Celebrity Meet and Greets

Next up, start my day with an early morning Jessica Alba flight. Most would argue not the wisest of moves. But I saw her, she had a cap on but no mask and no shades, she took a photo op, and she signed 2 things for me. I have been going for Jessica Alba in a span of 10-15 years, and never in my life have I ever seen her this nice. Sadly I can never seem to get a "great" photo op with her. But this is better than the others I have. I'll take it.

I would try for two more flights that day. Second would be actress Emily Procter. When I asked for a photo op she completely shot me down. Wouldn't even sign. Completely nasty. Who would have imagined that Jessica Alba would be nice in an early morning flight but Emily Procter would be so nasty on a flight later in the day. Truly goes to show you how unpredictable combo hunting can be.

Final flight for the day was Mavis Staples. She would not do ops but signed 1 per.

Jessica Alba

Next day I try to look for the West Wing cast. Try the spot where they are doing a screening but they were already in. Didn't know where they would come out but finally the hotel was figured out. Go to the hotel and wait. We were almost getting ready to give up, then a bus pulls up, right on the sidewalk, and the holy grail motherload is there! Most of the cast!

I got director Thomas Schlamme (fresh) and Christine Lahti (update). Then I got actress Janel Moloney (fresh) and actress Emily Procter (fresh). Contrast to the airport the prior day, she was super nice with a huge smile happily stopping. She was such a different person to a point where I wondered if I made an error spotting her and it was actually someone else. Dule Hill was on the bus but I didn't bother him since I have enough ops with him. Martin Sheen was also in town but we didn't see him. No big deal as I've seen him enough times.

What was basically hours of running around and what seemed like a complete bust, in a span of 5 minutes turned into an epic success. Again, shows you how unpredictable these things can be.

Later that evening I tried Mavis Staples at her hotel, but sadly her handler remembered me from the airport and didn't stop for me.

On my way back from Baltimore Comic Con I would go for Gordon Gano, the lead singer of Violent Femmes, at his flight out. He was super cool even removing the mask for the photo op. Also got an autograph.

I would try for Scott Bakula at a show he was doing to get some autographs and hoping his wife Chelsea Field would show up. But never saw his wife and when I mooched into the venue I got caught and kicked out. Never saw him leave either. I would attempt this again soon.

Gordon Gano

Next night to a venue for original member of Judas Priest, KK Downing. During the show I get the original lead guitarist of Accept Wolf Hoffmann, a pretty solid name. During the span of the show I also get other barely valids. Unfortunately KK himself does a run off after the show and I never saw him.

Next day I went for a Jo Jo Levesque book signing. I had someone to help with gas and buy me the book. So I did it. I got a huge upgrade over my past shots. Outside the bookstore she wouldn't sign only did selfies.

Jo Jo Levesque

Next evening to a venue for singer Suzanne Vega. She is not only a good name in her own right but a good historical name as one of her songs was used in the creation of the MP3 format. When she came out she was nice, signed, and did ops.

Suzanne Vega

Next night is back to the Scott Bakula show. This time I was almost sure his wife Chelsea Field (Teela in the Masters of the Universe movie) would show up. And indeed I could see from the outside she did show up. I mooched inside the venue was about to ask. I caught her attention but the same security guard kicked me out again. I had to try at the next spot which would be a party spot. Sadly the same security guard was accompanying them. He tried to stop me but she agreed and I got the op! Thankfully didn't need to ask Scott.

Chelsea Field

Drove to a venue to try for Till Lindemannm, the lead singer of the legendary German band Rammstein. I had failed on at the airport. At the venue he signed but still refused ops. Sadly someone handed him a crappy tattoo marker to sign their arm and he used that. Thus all the autographs were garbage. I grabbed some barely valids while waiting for him. Evening was a bust. I then went to NYC.

Horrid Till Lindemann autograph

On the way back from NYC I would try for more music names, this time the band Counting Crows. First up, the airport. I would get

Jim Bogios (long time drummer)
Dan Vickrey (guitarist in all but the first album)
David Bryson (original guitarist)
Charlie Gillingham (original keyboard player)

Then it was off to the train station where I would get

David Immergluck (played on the early albums as a session musician turned into a full member)

And last but certainly not least, the original lead singer and main man himself, Adam Duritz!

