Some WWE meets and Olivia Newton John

One evening I decided to join adelta for some WWE meeets. Been so long since I did WWE so I figured let's see what can be fished out. I pick him up and we check out a spot. We know for a fact that Randy Orton and David Otunga are staying there. So odds are more people will stay there. 

At one point adelta has a fit saying another spot is better because many other people told him so. I tell him that in my experience it's 50/50 and we know people are staying here. But he insists he wants to try the other spot. I begrudgingly go with him. We arrive and see a combo hunter there. He says he saw no one yet. Time passes and we decide to go back to the original spot. Not minutes later Dana Brook and Charlotte arrive! I get combos with both and have them sign the inside cover of my WWE_E V2. Dana Brook is a great score for me cause I never got her before. So now my evening is not a complete waste. Of course while we were gone we find out Rusev and Lana both arrive, but neither one did anything for anyone. Wow what a punch in the face that could have been. 

Another shocking thing, this spot generally does not let people stay on their property. In fact they once called the police on me when I was on my own on the sidewalk! And other times they harassed me for being on the sidewalk! But this time was different. In fact the SECURITY GUARD was getting photo ops and said he didn't care what we did as long as we were respectful. I could not believe it. Me and Joresky usually call such people "baby killers" as they want to "abort" our precious photo ops. But this guy? I called him ANGEL! 

Anyhow, Natalya arrives and I get a photo op. Then Jojo arrives and I get a combo on my WWE_E V2. Another first time meet for me! Sasha Banks arrives and I could have used an upgrade plus her auto on the WWE_V2 but she says it's 2:30 am and denies all. I would have begged harder if I didn't have her already. 

Tony Chimel and Chad Patton arrive and I get photo ops. Got Chad on the referee page of my WWE_E V2. Bray Wyatt arrives and I get another photo op. He is nice as usual.  

At this point it's getting late and we decide to call it. And I wanted to get ready for Olivia Newton John in Lancaster, PA the next day. Sadly not the greatest WWE haul but at least I got two new names in Dana and Jojo and one semi upgrade in Charlotte (last time I got her was before she was in the main roster).   

Full list of WWE photo ops


The next day I head to Lancaster to try for Olivia Newton John. I arrive early and wait. More graphers also arrive including a carload of Philly graphers. 

We wait and line up on the railing. Sadly we are now told she is inside. Wow we never saw her go in. Someone asks a woman if we could do send ins she said she will ask the tour manager. Time passes and most graphers give up and leave. Soon after the tour manager says he was told we've been waiting a long time and he will take one item per person. Ironically most people who had been waiting left, and those who had been waiting 10 minutes gave in their tickets to get signed. Me and some others give merch. 

He comes back out and gives the tickets back signed in pen. Says the merch people will have to wait till after the show. I offered him money for the m&g (which was apparently taking place but I never saw up for sale) he goes "no it's ok"

So I go to Cici's pizza buffet, feast, chill, and come back and wait. Show breaks out like a hundred people are waiting. The tour manager says she isn't coming out to do it and is taking care of 40 people who paid for the m&g. Says we all have to clear the area. I said I would pay for the m&g and again "no it's ok". Wow they are refusing money. 

He then returns the send ins. Even though not seeing her was a punch, I got an extra punch because my item would have been perfect in black but was signed in silver while all other items were in black. Still better than the Philly crew who got nothing cause they left before they took items in. They even pleaded their case to the tour manager but he would hear nothing of it. 

Most people are cleared out. But later on the tour manager comes back and kicks people out again. Now we're dwindled even more. But people begin to give up. Finally it's raining and it's midnight, by now she is either sleeping inside or left. The tour buses never even left. The rest of us who waited give up and leave the venue. 

As a Master told me when I told him about my recent streak of successes "it's gotta end sometime". So I guess I was due for good PUNCH in the face or two. This 24 hours of my life I will never get back. 

