Scattered meets throughout June Part 1

To kick off June I would go for the band LA Guns. Two originals, Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis. I never got them but have other core members of the band. The rest of the current line up are barely valid. 

Unfortunately, both of them along with Johnny Martin went into the bus as soon as the show ended. Eventually Johnny came out the bus and I got him. Also got Ace Von Johnson and Dean Cramer. Tracii came off the bus and did the official meet and greet. But they made sure to kick us out of the venue first. After he was done with the meet and greet he was walking back to the bus, asked him for photo ops and he was nice as can be. Despite my best attempts couldn't get Phil Lewis to come off the bus. I guess 50% success is better than total failure. 

Full list of photo ops

Next evening I go to a movie set for actress Chloe East. Locate her and she is super nice. Also get director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax, Jungle Cruise, Black Adam) who is nice. 

Go to a music venue for the Happy Together tour. Sadly, I have most everyone there and it's full of barely valids. The band the Troggs best known for the hit song Wild Thing were there, but the only original member is Chris Britton and turns out he was not even there. PUNCH. Another rare band there was the Fortunes but again no original members. 

All the good names I got there were repeats. Got Paul Cowsill, Ron Dante, Jason Scheff of Chicago fame (who also signed for me), Susan Cowsill, Gary Puckett, Jules Alexander, plus a bunch of barely valids.

Chloe East

Full list of photo ops

Jason Scheff autographs

Couple of nights later I waited for DJ Martin Garrix at his hotel. He came out and was super nice. Then waited at a venue for the band Echo & the Bunnymen which has 2 originals. Will Sergeant comes out and is super nice and signs. Ian McCulloch comes out a little later and is not so nice but does photos. 

Walked to another spot where basketball player Jeremy Lin was. Since I was in town I figured why not get him. I remember reading about Linsanity. He was actually nice and did combos.

Full list of photo ops

Martin Garrix, Will Sergeant, and Jeremy Lin autographs

Next up go to Baltimore at an awards event. First see Raul Esparza and he is nice. This is an upgrade for me because he has a beard in my previous photo. Then got updates with Luke James and Lee Daniels. Then a fresh photo with Amanda Lipitz and yet another photo with Raul. 

Go to the next spot where my riding buddy wants Nick Jonas. I already have him. In a garage see Will Farrell's son Magnus Ferrell and Frankie Jonas congregating. Get photo ops with both and they are nice as can be. Both are fresh for me. Couldn't figure out Nick Jonas and this ended the night. 

Full list of photo ops

Couple of days later wake up early for a flight for country singer Rodney Atkins. Saw him ordering breakfast. Went up to him and asked for photos. He was super nice and also signed.

Later that evening went to a spot for Scott Eastwood. I got him with shades before so wanted to upgrade. After his event got a photo with producer Jonathan Saba and Scott himself was super nice. 

Rodney Atkins

Jonathan Saba

Scott Eastwood

Rodney Atkins Autographs

Next day I go for some UFC fighters hoping to see Dana White. Got a few fighters including Josh Hokit who went viral for saying Michelle Obama is a man. Waited for Dana White but he seemingly went out the side. 

Josh Hokit

Full list of photo ops

Next day I attend a mini concert with The Band Perry. The original line up was Kimberly Perry and her two brothers. The current lineup is Kimberly and her husband Johnny. After the show I manage to bum rush the stage and get Kimberly who was nice. Her husband went inside I asked her if she could bring him out for a photo and she did. 

Kimberly Perry

Johnny Costello

On a day I was on a quest to meet Dana White of UFC fame. I go to an event and wait. The venue is basically a house with a driveway and there's a pathway to walk in. 

While I'm on the sidewalk two security guards try to bully me and tell me I need to stand across the street. I fire back and tell them I'm on a sidewalk and they try to insist it's private property. 

After some back and forth the security guard said he's coming back to "remove me". He leaves, comes back, the removal never happens and after more cars come in I'm yelled at again saying I'm impeding the pathway of guests (I'm standing on the side pathway so I'm literally in nobody's way) and he's saying I'm making guests uncomfortable (I care about that as much as they would if they were making me uncomfortable). 

I then lash on him threatening him saying that if he's giving me a hard time for standing on the sidewalk away from the pathway I will deliberately stand in the middle of the pathway. He then lashes back about my rough tone at him then I finally tell him that if he believes I'm trespassing to call the police on me and tell them I'm standing here. He goes "thank you" then goes on the phone and seemingly fake talks to police. Spoiler alert, no cops ever showed up but more graphers show up and the bullying stops now that we have numbers. This spot is a bust as I only get Kaitlan Collins.

Finally 3 cars pull up with Dana White in one of them. They go on the driveway. There is no good ask and Dana White goes inside. The 3 cars then pull in a parking garage. 

Go to another spot to try and get some fighters then try another possible spot for Dana White later. Among others I get Alex Pereira who looks like he is about to enter an octagon. 