Overall a nice clean sweep, only missing longtime bassist Millard Powers as far as the current lineup goes.

Scattered meets throughout September part 1

September starts with an event of largely Spanish speaking people. I arrive and just missed basketball player Carmelo Anthony. No biggie as I don't really care for sports and he wasn't that accommodating to begin with. Not long after I arrive John Leguizamo shows up and I get a combo. Lost count as to how many times I've seen him. Next up get Harvey Guillen (again a repeat). Next up get "actress" Nava Mau.

Then Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera, who is super nice and seems super healthy at 85. And after that my top want for the night, actor Danny Ramirez from Top Gun: Maverick and Falcon in the MCU.

It is smooth sailing from here as I get 80s singer Lisa Lisa, ER actress Lisa Vidal, Cuban singer Cimafunk, actress Paulina Chavez, and actress Annie Gonzalez.

This Latin boyband called Morat comes out. Never heard of them, but when in Rome. So I got the op with all 4 members. One singer I didn't see or spot is Nathy Peluso. So I would have to do the flight the next day.

Next day at the airport wait for singer Nathy Peluso. She is cool as she does photos and signs. Go to a venue later and wait for Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Get the combo.

Nathy Peluso

Rob Thomas

Next day I go to the airport for singer Bruce Springsteen. Due to parking fumbling I miss him during the day but I go back at night and he did a combo. This is my third photo op with him but my first without either hat or shades. I guess I can stop asking him for ops going forward.

Bruce Springsteen

Back the next day to the same spot as Bruce, 3 original members of Deep Purple. Roger Glover, Ian Paice, and Ian Gillan. I wait then see the car. As I go there I unfortunately see Ian Gilian at the door. Try to call for him but to no avail. Then I get Roger Glover who is cool for the op. I start getting yelled at by the staff. But I manage to ask Ian Paice as I am getting yelled at and he does the op. I guess 2 out of 3 (including the lead singer) is pretty good.

Roger Glover

Ian Paice

Basketball coach Dan Hurley is in town. Since he was on Monday Night RAW I figured I'd go get him. I also got 2 players while waiting. Dan was nice and did the op and autographs.

Tag Team (Steve Rolln and DC, the Brain Supreme)

Around mid September there was an even with Glenn Youngkin. He may run for VP in 2028 and it wasn't far from my house so I figured I'd go get him. After the event I got an op. Although in hindsight this effort would be a waste because I would see him in a rope line in the future.

Glenn Youngkin

In mid September I would go for the music duo Tag Team, best known for the song "Whoomp! (There It Is)". After the show we followed them and they let us in their VIP room where they signed for us and did ops. Super nice people.

Full list of Little House on the Prairie Con ops

Septmeber Cons: Little House on the Prairie Con and Baltimore Comic Con

September would be a relatively low activity month in terms of cons.

In early September I would go to a small Little House on the Prairie con in Lancaster. I arrive there and the line is ginormous. Like, what the hell? To boot, admission was sold out and there was no way I could buy it. Another obstacle to overcome. I wait in line and Alison Arngrim comes out to greet fans lining up. I ask for a selfie and she does it. She was my main want so right there I'm officially on the board.

By miracle I improvise getting into the event. There are lots of lower names from the show. Everything was priced $10. I selected 3 names as I there are lots of cons coming up. I got Charlotte Stewart, Dean Butler, and deaf child actor Jonathan Kovacs.

Alison Arngrim

Later in September I would attend Baltimore Comic Con. I would have 2 main wants there. Actor Daneil Kash from Aliens, and comic book writer Karl Kesel who was involved in the Death of Superman story line.

First I get my photo op with Daniel Kash, then line up for Karl. I add him on two of the Death of Superman storyline paperbacks and add him to 4 comics books. Primary objectives are done. I also get comic artist Richard Case, Lee Weeks, and Keith Champagne.

Daniel Kash

Full list of Baltimore Comic Con ops

Death of Superman paperbacks

Signed Superman comics

Monday, December 23, 2024

Multi Day New York City Haul in September

Towards the end of September I would go to NYC. There were a lot of broadway names I wanted to clear up before New York Comic Con that was coming up soon and there was also a book signing with Lance Bass of NSync that I could hit up.

