Celebrity Meet and Greets

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Final con of 2021, Wrestlecade in North Carolina

I decided to attend Wrestlecade in Winston-Salem, NC. The con was PACKED with names. But my wants there were few. I had someone to travel with and split costs. So I thought why not make it my last con for the year. Especially since Boris Zhukov was there and there aren't very many left from the golden age Hulk Hogan era that are both alive and I have never met. Bushwacker Butch is another hopefully he comes around in 2022.

Also I knew someone with lots of items to get signed, so I was able to get a few upgrades/updates for free! Pierre Carl Ouellet was the only repeat shot I paid for.

First off I get Brock Anderson, son of Arn Anderson. Then I get a dual shot with him and his father. Then I get Fallah Bahh of Impact Wrestling fame. Then my main want from this show, Boris Zhukov. I get him on the Bolsheviks entry of the first WWE_E. I also got him on my NWA poster as Private Jim Nelson.

Next up, I go to Pierre Ouellet of the Quebecers. Amazingly he made a return to wrestling and is now known as PCO. I got him before as Jean Pierre Lafitte. But he was wearing an eye patch to portray the character so I wanted a photo op with no eye patch. I got a photo op with him and got him to sign the Quebecers entry of the first WWE_E. Unfortunately I didn't get the op I really wanted because he had all kinds of things on his face and head (correlating to his current gimmick). I wanted a Pierre Ouellet op not so much a PCO op. He also did ops with crazy eyes I asked for a regular eyes shot but that didn't help too much.

Then I finally meet Chelsea Green. And it was off to Sting. I didn't need him but since I had the chance to get a free update with Crow Sting I thought why not. Though they used their own camera for some reason.

After Sting I improve my shot with the Rock and Roll Express. Then Jay White of Impact Wrestling and New Japan fame. I meet the children of Billy Gunn, Colten Gunn and Austin Gunn. Then Thom Latimer AKA Bram from Impact Wrestling.

Next up, Allysin Kay AKA Sienna from Impact Wrestling. She is now part of a tag team called Hex with Marti Bell. I got the dual shot. And I got a dual shot with Jackie Fulton and Bobby Fulton (both of which I had single shots with before). Got Danhausen of ROH fame since he wasn't expensive and has the cool gimmick.

I see Baby Doll again and say hi to her since she knows me. I get another shot with her. And finally ended things with a Matt Hardy upgrade. As shocking as it may sound, I never got a good shot with him. My airport shots from many years ago he has hat and shades. And my Hardy family op from MCW he has facial hair and is obstructed by Reby Sky and King Maxwell (so I can't really crop them out). So that was a cool way to round up this con. Funnily enough as we were leaving we see Matt Hardy walking the street, and I get a selfie for shit and giggles.

Boris Zhukov

Matt Hardy

Ful list of photo ops (minus Sting)

Sting photo op

Some scattered meets in November, including a sports meet!

Early November I would go for boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. I don't normally go for sports but I was nearby for other stuff and he's a big name and I had his flight. So I figured why not. He was super nice. I asked him if he would remove the mask and he put it down. And got him to sign a boxing glove. Success!

Next up, comedian and actor Bobcat Goldthwait from the Police Academy movies. Came out of the venue and was super nice. Removed mask without asking, signed.

Then I went to NYC for a non-combo related endeavor. So I stopped by to get a name I missed, namely Alley Mills AKA the mom from Wonder Years. She is the last person from the cast that I never met. First I get Jonathan Spivey in the show program (didn't get his autograph the last time). Then I get Dan Lauria to sign an 8x10 of both him and her.

When alley comes out she is super nice. Got the photo op and got her to sign 4 items including the show program, She was even asking me where I got the solo pic of her. I then go to a spot to wait for actor Simu Liu. He eventually arrives and despite only a handful of us, he sadly blanks. This ended my time in NYC for the rest of 2021

Sadly my cast shot is still missing Josh Saviano AKA Paul. Wasn't able to get his autograph when I met him.

Leslie Odom Jr from the Murder on the Orient Express remake. Had his flight and wait for him. He comes through, stops and is super nice. After the autographs I go for the photo op. Sadly he declines to remove the mask. Fail.