Then a tip pops up that Dana White's cars were spotted outside a local Barnes and Noble! Holy crap! Rush there and there were his cars! It felt as magical as when Nicolas Cage's car pulled up at his NYC hotel. At this point don't know where exactly Dana White is, but he indeed comes out of the Barnes and Noble. Ask him for combos and he is nice as can be. Wish I could have gone back to the security guards to rub the photo op in their faces, but the event would have sadly been long done. Try another spot get a couple more names and this ended the evening.

Dana White

Full list of photo ops

Dana White autographs

Next, I go to the airport with Bunny DeBarge of the DeBarge band (Rhythm of the Night). She arrives and describes us waiting for her at the airport as "sweet". She was super nice and took photos and signed my vinyl already signed by El Debarge. She goes "oh that's El's signature". 

Later that evening I went for actress Cocoa Brown from Ted 2. She did a merch table and was super nice. 

Bunny DeBarge

Cocoa Brown

Bunny DeBarge autographs

May cons: 80s wrestling con, Fax Expo Philly, Big Lick Comic Con, and more

After I left NYC, I went to 80s Wrestling Con in Jersey. There was very little I needed there but I helped someone out with his items and I got photo ops. Since I had everybody. this con was more about social fun than it was about photo ops. 

First, I got promoter Joel Goodhart who created Tri-State Wrestling Alliance which later became ECW. He was a free photo op. Never got him before. But almost all photo ops I would get were repeats, some updates some upgrades. 

I got Baron von Raschke, John Laurinaitis, Vladimir Koloff (fresh), and Harry Smith. Showed Harry my Hart Dynasty photo op and he got a kick out of it. Then got a dual shot with photographer George Napolitano and Bill Apter. Since I never got George before I also got a solo with him. 

Then I got a nice dual shot with Ray Rougeau and Jacques Rougeau, Boris Zhukov, Koko B Ware, and Jose Luis Rivera. I showed Koko our photo op from years ago and he didn't seem to recognize himself. 

Also enjoyed the watching Koko sing Piledriver and the Rougeau brothers singing All American Boys. The best part of this con was seeing old faces from wrestling cons the years. Including Ray Duct who beat cancer! 

Ray Duct

Ray Rougeau and Jacques Rougeau

Full list of photo ops

In May I would also attend Fan Expo in Philly and Big Lick Comic Con. Unfortunately, my top want from Big Lick, Tony Anselmo (whom Clerance Nash trained to voice Donald Duck) canceled. Prior to these I would go for bodybuilder and four-time Mr. Olympia winner Jay Cutler. He had a meet and greet at a gym and did combos. 

Went to a hotel where the Big Lick people are staying, got Daniel Kash (update) and Kaitlyn Robrock who currently voices Minnie Mouse (fresh). Go to the airport and get Bill Farmer AKA Goofy flying in (update). Came back to hotel saw Arryn Zech and Bill Farmer. Arryn declined.

Full list of photo ops

Autograph

Next day I went to Fan Expo in Philadelphia. My main want is someone I technically have, Mr T. But in my street photo op he has a hat and shades, making this a much-needed upgrade. 

Mr T was unfortunately pro-op only. I did the pro-op and he seemed happy to be there. 

After that I get Greg Weisman who created Gargoyles and Bonkers. Only got a photo op which he charged $10 for (if I got a $20 auto it would have been free). Then I go for artist Jose Marzan Jr who gave me a good deal. For $5 he signed my six Superman and Flash comic books and did a photo op with me. 

Then got comic books names Joe Quesada (update), Ken Wheaton (update), and Scott Hanna (fresh). Back to the actors I got Emilio Rivera (fresh) then I got Dominic Monaghan from Lord of the Rings. For years he has alluded me, so it was good to finally get one of the only remaining names from that Trilogy that are still alive and I don't have. 

I then get Frank Miller (update), actor Colin O'Donoghue (fresh), and actress Dafne Keen (fresh). Then I got a Brian Tochi autograph on my TMNT laserdisc. He played Leonardo so I guess I had to get it. I think my laserdisc is "complete" as there is little else I could get on there plus I'm running out of room. Then author David Wenzel (fresh) and actor Jonny Coyne (Fresh). Ended my time at Fan Expo with a David Morrissey upgrade.

Did some hotel rounds in Philadelphia. Scored singer Monica who was friendly. My riding buddy attended a VIP meet and greet with Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty of Airplane fame. But I already had them so I had no need. After this was done left Philadelphia. 

