Prior to Monstermania I would be in NYC and get a tip from Vanessa and friend for a spot with Brie Larson and others. I didn't bother with her as I figured she would do nothing (which turned out to be the case), but with her departure the spot was ripe for the taking. It was a nice indoor spot in the NYC cold. Not only that it was a very active spot in terms of celebs. Lots of great celebs. Sadly all the celebs I pretty much had.
There were blow offs such as Morena Baccarin, Annette Bening, and many others. Thankfully I have them. I somehow missed Daniel Davis of The Nanny but it's ok cause I have him. Barbara Eden was there but I have a great shot from Chiller and she was old and frail so I had no reason to try and get her. I left that for the ones who really needed her.
The only fresh acting name I got was Isiah Whitlock. I almost didn't even get that but someone else broke him down for me. Got other fresh names in Valerie Simpson and Ashley Sara Haas. Got upgrades in Zachary Quinto and Sami Gayle. Beyond that more repeat names. I guess it's to be expected when you've been combo hunting as long as me.
After this event drove a few minutes to an "easy" show spot with actress Phoebe Wallar Bridge from Solo: A Star Wars Story. She took a little while to come out but was super nice and got her to sign some programs.
Isiah Whitlock
Phoebe Waller Bridge
Full list of photo ops
Next up is Monstermania Friday night (already reported). Saturday morning The Big Event, my first one in a while. Not too much for me here just some trinkets here and there. I actually got a Jasmin St Claire autograph because the 8x10 I needed her to complete is pretty damn cool (signed by Velvet Sky and Tod Gordon). She actually said I was the "cutest thing" to pass by here in a while. Gorgeous George saw me before I saw her and called me over. Told her hello. She's actually looking pretty good. LA Smooth probably the best fresh photo op I got at Big Event. Got upgrades with 2 Cold Scorpio and Chavo Guerrero Jr. The Abominable Dr Chud was an awesome suited photo op. Su Yung another nice suited op. Taya Valkyrie had the impact belt which was pretty cool.
Full list of Big Event photo ops
Then it off to Jersey City at Word bookstore for a Patrick Wilson signing. The Aquaman art book cost a whopping $45 + tax but thankfully I found somebody who had two books and he let me hold one. He also bought some pops to get signed. Patrick Wilson and book author Mike Avila started with a speech and q&a. Patrick also showed off some props from the movie. When it was time for the signing I got Mike Avila and of course Patrick. Got an 8x10 from The Watchmen signed which he inscribed "Night Owl II".
Got a little bit of rest then headed back to NYC! I try for the "easy" show spots first. First up is Gerry Bamman of Home Alone and Home Alone 2 fame. Waited for the show to end, mooched inside the venue where he was hanging out in the bar, and got a combo no issue. He was nice as can be.
Next up, Joey McIntyre of New Kids On The Block. His show ends and I snap ops with a slew of barely valids. Finally he comes out and is as nice as can be. This marks my third member of that band. Sadly I do miss Stephen Speilberg at another spot. However, he only signed and did no photo ops despite some people apparently pleading.
After this I join Vanessa's friend David and he fishes out the location of the next spot. We have a choice to wait for Speilberg coming out of this spot or going into the next spot. I suggest the latter because I know his habits all too well. He already signed going in at this spot so he won't stop leaving. Indeed I turned out to be right about that. Sadly he didn't show up at the final spot.
One random at this spot was Robert Smigel AKA Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. I met him before but got an upgrade. I then pulled out the 8x10s I had of him in my car to get them signed when he would eventually leave.
Next up, actor Idris Elba who I never got! He was quick but I managed the full combo here. Was also waiting for singer Khalid but he never showed up sadly. He is pure Pokemon for me but I printed two 8x10s of him including one photo where he was wearing a Hulkamania shirt. After this got Heidi Gardner and Kate McKinnon updates. But then it really began pounding rain. When Smigel left I had a huge umbrella and managed to get him to sign my 8x10s. For his troubles I escorted him to a cab via my umbrella.
Idris Elba seemingly snuck out. That coupled with the rain me and David drove to Philadelphia to meet Vanessa at the bus station and get Fairuza Balk at Monstermania on Sunday (already reported).
Patrick Wilson
Gerry Bamman
Joey McIntyre
Robert Smigel
Idris Elba
Full list of post Big Event photo ops
Autographs obtained
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Monstermania Cherry Hill Report
Prior to Monstermania I would do some NYC meets. Those will be a separate report. Friday afternoon I would arrive at Monstermania after picking up Vanessa the Jersey shore stalker and David from the bus station in Philly. They wanted to split a Craft group shot. Craft wise I only cared for Fairuza Balk since I had the others. She was my top want from this con.