Autograph

Robocop Vs Nash, Scares that Care convention

This day again starts at the crack of dawn, even earlier than Logan Lerman. A Master tipped me on a flight for Joel Kinnaman. Not too many things can get me up this early, but a decent movie name I don't have a photo op with is one thing that can. This guy was in the 2014 Robocop, Suicide Squad, and more. Of course that meant I had to get autographs for said Master. But since I wouldn't have had this opportunity otherwise I had no issue with that. 

So I get up at the crack of dawn and meet up with adelta. Again no NYC means no crowd to crush chances of success. We wait for about 45 minutes and there he is, no shades! Shockingly he is nice as can be. Not only is it uncommon for movie actors to be THAT friendly, but he was that nice at almost 6AM! Did photo ops, signed everything, it felt so alien especially when I was fresh off people like Chris Pine. I do wonder how long he will remain that nice. I'm guessing after Suicide Squad he will sour up and after a couple of years he will be hard. 

After this we mooched a celebratory breakfast. 

Photo op

Autographs

Later in the day me and someone else decide to go for Graham Nash. Photo op wise I have failed on him twice before. The first time I tried for him after a show he went in the bus and they took in items to get signed. I got two autographs. The second time was NYC there was a crowd behind a railing. I scream for a photo op he stands and says "take it" and when I said I wanted him in it he goes "too many people I gotta leave" (or something of that nature). Then I ran after his car and he did a roll down where he signed a few but I got nothing. 

This time I decided to try another strategy. Try him BEFORE the show. We both wait and see his SUV pull up. It's just the two of us. I ask him for a photo op and he poses. He has shades but I'll take it. He signed one per and firmly put the sharpie down. I then decided not to waste time trying for him after and to be happy with my combo. 

Sad thing is, between Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young he is the only nice one. Crosby is known to be a total dick, and for Stills and Young you have to pull teeth for them to do anything and when I tried for them neither one did photo ops. Stills even signed multiples but wanted nothing to do with the photo op and Young said if I don't put away the camera he would do nothing for no one.

Photo op

Autograph

Wow couldn't believe the streak of successes I've actually had lately. As another combo hunter pointed out I'm usually complaining about failure. I must say success sure does feel damn good for a change!

Another day I decided to go the Scares that Care convention. I needed four people and mainly Elpidia Carrillo from the first Predator movie starring Arnold. I arrive at the show and the hotel staff were dressed in horror related costume and make up. I don't believe I've ever seen that in any horror con before. 

Doors open and I go in. My first stop is Elpidia Carrillo who is sitting by herself and she chats with me. Soon after her handler sits by her. Honestly in all the time I was in the room I don't think I saw anyone else go to her table. She had lines only difference is Virgil is by himself but she had a handler to chat with. Some people had a constant line of 2-5 people at a time, some had the occasional people go up, but NO ONE to Elpidia. Damn I wish AJLe or Asian Dave gave me their items to get signed so I could have given her more business. Anyhow, back to my encounter with her, she said it was her first con and she thinks it's fun. Told her she was the main reason I came to this and she seemed flattered. I got a photo op with her. It truly is amazing that I saw people at Boogeyman's table but it was crickets chirping for her. If she did Monstermania she'd be a headliner, and if she did Chiller she'd be just below the Meat Loafs and Abe Vigodas of the world. 

I then stand in line for Bob Gunton and I get a photo op. Then to Rochelle Davis from The Crow who is only $5 for a photo op! Wow how wonderfully refreshing. Then Danny Lloyd from The Shining. This ended my wants. I then saw Boogeyman was only $10 a photo op and in the shot I got he has all black face paint. Here it's red and black which honestly is more his look than just completely black face paint. I figured if I'm ever getting that upgrade now is the time. He asks me if I watch wrestling I said yes. He asks who he is I go in Boogeyman voice "you're the Boogeyman....coming to get me!" which he marked out for. He gives me an awesome shot and I asked for a regular shot as well. Hate the regular one though cause he ruined it by putting his finger so close to the lens (which is sadly his way). Oh well I still got a cool shot for $10 so no complaints. 