Mr T

Dafne Keen

Full list of photo ops

Superman and Flash comics signed by Jose Marzan Jr

Signed TMNT laserdisc with Brian Tochi (Lenoardo) added

Next day I go to Big Lick (the actual con). First, I get actress Catherine Disher (upgrade) and Ruth Connell from Supernatural (fresh). Then youtuber Meghan Camarena (fresh). Then I get a bunch of artists that are there. Go to the airport and get an update with Joe Satriani who was leaving plus 2 autographs. Then get DJ MAU P who was flying in. Wait to see some Big Lick people leaving. Got Ricco Ross (update) and saw Daneil Kash but didn't bother him. Bill Farmer declined someone for an autograph saying he can't do it outside of the con.

Full list of photo ops

Joe Satriani autographs

New York City: The Festivities of the Televisions

In mid May, I would spend the week in NYC and do the festivities of the televisions. I arrived late the day before, I commandeered my parking spot for the whole week, I slept, and I got up.

Since I had a little bit of time to kill, my first stop was entries for the "easy" NYC show spot. And my goal is Nathan Lane who has denied me every time I saw him for the last 10-15 years. I wait and eventually he pulls up to the car. He wasn't trying to stop but I plead for the selfie, and he BARELY does it as he rushed in. It's not the best, but I finally have a valid shot with Nathan Lane! A great start to my NYC week.

Go to the first hotel for the week, starts with Michaela McManus (updated shades shot), Jane Levy, Peter Krause, Jake Johnson. Jamie Lee Curtis arrives I get a horrible selfie but it's ok I have a good shot with her from her book signing years ago. 

I then get actress Gemma Chan from Crazy Rich Asians (shades sadly) then decide to bail on this spot for another one. In doing so I missed actress Jaime Murray who was there randomly. 

Didn't get too much at the next spot. Nina Marie Daniele, upgrade with Sam Witwer (Darth Maul in Star Wars cartoons), and updates with Gordon Ramsay and Joel McHale. This ended my first night.

Gemma Chan

Nathan Lane

Full list of Day 1 photo ops

Day 2 starts off on a good note at the last spot of the prior evening. I got a photo op with British actor/comedian Stephen Fry. Then got an update with Stephen Amell, fresh photo with Noah Beck and updates with both Jerry O'Connell and Michael Imperioli. Walked to another hotel and saw baseball player Spencer Torkelson and got a photo. 

Then to an event where access was horrible, but I got a photo op that has alluded me for a long time, Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame (and also WWE). He even took a polaroid of me and handed it to me. On exits I got Molly Parker (update), Thaddeus LaGrone (fresh), Noah Beck again, Brooks Nader (Baywatch suited update), Alex Rodriguez fresh but subpar photo op, Annie Potts update, Johnny Knoxville improved photo, fresh photos with Hassie Harrison and Jessica Belkin, and a Shay Mitchell update. 

Both Patrick Dempsy and Livvy Dunne were stopping but since I have good shots with both from before I didn't bother to fight for them. Went to another spot and saw Alex Rodriguez again. This time I got a better shot Saw others I had seen earlier and didn't bother to get them again. Final spot for the evening was a complete bust. I got a photo op with DJ Diplo but then I bailed on it in favor of McDonalds. But I heard the Off Campus cast and Shaboozey and did nothing. 

Brooks Nader

Johnny Knoxville

Alex Rodriguez

Full list of Day 2 photo ops

Day 3 was big in quantity but also big in disappointments. I start at the first spot for the day which was an error. Because this spot pretty much everyone I got was repeat. There was another spot I could have had Kit Harington who was there randomly (need a better shot with him) and other names I didn't have. Big botch. 

Next spot was another botch. Randomly there was actress Rosaraio Dawson. I got a sub-par shot with her (it's ok I have many shots with her) and she left. I had arrived early to get a good place in the railing and turns out it wasn't the best. I got some names then moved to a better spot where more people were being had but then the setup changed after I got there and I was completely screwed. Missed many names such as Tiffani Amber-Thiessen who I have and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) who I needed a better photo with. I did get lots of names some repeats some fresh. One name I got was William Reeve, the son of Christopher Reeve who appeared in the new Superman movie. Wow he looks so much like his father. Got Chris Carmack from Grey's Anatomy among others. 

Nathan Fillion and Tom Hiddleston both took care of everyone when they left but I already have them. Amongst my misses were actresses Camilla Luddington and Jessica Capshaw. I missed them because I was in the wrong spot earlier in the day. In this spot I missed them because of my setup SNAFU, and in the case of Jessica I even missed her last year. When they exited they did nothing. So I wasn't having it. 

I hopped in a cab to beat them to their hotel. The cab took a bad turn and a garbage truck was blocking it! What the hell? Eventually I got to their hotel and saw them both taking photos with fans. A complete 180 from how they behaved at the previous spot. I ran out the cab and managed to score photos with both! I also got a better shot with Chris Carmack.

After this I left the spot and missed Jason Winston George but I had him. 