I arrive in NYC, commandeer my parking spot, and sleep. Wake up in the morning and it's off to a bad start. I go to a spot for Javier Bardem. I miss him by about a minute. He was rough around the edges and didn't exactly take care of everyone, but I probably would have had him. I go to the next spot but get nothing good. I think they're housewives. I try for Chris Stapleton at the next spot and he declined. So far a horrid day.

Go to the book signing for Lance Bass. I try to get an extra item before the signing but the guard cock blocks me. At the signing I get the op and the book signed. Outside the signing I manage to get him to sign my 8x10 despite the guard trying to say no.

Got to a spot where George Clooney is having an event and lots of celebs are present. Here is where I find something out just by checking an event on my phone. There was a screening with Hellen Mirren (who I have) and other cast members. And Dustin Hoffman attended that screening! He was not part of the cast but he just attended. To boot, everyone waiting for the cast got the op. Dustin Hoffman is someone I miserably failed on in 2012. And have constantly missed since. My heart was crushed. To boot, the guy is 87 so not many more opportunities will come up at this point.

Now in a stroke of magical luck, all the cast members left the screening, but Dustin himself stayed! This means there is another shot at him. I could have waited at the theater, or I could go to his hotel. I abandoned my current spot and go wait outside his hotel. I figured he probably would not stop at the theater since he did it for everyone going in.

Wait at the hotel, the event lets out, and sure enough he did not stop at the theater. By another stroke of magical luck, I'm the only one waiting at the hotel! Finally Dustin arrives as expected, I give him my plea, and he agrees to the photo op! Major unexpected score of the year right there! It went from a horrid day to an epic day right there and then!

Go back to the Clooney event to see what can be had, I see people I have leave such as Shailene Woodley, Keegan-Michael Key, Gabrielle Union, and others. But I had no need to fight to get them. I got a DJ named Mark Ronson and an update with actor Richard Kind.

Dustin Hoffman

Full list of Day 1 photo ops

Next day start at a spot mainly for Fred Hechinger (Gladiator 2). I get Hamish Linklater (repeat), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Fred Hechinger, Jimmie Fails, and Ethan Herisse. Daveed Diggs was there but I didn't bother to get that since I have him. Go to the Dustin Hoffman spot to see what can be had, and I score Luke Wilson (upgrade).

I go to the next spot for Cate Blanchett. Someone I've always failed on photo op wise. And given the crowd it was looking like history would repeat itself. She did nothing going in and barely signed while leaving fast. I got an autograph. I also got an op with Leila George.

Move on to the "easy" show spots. First one the main target is Mamoudou Athie from Jurassic World Dominion. I get a couple of barely valids in the show and then see him inside on his bike. I go up to him, he introduces himself, and is nice as can be. Next Show spot features Adam Driver but I need actress Heather Burns. I get Frank Wood and Kenneth Lonergan who I have but somehow I miss Heather Burns. I also fail to even get an Adam Driver autograph. This means I would have to return.

Fred Hechinger

Luke Wilson

Full list of Day 2 photo ops

Next day I start at the same spot as the prior day, this time for actor Brady Corbet (Thirteen). Adrian Brody and Felicity Jones are here but I have them both. Got Felicity Jones going in but it's slightly blurry. No big deal as I have a shot. Randomly leaving nearby was Timmy Trumpet. I get the op. Brady Corbet goes in and I get that op. On exit I get Adrian Brody but it comes out blurry. Again no big deal. But I get his wife Georgina Chapman who is an actress.

Go to the next spot for an upgrade with actress Saoirse Ronan. On entry she does nothing but I manage to score her husband Jack Lowden who is a fresh meet! On exit neither do anything.

Now back to the "easy" show spots. First up I wait for a big want of mine, Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Wait and as luck would have it she is the first one I see. Was nice, did ops, and signed. Score! Between entries and exists I also get Rafi Gavron, Anna Kahja, Melora Hardin (The Office), and others. Overall a nice clean sweep. Robert Downy Jr is also there but no one ever sees him. Thankfully I have a passable shot.

To the next place back where Adam Driver is, I got Heather Burns (Miss Congeniality, You've Got Mail) but I fail to get another op with Adam Drive. I score his autograph on a program. I'll take that. Heather was moving fast but I ran after her and asked and she was very cool.