I then browsed the vendors area a little then promptly headed out. I even saw former WCW wrestler The Maestro in horror getup. 

Elpidia Carrillo

The Boogeyman 

Full list of photo ops

A day of movie actors and then some

This day starts bright and early. Got a tip about an early morning spot for actor Logan Lerman AKA Percy Jackson. Me and another arrive at the spot. And here you appreciate spots that are not in NYC. A Logan Lerman spot in NYC of similar caliber would have at least 10 people if not more. How many were we here in total? Just two. Yes, TWO! Wow so beautiful I almost released tears of joy. 

About 45 minutes later he is spotted and he happily agrees to a photo op. He had an entourage but they did nothing to intervene. After the other guy gets his autograph I ask for an autograph but he refuses a second item in a friendly way. I then thanked him and said I was a fan and he thanked me. 

He seems like an overall friendly guy but he seems like the type that dislikes crowd.

Logan Lerman


Now I knew that both Chris Pine and Simon Pegg were coming to town, but I wasn't sure for what exactly. So I went to sleep. Later in the day a Master tips me on what they're doing. I then head down there. The Master was supposed to join me but he was delayed due to one of his minions not bringing him a vehicle on time. So he would not join me in time for entries.

Now this spot has like 4-5 ways to enter and exit. I arrive at the door I think will be used. I inform the Master and he tells me which exit to stand at. I quickly go there and not 2 minutes later vehicles pull up and lo and behind I see Pegg and Pine. Since I got Pegg in NYC before I ask Pine. He denies me one on one. I beg and plead some more and he denies again. He asks my name and shakes my hand. Even though he was wearing shades it was still a very painful blow off cause I don't have that photo op and he shook my hand but didn't pose. That's like your baby being born for 5 seconds and subsequently dying. Worse than an outright miscarriage. AND I had him one on one to boot which added to the pain.

Not long after the Master joins me. We both decide to wait a few hours for exits. Also it turned out Karl Urban was in the crowd that I saw. But since I wasn't looking for him I didn't recognize him. Didn't matter to me cause I got a perfect shot with him at NYCC. 

Finally exits happen. We see them. Again, you appreciate spots not in NYC. Just TWO people. By now that event had been tweeted and STILL no one else but the two of us. We try to beg Pine. He gives the same handshake routine but then the Master breaks him down and gets him to POSE! I couldn't believe it. After I took the photo op I begged saying I waited and I GOT THE SHOT! My reaction was this face 

After that we tried for Pegg. Again he tried the Pine routine for a handshake but was broken down again, albeit more easily than Pine. I get an upgrade since he has facial hair and spectacles in my shot. But since my camera was acting up I almost didn't get it so I panicked as the handler was rushing things but got a shot. Finally Karl Urban who was the easiest to get a photo op with, but I didn't bother cause he had a beard and that would have been a downgrade. I didn't know it at the time but Pine's one on one blow off was a blessing in hindsight because I got no shades shots here.

Chris Pine

Simon Pegg

Since it was late I decided to do something I was not initially planning to do. That was a Beach Boys concert 8 minutes away. I figured I put in this much time and it's right there, let me put in extra time. Arrive at the spot wait a little over an hour for the concert to end. While that is happening a show lets out and I see people doing combos. I get photo ops with all of them. I don't believe they are valid and still have not figured out their names yet, but ever since I passed on an unknown Kate Upton who was happily doing photo ops I never pass on anyone I see do a combo. Now Kate Upton is an impossible photo op to get, even denying photo ops to children. 

Barely valids

Rain starts POUNDING like I've never seen it pound before but luckily we can wait indoors. Finally Bruce Johnston exits and I ask for an auto. He goes "how many thousands of albums do you have" to which I reply just two. I guess he has been pounded by Masters in different cities for this tour. 