Full list of NYC photo ops

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

An evening in New York City after Atlantic City

After I was done with Atlantic City, it was off to New York City. I found free parking just a few blocks from Times Square. And right there and then I was in the vicinity of where I needed to be. Score!

For my first spot I try for actor Hunter Parrish. Jeff Daniels is also there but I have him and he's not nice anyway. As the spot let out they said celebs wouldn't be stopping but you could watch them leave. Of course this doesn't deter me as I know I can follow the celeb for a block or two and ask anyway. I see a guy with a mask leave and wonder if that's Hunter. Turns out it was indeed Hunter and by the time I figured that out he was lost in the crowd. Fail.

Off to the next spot. At this spot is actress Patty McCormack from The Bad Seed and the TV show The Ropers. Judith Ivey was supposed to be there but she got injured. Thankfully I have her and needed most everybody else besides her!

To boot, everyone at this spot was super nice and super friendly. And there would only be one other combo hunter besides me. If only it could always be this way I would actually enjoy doing this more.

First up stage actor Jonathan Spivey. Spivey was wondering "who is this for?" when I wanted my op. First I clarified that I wanted a photo with not of. Then he asked again "who is this for?" Not sure what he thinks I was going to do with it. But I simply responded "for me". He took the op.

Then Dan Lauria from Wonder Years. Met him a few times but got some photos signed, the show program, and an updated op. Then get actress Alma Cuervo photo op and autograph on the show program.

After that Tony Roberts who has been in Annie Hall and other Woody Allen movies. Got the op and the autograph on the show program. Actually wish I printed photos for him.

Waited and Patty McCormack comes through, along with actress Lindsay Crouse. She is super sweet. Signed my 8x10s, signed my program, and took a photo op. As her and Lindsay were calling a car I waited a few feet from them cause I still needed Lindsay. Patty asks me who I'm waiting for and I point to Lindsay. She tells Lindsay that I'm waiting. Then I get the photo op and autograph on the program.

The other combo hunter notices a man riding a bike. He thinks it's John Rubenstein. I chase the bike, it's now across the street. I yell "JOHN" and it is indeed him. He waited till the walking light changed so I could cross the street. Asked him for the op he goes "with my helmet on?" and he removed it and I took the op. Then got him on the program. Sadly did not see actress Alley Mills (the mom from Wonder Years).

Head on to the next spot to try for actor Simon Russell Beale. I wait for the spot to let out then eventually see him with a mask. I ask for the op he is hesitant but agrees and puts down his mask. I get the op. I ask for the autograph on the program he goes "we're not supposed to" as he got whisked away.

Sadly I forgot to wait for actor Adrian Lester who has been in some movies. Adam Godley was there as well but I had him already.

Then I meet up at a spot with Vanessa the Jersey Shore Stalker to get the info for the next and final spot for the evening.

When there I see epicness. Sadly epicness in both Ryan Reynold and Blame Lively completely blank. Taylor swift is there and also blanks.

Anya Taylor-Joy, Sadie Sink, and Sophie Turner also do nothing. I need Anya already have the other two.

I got a repeat shot with Zazie Beetz from Deadpool 2. Actor Jonathan Majors comes and he is super nice. I even get another shot as he leaves because of a photobomb. I get a photo op with actress Mckenna Grace from Ghostbusters Afterlife. She is super nice. I also get actor Paul Hauser from Cruella.

Sophie Turner walks away and ignores. As Sadie Sink leaves I try to catch her attention with our photo op from RICC 2017. I was hoping to get an update since she is more grown up now. I say "Sadie remember this" she goes "oh my God". I then ask for an updated photo but she ignores. Hey at least I was the only one at the spot to actually get her attention.

Ryan, Blake, and Taylor all sneak out. The spot pretty much winds. Security guards gone. everyone waiting gone. Me and Vanessa are in the car about to leave. We then see Anya and her girlfriend just hanging out. OMG! We have a clean shot at them! We wait and their uber arrives. We ask her 2 on 1 and she declines us. Dammit!

This ended my time in NYC as I would leave the city, nap at a rest stop, and go home. Despite the failures, overall a very solid evening with lots of solid names! So I was happy with my haul.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest and New Jersey Horror Con in Atlantic City

Almost back to back I would attend two cons, Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest and New Jersey Horror Con in AC.

