Sunday, September 22, 2024

Some scattered meets throughout May

In early May I went to a venue for singer and actor Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill). Opening for him was the daughter of Lynda Carter, Jessica Carter Altman. Tyler arrives first and is nice as can be. Then Jessica arrives and she is nice. I told her I met her mother. Was hoping Lynda Carter would come so I can get autographs but that didn't happen. 

Tyler Hilton

Jessica Carter Altman


Next an event where anyone could show up. You just wait and see who you see. The main score for me was Melinda Gates, ex wife of Bill Gates. Otherwise, it was slim pickings. The only actor I got was Wilmer Valderrama who I already have. Actress Michaela Coel denied going in and denied leaving. Sean Penn denied going in. Don McLean ignored going in but stopped going out. I got an auto and I got an op with his girl Paris Dylan. The only other name I got that I consider notable is billionaire Daniel Lubetzky from Shark Tank fame. See the full list for the other names.

I tried waiting for Sean Penn to leave to try for an autograph, but he wasn't leaving anytime soon. So I went home.

Melinda Gates

Full list of photo ops

Don McLean autograph

Gary LeVox, Jena Malone, Afroman, and more towards the end of May

So this trek starts at the airport with flights. First up is Gary LeVox, lead singer of Rascal Flatts. Probably best known for a cover of Tom Cochrane's "Life Is a Highway" and they also did the soundtrack for the 2006 Cars animated movie. He is nice as can be. I get the ops and autos. 

Next up is Jena Malone. She wasn't as nice and seemed freaked out. Even hating on markedout board member adelta. After she finished smoking and went to wait for luggage we were all able to go up to her one by one to get a combo, but she still denied adelta.

Autographs


Next day we had to look for the hotel but it wasn't easy to find. Came across one hotel with the band Aventura. Never heard of them but got photos with 3 members though not the lead singer. 

Finally found the hotel. It was a success. I got a fresh op with actress Patina Miller, upgrade with Gary LeVox, and update with Bryan Cranston. Autograph wise I got Gary Sinise, BD Wong on 2 blanks, and Jena Malone.

Go to a different event where Donald Trump is speaking. My objective is Afroman, best known  for the 2000 hit "Because I Got High". After Trump was done and left, I mooched inside the room and Afroman is just sitting around fully USA suited. He is nice as can be and I get the op.

Autographs


I go back one last time the next day. And again, it was a success. I get a photo op with actress Ruthie Ann Miles (fresh), combo with Gary Sinise (upgrade), combo with Jena Malone (upgrade from 2 days ago), combo with Mary McCormack (update), and a photo op with country singer Jamey Johnson (update). 

Autographs





Full list of photo ops



Tuesday, September 17, 2024

A host of rock meets and more in early May

In early May I would cover the M3 Rock Festival and get some classic rock names. The first day I would go for Aldo Nova. Very rare name that doesn't come around, probably best known for the 1982 song "Fantasy". He was very cool and did ops and signed. Then I left the area to try for comedian Lewis Black. I knew where he was staying so I went inside in the hopes that I would see him. After barely 5 minutes and saw him and got the combo. Then quickly left. Wow that doesn't happen too often.

Aldo Nova

Lewis Black


First thing for the day is a flight for the band Quiet Riot. The only original member is Rudy Sarzo. He also played with Whitesnake. See him and 3 other barely valid members, he is nice as he signs. I get him on a Greatest Hits Whitesnake CD. I also get the op with him and 2 other band members. The barely valid lead singer Jizzy Pearl is a dick and refuses to do ops at the airport.

Back to the hotel, one unexpected name I got is Vivian Campbel from Def Leppard. He is not original but a long-time member and the only member I have yet to meet as he is normally ungettable. I couldn't believe he actually stopped. Also the band Cold Sweat has 5 original members, I got 2 of them. Roy and Chris McLernon. I would have to come the next day to get the others. 

Rudy Sarzo

Vivian Campbell

Full list of photo ops


Another day. First flight is for George Lynch of the band Dokken. Sadly, he is a complete dick. Go back to the hotel, park, and get some rest. Wake up and go inside I instantly see the band Pretty Boy Floyd in the lobby, with the lead singer Steve Sex Summers fully suited. I get an op with him and an op with the full band. Unfortunately, they are all barely valid besides Steve Sex.

