Ritchie Coster, and Jasmine Cephas Jones. So it was a can't lose kind of spot. Arrive there and it breaks. Appears there is some sort of party in the venue. I mooch myself in, I walk into the bar, and there is Peter Dinklage in his 4'4 glory sitting at the bar drinking! I score a photo op and an autograph on my program. Big unexpected score of the day right there! And not only do I get the other actors, but Jonathan Groff randomly shows up and I get an upgrade. 

I waited for Peter to exit and perhaps score some autographs. He signed a couple but sadly I was not able to obtain one. Overall a successful evening.

Peter Dinklage

Full list of photo ops



Next day I would start at a spot for Michael Douglas. I have him but thought I'd try for a better shot and autographs. Failed on the photo op but I did get two autographs from him. So I can't complain too much. Eddie Murphy was in town but I have him already so I was able to direct my efforts to other things. I went to a signing for George RR Martin where he was promoting a graphic novel. The signing was no photos but one extra. Working my magic I score the fresh photo op. I sold my extra to another combo hunter. Outside I got a photo with Raya Golden the artist of the graphic novel. 


My final spot was for actor Stephen Lang. I got him before but I had a new priority project. Namely my Gattysburg laserdisc. I don't see the actors go in but I mooch my way into the event and after it is done score photo ops with Lang, photo ops with the actor actors, and get Lang on my laserdisc. Additionally, I consider this new photo op an upgrade. In my first shot he was completely clean shave. But he is more known with facial hair and I got the facial hair shot here.

After this I would go for a non combo related endeavor. My cousin who I hadn't seen in 22 years was visiting NYC. I drove to her hotel and met her and for the first time met her 13 year old daughter.

George RR Martin

Stephen Lang

Full list of photo ops

Michael Douglas autographs

Starport Book

Gattysburg laserdisc


The morning before Chiller I would try for actress Arden Myrin. Despite the crowd I got her. Stayed a little extra just to get an upgrade with Aaron Paul then it was off to Chiller. I got there early so I parked and slept in the car for a couple of hours just to recharge.
Arden Myrin

Aaron Paul

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Baltimore Comic Con and some music meets

So I went to Baltimore Comic Con. No one big but a couple of semi decent names. I got actors Joel Stoffer (Agents of Shield), Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica), Johnathon Schaech (The Doom Generation, Legends of Tomorrow). After this I got some comic book names that were around and I left and joined some combo hunters at a local venue just to say hi and hang out. I picked up a couple of the music names while there. 

Later that evening I went to another venue for the band Candlebox. My main reason for going is because their drummer is the original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen. He only played on one album, but it is their first album and their most famous one. And I had that particular album signed by 3 members including Eddie Vedder. After him I would just need one more member. The only other person in the band is the original lead singer Kevin Martin. The rest are barely valid. 

Wait for the show to break. There's a crowd. Kevin is walking away from the venue with some girls so I casually follow. Venue employees try to follow me following him but I pay them no mind. More crowd trail behind me so the employees worry about the bigger crowd over me. As Kevin leaves the venue's jurisdiction I run up and ask for a photo op. Wait some more and we get some barely valids. After this most of the crowd goes away except for myself and one other guy who is basically doing the same thing I'm doing (ie waiting for Dave Krusen). 

From a distance I spot someone going into the bus I wasn't sure it was him but I scream his name! He comes over, nice as can be. Get one more barely valid and that was that.

Full list of photo ops

Autograph


The next day was an airport run for Dennis DeYoung and Ron Isley of The Isley Brothers. I have Dennis but wanted a better photo op. Ron I never met. Dennis was cool as he signed and took photos. Then waited for Ron. He comes in a wheel chair. Ask for a photo op and he stands for the photo but refuses to sign. 

Dennis DeYoung

Ron Isley

Autograph

NJ Horror Atlantic City and more pre and post AC meets

Prior to going to NJ Horror I would go to a train for actor Marc Maron. He was in Almost Famous, the new Joker movie, among others. He was nice.