Final spot for the evening is a late night spot. I would get lots of good names but sadly I have most of them. It was pandemonium but fruitful. I got Jean Smart (repeat), Jim Gaffigan (repeat), Dana Carvey (no hat upgrade), among others. Post Malone I got autographs since I already have an op. Chaos truly erupted when both Jelly Roll and Machine Gun Kelly came out. I almost got tackled by Jelly Roll's security asking for the op but Jelly Roll overid his authority. The black mark for the evening is failing to get Machine Gun Kelly who is want of mine due to his WWE connections. I guess you can't win them all.

Andrea Martin

Jelly Roll

Full list of Day 3 photo ops

My fourth and final day would be a day of relative rest as I would stick to the "easy" show spots. To boot I would get some much needed sleep. First spot is Meredith Garretson from Resident Alien. She was super happy to do the photo op. Always nice to start your day with names like that. Your day starts well as you got your first photo op, and you make someone else's day.

Next spot was for actress Gus Birney then found out about Saoirse Ronan has an event nearby. So I abandon ship and fail on Saoirse Ronan. No big deal I have a Saoirse Ronan shot and would try for Gus Birney in the future.

At this point I was debating if I should leave the city or try one more thing in the evening. Upon learning that director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall, Spectre) is there I decide to stay. The show breaks and I start getting people. Get Clark Gregg (update), Brandon Uranowitz (update), Richard Lumsden. Then playwright/director Jez Butterworth and finally a combo with Sam Mendes. Then get Bryan Dick (Master and Commander), Leanne Best (Star Wars Force Awakens), Laura Donnelly (update), Ophelia Lovibond (Guardians of the Galaxy), among others. This ended my time in NYC till comic con week.

Sam Mendes

Full list of Day 4 photo ops

Autographs obtained:

Autographs part 1

Autographs part 2

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Scattered meets throughout August part 2

Around mid August I would go for UB40, probably best known for the song "Red Red Wine". The current line up has 10 members, but only 4 original. The rest are barely valid. I already met 2 original members who are not in the current line up. Original lead singer Ali Campbell and Astro (who is dead). So it would be cool to add these 4 original members to the 2 I have.

The show let up and I wound up seeing all 10 members, every one of them was as nice as can be. Success. I should add this wound up being a better deal than the $250 meet and greet because in that op you had all 10 members and weren't even next to any originals.

The 4 original members I got are

Jimmy Brown
Robin Campbell
Earl Falconer
Norman Lamont Hassan

Full list of UB40 photo ops

Before hitting up Fairfax comic con I would do a flight for the group Shalamar. Two originals members Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel. I already have the third original member, Jody Watley.

First up is Jeffrey Daniel he is dazed and confused as to how we knew he was coming and why we would want combos from him. Was super nice and even chatted with us as we explained to him where he landed and where he's playing. Also got Howard Hewett who was also super nice. And both signed. And I got the barely valid Carolyn Griffey.

Shalamar photo ops

Next up a venue for Christian music singer Sandi Patty. She came out after the how in the lobby and was nice as can be, along with her husband Don Peslis.

Sandi Patty

Don Peslis

And finally a flight for Sam Sorbo, wife of Kevin Sorbo. She's not really a huge name but she was in episodes of the Hercules tv show. And since I had a flight I thought why not. She was super nice and I got a photo op with Sorbo's son who has some movie credits.

Sam Sorbo

Shane Sorbo

Saturday, December 21, 2024

WWE, New Japan, and more in August

On a day towards the end of August I go for Jake Paul, brother of Logan Paul. He has WWE connections hence why I wanted him. Going in the MMA event he didn't stop. So I enter the event and get an op with ring girls Janey Lee and Holly Barker. I later left to wait outside which was a fatal mistake because he apparently did combos inside after his segment. PUNCH!

While waiting out I get co owner of the league Donn Davis and figher/boxer Francis Ngannou. Some other people came out and I couldn't get them but don't know who they are.

Jake Paul finally comes out and he agrees to the op. Guards are physically trying to stop me despite that. I get the op but don't like the photobombing guards, so I run to the car and get a roll down shot. Stupid guards if not for them I wouldn't have bothered him again.

After this success it was off to the airport for WWE flights. First up, Michael Hayes. Wasn't too nice about signing but I get another op. Then there were 2 mass flights on opposite ends of the airport. The timing would have worked out if the flights were on time. But 1 flight was delayed and 1 flight was early. Meaning they were both landing at the same time. The worst possible outcome timing wise. One flight had Jacob Fatu, and one had Blair Davenport, both of whom I need. To add further insult, Tama Tonga (who I need) came in at the same time in another airport.