William Reeve

Camilla Luddington

Jessica Capshaw

Full list of Day 3 photo ops Part 1

Full list of Day 3 photo ops Part 2

Full list of Day 3 photo ops Part 3

Day 4 starts at the hotel where I ended Day 3, but then went to another spot. I got M Night Shyamalan update plus an autograph. Got Kevin Sussman (fresh) and Lauren Lapkus (update). The setup was bad so I bailed and went back to the hotel to get the people coming back instead of putting up with the bad setup. This was an error because I missed actor Morgan Spector who would not come back to the hotel. 

I got Grant Show (update), John Ross Bowie (update), Noah Wyle (update), Katherine LaNasa (fresh), William Stanford Davis (update), author Rachel Reid (fresh), Brian Posehn (fresh), Camilla Luddington again (Jessica Capshaw was also with her but didn't bother getting a shades shot), Jesse Palmer (fresh), and finally Francois Arnaud (update). This officially ended events and hotels related to the Festivities of the Televisions. 

Go to the next spot for the cast of Testament to make up for some misses from the prior day. For entries I got Ann Dowd who I had gotten the prior day and in the past. Rowan Blanchard just walked in and declined. I said, "on the way out?" but she didn't reply. The others came in a van and didn't stop. For exits I got Chase Infiniti who I missed the day prior due to my bad positioning. I got Lucy Halliday who I had gotten the prior day, and then I ran over and got Rowan Blanchard as she was leaving. This was the one I wanted the most since she was in Girl Meets World. I was the only one to get her! Sadly, wasn't able to get Mattea Conforti. 

Went to the final spot for the evening which was the hotel for Nicolas Cage. I did not bother at the event which was a mob scene. The hotel also had a front and a back. 

There was a chance he would not come back to the hotel, and there was a chance he could come to the back IF he did. 

On the witching hour, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw his car actually pull up. It felt like something magical happened. He comes out says "hey guys" and was mobbed. In the chaos I manage to not only upgrade my photo op (no hoodie, no facial hair, nothing) but I also get the full combo! 

The autograph is horrid looking and on a blank, but hey he signed it and it's a valid Nicolas Cage autograph. Considering the odds were so stacked against me, I'm happy to even have an autograph to complain about. 

There was another spot with some of his Spider Noir co-stars Branden Gleeson and Lukas Haas. In all my excitement I didn't think of going there and trying. PUNCH!

Chase Infiniti

Rowan Blanchard

Nicolas Cage

Full list of Day 4 photo ops

With the Festivities of the Televisions in the rear-view mirror, I start at a spot but all I see is Brian Ray from Paul McCartney's touring band. Then I go to a spot for the Dexter: Resurrection cast. My only want there is actor Jack Alcott. First get is Eric Stonestreet. He looked at me and claimed to have remembered taking a picture with me before. I confirmed it was true. If his memory is legit, he has a really good memory because my last photo with him was pre COVID. Then I got Jack Alcott who was very nice and then an update with David Zayas. Michael C Hall didn't stop going in but thankfully I have him and was able to leave this spot. 

I stopped by the model/fashion spot where I planned to spend most of the rest of the evening. I got Bethenny Frankel but the photo op was blurry. Thankfully with ai this is no longer the death sentence it once was. Left this spot to go to a signing for Mike Ness, the lead singer of Social Distortion. It was sold out but I waited for him to leave and managed to successfully plead for a photo op despite his handler trying to stop me. 

Go to an "easy" show spot where my main wants are Michael Cyril Creighton and Sarita Choudhury. I see someone waiting there I thought he was a grapher. I asked him if the show ended. He said no and he is waiting for it to end so he can sleep on the steps. Apparently, he is homeless. I wait some more and it seems like it was never going to end even to a point where the homeless guy left and came back and asked me if it ended yet. 

Finally, it did end. Wait for actors to come out. First I get Michael Cyril Creighton who is nice then Sarita Choudhury who is also super nice. The next actresses to come out I already have, but I get updates. I get Daphne Rubin-Vega and Jennifer Tilly, both of which are their usual friendly selves. Now it's back to my model/fashion spot and another show lets out as I come back. I get a quick update with Adrian Brody. 

Next, I get a whole bunch of models and amongst them I get an upgrade with actress Tiffany Haddish and I get rappers Fetty Wap and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. Saw Rob Gronkowski but didn't need to fight for another photo op with him.

They also gave bags of Raising Caine's Chicken which they gave out to people waiting. I got two bags worth of free food. After the last photo op ended the evening, I went back to the show spot where the homeless guy had set camp. I saw his stuff on the theater's steps, but he wasn't there. I left him 2 boxes of Raising Caine's Chicken and a note telling him who put it there. After that I walked to my car to sleep.

Mike Ness

Tiffany Haddish

Full list of Day 5 photo ops Part 1

Full list of Day 5 photo ops Part 2

Day 6 and my final day starts with two actors from Off Campus. Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli come out and I get fresh photo ops with each. Then I go to an award event focused on theater. I get lots of names but mostly names I had. 