He does one (which I got Mike Love to sign before) but refuses a second. He also refused a photo op. Not a big deal as I have it already. 

Wait some more and Mike Love exits. Sadly I have nothing for him but get an upgrade shot.

Mike Love 


And the Autographs obtained

CSA sports show Chantilly

Surprisingly, I have only attended this show once before. In 2008 I mooched my way in and subsequently mooched a Pete Rose table op. Since then I have never been to it. Either the guest list never trickled my fancy, or the prices for those I was interested in were way too astronomical for me, or I was combo hunting elsewhere when the show took place, or a combination of the above three reasons. 

Finally, the timing was decent for me and they had Kevin Greene, someone I thoroughly enjoyed in WCW. Though his price was a tad high for me and I could find no one to split. 

I was almost not going, but due to some news of what was going on from in terms of table ops I decided to rush there. I arrive and immediately mooch admission. A good start. CM had an auto ticket from football and movie name Brian Bosworth. Sadly, both Bosworth and Greene were no longer at their table, and Greene may have left the building. 

Since CM had an auto ticket they took us in the back area to get his auto, then both me and CM scored photo ops! So I at least got one name. But we got some bad news when we were told that Kevin Greene is gone. 

Not accepting defeat on that front I asked someone else and he thought Greene was around. So I paid him the photo op price and got a ticket. He told us to wait. The guy searched for Greene but could not find him. Upon further research turns out Greene went to lunch and will be back to sign merch. We were told to check back. 30 minutes later we did just that, again taken backstage. One other guy then said we couldn't wait here then kicked us out. Minutes later he called us back in and me and CM both split a Kevin Greene photo op! Victory 

After this I promptly left the show. Coming here after they were done was in hindsight a fantastic decision. And here's why. 

Essentially for the price of what a Kevin Greene pro op would have cost WITHOUT digital copy, I got both Kevin Greene and Brian Bosworth photo ops on my own camera (since CM paid for Bosworth and I paid the Kevin Greene pro op price) AND I got admission (since that was mooched). So that's pretty much win/win/win on all fronts!

Brian Bosworth


Kevin Greene

The Hillary Clinton campaign ordeal

While I don't claim to be a Master combo hunter, nor do I claim to be the most active combo hunter there is, nor do I have the most autographs or photo ops, in terms of all the different types of settings that can yield combos, I have in all likelihood tried every single one of them at one point or another. And I can say with full confidence there is no setting more miserable, no setting more agonizing, and no setting more life draining than a campaign rally. I honestly feel like I shave off years of my life after the fact.

To boot. odds are generally not in your favor. When you do a rally you are essentially dedicating a full day to MAYBE get a couple of autographs, photo op, or combo. Additionally, all this time is allocated for a shot at one or two people. So you're dedicating the most amount of time for the least possible amount of targets in the most crowded and chaotic setting! You are actually setting yourself up for the most miserable failure that combo hunting can possibly produce.

Additionally, my track record for these events has never been very good. For instance when I tried for William Jefferson Clinton and Barrack Hussein Obama I got autographs but invalid photo ops each time. Other times I tried for Obama and got literally NOTHING. I once had success at a Romney/Ryan rally and got combos with both, but they lost. 

Therefore, my basic rule for putting myself through the most miserable and most painful time that can exist outside the walls of a hospital or prison, there has to be a good chance at a photo op I don't have. This is for instance why I won't be going to any Trump rallies. I already have two valid photo ops with him. Not worth it to maybe get a couple of autographs.  

Now comes the Hillary Clinton campaign rally. Hillary is someone I failed to get a photo op with multiple times in different cities. The closest I got to success was a book signing where I got the guaranteed signed book but she did no photo ops. But at a campaign rally, if you have a good railing spot, the tough to score photo op with Hillary magically becomes a Chiller guarantee if you ask her for it. And getting that photo op would mean I'm guaranteed to have a photo op with the next president (although may God have mercy on any legal US citizen if Hillary wins). 