First stop, Williamsburg! My main want there would be Beverly Washburn who was in the Disney classic Old Yeller. Anything vintage Disney is a treasure.

I arrive and most people are on lunch brake. So I hang around and wait. George Chakiris comes to his table. I met him before but I was commissioned to get a West Side Poster signed. So I get him to sign that and get a photo op update. The amazing thing is he is 87 and looks and moves like he's in his 50s. It's truly incredible. I should have asked him what his secret is.

Next up I meet Andrew Pine (Gettysburg). Then his wife Heather Lowe who is also an actress. Then I get my main want Beverly Washburn who is friendly. Then Claude Jarman Jr who was in Rio Grande starring John Wayne. Then Audrey Dalton (1953 Titanic movie). And finally actress Laurie Prange.

Beverly Washburn

Full list of Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest photos

Next up, Atlantic City! My main wants there are Clint Howard and Lita Ford (whom I failed on in the street).

First stop is Diane Salinger. She is most known for Pee Wee Herman but I like her from Batman Returns as Penguin's mom. She was wearing a face shield. As I approached her I made sure to try and be extra nice cause I knew I would have to sweet talk her to take a normal photo op. I paid the cash to her handler, got the shield shot. Then I tried to ask nicely for a no shield shot. At first she refused but then she said she would hold her breath and do it just for me. Success!

Next up I go to Gorgeous George's table. I've known her for years so told her hello and said I had some business for her today. Someone had commissioned me to get 15 things signed for him. Paid her, got the autographs, and got a photo op update.

Then I go to someone that has eluded me for a while, one of the last Back of the Future characters I have yet to meet. Namely, Donald Fullilove aka the mayor. Then got Tamara Glynn from Halloween 5.

I stand in Lita Ford's line, get a photo op with her. Was good to get her out of the way after failing on her a few months ago. Then stood in line for Clint Howard, another main want from this con. Then got Scott MacDonald (Jack Frost), Jon Abrahams (House of Wax, Scary Movie), John Capodice (Ace Ventura), Walter Phelan AKA Dr Satan in House of 1000 Corpes, Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), and Kimberly J Brown (Rose Red).

Decided to bite the bullet on Ritchie Ramon. Then played mini golf with Kush from NYC. It was my first time ever playing mini golf, somehow on my first ever strike I hit a hole in one. I couldn't believe it. I should have played the lotto.

Ended my time in Atlantic City with Dave Sheridan of Scary Movie fame. And it was off to New York City.

Diane Salinger

Lita Ford

Clint Howard

Full list of New Jersey Horror Con photos

Chiller Theater 30th Anniversary report

So this was an exciting time! Back to Chiller after two whole years! My top want was Scott Baio from Charles in Charge and Bugsy Malone fame.

My first stop would be NYC. I wanted to try for actress Justine Bateman. First I try another spot to check if I see anyone, but I didn't. So I went to Justine's spot. Unfortunately I would stand at the wrong door, and by the time I realized that she had left. Wow what a heartbreaking bust. Most NYC folks got her the night before so they did not come to this spot. Extra set of eyes would have truly helped me.

Go to the Chiller hotel with Vanessa the Jersey Shore Stalker and friend from NYC and get a photo op with Rob Ryder of Warriors fame. A good start. Hang out a little more with Chris who I hadn't seen since before COVID and then sleep. Wake up the next day for my first official day at Chiller. Meet up with James, Suzanne, and Danny whom I haven't seen since before COVID. They were getting Donna D'Errico of Baywatch fame. I already have her but got her autograph on my Playboy magazine cover already signed by 3 others!

Next up, to the four Mr. Belvedere actors. Then one of my top wants at the show, Debbie Dunning of Home Improvement fame. Next up Julie McCullough (Growing Pains), Jonathan Schmock (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Bruce Ornstein (Saturday Night Fever), Richard Edson (Spike in the Super Mario Bros movie), and Chelcie Ross (Basic Instinct). Then I wait in line for Scott Baio and we get the traditional Chiller Theater bomb scare.