First meet was Phil Fondacaro. I split the combo price with former markedout board member OverTheTop. Next up actor Tommy Flanagan. He was wearing a hat and shades. I asked if he could remove the shades and he took one photo with the shades and one without.
Now to the room with Halloween actors. Got Sandy Johnson, Jibrail Nantambu, and Mickey Yablan. David informed me that Dolph Lundgren's daughter Ida is a model and actress. Here I have flashbacks of my Kate Upton blunder so now I have to get her. I ask her from a distance for the photo op she said "later". Then when they were leaving their table I asked again and she took a photo op with me.
Finally got James Jude Courtney AKA Mike Myers in that room (who had a huge line). Now it was time for my main want, Fairuza Balk.
I go to the table and a line is forming. Earlier they gave some people tickets so I stood behind the last ticket holder. One other combo hunter also joins me in line. Ahead of me in line was former markedout board member Andrew (he was first row I was second). There's also an empty chair where I set both my bag and my coat.
I stood in that spot for what I estimate to be 30 to 40 min. Meanwhile more ticket holders joined the line and lined up behind me. Now you know how lines swirl. Somehow Andrew advanced himself to a point where we were close in line. Essentially my corner of the line was next to him (if that makes sense). Here is a visual. Note this picture is NOT the line that day but another day.
Out of the blue Andrew lashes out on me and accuses me of trying to cut in line with him. I explain to him that I have no intention of cutting with him and I'm content with my spot. I then ask him to mind his own business. He then goes on and asks if I have one of those tickets that he had, I tell him it's none of his concern. He then yells to security screaming "line cutter" pointing at me, basically ratting me out to security.
Now here is where security saw a black mark. There were ticket holders behind me that were added after I stood there. With that security chose to believe I cut the line. I explained that I was standing here for the longest time and pointed to my bag and coat on the chair next to me. He went on to even say a handicap was sitting in the chair and that was the handicap's coat. I told him that no one was sitting on the chair when I got here and this is in fact MY coat not his. But he insisted someone else was sitting on the chair. I tried to compromise and tell him I'll accept to be after the last ticket holder but he wouldn't accept that and said I had to go to the way back. After more arguments all this was for nothing as she ended up cancelling Friday. She drove cross country from LA and would not make it in time. One guy in charge of her table then wrote me a ticket to come back get her another day.
Full list of Friday Monstermania photos
Phil Fondacaro
With this we went back to NYC where I would drop Vanessa and David home, park in Queens across the street from the Big Event convention. Report for Big Event and NYC will come later.
Fast forward to Sunday I had to come back to Monstermania. Me and David drove up to Philly where we picked up Vanessa at the bus station (who was in Atlantic City).
Waited at the con with a group of other people who were there Friday and we were escorted to her table without paying admission. We were also inserted in the front of the line. I got my photo op no issue. Vanessa and David got their group op, I dropped them to the bus station, and drove home.
Fairuza Balk
First meet was Phil Fondacaro. I split the combo price with former markedout board member OverTheTop. Next up actor Tommy Flanagan. He was wearing a hat and shades. I asked if he could remove the shades and he took one photo with the shades and one without.
Now to the room with Halloween actors. Got Sandy Johnson, Jibrail Nantambu, and Mickey Yablan. David informed me that Dolph Lundgren's daughter Ida is a model and actress. Here I have flashbacks of my Kate Upton blunder so now I have to get her. I ask her from a distance for the photo op she said "later". Then when they were leaving their table I asked again and she took a photo op with me.
Finally got James Jude Courtney AKA Mike Myers in that room (who had a huge line). Now it was time for my main want, Fairuza Balk.
I go to the table and a line is forming. Earlier they gave some people tickets so I stood behind the last ticket holder. One other combo hunter also joins me in line. Ahead of me in line was former markedout board member Andrew (he was first row I was second). There's also an empty chair where I set both my bag and my coat.
I stood in that spot for what I estimate to be 30 to 40 min. Meanwhile more ticket holders joined the line and lined up behind me. Now you know how lines swirl. Somehow Andrew advanced himself to a point where we were close in line. Essentially my corner of the line was next to him (if that makes sense). Here is a visual. Note this picture is NOT the line that day but another day.
Basically, imagine the guy holding the black poster is me, and the guy wearing the black coat in front of the guy in orange is Andrew.