On entries I got James Carpinello (upgrade), Patrick Wilson (update), Caroline Aaron (update), Frankie Grande (fresh), Bryan Cranston (update), Carrie Coon (update), NIcholas Christopher (fresh), Alex Brightman (upgrade), Michael Kelly (update), Kara Young (upgrade), Kristin Chenoweth (upgrade), and Christopher Abbott (update). 

At the distance at a hotel I saw Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was his usual friendly self and I got another combo. Back to the pervious place I got Jane Krakowski (update), George Whipple III (fresh), and Joe Mantello (update). 

While waiting I also randomly saw graphers Mitchell Wenig and Stewart Wenig who were both in the movie Uncut Gems (during the fake Rolex scenes). I met Mitchell before never met Stewart. I got a dual selfie. Then got Victor Garber (upgrade) and Nichelle Lewis (fresh). 

Ruben Santiago did one going in. Missed him leaving. Didn't see Lea Michelle. Sucks cause I needed both of them. 

John Lithgow was a dick and didn't stop but thankfully I didn't need him. 

On exit I barely got Ethan Slater (fresh) leaving whom I missed going in. Said he had to pick up his child from school I said I would walk with you which I did. Then got Ben Vereen (update), Christopher Abbott again, Kerry Butler (update), Alden Ehrenreich (upgrade), Ayo Edebiri (fresh), and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (update).

My biggest miss here was actress Bebe Neuwirth whom I never got. When she left, I ran after her and begged and pleaded but she declined photos and said she would sign for me. I said I had nothing to get signed she then said next time she sees me she will sign for me. I gave up on the photo then said I had a blank she could sign she literally stopped walking. She even said she wanted to check if she had a sharpie, I said I have one. She signed a blank for me no problem. I find it incredible that she went out of her way to give me an auto but wouldn't want to take a photo. She also signed for another grapher who ran up after he saw she stopped for me. He tried to force a selfie but failed. 

Left this spot and when to a signing with baseball player Darryl Strawberry. It was over but as he left his event I managed to score a selfie. Then I hit the "easy" show spot for entries. 

Wait for entries I see actress Rachael Stirling and get the photo. I see Aya Cash with shades but I have no need to bother her. I see John Lithgow come in but I don't even bother asking. Bradley Dean is there randomly seeing friends and I get a photo op. It is looking bleak as I don't see Elliot Levey but when it's almost time for him to be there he finally shows up and is nice. 

Go to a spot for the movie Jack Ryan: Ghost War. Sadly I mainly got people I had and didn't get people I didn't have. Got John Krasinski (update), JJ Feild (update), and Krystal Joy Brown (fresh). Didn't see Betty Gabriel and Max Beesley didn't come over. Sienna Miller was there but didn't need her.

For the next "easy" show spot I go to Brooklyn and meet up with markedout admin Greg2600. After it lets out, I found out that my main want Alistair Petrie (Rogue One) left the play and has been replaced by the understudy. PUNCH. I got Ayesha Dharker who played the Queen of Naboo in Attack of the Clones and dwarf actress Francesca Mills. Also got other people in the show. Greg spotted actor Robert Glenister who was there to see his son perform. Got the photo op. Left Brooklyn and back to midtown to check out another spot for Jack Ryan. As I fumbled how to get there and walked there I saw Betty Gabriel walk in her car from the distance. PUNCH. After that I walked to my car and this ended my time in NYC.

Full list of Day 6 photo ops Part 1

Full list of Day 6 photo ops Part 2

Now let's look at some autographs obtained:

Carrie Coon, M. Night Shyamalan, Bebe Neuwirth, Chad Smith

Bruno Tonioli, Nicolas Cage, Noah Wyle

Sting upgrade and more

Go to a hotel where a few celebrities are staying. First spotting is actor Jonathan Banks. I get an updated photo but he ignored my autograph request. Then get Mary McCormack, Mickey Guyton, and Andy Grammer. Sadly, all updates or upgrades, nothing fresh. 

Later that evening, I decided to try for an upgrade with another big name. This time Sting. Not the WCW legend Sting, but the legendary musician Sting. I first went for Sting in April 2010, over 16 years ago. He wasn't really trying to stop but I manage to get a couple of walk along shots. The photos from that day aren't the best quality. So, this was at least a repeat name with some meaning. 

A few years later I saw Sting again at an event with other people. Couldn't get another photo but I got autos. I also saw him another time in NYC where he was giving out autos but I didn't get one. 

Now fast forward to May 2026 many years since I last saw Sting and over 16 years since my photo op with Sting. He was doing a show on a very rainy night and after the show he went to the airport to fly out. I manage to see him there and hope to get a combo. He took a photo op with someone but didn't want to take a second one with me. 

I then ran after in the lobby, and he was ignoring me and his people began shooing me away. I was now outside in drunk and salvage mode trying to get his guitarist Dominic Miller who was smoking a cigarette. 