While outside both Scott Baio and Jere Burns (Incredibles 2, Burn Notice) do paid photo ops and I grab those. Then go back to NYC to try a spot and see people, but sadly again see no one. Since it was about to rain, I decide to bail on the city and go back to Chiller. At that point they had let people back in, the con ended, and I chilled at the concert

Start Sunday with Floyd Vivino. I'd never heard of Uncle Floyd but I got him for Good Morning Vietnam. Next up I get four Friday the 13th names, Kristine DeBell (Meatballs starring Bill Murray), singer Rex Smith, and David Seltzer who co wrote the original Willy Wonka.

I wanted two actors from Day of the Dead, but they were $40 an autograph free photo op. Couldn't pay $80 for both, so I tried to negotiate photo op only prices to no avail. It was the end of the show. No one was at their table and they were sitting down doing nothing. I was offering them money to simply snap a photo. Can't believe they refused this. I did however get free photo ops with four people from Night of the Living Dead. So that was a good deal.

Ended my time at Chiller with actor Lance Kerwin who only took $10 for the photo op and porn star and actress Ginger Lynn who did a regular op and a hug op.

Debbe Dunning

Scott Baio

Full list of Chiller Theater photo ops part 1

Full list of Chiller Theater photo ops part 2

Baywatch Playboy autograph

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Four cons in one weekend! Including a rare sports meet for me.

In one weekend I would attend a total of FOUR different cons (and one of them I would go twice).

On Friday of that weekend I would go to Monstermania in Oaks, PA which had quite a few names for me. The main one being Omri Katz from Hocus Pocus and Eerie, Indiana fame. This was his first con and he seemed to enjoy it.

I would also get Tony O'Dell from the original Karate Kid, Carl Thibault and Lisa Fuller from Monstersquad, Kim Coates from Black Hawk Down, Sons of Anarchy, and more.

Then Jacob Bertrand from Cobra Kai, Malcolm Danare from Christine and National Lampoon, William Ostrander from Christine, Doug Tait from Freddy vs Jason (and he also played Big Foot). I also finally caved in and got Ron Thomas from Karate Kid after seeing him at cons for years.

Thankfully the virus did not ruin any of the photo ops I wanted as they did in Monstermania Hunt Valley. The only one was William Ostrander who wanted you to be distant for the shot (which is fine).

A friend of mine was there. He was getting Ross Marquand who I already have. I took his solo shots then was invited to get in the shot by the handler, the celeb, and my buddy. So I took the free group shot.

Full list of Monstermania photo ops

That Saturday I would start with CSA show in Chantilly, VA. I went in and got a photo op with Cathy Rigby, an iconic gold medalist and also played Peter Pan on broadway. Got the op for only $10.

Cathy Rigby

Left and went to Baltimore. There were two cons on the very same street, 2-3 blocks apart from one another. TF Con at the Hilton and Baltimore Comic Con at the convention center. Found metered parking for $6 right by those cons. So I took it rather than drive around to look for free parking and having to walk to the cons. Plus it allowed me to go back and forth to the car if I needed to.

First up, TF Con. I got a photo op with Transformers voice actor Hal Rayle. He also voiced the Predator in the second Predator movie. I also got a free photo op with Bob Budiansky who is best known for the Transformers comic book and creating many of the characters.

Then I went to Baltimore Comic Con. My main want was Karl Kesel who worked on the Death of Superman storyline. Also needed Brett Breading autographs despite meeting him before. Sadly my main want, Karl, canceled within the last two days. PUNCH!

Another want of mine John Beatty who worked on Batman comics was charging $10 an autograph. So I opted for the free photo op. I got ops with several comic book names some were fresh some like Jim Shooter was an upgrade. Thankfully the only one who kept the mask on was Bob McLeod who I already had. I got Brett Breading to sign 5 items at $5 per item.

TF Con and Baltimore Comic Con photo ops

Signed Superman comics part 1

Signed Superman comics part 2

It doesn't show in the photos, but those three trade paperbacks also have Dan Jurgens on the front cover.

That Sunday I went back to CSA show. This time for baseball legend Roger Clemens. I figure he's a pretty big name in baseball and he has been in a few movies. But he was $200 a pro op (before even buying a jpeg) and $175 and up for the autograph. Obviously I had no interest in paying these prices for him. But I found somebody with two items to get signed so I held his autograph ticket and I was hoping he would do free table ops. And indeed he did!

Roger Clemens

A couple of quick airport meets in October

A couple of quick airports meets. First off, Leslie Jordan from Will and Grace, American Horror Story, and more. He came through and his mask was down. Candy to my eyes. Was super nice as he did combos.