Out of the blue Andrew lashes out on me and accuses me of trying to cut in line with him. I explain to him that I have no intention of cutting with him and I'm content with my spot. I then ask him to mind his own business. He then goes on and asks if I have one of those tickets that he had, I tell him it's none of his concern. He then yells to security screaming "line cutter" pointing at me, basically ratting me out to security.
Now here is where security saw a black mark. There were ticket holders behind me that were added after I stood there. With that security chose to believe I cut the line. I explained that I was standing here for the longest time and pointed to my bag and coat on the chair next to me. He went on to even say a handicap was sitting in the chair and that was the handicap's coat. I told him that no one was sitting on the chair when I got here and this is in fact MY coat not his. But he insisted someone else was sitting on the chair. I tried to compromise and tell him I'll accept to be after the last ticket holder but he wouldn't accept that and said I had to go to the way back. After more arguments all this was for nothing as she ended up cancelling Friday. She drove cross country from LA and would not make it in time. One guy in charge of her table then wrote me a ticket to come back get her another day.
Full list of Friday Monstermania photos
Phil Fondacaro
With this we went back to NYC where I would drop Vanessa and David home, park in Queens across the street from the Big Event convention. Report for Big Event and NYC will come later.
Fast forward to Sunday I had to come back to Monstermania. Me and David drove up to Philly where we picked up Vanessa at the bus station (who was in Atlantic City).
Waited at the con with a group of other people who were there Friday and we were escorted to her table without paying admission. We were also inserted in the front of the line. I got my photo op no issue. Vanessa and David got their group op, I dropped them to the bus station, and drove home.
Fairuza Balk
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Some meets in late February and beginning March
February was mostly chill but I did do a couple of days of meets. First off a venue with the cast of Schitt's Creek. Of the 6 actors I had Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy but needed the other 4. I also wanted autos from Catherine and Eugene and an upgrade with Catherine.
Arrive at the venue and wait. Sadly it is crowded. A van pulls up in the driveway. The actors come out, Eugene and Catherine enter the van while the other 4 greet the crowd. I manage to get ops with all 4. So I'm officially on the board.
Tried to go to the next stop but they wanted no part of it. My next attempt would be at the airport the next morning.
We are 3 people in one car. Pull up and we literally see the van and the actors on the pavement. We basically arrived at almost the same time! Park illegally by the curb. Luckily I didn't have to bother the lower 4. Catherine and Eugene did one each for all but refused photo ops. I got an 8x10 signed by Eugene and my Nightmare Before Christmas laserdisc signed by Catherine (already signed by Chris Sarandon). I then ran back to the car before I could get in trouble.
While I would have liked more autographs and a Catherine upgrade, I'd say operation Schitts was largely a success.
Annie Murphy
Emily Hampshire
Dan Levy
Noah Reid
Signed laserdisc and 8x10
Next day I was commissioned by a NYC Master to get Ted Koppel autographs. It was back to the airport. Sadly Ted refuses autographs. I did get an upgraded photo op.
Later that evening I went for actor Dane Cook (Good Luck Chuck, My Best Friend's Girl). Unlike the Schitt's Creek cast we are only two people! Eventually Dane comes out and we call for him. He walks over and does photo ops. Considering this was a $200+ m&g it felt good getting him for free.
Ted Koppel
Dane Cook
Next day it was time for a different airport. I start by waiting for actor Laz Alonso (Fast & Furious, Avatar). Wait for him at one spot and never see him. At this point I decide to go to the area where I'm guaranteed to eventually see him (figuring he may have gone in before I arrived).
So I go to that area and I immediately see him going into the bathroom. I wait for him to leave the bathroom then ask for the photo op which he was more than happy to oblige.
Grab some Subway to eat as I wait for the music legend Paul Williams to land. He did the soundtrack of several good movies. Already got a great shot with him so this was an autograph only mission. We see him and he is nice as I get my items done.
Laz Alonso
Paul Williams autographs
Ended February with the Band Kansas (Dust in the Wind). Sadly only two original members in the band, the guitarist and the drummer. A third member has been with them for a long time and is on a couple of albums but none of the hits. So he's basically a scrub. The rest are barely valid. Went to the airport and saw Rich Williams (the guitarist) and some crew but no other members. WTF! The rest must not have come to baggage. So went to another spot and waited where we saw EVERY single member walking about except the the drummer Phil Ehart, sadly. I got a photo op with with scrub Billy Greer and barely valid David Ragsdale. I saw the other two barely valids but was afraid to go up to them and make myself known as at that point I was still waiting for Phil. I could have come back the next day for Phil but I didn't feel like that was worth dedicating all the extra time and effort.