Wait for the first flight and saw Grayson Waller walk by. He barely acknowledged. Thankfully had no need to bother him. The first flight lets out. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fato were both dicks with Jacob saying he is still mourning his uncle Sika's death. This sucks because I need Jacob Fatu. I didn't ask Nia Jax or Tiffany Straton but Nia shot down on Tiffany's behalf when someone asked.

Saw Naomi who hugged me. I asked for autos. She said sure but no ops since she's not looking great. I said it's ok I have so many ops with her. She says "I know". Got her on my WWE_E V4. Then I rush to the other end of the airport as I don't want to miss Blair Davenport.

I arrive in time for the max exodus. Sadly my teammates did not make it in time so I have no one to take a cool Santos/Angel/Berto/Elektra group op for me.

I saw but didn't ask

Santos Escobar
Angel
Berto
Kevin Owens (who barely acknowledged)
Appollo Crews

I got selfies with Elektra Lopez, Blair Davenport, Isla Dawn. Then I go next to Blair who was next to Piper Niven to get Blair autos. She is nice as can be. I tell Piper that I got her before and don't need to bother her this time. She goes "no worries". I also get a selfie with B-Fab.

Jake Paul

Blair Davenport

Blair Davenport autographs

Two days later it was time for a book festival and a mass WWE outbound. At the book festival my main goal is author James Patterson. I bought the book from Barnes and Noble since it would be cheaper than buying it at the festival. They had said no posed photos. But I managed to score the op. On my way out I saw author Doris Kearns Goodwin was doing an interview and when she was done I got the op. Then it was back to the airport.

I stop by a hotel near the airport and run into Byron Saxton (who knows me). I shoot the breeze with him and he told me how he's going to visit some museums before flying out.

On to the airport and wait for check ins and see no one. Turns out most had already checked in! Now it was time to go to another part of the airport. I see both Jade and Theory just sitting down. Soon after they start lining up and it is chaos as 2 WWE security guards are trying to stop us yelling at us that they're trying to get on a plane.

I get a combo with Cody Rhodes (signed my WWE_E V4), I get a dual shot with the Street Profits. My first time getting both Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford in the same op. The whole time I'm trying to focus to find Tama Tonga. I see AJ Styles declining ops but I didn't ask him.

I saw Bayley, Indi Hartwell, Naomi, Tiffany, Nia Jax line up but I didn't ask them. I told Naomi to have a good trip. I saw Johnny Gargano and Candice Le Rae, Tommaso Ciampa, and Pretty Deadly arrive. I get an op with Tanga Loa but he shoots down autographs. This is my first op with him since the Camacho days.

As my dumb luck would have it, after everyone else is loaded on the plane and it's almost time for the plane to leave, Tama Tonga is seen running with Jacob Fatu. Of course Tama has the "I have a plane to catch" excuse and Jacob goes "we're still in mourning".

In hindsight, I should have done Tama Tonga at his inbound then woke up early for Blair Davenport. But presumably I would have had multiple opportunities at Tama Tonga leaving but that would not happen.

On to another flight saw Shinsuke Nakamura. And as I was leaving the airport saw Ilja Dragunov.

Cody Rhodes

Street Profits

James Patterson signed book

During the last days of August I would try for the first time in my life New Japan Pro Wrestling. First I would try an inbound flight for Hiroshi Tanahashi. I met him in 2011 but I thought it's enough of a big name to warrant an update and autographs. Since it's a flight from Tokyo I also hope for more people on the flight. Unfortunately I see nothing which is shocking. In a somewhat humorous incident, I see someone who looks like he could be a Japanese wrestlers. I ask him for an op and he doesn't even speak English. He does the op. But upon an image search turns out he's a Hispanic singer from Panama named Flex.

Flex

Next day it took a lot of hard work and time spent searching but I finally found the NJPW hotel. As a result of the time it took, I could only do them coming back from the show. I arrive at the hotel and get James Drake (fresh), Zack Gibson (upgrade). Sadly it turns out they are leaving via private plane to make the next AEW show. This meant Lio Rush and others I was hoping to get would be doing the same thing. PUNCH.