I get the other members of Cold Sweat namely Marc Ferrari (singer), Anthony White, and Erik Gamans. And I manage to score a group shot with the band Stryper. I get Perry Richardson, Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox all in one shot. Even better the one non-original (Perry) is on the far left so he can be cropped out! 

I would end my time with this event at the airport for Stephen Pearcy of the band Ratt. He was eating at a restaurant with his girl when we saw him so we waited till he was done. Then we followed him to the gate and he was nice as can be. I got ops and autographs. 

Steve Sex Summers

Perry Richardson, Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox

Stephen Pearcy

Full list of photo ops


Signed Steve Summers blank

8x10s

Whitesnake greatest hits CD

New York City: The Festivities of the Televisions and More

This would only be my second Festivities of the Televisions since COVID hit. Because 2020 and 2021 none took place. 2022 I went to NYC and did solid at the Festivities of the Televisions. 2023 the writer's strike rendered them completely worthless, so I bailed on those plans.

In 2024, I decided to embark on the Festivities of the Televisions. But compared to previous years they would prove to be severely watered down for the most part. There was essentially one network that was good. This will definitely make me reevaluate my plans for them going forward. I still made out ok and also deviated from the festivities and got more people. But I think the pre COVID glory days of this event are gone. 

Day 1

Before heading to the first spot, I decide to try the "easy" show spots. There were two shows side by side. First one, amidst a huge crowd I get Rachel McAdams, which is both an update and an upgrade. And I manage to score an autographs Good to know that despite aging, I can still hold my ground against a huge crowd and get a full combo.

In the next show my main target is a fresh shot with character actor Ronald Guttman and a no beard upgrade with Michael Stuhlbarg. Wait it out and get those no issue as they are super nice.

Now to the first spot of the festivities. I found out I just missed Shanola Hampton. But no worries the night is young. Don't get too much at that spot then go to the next spot where I score Shanola Hampton. I see other names but they were names I had. I get Mehcad Brooks, Jesse L Martin, and see others that I don't even bother asking or fighting the crowd for as I have them. Later we found out that no one more really came for this. Day 1 is sub-par and in the books. I commandeer my free parking spot for the rest of the week.

Full list of Day 1 photo ops


Day 2

This day is sadly not much better than the previous day. Start at a spot and get actor Joel Kim Booster. Then to the spot from last night and get Zachary Quinto and Michael Buble. Both sadly repeats. Go to the next spot get Corinne Foxx and Jane Krakowski, also repeats. Checked another place for System of a Down singer Serj Tankian but never saw him and quickly went back to the previous spot. Made it back on time as people were leaving. Get Olivia Culpo and Joel McHale, also repeats. Failed on Molly Parker but had her already. Needed actress Lauren Graham but she didn't spot. First major failure of the day, but not the last. 

Go to a premier event where I have a rather ambitious goal. Namely, Ryan Reynolds. I knew he wouldn't stop, but I had to be there in case lightning struck. Nobody stopped going in. This included Ryan Reynolds, Emily Blunt, Steve Carell, Awkwafina, Matt Damon, Fiona Shaw, and Bradley Cooper. Needed Ryan and Fiona and some Bradley autos. Bobby Moynihan stopped somewhat but I didn't even bother fighting for it as I have him. 

Exits were a little better but not by much. John Krasinski stopped but I didn't need him so I didn't bother. Ryan and others of course didn't stop. I got child actor Alan Kim. I got a much needed update with Cailey Fleming. When I got her at a con she was like 12 now she is 17. When I showed her the photo op she goes "oh my God look how little I was". 

Went back to the spot for Lauren Graham but never saw her and gave up. Checked out another party spot but it was a dud. Back to the last spot for the night where I got Zachary Quinto. I see Jamie Foxx who declined. Could have used a better shot but thankfully I have him. This ended the night.

Full list of Day 2 photo ops


Day 3

This day is where things would begin to turn around. I pass by one spot see Connie Foxx again get yet another op. Then to the spot where I would spend the rest of my day. Unfortunately I get a lot of repeats which is to be expected. 

Autograph wise I get Charlie Cox, Ted Danson, and Vincent D'Onofrio plus updated ops. 

Some fresh names include Dominique Thorne, Leah Jeffries, Kylie Cantrall, and Malia Baker.