Kansas photo ops
Kansas autograph
Started off March with a cool name, namely director Phillip Noyce. He directed movies such as Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, Salt, among others. Arrive at the venue and wait. Eventually he walks out and is as nice as can be happy to do a photo op. Wow why can't they all be this cool.
Phillip Noyce
Arrive at the venue and wait. Sadly it is crowded. A van pulls up in the driveway. The actors come out, Eugene and Catherine enter the van while the other 4 greet the crowd. I manage to get ops with all 4. So I'm officially on the board.
Tried to go to the next stop but they wanted no part of it. My next attempt would be at the airport the next morning.
We are 3 people in one car. Pull up and we literally see the van and the actors on the pavement. We basically arrived at almost the same time! Park illegally by the curb. Luckily I didn't have to bother the lower 4. Catherine and Eugene did one each for all but refused photo ops. I got an 8x10 signed by Eugene and my Nightmare Before Christmas laserdisc signed by Catherine (already signed by Chris Sarandon). I then ran back to the car before I could get in trouble.
While I would have liked more autographs and a Catherine upgrade, I'd say operation Schitts was largely a success.
Annie Murphy
Emily Hampshire
Dan Levy
Noah Reid
Signed laserdisc and 8x10
Next day I was commissioned by a NYC Master to get Ted Koppel autographs. It was back to the airport. Sadly Ted refuses autographs. I did get an upgraded photo op.
Later that evening I went for actor Dane Cook (Good Luck Chuck, My Best Friend's Girl). Unlike the Schitt's Creek cast we are only two people! Eventually Dane comes out and we call for him. He walks over and does photo ops. Considering this was a $200+ m&g it felt good getting him for free.
Ted Koppel
Dane Cook
Next day it was time for a different airport. I start by waiting for actor Laz Alonso (Fast & Furious, Avatar). Wait for him at one spot and never see him. At this point I decide to go to the area where I'm guaranteed to eventually see him (figuring he may have gone in before I arrived).
So I go to that area and I immediately see him going into the bathroom. I wait for him to leave the bathroom then ask for the photo op which he was more than happy to oblige.
Grab some Subway to eat as I wait for the music legend Paul Williams to land. He did the soundtrack of several good movies. Already got a great shot with him so this was an autograph only mission. We see him and he is nice as I get my items done.
Laz Alonso
Paul Williams autographs
Ended February with the Band Kansas (Dust in the Wind). Sadly only two original members in the band, the guitarist and the drummer. A third member has been with them for a long time and is on a couple of albums but none of the hits. So he's basically a scrub. The rest are barely valid. Went to the airport and saw Rich Williams (the guitarist) and some crew but no other members. WTF! The rest must not have come to baggage. So went to another spot and waited where we saw EVERY single member walking about except the the drummer Phil Ehart, sadly. I got a photo op with with scrub Billy Greer and barely valid David Ragsdale. I saw the other two barely valids but was afraid to go up to them and make myself known as at that point I was still waiting for Phil. I could have come back the next day for Phil but I didn't feel like that was worth dedicating all the extra time and effort.
Kansas photo ops
Kansas autograph
Started off March with a cool name, namely director Phillip Noyce. He directed movies such as Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, Salt, among others. Arrive at the venue and wait. Eventually he walks out and is as nice as can be happy to do a photo op. Wow why can't they all be this cool.
Phillip Noyce
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
A Presidential Encounter
Bill Clinton and others were attending the funeral of US Senator John Dingell at a Church. I knew a Master who was trying for Bill Clinton. This particular Master is known for always getting Bill Clinton to at least sign for him. So I figured it was a good chance to tag along.
Arrive and it had already started. Played the waiting game. One guy who was around asked if I study around here, and to his bafflement I told him I was too old to be in college. The funeral let out and Clinton was walking across the sidewalk as me and the Master were across the street. The Master signaled to Bill. Bill then sent over the secret service to get our books. Sadly that meant no photo ops.
The Clintons and others look on as Dingell gets loaded into a hearse
Bill signing books
Signed book
Arrive and it had already started. Played the waiting game. One guy who was around asked if I study around here, and to his bafflement I told him I was too old to be in college. The funeral let out and Clinton was walking across the sidewalk as me and the Master were across the street. The Master signaled to Bill. Bill then sent over the secret service to get our books. Sadly that meant no photo ops.