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan signing for me

Next up, comedian DL Hughley. Sadly he wouldn't take off the mask. Likely cause he collapsed on stage due to COVID. One of the photos I had him signed was a picture of the Gadgetmobile from the Inspector Gadget movie. He saw the photo didn't even know where it was from. I then told him. I find that funny cause that movie was the reason I actually went for him.

Masked DL Hughley

DL Hughley signing for me

Monday, October 25, 2021

Best days of 2021, photo op of the year!

October 2021 I would skip NYCC for the first time since in 10 years! But following that, I had a very successful few days, probably my best days of 2021.

First off, actor David Strathairn from movies such as LA Confidential, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Godzilla (2014), its sequel Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and many more. At first he only wanted to sign and do no photo ops saying "you already have a picture" (referring to my 8x10s) but another combo hunter talked him into the ops! Victory from an actor who normally does no ops!

David Strathairn

Next up, Simon Rex (from the Scary Movie franchise) and other cast members of the movie Red Rocket at the airport. First op, director Sean Baker and actress Suzanna Son. Both were cool but Suzanna didn't remove the mask. However when they went outside I asked her again and she did the photo no mask.

Then actress Brittany Rodriguez who was also cool. Then the main guy Simon Rex who was super cool. Signed and he removed the mask without me even asking. Finally actress Bree Elrod who was cool.

Simon Rex

Next day I had two main objectives, actresses Dakota Johnson and Ann Dowd (Marley & Me, The Notorious Bettie Page, among others). I arrive. Not long after I happen to be standing in the place where Dakota is walking with her guards. I ask for the op she goes "hiiii" and the guard says "not right now we're in a hurry" and taps me on the back.

Then I see Ann Dowd, ask for the op. She's about to take it and I ask about the mask. She puts it down! I get the proper op and get autographs.

After an hour or so I see Dakota walking back. Rather than run after her I go around to try to intercept her but she doesn't show! I wonder if they snuck her somehow, but turns out she was in a room doing interviews. So I wait, eventually she comes out and I ask. Was getting ready to selfie the op. Her handler from earlier said he would take it. I give him the camera. He said no touching which I had zero issue with! And BOOM the money shot! Photo op of the year right there! At this point the objective is down I try to persist for an autograph to no avail. I then leave.

Ann Dowd

Dakota Johnson

And finally had a time and place for actor Kenneth Branagh (Wild Wild West, Cinderella (2015), Thor, Murder on the Orient Express, among others). He arrives and the nicest celebrity you could ever meet. Don't think nicer exists. Most they can do is match him. Took off both his mask and hat without me even asking signed no issue.

Kenneth Branagh

Shane Thorne AKA Slapjack

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

A WWE airport haul in 2021

So I decided to do a WWE airport run with two others. Markedout board member adelta and one other. I had a few people's flights confirmed but most I didn't. I figured I see who I see. I was also worried about mask shots, and sadly those ended up happening. I tried pleading people to remove the masks, but that did not work. My items for autographs were volumes 3 and 4 of the WWE Encyclopedia.

However, some did in fact remove masks by default. So I also got no mask shots and lots of autographs. For people I had that didn't take off the mask, I didn't bother with a photo op. For people I had that did take off the mask, I got an update.

Frist up was T-Bar (fresh). He was super cool, took the mask off. A good start. Sadly this would be the only no mask shot for a while.

Next was a mass flight. Reggie, Mace, Tegan Nox, Austin Theory, and Xia Li were names I didn't have. NONE removed the mask. Mace had no luggage so I chased him outside and he still didn't remove mask saying the wife will kill him. Also tried to chase Austin Theory outside after he got his bags but no dice on the no mask op. Got autos from Reggie, Mace, Rhea Ripley. The big punch here is Rick Boogs was on the flight but I never saw him. He must have had no luggage and slipped out in the chaos. And he is one that would have removed the mask. Wow that was painful. Also found out Rhea did no mask shots I would have taken an update. We saw the group Hit Row (2 of the guys and the girl) but they refused photos of any kind, probably cause they don't want their arrival to the draft to be revealed.