So I very reluctantly embarked on this rally. Only two other graphers were there. One guy is a political Master who frequents these things, while the other was a minion who a Master dropped off on his behalf. I decided to stick with the political Master like glue. 

As we go in one woman tried to say my camera was not allowed. But I ignored that. Plus no way I was going through hell for a phone quality picture. But minutes later she came back to me and said she was mistaken. Then we went through security and they took away my blue thermos that I had since high school cause it was hard plastic. Dammit. Then I quickly run into the gym where the event was taking place, see an empty spot next to the political Master, and quickly grab it. It was also next to the entry way where speakers would go in and out. 

From then on the waiting game began. Had to sit through speaker after speaker till finally it was time for Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. The feeling of happiness flowed within my body when they finished talking, because I knew that regardless of the result, this ordeal was almost over. 

They then worked the rope line. First I upgraded my photo op with Tim Kaine then not long after it was Hillary's turn. I asked for the shot, and VICTORY! I got it! As a bonus I got a photo op with her Chief of Staff Huma Abedin who is actually valid and will become more valid if Hillary wins. 

In terms of items signed, she essentially signed mostly books but didn't do 8x10s, so the political Master got nothing signed by her cause that's all he had! But he did get the same photo ops I did and he got Tim Kaine autographs so not like he walked away with nothing. However, I got a total of THREE books signed, all full names, I could not fucking believe it. This rally was a sweeping success for me! To further increase this success, I had obtained the book for 10 CENTS each! 

As I left I saw the box of confiscated stuff. I looked through that and picked up my blue thermos. Then I celebrated this victorious day by feasting at a Chinese buffet. 

Hillary Clinton

Tim Kaine

Huma Abedin

Autographs

Some scattered meets in early July

Not long after my Hollywood Vampires m&g I decided to try for Kenny Loggins and some others. I arrive and wait and I'm informed that most celebs are gone. I brush this statement off and continue to wait. Then I see a van arrive with a sign saying Kenny Loggins. I'm excited. People come out but no Loggins. I am crushed. Then a woman tells me that celebs are gone. Since it's unlikely that two people are lying plus the fact that Loggins didn't come out of his own van added to the fact that it was late, I gave up in failure. Technically speaking the spot wasn't a complete waste as I did get photo ops with country star Cassadee Pope and singer Jackie Evancho. Both nice as can be. Here's hoping they make it big. Jackie is only 16 and already has a pretty impressive wiki bio.  

Cassadee Pope

Jackie Evancho


Next up I try for someone I failed on in the past, Jose Feliciano. He is old and blind so I was grateful to have another chance. I arrive at the spot and quietly keep my head down as I mooch my way into the spot. I caught the tail end of the concert and it finally ended. Jose then went in the backstage area. Me and a Master then mooched into the backstage area and got multi combos with Jose! Success! We then lined up with all other fans and got more autos. 

It is incredible how in this age where so many celebrities are stuck up drama queens, here is Jose Feliciano who is over 70 years old and blind. Yet he takes care of all his fans, has conversations with them, signs what they have, and takes photo ops with them. 

To boot, unlike Stevie Wonder he actually signs on his own. Granted you can't read what it says but it's his writing and it's consistent. So unlike Stevie Wonder valid autograph! 

Photo op

Autographs


Next up was Shailene Woodley. Got a photo op with her many moons ago when noone knew who she was. Nice as can be couldn't believe someone wanted a picture with her. Sadly fame has changed her. I failed on her since then. But I don't like my shot very much so I wanted an upgrade plus autographs. I had her incoming so I chose that instead of the event. I figure two chances are better than one. 