Carrie Ann Moss did only one side and not my side. Would have liked a better op than my pro op at RICC. Sheryl Lee Ralph did nothing, but I have her.

Name quality wise one of the best I get there is Kathryn Hahn but I have a shot from long ago. So it didn't do much for me. 

I needed actress Amandla Stenberg. Waited till about 2am never saw her. Apparently she came back around 4am. She did it at another spot but I was waiting at the hotel. I guess you can't win them all.

Got plenty of other names, updates and fresh (see list of photo ops).

Full list of Day 3 photo ops part 1

Full list of Day 3 photo ops part 2


Day 4

Back to the spot from the previous day where as it happened New Kids On The Block are checking in. I still need 2 members, namely Jonathan and Jordan Knight. Joey McIntyre checks in and I get another op. I get some check outs from the TV actors from the previous day. I get my score in Jonathan Knight but sadly Jordan doesn't stop. I see the other members of New Kids but have no need to bother them. 

Carrie Ann Moss checked out but sadly did nothing. I made the mistake of not going to another spot for Wayne Gretsky. I don't normally get sports but he is the #1 hockey name so I wanted him to get the op for a well rounded collection. What's worse I never saw Amandla Stenberg so she must have left very early. I also get more names leaving the spot (see list). 

I check out the "easy" show spots where the main target is actor Ben Cook. I get him and other barely valids in his show. Then to another show for actor James Carpinello (2004 Punisher movie). Then go to a venue for singer Andy Biersack. He leaves the venue pretty quickly but does ops with the 3 of us. Back to the original spot for the day to see if anything else can be had. I just get Jake McLaughlin again. This ended the night.

Jonathan Knight

Andy Biersack

Full list of Day 4 photo ops


Day 5

This day would be quite unique because I would end up making up for 3 blunders/failures from the past. The recent past and the distant past. 

We will start with the recent past. I pass by a hotel to see what's going on and manage to find out that by miracle Wayne Gretzky is still in town. So, I decide to stand there to make up the blunder from the prior day where I didn't go for him. I heard he declined before I got there, and then I saw him go in and he was quick to enter. 

When he finally left it was crowded with combo hunters and major chaos, but I manage to get a full combo from him! This is despite him telling me he can't do ops as I ask him. I didn't take no for an answer and begged and pleaded. Again, further proof that despite my age I can still come out on top in a crowd! It's not the best op but it's valid and I'll take it. This would be my last stand for the festivities of the televisions. Sadly, while I was waiting for Gretzky I found out a couple of girls managed to get Jordan Knight. I guess you can't win them all.

Went to another spot to see what could be had. Saw Peter Dinklage blank everyone and saw Common come in and do an op or two. I have them both, so I had no need to ask any of them.

I go to a fashion type spot where Kate Upton and many others were appearing. Now I think it was 2011, I saw Kate Upton outside an event. No one knew who she was. Saw her do a couple of ops, but didn't ask. Big mistake. Because I tried for her a couple of times since and failed. Ever since then I always ask for ops no matter. Because you just never know. Here I have a shot to rectify my Kate Upton blunder. 

Huge crowd and barricade. I see Kate Upton; she comes and signs for people. I then plead and scream to get an op, and I manage to get a miracle selfie! Another blunder officially corrected! Some other graphers cursed me out because they blame me getting the op for her not signing for them. I don't know if that is true, but if it is, too bad too sad. That's just the way the cookie crumbles. There were plenty of times I didn't get my op because of their autos. Also got gymnast Olivia Livvy Dunne. 

I step away from this spot and go to the "easy" show spots. My first target is actor Louis Ozawa Changchien from Predators (2010). I manage to score him, an update with Tala Ashe, and barely valid actress Gabby Policano. There were other people in the show that I already had so I didn't focus on them. Most everyone came out at once and it was chaotic. Glad I was able to focus on what I needed.  

Next show spot, I seek to correct another blunder. Namely, Alfred Molina AKA Dr Octopus in Spiderman 2. In 2012 when I tried for him at the show spots he declined me. In this show stop he didn't come out the same door as most of the other cast. This included Steve Carrell. So I had to be sneaky to try for him. I figured out the door he uses, and so I wait there while the audience waits at the normal door. Sure enough he comes out. He declines an op but signs my item. I then follow him outside and continue to beg and plead till he relents and says "c'mon take it, it's not fair". SCORE! Wow, that turned out to be quite the night for correcting blunders. Then I went to the door where the crowd was at got an update with Steve Carell, Jayne Houdyshell (also update), and Spencer Donovan Jones.