The Clintons and others look on as Dingell gets loaded into a hearse
Bill signing books
Signed book
Friday, February 15, 2019
Some meets in early February
February is the coldest month. But there were a warm couple of days where I managed to score decent autos/photos/combos.
Let's start with probably the nicest warmest day of the year thus far where I would go to upgrade my photo op with Rosie O'Donnell and get her autograph. The show ends and people that range from the invalid to the barely valid begin to come out. And there the Kate Upton blunder takes over my mind as I get photo ops with anyone I see doing combos.
Also saw Mark Linn-Baker whom I got a few times before. But I'm such a huge Perfect Strangers fan and he's such a nice guy that I'll always grab a photo op with him when I see him. This time I got him with a mustache which I guess is a little different. As he was signing down the line I told everyone how he's cousin Larry and a TV legend to which he seemed to enjoy.
Finally Rosie comes out and to my astonishment she is super nice taking care of everyone in line. She signed my Exit To Eden DVD and described it as a "terrible" movie. I wasn't there but in the coming days it was really cold and shockingly she still came out and took care of people.
After Rosie it was back to Kate Upton Kate Upton Kate Upton as I stayed and grabbed other people doing combos including a couple of children. Also I did get an upgrade with actress Veanne Cox who is valid (she has a cap in my photo op from 2010). It should be noted that actress Jessie Mueller stopped coming out after the first night.
Rosie O'Donnell photo op
Rosie O'Donnell autograph
Full list of photo ops
Next morning I decide to go for a Taraji P. Henson flight. I already got 2 ops with her but have unsigned items. She came in and signed but wouldn't take photo ops. Since she had a hat and shades the photo op would have been a downgrade anyway.
Taraji P. Henson Autographs
It was also good weather so I decided to upgrade my photo op with the legendary Frankie Valli later that evening. Plus I never got his autograph and he's getting up there in age so windows to these opportunities are dwindling. 15 minutes away were flights of members of the band Gin Blossoms. I decided to go for that for a few reasons 1) provides a backup in case Frankie is a failure 2) I already have the lead singer so may as well get the others 3) They were doing a paid m&g so it's always a nice feeling to get for free what others pay for.
Of the 4 members besides the singer, 2 are original, 1 is not original and wasn't there for the early hits but was in the band for the longest time, and 1 is barely valid. They all land and are super nice. The lead singer's flight got delayed luckily I could go to the Frankie Valli spot as I have him. Though in hindsight I could have easily stayed there then gone to Frankie.
Gin Blossoms photo ops
Wait for Frankie after his show. In this nice weather, if this were NYC, you would have like 30-40 people at least. Here we have about 10. We see a van in the garage and we figure this is where Frankie will escape from. So we are all in position to beat him to the next spot. Meanwhile there's a bus that is loading up a slew of invalidity in the form of Frankie's current band.
We wait and lo and behold Frankie actually walks out! His guy screams and calls people ebayers and says one per person. I manage to beg and struggle to score the photo op! Got the full combo! Mission accomplished!
Frankie goes in the same bus as the invalids (presumably to go into the next town) and as the bus is leaving it collides with a car.
Frankie Valli photo op
Frankie Valli autograph
Let's start with probably the nicest warmest day of the year thus far where I would go to upgrade my photo op with Rosie O'Donnell and get her autograph. The show ends and people that range from the invalid to the barely valid begin to come out. And there the Kate Upton blunder takes over my mind as I get photo ops with anyone I see doing combos.
Also saw Mark Linn-Baker whom I got a few times before. But I'm such a huge Perfect Strangers fan and he's such a nice guy that I'll always grab a photo op with him when I see him. This time I got him with a mustache which I guess is a little different. As he was signing down the line I told everyone how he's cousin Larry and a TV legend to which he seemed to enjoy.
Finally Rosie comes out and to my astonishment she is super nice taking care of everyone in line. She signed my Exit To Eden DVD and described it as a "terrible" movie. I wasn't there but in the coming days it was really cold and shockingly she still came out and took care of people.
After Rosie it was back to Kate Upton Kate Upton Kate Upton as I stayed and grabbed other people doing combos including a couple of children. Also I did get an upgrade with actress Veanne Cox who is valid (she has a cap in my photo op from 2010). It should be noted that actress Jessie Mueller stopped coming out after the first night.
Rosie O'Donnell photo op
Rosie O'Donnell autograph
Full list of photo ops
Next morning I decide to go for a Taraji P. Henson flight. I already got 2 ops with her but have unsigned items. She came in and signed but wouldn't take photo ops. Since she had a hat and shades the photo op would have been a downgrade anyway.