Arrive at the airport. This is where you really appreciate spots outside of NYC. In NYC she would have had 10-20 people waiting for her. But here it was just me, one other guy, plus a pap. Wow so beautiful. She arrives and to my astonishment she has no shades. But when she is asked for a photo op she refuses despite intense begging and pleading. She said to catch her at a Bernie Sanders rally she only does photo ops there. She even covered her face when I pap tried to film her. So my heart was crushed as I didn't bother asking for a photo op. I did ask for an autograph which she did. Then I begged for a second and she did that too. Horrible autograph but I guess it's her autograph. 

It was however the strangest thing I ever saw. There she was, looking plain, not wearing any shades, no handler, no greeter, no nothing. She was walking by herself, not even an SUV waiting. She even lined up with other people to wait for a cab! I guess she has a good level for fame. She blends in very well yet big enough to make tons of money.

I could have also tried the event the next day for the photo op, but I decided to quit white I was ahead. After all if she didn't do photo ops in such a calm setting I didn't predict she would do them in a more crowded setting where she would have handlers. 

Autographs

Shailene waiting for a cab


For reference, my old Shailene photo op

Hollywood Vampires m&g in Atlantic City

Fresh off Weezer, me and head off to Atlantic City. We had the m&g which was a guaranteed Johnny Depp photo op but we thought we'd try for stuff that doesn't the m&g, namely Depp extras plus other band members not in the m&g. I wanted a photo op with Robert DeLeo and an autograph from Matt Sorum. Drive around and we see Radioman plus one dealer waiting. Since Radioman was there I decided this was worth staking out. After all Radioman and Johnny Depp are known to be buddies. 

Where we were waiting was clearly on public property. Two guards then approached me and tried to tell me that this parking was for "higher ups employees" and that I should move my car. But it was clearly a rubbish statement as there were no employee parking signs and even if it had been employee parking it was on dirt and grass so zero chance it would be for so called higher ups. So I just ignored that request and those same guards stayed across the street. 

Time passed and more people began waiting. We would also be joined by Vanessa the Jersey Shore Stalker. 

More people began waiting including a NYC Master and at this point more guards came and told people they needed to leave. They also said if we had tickets to the show and we refused to leave we couldn't attend the show. Though I think there was zero chance this could have been enforced, we sadly decided not to take the risk and comply. Vanessa, Radioman, and everyone else decided to defy and stay but it turned out to be fruitless anyway. And as it turned out Vanessa came in the show no problem. So this "we will ban you" was total BS just as I predicted. 

What is rather interesting and surprising from this whole wasted ordeal, we got to see Radioman, for lack of a better word, humanized so to speak. Wow Radioman waited for Depp for hours just like we did. And just like us he failed. This truly shocked me because I was under the impression that Radioman had Depp on speed dial. 

Finally line up for the m&g, and it's my turn. I shake hands with Alice and Perry, then shake hands with Depp. I get 6 photo ops (First 2 had a sleepy Depp. Valid but would have been upsetting if that was all I had). As we left we got our pre signed photos. 

Now I originally wanted to go to a spot to try for Kenny Loggins and go home but Joresky wanted to see the concert. By the time we finished the m&g it would have been a 50/50 chance we would have caught Loggins at the spot. So I stupidly stayed. We did get front row spots at the concert and while the novelty of seeing Depp up close was cool, that novelty wore off after 10 minutes. To boot, after the concert was done we failed to see any of the other band members. And to make matters even worse I had to pull over and sleep. A total of 12 hours of my life wasted because I stayed for the concert. Would have been home by 10pm if we left after the m&g, instead I was home by 10am. This was a fatal mistake on my part that I have sworn never to repeat again for as long as I am alive. Perhaps if I got some Robert  or Matt I wouldn't feel that way, but no combos? Complete and utter waste of time taken out of my life that I will never see again. To further make matters worse, I had a ringing in my ear that did not go away till 2-3 days later. 