At this point in the evening, I was in bonus mode. Go to the place I got Kate Upton and get more names (see list) including a better shot with Olivia Livvy Dunne. When the spot dried up it was off to go sleep.



Full list of Day 5 photo ops


Day 6

This would be my final day for NYC for the week. My first spot is for Pamela Adlon AKA Bobby Hill in King of the Hill. She did photos going in but said she would sign leaving, which she did. Also got Michelle Buteau (fresh) and Ilana Glazer (upgrade).

Go to see if by miracle Jordan Knight can be spotted, but sadly never see him. I got declined by singer Ingrid Michaelson and I got baseball player Torii Hunter. Next event is like a block away. This is where I got my bulk of meets for the day. 

I got Nicole Ari Parker which upgrades my photo op even though she has shades. She took off shades then I tried pleading for another op but to no avail. Got singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss, an update with Leslie Odom Jr, another op with Corey Stoll, among others (see list).

Got another auto from Rachel McAdams. Jessica Lange actually signed one for someone. I attempted the photo but that got botched. Got declined by Gayle Rankin and Juliana Canfield. Saw Alfred Molina leave. Someone chased him down and he said he would do photos but not autos! What the hell? Quite the contrast from the night before where he signed and didn't want to do the photo until I had to run after him and plead. These people must really be bipolar. 

Never saw Eddie Redmayne or Daniel Radcliffe who I didn't need. Never saw Betsy Aidem who I needed. Saw Sarah Paulson but didn't bother trying for her. 

Decided to end my time in NYC with some more "easy" show spots. First one I need Phillip Boykin and Isa Briones. There's a front and back and I didn't know who would come out where. Phillip came out the back and Isa the front. I missed Isa doing it for the crowd while I was in the back but thankfully, she went back inside then walked out the front and I manage to get the op. Then to another show for actress Sandra Oh. As she exits, she is nice as can be. This ended my time in NYC.

Pamela Adlon

Sandra Oh

Full list of Day 6 photo ops


Now to show case some autographs obtained (blanks are Wayne Gretzky, Alfred Molina,  Charlie Cox, Ted Danson, and Vincent D'Onofrio)

Autographs obtained part 1

Autographs obtained part 2

Doc Oct autograph

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Fan Expo Philadelphia in May

In early May I would attend Fan Expo in Philly. My main wants were animator Don Bluth, Cameron Monaghan (one of the only major characters from Gotham I had yet to meet) and Gina Carano (The Mandalorian).

I got to downtown philly, managed to commandeer my free parking spot, and get in the venue. When I arrived many people I wanted were not at their table so that complicated matters. Lines were much bigger than I expected. And they weren't moving. I had to juggle multiple lines with the help of multiple friends and allies. So it was multiple held spots and jumping from line to line. for a time I even thought I wouldn't get everyone I wanted. But I split most names and got what I set to get. 

First off, legendary animator Don Bloth, who was responsible for classics such as All Dogs Go To Heaven, Thumbelina, Anastasia, and more. Looks fantastic for 87. 

Then I got Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy), Eman Esfandi (Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka), Rainn Wilson (The Office), and finally got to Cameron Monaghan who had a long ass line. 

Gina Carano was looking like a pro op only deal but thankfully she ended up doing table ops. Ended my time at the con with Oscar Nunez (The Office, The Lost City, among others).

Don Bluth

Garrett Hedlund

Eman Esfandi

Rainn Wilson

Cameron Monaghan

Gina Carano

Oscar Nunez

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Some Scattered Meets Throughout April

On a day I had a couple of good events to cover. First one was related to the movie The Long Game. Arrive at the hotel and get Cheech Martin update photo op. He said he is running late and doesn't sign. But leaving he does sign. Then I got actor Julian Works. He didn't have a wikipedia at the time but now he does. And then Jay Hernandez arrives and is nice. Great name but sadly I have him, so it didn't do much for me. Waited for actress Paulina Chávez but sadly never saw her. 