Taraji P. Henson Autographs
It was also good weather so I decided to upgrade my photo op with the legendary Frankie Valli later that evening. Plus I never got his autograph and he's getting up there in age so windows to these opportunities are dwindling. 15 minutes away were flights of members of the band Gin Blossoms. I decided to go for that for a few reasons 1) provides a backup in case Frankie is a failure 2) I already have the lead singer so may as well get the others 3) They were doing a paid m&g so it's always a nice feeling to get for free what others pay for.
Of the 4 members besides the singer, 2 are original, 1 is not original and wasn't there for the early hits but was in the band for the longest time, and 1 is barely valid. They all land and are super nice. The lead singer's flight got delayed luckily I could go to the Frankie Valli spot as I have him. Though in hindsight I could have easily stayed there then gone to Frankie.
Gin Blossoms photo ops
Wait for Frankie after his show. In this nice weather, if this were NYC, you would have like 30-40 people at least. Here we have about 10. We see a van in the garage and we figure this is where Frankie will escape from. So we are all in position to beat him to the next spot. Meanwhile there's a bus that is loading up a slew of invalidity in the form of Frankie's current band.
We wait and lo and behold Frankie actually walks out! His guy screams and calls people ebayers and says one per person. I manage to beg and struggle to score the photo op! Got the full combo! Mission accomplished!
Frankie goes in the same bus as the invalids (presumably to go into the next town) and as the bus is leaving it collides with a car.
Frankie Valli photo op
Frankie Valli autograph
Sunday, February 3, 2019
First NYC endeavor of 2019
After the Jackie Chan success, woke up and headed on to NYC. Ran into traffic which reminds me of one of the reasons why I always stay in the city and sleep in the car. Now came another challenge, to find free NYC parking close to lunchtime during a weekday. A task most anyone on this planet would label as impossible and mock you for actually trying. I managed to score a spot about 10 minutes away from where I needed to be. Sat in the car for 30 or so minutes till the spot became legal, then we split an uber to the spot (which was about the same as taking a train).
My main want at this spot was someone I failed at during a movie shoot, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. The spot starts off with a barely valid or two. Patty tells me she will take care of me leaving.
Leaving is when action happens. Get Connie Nielson. She is wearing shades but it's ok as I have a good shot from the past. Get actress India Eisley who seems like she could become somebody. And of course Patty who true to her word took a photo with me and even stated "told you I'd take care of you on exits". Got actor AJ Buckley update going in and on exits Jada Pinkette Smith update and an autograph. After this the weather was taking a toll on me so I went back to my car to be warm. Drove to another spot to meet with Vanessa the Jersey shore stalker and friend in the hopes to see Matthew McConaughey but no luck.
Evening came and went to a spot for James McAvoy. As we arrived he immediately pulled up. Ran and got a photo op. Already got him in the past but this is an good upgrade. Tried a few random spots but no luck. Back to the McAvoy spot for exits but he rushed into his car.
On to the next spot thanks to a
tip. Got actress Golden Brooks whom I missed at the first spot and got character actor Leland Orser. On to the last spot for Jay Patterson who played April's boss in the 1990 TMNT movie. Was a harder task than I imagined for a name of his caliber. I had to even chase him down to sign my laserdisc. WTF?
Overall a successful day.
India Eisley
Patty Jenkins
James McAvoy
Leland Orser
Jay Patterson
Full list of Day 1 photo ops
Autographs obtained
Next day would start out on a sour note, which would sadly be a recurring theme throughout the day. We had a flight with all members of the Backstreet Boys. I figured I'd wake up and calmly go to that flight. Upon waking up, find out there were TWO reservations and they took the earlier one! PUNCH! At least I found that out before paying for airport parking.
Went to a spot where we thought they might be but found no evidence of them. Next to a Matthew McConaughey spot. Sadly he is being reluctant to stop but does sign some. I am trying to get a photo op. First take was completely invalid, second take was invalid but much better, third take was valid but blurry. So I went to the next spot in the hopes of he would stop but he blanked going in.
While waiting at this spot I see John Goodman going in and leaving but he blanks. Needed a better shot plus autographs. There was a spot up the street where Anne Hathaway did combos but I had to miss that because I was waiting for Matthew. After Mathew left I had to park the car so I missed him doing autographs at the spot up the street. No one got photo ops though.
Park my car and head up the street. Wait there. Diane Lane exits and they say she will "do pictures" but no autographs. I find this suspect because I know she hates photo ops. She comes out and sure enough she poses for paps.