Marc Maron

It was then off to Atlantic City for NJ Horror! I was landed me a free photo op upgrade with Peter Criss. I also got Kimberley Kates from Bill and Ted, Marion Ramsey from Police Academy fame, Danny Cooksey from Terminator 2 and Tiny Toons, and some others. I would also split a pro op from Charlie Sheen. This would end up being a waste as I would later get a flight out for him (more on that later).

After NJ Horror I drove to Clifton, NJ for a signing with singer Tommy James (Tommy James & the Shondells). He is known for the original "I Think We're Alone Now" and for "Mony Mony". Signing was smooth and he did photo ops no issue.

Full list of NJ horror photo ops

Tommy James

Autographs


Went home and the next day I passed by CSA show where Charlie Sheen was again making an appearance. But I didn't get anything and just hung out. I did want the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team but money put a hindrance on this. I drove to an appearance for Jane Seymour where she denied autographs but took awesome photo ops, upgrading mine from a few years ago. I had found a flight for Charlie Sheen and went to the airport as I still needed autographs. Sheen was cool and 

Jane Seymour

Charlie Sheen

Autograph

Full New York Comic Con 2019 Report

I arrive in NYC two evenings before the first day of NYCC. My main goal is Robert Pattinson. Before that I go to a spot but only get a dual shot with Dylan Baker and his wife. I got Dylan before never got his wife. 

Then off to the Pattinson spot. Sadly it was a bust cause Pattinson was not there and Lily-Rose Depp went out the front while we were in the back. I saw Timothée Chalamet take care of most people but I had no need to fight for this as I had him. Also saw Joel Edgerton whom I already have rush out. 

My sole photo op for the evening, Dylan and Becky Ann-Baker


Next day I start off with a few actors and wait for the Watchmen cast most of whom blank. I get Regina King (fresh) and would try again for the rest during NYCC. Next spot was an event for the Joker movie. Joaquin Phoenix is an asshole as expected. I get an invalid shot with the director Todd Phillips. He goes to another spot which I forgot about where everyone got him. But thankfully after wait and struggle I get him again at the spot I'm waiting at. 

Full list of Wednesday photo ops


The first day of NYCC! Overall did good. Some huge scores including director Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, Kingsman, X-Men First Class), actor Harris Dickinson, character actor Kurt Fuller, among others. Paid meets include James Arnold Taylor (Obi Wan in Clone Wars), Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid), and actor Christopher Eccleston. Had a fail on Clancy Brown as I didn't get him inside and he blanked outside. Towards the end many people left and lots of actors exited so I wasn't able to sweep them up by myself. That was a huge punch.

After this, off to an event for Uncut Gems and next to it was a Tim Robbins event. I grab some people from Uncut Gems. Then go for Tim Robbins (who I failed on in the past). I score the combo then back to Uncut Gems where Judd Hirsch declines photo ops. I saw Adam Sandler but have him. Then take the train to try for director M. Night Shyamalan and Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame. Sadly M. Night had left and Rupert was coming out to a mega mob scene. I get a blurry shot but then run after the car and he does a roll down after which I get a great shot. I can't complain about missing M Night as I was getting Tim Robbins.

Back to the Uncut Gems event where Judd Hirsch still denies photo ops but I get other people including actress Julia Fox and Keith Williams Richards who has been in a lot of Adam Sandler movies. Overall I would say a good day.

Tim Robbins

Full list of Thursday photo ops part 1

Full list of Thursday photo ops part 2


Friday would start off well as I would score Clancy Brown in a mob scene. Then back to Javits where I get many Watchmen actors including Tim Blake Nelson and Jean Smart. Sadly was not able to get Louis Gossett Jr as he blanked in and out and at the signing inside I screwed up big time and couldn't get him. This is probably my worst fuck up of the week. In the evening I event went to check out a Watchmen party but it was fruitless and in doing so missed Daybreak actors leaving. 
Tried one last hotel but it was a bust. 