While waiting for him to finish smoking I look in the lobby and see Sting is still hanging out. I go back inside and try to beg more, and his people try to stop me. But then he signals for me to come on over. I then selfie it and successfully got the photo op. I attempted to ask for an autograph, but he was not having it. Go back outside to wait and get a photo op with Dominic Miller.

Overall, not a bust because I consider this photo op an upgrade over my photo op from 2010. And I got Dominic Miller who was the guitarist in all of Sting's solo albums since 1991 (starting from the third solo Sting album).

Two takeaways from this: 

Sting is still rough around the edges 16+ years later. He hasn't changed for the better or for the worst. 

At 16 years and 1 month, this may be my longest gap between getting a photo op and getting an update or upgrade photo op.

Sting

Full list of photo ops

Fresh off my Sting success I go to a flight the next day for Ryan Cabrera. He is super nice and I get an upgrade plus autographs. I find out NFL player Vince Wilfork is flying in so I get a photo op with him. 

Back to the hotel from the previous day. I get an update with Noah Wyle plus autographs and I get a photo op with his wife Sara Wells (who is a minor actress). I see Jonathan Banks and tried to ask for autographs but he outright declined autographs. I see Gary Sinise and get an autograph. Had no need for another photo op. My day ended with a 14 year updated photo with actress Melissa Leo.

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout May

May starts with the M3 Rock Festival. One of my main wants the original guitarist of the band Boston, Barry Goudreau. Get the combo with him. Get an update with longtime drummer of Typo-O-Negative Johnny Kelly, and some others. 

Then go to another city to a venue for R&B singer Lisa Fischer best known for the 1991 song "How Can I Ease the Pain". She met fans after her show and was nice as can be. I also got her opener.

Full list of photo ops

Barry Goudreau autograph

Next day I go back to M3 fest. My main want is the original lead singer of the band Faster Pussycat, Taime Downe. Starts with an update with Mike Tramp who the week prior was charging at Chiller. Got Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot updated photo op and also got him to sign. Then get Taime Downe and his barely valid band members. Also get a Barry Goudreau combo again.

Then I get word that actor Omid Abtahi (The Mandalorian) is doing a signing at a comic book store. I'm over an hour from said store. So, I bail on this spot and I rush there and go through tolls. I make it with plenty of time and get the photo op. 

Then a flight for comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. Already got him but I was commissioned for autographs. He remembered me from the last time. Also got his openers. 

Final spot for the evening is for Graham Parker of Graham Parker & the Rumour. After the show he comes out and is very nice. Get a photo op and some autographs. 

Barry Goudreau

Taime Downe

Omid Abtahi

Graham Parker

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Couple of days later I wanted to try for George Thorogood (Bad to the Bone) at a venue. Sadly never saw him and he seemingly drove out of town. I only got his barely valid band member Bill Blough. Bust.

Bill Blough

Next day I was given a meet and greet for a country band called Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The band has 2 original members and 1 longtime member. The rest are barely valid. At the meet and greet I got my 2 vinyls signed (which by luck are valid for all 3 of the members you want to get) and I get photo ops. Sadly, the venue wouldn't let me take my camera inside so I couldn't use it for the meet and greet. SMH. But I waited outside after the show and got individual photo ops with the 3 members using my camera. 

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Next, I go to a venue for Vanessa Carlton, best known for the "A Thousand Miles" song. If you bought merch after her show you could stand in line and meet her. She wasn't trying to do photos but would sign merch that you bought. I bought the vinyl (which stung) hoping I could end up pleading for the photo op. And indeed, I did. Success! 

Vanessa Carlton

Autographs

Next day shortly before leaving to NYC for the festivities of the Televisions (report coming) I went for the band Lords of Acid, best known for the Pussy song. Unfortunately, the line up only has one original member touring, Praga Khan. The lead vocalist is singer/actress Carla Harvey who isn't original. However, Praga Khan also composed and played the iconic Mortal Kombat theme song of the early 90s. He fellow Lords of Acid band member Olivier Adams who also played on the theme song sadly doesn't tour.

Waited by their bus and got blown off by the barely valid members of the bands including Carla Harvey. Saw Praga and he was nice as can be as he signed and did photos. Also saw Princess Superstar who is opening for them. She was super nice for the photo op.  

Praga Khan

Princess Superstar

Autographs

No rest for the weary, a couple of days after a week in NYC (report coming) I was nearby at a venue, and the show was ending shortly. Playing was Tony Lucca. So I thought let's go. He was in the Mickey Mouse Club, has studio albums dating back from the early 90s into the 2010s and later. Finished third place on the voice. It is a small venue. 

Mooched inside the venue after the show and it was the most fascinating sight. Inside where people of all ages. From kids to older people. And it was well attended. In a place where typically the only graphers are myself and people I know, there was people that had multiple CDs to get signed. And unlike most of the other times I was there, people were staying to meet. Usually most people leave and don't stay. It felt like I was in some kind of alternate reality. What am I missing? What is so popular about this guy that he would attract such a varied and quantified spectrum of people. The mind boggled. It made no sense to me.