Hathaway and McConaughey do nothing. Miss Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. Get an update with Famke Janssen. In NYC, if all else fails, go to the "easy" show spots. Walk over to another spot that is exiting where I miss actor Tom Glynn-Carney but get actress Catherine McCormack from Braveheart.
Things ended just like it began, on a sour note. Found out the info for the last spot late. Drove there I missed Anne Hathaway doing combos. Needed her autograph plus a photo upgrade would have been nice. Not a good day, but didn't leave empty handed either.
Catherine McCormack
My main want at this spot was someone I failed at during a movie shoot, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. The spot starts off with a barely valid or two. Patty tells me she will take care of me leaving.
Leaving is when action happens. Get Connie Nielson. She is wearing shades but it's ok as I have a good shot from the past. Get actress India Eisley who seems like she could become somebody. And of course Patty who true to her word took a photo with me and even stated "told you I'd take care of you on exits". Got actor AJ Buckley update going in and on exits Jada Pinkette Smith update and an autograph. After this the weather was taking a toll on me so I went back to my car to be warm. Drove to another spot to meet with Vanessa the Jersey shore stalker and friend in the hopes to see Matthew McConaughey but no luck.
Evening came and went to a spot for James McAvoy. As we arrived he immediately pulled up. Ran and got a photo op. Already got him in the past but this is an good upgrade. Tried a few random spots but no luck. Back to the McAvoy spot for exits but he rushed into his car.
On to the next spot thanks to a
tip. Got actress Golden Brooks whom I missed at the first spot and got character actor Leland Orser. On to the last spot for Jay Patterson who played April's boss in the 1990 TMNT movie. Was a harder task than I imagined for a name of his caliber. I had to even chase him down to sign my laserdisc. WTF?Overall a successful day.
India Eisley
Patty Jenkins
James McAvoy
Leland Orser
Jay Patterson
Full list of Day 1 photo ops
Autographs obtained
Next day would start out on a sour note, which would sadly be a recurring theme throughout the day. We had a flight with all members of the Backstreet Boys. I figured I'd wake up and calmly go to that flight. Upon waking up, find out there were TWO reservations and they took the earlier one! PUNCH! At least I found that out before paying for airport parking.
Went to a spot where we thought they might be but found no evidence of them. Next to a Matthew McConaughey spot. Sadly he is being reluctant to stop but does sign some. I am trying to get a photo op. First take was completely invalid, second take was invalid but much better, third take was valid but blurry. So I went to the next spot in the hopes of he would stop but he blanked going in.
While waiting at this spot I see John Goodman going in and leaving but he blanks. Needed a better shot plus autographs. There was a spot up the street where Anne Hathaway did combos but I had to miss that because I was waiting for Matthew. After Mathew left I had to park the car so I missed him doing autographs at the spot up the street. No one got photo ops though.
Park my car and head up the street. Wait there. Diane Lane exits and they say she will "do pictures" but no autographs. I find this suspect because I know she hates photo ops. She comes out and sure enough she poses for paps.
Hathaway and McConaughey do nothing. Miss Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. Get an update with Famke Janssen. In NYC, if all else fails, go to the "easy" show spots. Walk over to another spot that is exiting where I miss actor Tom Glynn-Carney but get actress Catherine McCormack from Braveheart.
Things ended just like it began, on a sour note. Found out the info for the last spot late. Drove there I missed Anne Hathaway doing combos. Needed her autograph plus a photo upgrade would have been nice. Not a good day, but didn't leave empty handed either.
Catherine McCormack
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Jackie Chan and miscellaneous January meets
Since I've been out of country in December and January has been ice cold, I've for the most part taken a break from combo hunting. But around mid January I got a flight for actor Ian Bohen. I figured it was indoors, exact info, let's break in 2019 for combo hunting. And thus I got my first celebrity photo op of 2019.
Ian Bohen
Next up, the Jackie Chan book signing! Bought that book last year and it got rescheduled. Markedout's adelta was supposed to come up with me but decided to cancel out so I had an extra book thanks to him. This worked out great as I went up with a new traveling partner who bought adelta's book.
I have to admit driving up to bookends was a painful experience due to the "no photo op" rule. Anyone who knows me knows that I will never forget my Kate Upton blunder. But there is also another blunder I'll never forget, and that is my Steve Martin blunder. I was thinking of going to his CD signing and didn't only to see a lot of people get photo ops. I wanted to avoid this horrific scenario again at any and all costs. And the only way to guarantee avoiding this is to go. Plus I know from past experience that Jackie Chan isn't a nasty guy. He's a nice guy just afraid of NYC crowds (which I don't blame him for). So I thought there would be at least a 50% chance of photo ops.