Full list of Friday photo ops part 1

Full list of Friday photo ops part 2


This day would begin with a huge want of mine, actress Jennifer Connelly. Wait and despite the crowd she was actually accommodating and I got the combo! Day made right there! Got more names and off to Javits where I get even more names. One good name I didn't realize I got till I arrived home was Madeline Zima who was a child actress from The Nanny. NYCC would end on a high note as I got Mena Massoud of Aladdin fame. 


Went to an "easy" show spot for Star Wars actor Emun Elliott. Grabbed a bunch of barely valids there and failed on Marisa Tomei but it's ok cause I had her. Then the final spot for the evening where I narrowly missed Dylan O'Brien and Stephen Speilberg going in. I have Speilberg but needed autos. While waiting I get Ryan Eggold again, an upgrade with Chris Rock, and actress Kaitlyn Dever. Speilberg comes out but sadly I fail to get an auto in the mob scene. I do however score Dylan O'Brien ending the long evening on a high note.

Jennifer Connelly

Full list of Saturday photo ops part 1

Full list of Saturday photo ops part 2

Full list of Saturday photo ops part 3


The final day of NYCC. I start with sub par results then head to Javits. Here I decide to do most things inside at the mob outside was mega huge. I managed to among other things attend the Manifest signing which was a success. I tried to attend the Riverdale signing in an attempt to score Molly Ringwald but couldn't get into that one. Waited outside and to my utter shock Molly came over but only did 2 people. 

As the sun set on NYCC and I leave the Javits I get a huge tip on where Molly will be! SCORE! Wait till later that evening and I not only get Molly but a first time shot with Rachel Brosnahan. Also get updates with Zazie Beetz and Ansel Elgort,

Molly Ringwald

Full list of Sunday photo ops part 1

Full list of Sunday photo ops part 2

Autographs


Nex morning I wake up to try for actress Marisol Nichols and score that. Then go to a movie set for Jennifer Lopez. Sadly she is gone but Owen Wilson is not set. Try for him and he blanks. I get the little girl that plays his daughter in the movie.

The next and final day in NYC before I head home would be the worst one. I do get David Copperfield but I would get him again later that month. Then I tried other spots for director Michael Apted and actor Pierfrancesco Favino but neither are present. 


Full list of post NYCC photo ops

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Some Scattered Meets in September

September would start with Vint Cerf. Who is that you may ask? Only the very reason you are reading this right now! He is one of the founding fathers of the Internet having developed TCP/IP. 

Later that evening I would go for original members of UB40. I got singer Ali Campbell and drummer Astro.

Vint Cerf

Ali Campbell

Astro

Autographs


Next up, Candace Bushnell, the author of Sex and the City. Had no interest in the book but I snagged a photo op.

Candace Bushnell


Then a quick airport run for band members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Doug Clifford and Stu Cook. The tour manager of Doug tried to say they were late and I said the flight doesn't leave for another 2h and he replies "hey!".

Doug Clifford

Stu Cook


And finally I wanted the band Berlin, known for their hit "Take My Breath Away". Besides the lead singer Terri Nunn the only other band member to get was John Crawford. The rest are barely valid. Also there was the band OMD. Three original members and one barely valid. It would start well for me as I got Terri Nunn, albeit with shades. She also signed. As the day went by I would get the barely valids, I would get John Crawford, and I would get all the OMD members. Sadly as I tried to get an upgrade with Terri as she exited she blanked despite my pleading.

Terri Nunn

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

September cons! Legends of the Ring, Mid Atlantic, and Retro Con

Prior to going to NYC in September I would made a stop at Legends of the Ring. My main want was Psychosis. I got Ice Train of WCW fame, Denny Brown, and Killer Kross. I also got a Mexicools group shot though there's invalidity in there as Juventud has a mask on. I also got solos with both Psychosis and the Juventud (the latter a huge upgrade as he has a cap and eye glasses in my first shot).

Justin Credible had the Aldo mask but I passed cause he looks nothing like Aldo anymore. I also hung with markedout admin Lanza throughout the con. Rosa Mendes recognized me. I told her I met her when she was with WWE. She goes "oh right, 3am at the hotel lobby" to which I confirmed. She said I aged well. I then told her I'd tweet her the photo op.