Tony Lucca himself was super nice, as where the two people playing with him, Ernie Halter and Keaton Simons. 

Full list of photo ops

Couple of days later I went for a Rachel Platten, best known for the Flight Song. She wasn't do friendly, barely did the photo op, and wouldn't sign. 

Rachel Platten

Next day go to Rachel Platten's event which also featured actress Caterina Scorsone (who I have). Was hoping to maybe get a better shot with Rachel. Start off at the event then check a hotel for baseball player Keith Hernandez who was also in Seinfeld. Not long after arriving he pulls up in a car. He wasn't very nice and begrudgingly did a photo op. 

Back to the Rachel Platten event and it ends. See Caterina Scorsone sitting around and she was super nice. So, I got an upgrade. Never saw Rachel. Went to another spot for Noah Wyle but it was dead. Went to check out a show to get some actors but the web site had the wrong running time and it was over. 

Keith Hernandez

Caterina Scorsone

The next evening, I go back to the show. Wendell Pierce is the star of the play, but I have him. Lucas Iverson (The Pitt) and Ben Turner (Dr Who) are my main wants. This time I had the correct running time. First off get the barely valid Todd Scofield. Then Lucas Iverson comes out and is super cool. Actress Melanie Field comes out next and remembers us from before. Then the barely valid actress Olivia Cygan. And finally, Ben Turner who is super cool. Never see Wendell so he must have come out a different way.

Full list of photo ops

Next day starts at the train station for Stephen Colbert. He wasn't overly nice but stopped. I got his book signed and an updated photo op. Next to the airport get an update with Andy Grammer (had nothing to get signed). Later that evening I went to a venue for Chico DeBarge. After his show he charges $20 for the meet and greet at his table. I got the combo. 

Stephen Colbert

Andy Grammer

Chico DeBarge

Autographs

Towards the end of May I went for country singer Steve Earle who also was in The Wire. After his show, his opener Zandi Holup was meeting people in the lobby. Got a photo op. Then went outsdie and got Steve Earle. He was cool. Went to another spot to see if I could catch Charlie Puth but he was seemingly gone. I got Brandon Brown aka Pastor Funk. 

Full list of photo ops

Chiller Theater in April and NYC meets

I would arrive at Chiller Theater Friday. This one had quite a few wants for me. First, I get Caroline Williams (Days of Thunder), then Barry Corbin (Dallas), Grand L Bush AKA Balrog from the Van Damme SF2 movie (also in Lethal Weapon 2 and Die Hard), and Heather Locklear (Melrose Place). Finally get Sally Struthers (Dinosaurs, All In the Family, TaleSpin) who has alluded me for over 10 years. She was sadly pro-op only. 

Then get Dominique Swain from Face/Off and Lolita. And after that 89-year-old Dyan Cannon (Heaven Can Wait, Revenge of the Pink Panther). And then one of my top wants, Christopher Lambert AKA Raiden in Mortal Kombat and also from Highlander. Lambert was looking bad and he is not even 70.

After Chiller was done for the evening saw actor Reno Wilson (fresh) and got a photo op. He was a voice actor in the Transformers movies and was in 10 episodes of the Cosby Show. Also got Diana Lynn who recognized me from the semi viral Boy George video. Got UFC fighter, wrestler, and actor Don Frye (fresh). Got updates with Burton Gilliam, Megan Ward, and Barbara Crampton. Then got Tsutomu Kitagawa (update) Hurricane Ryu (fresh) from Godzilla fame. Got the dual shot with Drac and Countess Carita. Final shot for the evening is actor Tripp Bryant randomly walking around. 

Sally Struthers

Heather Locklear

Dyan Cannon

Christopher Lambert

Full list of Chiller Day 1 photo ops

Next day at Chiller I start with Pamelyn Ferdin (Lucy Van Pelt in Charlie Brown cartoons, also in The Beguiled starring Clint Eastwood). Then I get Keith Hopwood of Hermin's Hermits fame. Keeping with the music groove I get former Rainbow drummer Chuck Burgi. I didn't like my Grand L Bush photo op from the prior day, so I went up to his table and was allowed a retake. 

Then I get Wataru Fukuda of Godzilla fame, Johnny Brennan of the Jerky Boys, and Ken Lerner (principle in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, also in The Running Man where he gets stabbed by Arnold). I then stand in one of the longer chiller lines for David Clennon, who is a rare guest from The Thing and one of the last people I still need from this movie. 

Then get Darcy DeMoss (Friday the 13th VI, Can't Buy Me Love), Scott Colomby (Caddyshack, Porky's), Lisa Pelikan (Ghoulies, Return to the Blue Lagoon), Rutanya Alda (Rocky II, Amityville II), and Jocelyn Jones (The Enforcer starring Clint Eastwood). 