To boot, on my way I got word from NYC that people got Chan at the hotel. It was painful to see considering there was a possibility I would get nothing at the bookstore. When I arrived I saw the invalid photo ops the first 50 or so people got. This added to my sorrow. But then I get a facebook message from PA combo hunter Joe D. He was in line and told me he was doing table ops! What? Can it be? Is it possible? I get back in line and sure enough table ops are happening! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise the combo Gods! After failing on Jackie Chan in the past I am finally getting this photo op! Some people even scored extras and when I tried at the table I was being denied. I didn't push the issue as I wanted my photo op. This marked my first A lister of 2019, my first autograph of 2019, and my first full combo of 2019.
After the fact it was good to see and chat withfor the first time since October. Brought my car around and waited for Jackie to leave to score an extra. This is probably the coldest weather I ever waited for a celebrity. They were trying to tell us he would be doing nothing but he did some photo ops and autographs leaving. I got an autograph.
With that success, me and my traveling buddy went to [ironically] a Chinese buffet and had a celebratory meal. Sadly also had to get a hotel. The water bottles in my car froze overnight so definitely was not a night to car sleep. It was a decent family owned motel less than $85 after tax and not too bad when split in two. I felt I was in a luxury penthouse as I'm so used to car sleep. But I definitely won't be making a habit out of this.
The next day it was time to embark to NYC for the first time in 2019. This will be a separate report.
Jackie Chan photo op
Jackie Chan autographs
Towards the end of January there was an event with lots of rich people. George W Bush, Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, to name a few. In the past I had bad luck at this event but I figured I'd try to see what I can get. The only significant name I saw was Tim Cook and he denied leaving and coming in. Got Cal Ripken update and some other political names.
Full list of photo ops
Ian Bohen
Next up, the Jackie Chan book signing! Bought that book last year and it got rescheduled. Markedout's adelta was supposed to come up with me but decided to cancel out so I had an extra book thanks to him. This worked out great as I went up with a new traveling partner who bought adelta's book.
I have to admit driving up to bookends was a painful experience due to the "no photo op" rule. Anyone who knows me knows that I will never forget my Kate Upton blunder. But there is also another blunder I'll never forget, and that is my Steve Martin blunder. I was thinking of going to his CD signing and didn't only to see a lot of people get photo ops. I wanted to avoid this horrific scenario again at any and all costs. And the only way to guarantee avoiding this is to go. Plus I know from past experience that Jackie Chan isn't a nasty guy. He's a nice guy just afraid of NYC crowds (which I don't blame him for). So I thought there would be at least a 50% chance of photo ops.
To boot, on my way I got word from NYC that people got Chan at the hotel. It was painful to see considering there was a possibility I would get nothing at the bookstore. When I arrived I saw the invalid photo ops the first 50 or so people got. This added to my sorrow. But then I get a facebook message from PA combo hunter Joe D. He was in line and told me he was doing table ops! What? Can it be? Is it possible? I get back in line and sure enough table ops are happening! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise the combo Gods! After failing on Jackie Chan in the past I am finally getting this photo op! Some people even scored extras and when I tried at the table I was being denied. I didn't push the issue as I wanted my photo op. This marked my first A lister of 2019, my first autograph of 2019, and my first full combo of 2019.
After the fact it was good to see and chat with
for the first time since October. Brought my car around and waited for Jackie to leave to score an extra. This is probably the coldest weather I ever waited for a celebrity. They were trying to tell us he would be doing nothing but he did some photo ops and autographs leaving. I got an autograph.With that success, me and my traveling buddy went to [ironically] a Chinese buffet and had a celebratory meal. Sadly also had to get a hotel. The water bottles in my car froze overnight so definitely was not a night to car sleep. It was a decent family owned motel less than $85 after tax and not too bad when split in two. I felt I was in a luxury penthouse as I'm so used to car sleep. But I definitely won't be making a habit out of this.
The next day it was time to embark to NYC for the first time in 2019. This will be a separate report.
Jackie Chan photo op
Jackie Chan autographs
Towards the end of January there was an event with lots of rich people. George W Bush, Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, to name a few. In the past I had bad luck at this event but I figured I'd try to see what I can get. The only significant name I saw was Tim Cook and he denied leaving and coming in. Got Cal Ripken update and some other political names.
Full list of photo ops
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