However it turns out the wife of Jay is actress Daniella Deutscher, and she was actually with him there. Didn't realize it on the spot. But as luck would have it, they were having dinner at the restaurant of the hotel. Waited a bit and as she was walking, I got the op, and she was nice as can be. 

On to the next spot for an event related to Different World. Lots of names I have were there, but lots of names I didn't have. The spot wasn't the best so I could be selective on who I would ask. 

First get is a good one. Tempestt Bledsoe AKA Vanessa Huxtable from The Cosby Show. I have an op from 2011 in NYC but I wanted an upgrade. Shockingly she looks unchanged from 2011 to 2024. Maybe it's the makeup.

Names I scored that I didn't have included Glynn Turman, Kadeem Hardison, and Karen Malina White. 

Names I saw and didn't ask since I have them included Cree Summer, Dawnn Lewis, and Jasmine Guy. 

Names I needed and missed because I got kicked out the property included Darryl M. Bell and Charnele Brown.

To redeem those misses I went to the next spot in the hopes I'd see them, but it was simply Cree Summer and her entourage having dinner. So the spot was worthless to wait at. This ended my evening. 

Despite some misses, a successful night. 

Daniella Deutscher

Tempestt Bledsoe

Full list of photo ops

Autographs


Next day I try another evening event where randoms could show up. But no one good showed up. I got an op JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon. But I did get a good autograph score, namely Tim Cook (didn't need to ask for another op).

Tim Cook autographs


Around mid April I go to a paid signing for actress Sheryl Lee from Twin Peaks and One Tree Hill. After her q&a she set up a table where I found someone to split a combo price. Her op was slightly distanced but good enough.

Sheryl Lee


Next day go to the airport for singer Martha Wash. The only living original member of The Weather Girls (It's Raining Men). While waiting see basketball player Dennis Scott. So I got the op. Finally see Martha. She was a little shaken at being stopped at the airport. But she did the op and did 1 or 2 autos before shutting it down.

Dennis Scott

Martha Wash

Autographs


On my way back from Jersey I stop by a venue for singer Action Bronson. Never really heard of him buy made sense to stop. He greeted the crowd and did multi combos.

Action Bronson

Autographs


Next up a music event. My main wants were an upgrade with Sharyl Crow, singer Patti Austin, and producer Mark Ronson.

First, I get the duo War and Treaty again. They are nice as always. I also get an auto from them. Then Candiace Dillard Bassett and Patti Austin who is nice. Score! After that J Ivy and Mark Ronson plus autos! Score!

I get an update with record producer Jimmy Jam, plus Kenyon Dixon, John Cornyn, and an update with Rapsody. Sheryl Crow enters wearing shades. I let others get her as I didn't need another shades shot. Singer Lauren Daigle blanks. 

I leave and come back and see Lauren Daigle again. Apparently, she left and came back. I plead for the op to no avail despite having her 1 on 1! 

Exits were practically a fail. Lauren Daigle blank again. Shery Crow exists no shades and a plead for the op to no avail. I get Leon Thomas, Max Baca, Peter Stroud, and Jeff Gitelman plus another Mark Ronson auto.

Patti Austin

Mark Ronson

Autographs

Full list of photo ops

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Chiller Theater April 2024 Report

Due to the events previously reported, I would have to do a quick in out for Chiller on Friday. My top wants would be Cybill Shepherd, Jenilee Harrison, and Lee Ving. Not too much to write about, I would get in, split some ops, leave. 

My gets would be

John Kapelos (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, Forever Knight). 

Saverio Guerra (Bad Boys)

Angela Mao Ying (Enter the Dragon)

David Proval (Mean Streets, UHF, The Monster Squad)

Bruce McGill (Time Cop, My Cousin Vinny, Shallow Hal)

Inna Korobkina (Dawn of the Dead 2024)

Bo Svenson (Kill Bill 2, Speed 2)

Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting, Alice)

Lawrence Hilton Jacobs (Alien Nation, upgrade)

Adrian Zmed (TJ Hooker)

Jenilee Harrison (Cindy in Three's Company)

Charo (60s legend)

Lee Ving (Flashdance, Clue)

Howie Weed (Wampa in ESB SE)

Deborah Van Valkenburgh (Warriors)

Deborah Tranelli (Dallas)





Full list of photo ops