When the NJPW bus arrives it is pandemonium. I get Matt Vandagriff (fresh), Kevin Knight (fresh), Robbie Eagles (fresh), Mikey Nicholls, (fresh), TJ Perkins (downgrade), Tomohiro Ishii (update), Royce Issacs (fresh), Yoshi-Hashi (fresh), Hiroshi Tanahashi (update), Shane Thorne AKA Slapjack (downgrade), Dan Moloney (fresh), and Hiromu Takahashi (fresh). At this point an older Japanese lady is yelling at me demanding to stop saying this is private property. I see Zack Sabre Jr and others go upstairs while I'm being yelled at.

After this woman is gone the lobby is mostly empty. But Zack Sabre Jr (fresh) comes back down and I get him. Then I get Gabe Kidd (fresh). I see some NJPW women out and about and people at the bar. I wait for a good time to strike. But the women rat me out to the hotel staff and that ended my time. While I didn't get "everyone" it was still a solid sweep of largely fresh ops.

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Next day I had two flights at two different airports. Hiroshi Tanahashi leaving and David Finlay (son if Fit Finlay) leaving. And they were leaving around the same time. I chose to go to Hiroshi Tanahashi for some autographs because it was the easier airport for me. He was super cool. Got a great shot sitting next to him and photos signed.

Hiroshi Tanahashi

Scattered meets throughout August part 1

Early August starts with a flight for actor Jay Eillis from Top Gun: Maverick, Escape Room, among other things. He was super nice and signed and took photos no issue.

Jay Ellis

After this success I would try a play letting out. Photo op wise my goals were actress Lesli Margherita and Michelle Veintimilla (Firefly in Gotham). Autograph wise I needed Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Scarface) and Steven Pasquale (both of which I have ops with). The play also featured a plethora of barely valids and potential up and comers.

The play let out and it was a success. Got the op with Lesli Margherita. Michelle Veintimilla was super nice and signed and did ops. Steven Pasquale was rough but I got a combo. Mary Elizabeth was super nice and signed all my items including my Scarface laserdisc marking the fourth autograph on it. And I got 18 other ops.

Michelle Veintimilla

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio autographs

Other autographs

Next day I go for a flight with Liv Morgan and Bron Breaker. I have them both but figured I'd get some autographs and I was also hoping there would be more people on the flight. As it turned out Bron canceled and there was no one else on the flight. Flight was a let down but Liv was her usual friendly self.

Liv Morgan

311 (Tim Mahoney, Aaron Wills AKA P-Nut, Nick Hexum, Doug Martinez AKA SA, and Chad Sexton)

A radio station had an event with the rock band 311. I admit I'm not too familiar with the band, but you won tix and it got you free food, a free performance, and a guaranteed free pro op. Hard to beat that, especially in this day and age. To boot, you got all 5 original members. Unheard of for a band that released its first album in 1993. Ate some good food, got a free photo op. Then outside I got a selfie with the main guy Nick Hexum.

Nick Hexum

Now for a rare sports meet for me. Former NBA player Gheorghe Muresan who also co starred with Billy Crystal in a movie. First day I tried for him I missed him by 5 minutes. So I waited earlier the second try and I saw him. He was nice as can be. Even told me "hello shorty" and signed. He stands at 7'7, the same height as the Giant Gonzalez. I guess it's a forever preview of how a Giant Gonzalez photo op would have looked like. This has to be the tallest photo op I have.

Gheorghe Muresan

Next I try again the play from before, this time for more Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio autographs. I get some repeat photo ops, I get another Steven Pasquale autograph, and Mary Elizabeth signs for me again as she is her friendly self.

Then a Michael C Hall flight. Had him 1 on 1. Did 2 and the photo. I consider this an upgrade over my NYC photo from his play years ago.

Michael C Hall

On a day I went for a flight for Olympians returning from Paris. The main get was swimmer Katie Ledecky. First up is wrestler Kyle Snyder who is nice. Then Katie comes out and is mobbed but I manage to get a combo. And finally track and field runner Quincy Wilson who is mobbed and does it for everyone.

Later that same evening I went to a venue for Bare Naked Ladies singer Steven Page. He doesn't tour with the rest of the band. Waited after the show and got him and other barely valid names. He was nice as can be and signed all my Bare Naked Ladies albums, completing most of them.

Katie Ledecky

Steven Page