Grand L Bush

David Clennon

Full list of Chiller Day 2 photo ops

With Chiller largely in my rear-view mirror, I now set my sights to some of the "easy" NYC shows. It was Saturday just after Chiller Theater. Rain was pounding all day and scheduled to pound all night. I was at the second ever marked out social hanging out. After drinking water I decided that despite the rain I wanted to try some of the NYC shows. 

I was hesitant to even try, but I figured my main want for the evening, Rebecca De Mornay (Risky Business, Runaway Train) would take place indoors and that ends in about a week. So, after much back and forth, I left the marked out social, set the GPS to avoid tolls (at least the Jersey ones), and then headed to NYC. 

My first stop was Rebecca De Mornay. Found my way inside and waited. About 10 minutes later she came out and was friendly. Signed and did photos. I'm now officially on the board!

Next show was mainly for Patrick Ball (The Pitt) and secondary for an autograph from Alden Ehrenreich AKA Young Han Solo (I met him before so didn't need the photo op). I drove my car there and found nearby parking. I begrudgingly paid $6 for an hour's worth of parking (usually I find free parking and just walk all over but all the rain put a literal damper on that strategy). 

I wait, the show breaks, and Patrick comes out and I get the photo op. Alden Ehrenreich comes out and signs my magazine then I get an updated photo op. Sadly he was using a horrid black sharpie so that was botched. 

After this I decided to bail and go back to the car since I already had photos with the rest of the actors at the show. I then drive to the Megan Thee Stallion show and park my car nearby.

Again, supposed to pay for parking as we are about 3h till that parking spot becomes free. But this time I decide not to pay the meter. I then commandeer my railing spot and the show breaks. 

I really debated if I want to wait in the rain and risk a parking ticket rather than simply bail and get some rest. Plus, I had just found out about Jason Bullock's death which didn't help my desire to say. I was almost going to call it and drive back to Jersey. But then I thought, Jason would have wanted me to stay.

Waited in the pouring rain and Megan Thee Stallion would not come out till about 1am! That was quite the agony and torture. As she works the railing and is near me I ask for a selfie and get the posed shot! Success! I then walk down the street to my car, shivering and my heart pounding, and thankfully no $65 ticket on my windshield! Thank you Jason Bullock for looking out. I then drove back to the Chiller hotel (100% toll free of course). And as I arrive I get a photo op with Jeffrey Scott of Warriors fame. 

Rebecca De Mornay

Megan Thee Stallion

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Final day at Chiller was a light one as I just hung out with some buddies and I got a photo op with singer Chris Farlowe who is best known for the song "Out of Time". This ended Chiller weekend for me.

Chris Farlowe

Jason Bullock's last ever con, and Jason Bullock's last ever meet

April would see the death of my long-time buddy Jason Bullock, who ended up succumbing to heart disease at 72. In this report will visit his last ever con and his last ever meet.  

His last ever con would be Steel City Con. Drove him there and he spent over 1K on autographs for around 10 celebrities, most notably his one of his favorite actresses, Patrica Arquette. 

My first get there is one of my main wants, actor Josh Duhamel from the Transformers movies. Then get drummer Rikki Rockett of Poison fame, which now means I completed the band.

Then I got Karla DeVito from the Bonkers cartoon, Allen Covert from Adam Sandler movies, and one of my other main wants from the show, Lori Loughlin of Full House fame. This practically completes my Full House cast minus the Olsen Twins. 

Then get actor Ty Simpkins from Jurassic World, finally after many years of skipping I got Tom Kenny AKA SpongeBob, then move to get some of the artists on site. 

Back to the main guests I got a free update with Doug Bradley AKA Pin Head and an upgrade with Child's Play director Don Mancin. Then get actress Emma Kenney (Shameless, Rosanne). My final photo op at Steel City was Corey Taylor from Slip Knot. 

Jason with Patrica Arquette

Josh Duhamel

Lori Loughlin

Full list of photo ops

Jason's final meet would be at the airport the Wednesday before Chiller Theater. We went for actor Andy Serkis. Traveling with him was his wife Lorraine Ashbourne who is also an actress. We see them and I explain to Andy that Jason is in bad shape and that he may be his final in person autograph (which sadly turned out to be true). 

While Jason was getting his stuff together, I got a photo op with Lorraine and I got Andy to sign my stuff. Andy then signed Jason's book and I prepped for them to take a picture. As Andy posed, I signaled to Lorraine to join the photo op which she promptly did (this was the quickest I've ever seen any celebrity enter a photo op). I took the photo with all 3 then I got an update with Andy. We thanked them all and they were on their way.

Jason would sadly die 3 days later, the Saturday of Chiller Theater. 

Jason obtains his final autograph

Jason's final photo op

Lorraine Ashbourne

Andy Serkis

Autographs