The Mexicools

Psychosis

Juventud Guerrera

Full list of Legends of the Rings photo ops


Next up a weekend where I would do two cons. Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Show and Retro con. For the latter I only needed one voice acting name but it would be a huge one. Melendy Britt AKA She-Ra.

First up, Mid Atlantic. Got child actor Darby Hinton, Karolyn Grimes from It's A Wonderful Life, Anne Helm, Nancy Kwan, and Maud Adams of James Bond fame. Ended it with Elizabeth Shepherd. Then I saw James Rosin doing free ops and I got that.

Full list of Mid Atlantic photo ops

Autographs


Up to Retrocon where I got to relax and do things like attend the Melendy Britt q&a and play some games. Luxuries I don't have at most other cons. Got her to sign my MOTUC She-Ra figure. 

Melendy Britt

Signed She-Ra figure



New York City September report

After attending Legends of the Ring (see con report) I would go to NYC for some meets. The first spot was for actor Treat Williams. Wait for him to come out and he was nice. Then I went for actor Tyrese Gibson. This was more effort than I anticipated as I didn't get him upstairs so I had to run downstairs and to my shock he was still hanging about. I got the photo there improving my shot from a decade ago. Next up would go to an "easy" show spot for Gordon Clapp and Brian Cox but it was over by the time I got there. I would try that again another day.

Treat Williams

Tyrese Gibson


Next day would start with an "easy" show spot for Jodi Long from Robocop 3. While there I get some barely valids and some repeats including Mark Blum, Mark Linn-Baker from Perfect strangers, among others. Funny story in the same spot was a show about the Beatles and someone thought I was one of the performers. Apparently I look like the actor who portrayed Paul McCartney in that show. Sadly while doing this I missed actress Rachel Zegler who was a random at another spot. 

More "easy" spots as I get Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins at another spot. Also grab barely valids. Then off to the airport for a want of mine, Renee Zellweger. We wait and she comes out, but unfortunately has a cap that basically ruins the photo op. I got a full combo from her.

Jonathan Pryce

Renee Zellweger

Full list of day 2 photo ops

Autograph


This day would have an ok start but would be followed by epic failure. I would get first time photos with actresses Lauren Lapkus and Ava Michelle plus an update with Judith Light. After that I went to the airport for actor Boyd Holbrook but sadly never saw him. Then went to a spot for actress Renee Zellweger. Now comes the ultimate PUNCH. She was not there to begin with but at another spot (that I knew she would be at later on) only one person was waiting and she did a perfect photo op. I thought I had a better shot at the spot I waited but no. Shows how cruel combo hunting can be. Then tried for her leaving at that spot but she would have none of it. Wow just wow that hurt bad.



This day would start at a spot for Maria Shriver. Never saw her. But at a nearby spot I missed Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kiefer Sutherland. It's ok I have great shots with both. I got there to see who else would show up but sadly the best names I get are repeats. 

Then it was off to the Demi Moore book signing where it was no photos allowed. Thanks to some magic, I scored the photo op with a big want I've failed on in the past! 

Finally went to an "easy" spot and got Gordon Clapp (fresh), Brian Cox (upgrade), among others.



Autograph


The final day in NYC till I would return the next week for NYCC was a solid one followed by another PUNCH!

First off I would wait at a spot for randoms and to wait for Renee Zellweger. I get Walter Goggins (repeat). Then I get another name. Didn't know who he was at first but turns out he's Stephan Jenkins, the lead singer of Third Eye Blind! Wow solid name I was happy with. Renee sadly does nothing. 

Off to another spot where I see Diane Keaton who does nothing. It's ok I have her. I get a great score in actress Eiza Gonzalez plus a couple of others.

Go to a spot for Harrison Ford where I was helping someone with autographs. But he blanks. There was one more spot for Renee where she blanked going in. Figuring she was done stopping I decided to leave the city, and that was my PUNCH because she stopped leaving.