Hollywood Vampires group shot

Johnny Depp

Alice Cooper 

Autograph

Johnny Depp playing the guitar

Heroes and Villains and Weezer meet and greet

It was the fourth of July weekend and I embarked with for a con and what would shockingly be my first ever concert meet and greet! I'm not that big a Weezer fan but I do like a couple of their songs. I figured since the m&g was acceptably priced and it was right after Heroes and Villains I thought why not. 

Sadly after buying it I would find out that many of the Weezer photo ops were either invalid, blurry, or both! WTF? You're paying money AND it's not a guarantee? OUTRAGE! To boot, in some cities you didn't even stand next to the lead singer. I tried to sell my m&g but was not successful. So I had to chance it, which again is heart crushing when talking about paid meets. 

First stop is Heroes and Villians I arrive but forgot my ticket print out at home. Joresky gets his wrist band by submitting the paper outside but they tell me because it's on the phone I gotta go in line. WTF? The line is really long and I had to make a Robbie Kay pro op. So I mooched to the front of the line, got up to the counter, I showed the ticket on my phone, and they gave me a wristband

So I'm inside and first order of business is to split a Robbie Kay photo op with . Shockingly Robbie Kay is pro only. Before doing that I managed to split a Colin Donnell photo op with Greg. Then we rush to the pro op area and barely make Robbie Kay. After that me, Woodmo, and Greg all go to Caity Lotz. I already got a shades shot and missed a free upgrade in NYC by seconds. I was about to take a selfie and she got pulled away. Thankfully me and Woodmo partially mooched this one. I actually prefer this shot than what I would have gotten when I missed her by seconds. Cause the NYC one she dressed nice to go out, here she looks more like Sarah Lance.

After that I wait at Echo Kellum's table. Finally he arrives and I get a photo op. Then go to Charlotte Ross. She was about to leave for lunch but I pleaded my case then split a photo op with Greg. Then to Neal McDonough who seemed appreciative. Got a photo op with him. 

I then waited at Sean Pertwee's table (the last guest I needed). He played Alfred in Gotham. Finally he comes back and is as friendly as can be. Takes a regular shot and fighting shot. This marks my second ever Alfred. 

It was good seeing everybody at Heroes and Villains. And it was a refreshingly affordable con as most everything I got were reasonably priced table ops. 

Full list of photo ops

Caity Lotz

Neal McDonough

Sean Pertwee

Then it was of to the PNC Bank Arts Center for the Weezer m&g. When we were being debriefed by the tour manager one woman asked if we have to pay for the photo op. Really? How can people be that stupid. You already paid for the shot! 

The witching hour arrives and most of my fears are put to rest. 

You got to stand next to the singer - CHECK

Brian Bell, who blocked the singer's face in some photo ops, was no where near him this time - CHECK

Non-original member Scott Shriner was at the far end where he can be cropped - CHECK

This left two concerns, quality and validity. The former worried me because they did not use flash (although it was a nice camera). The latter worried me cause many photo ops were invalid. But me and Joresky were near the front so hopefully that meant a better chance at a valid shot. 

As it turned out my shot came out valid with everyone looking at the camera. But sadly quality was not ideal. It wasn't overly bad, but for a paid meet it should have been MUCH better. Sadly I don't think I could print a nice looking 11x14 of the whole band and I don't think I could print a nice looking 8x10 with just the lead singer. This is an outrage for a paid meet. But I suppose given all the things that could have gone wrong (validity, your position in the shot, the position of Scott Shriner) this isn't too bad at all. 

After this I was thirsty so I drank some water from the bathroom then sucked on some ice that I picked up from the coolers that were being used to keep drinks cold (NO WAY I was going to pay $6 for bottled water). Then I had to be completely miserable as I sat through the whole concert. Panic I am not a fan of at all, and Weezer might have been somewhat entertaining if the lawn seats we had weren't absolutely horrible. 

Here is how bad our view was. To me that ruins the experience of any show, no matter how good it may be. 

Weezer photo op, completely valid

This can be displayed in 3 forms, which is exactly what I wanted. The current line up, the three original members, and only the lead singer.