Next up saw randomly Omos. He didn't remove the mask which really stung cause he's so huge the shot would have been epic. He signed as well. He went outside and was chilling without the mask. I tried pleading for a no mask shot to no avail. Saw Liv Morgan she removed the mask but I have her. Saw Drew McIntyre got him to sign. Also saw Michael Hayes and got him to sign. He declined photo ops even with mask thankfully I have him.

Next mass flight was the peak of the evening where we were running around all over the place. That was chaos defined!

First up followed a guy out cause he had no luggage and was leaving. Didn't recognize him with the mask. He did remove the mask for the ops but it was Drew Gulak who I had.

Saw Apollo, Commander Azeez, and Ricochet outside. I tried for the Commander Azeez shot but sadly he kept the mask. Got Apollo to sign. Was going to ask Ricochet to sign but he was on the cell phone and there was too much stuff going on. So I aborted that mission. Saw Sasha Banks. Would have tried for an auto but I know she is foul and again there was too much stuff going on.

Got autographs from Elias and Drake Maverick. Mansoor sadly kept the mask. John Morrison removed the mask and I got an update after many years. Got autos from him as well.

Then an awesome thing happened. Saw Veer and Shanky together. They did awesome dual shots without the mask and signed. Both are fresh meets. They were super nice!

Riddle was in character and super nice. I go up to him and say "broooo". Got the combo no issue and he removed the mask. Also got Ibar of the Viking Raiders to sign.

Got a no mask update with Karrion Kross and an auto. He said I looked familiar. And I told him I met him at a con in Jersey. Also got Toni Storm sadly she kept the mask on.

Now the peak/chaos was winding down. There was someone who I didn't recognize hanging out with Drake Maverick. They both exited. Then I thought to myself, "damn I should get a photo op with him". So I ran outside and chased them, asked this guy for a photo op (he had already removed the mask at that point) and he did the op! Upon further research turns out it's Shane Thorne AKA Slapjack from Retribution. YES! Fresh meet no mask!

We see Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza with masks. They were cool and signed and did ops. Angel Garza removed the mask.

The storm ended. We see Jinder Mahal who was super nice, did no mask shots and signed. Then see David Hart Smith. I hadn't marked his pages and I couldn't find his single entries on the encyclopedias. So I quickly went to the Hart Dynasty entries and had him sign them. He then exited. I was told he did no mask shots. WTF! I didn't get him since 2010. So I ran outside, he entered the shuttle to the rental cars. I went inside, asked him for the op, then got the update after 11 years!

It was a calm flight for Riddick Moss, whom I never met. We followed him outside and he was super cool doing no mask shots.

See Keith Lee and got him to sign. Then wait for Bobby Lashley whom we had a flight on. But turns out he canceled the flight. But saw both Jamie Noble and D-Von Dudley. While they were searching for the rental car shuttle I got Jamie Noble to sign but D-Von wouldn't sign.

This ended the airport trek.

All in all, I got 5 fresh no mask shots, 7 update no mask shots, and lots of autos. So I was definitely successful. However, 9 people I needed photo ops with didn't take the mask off. To say that was devastating and heart breaking is an understatement. How awesome would it have been to get 14 fresh ops in one evening! Wow just wow.

Now, on to the photo ops

T-Bar

Shanky and Veer

Madcap Moss AKA Riddick Moss

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Autographs obtained

WWE_V3

David Hart Smith (Hart Dynasty entry)
Michael Hayes (Freebirds entry)
Jinder Mahal
John Morrison

WWE_V4

Akira Tozawa
Angel Garza
Apollo Crews
Drew McIntyre
Elias
Humberto Carrillo
Jinder Mahal
John Morrison
Keith Lee
Rhea Ripley
Riddick Moss
Ibar (Viking Raiders entry)
Michael Hayes (Freebirds entry)
Drake Maverick
David Hart Smith (Hart Dynasty entry)
Jamie Noble

Inside cover

Veer
Shanky
Karrion Kross
Reggie
Mace
T-Bar
Omos

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Monstermania Hunt Valley and epic success at a movie set!

My wants at Monstermania in Hunt Valley were only a handful. First off, got Stacey Nelkin from the Halloween franchise. Split a combo price with someone.

Then went to Suzanne Snyder and Grant Cramer from the Killer Klowns movie. Also split a combo price. I asked for one photo with the Killer Klowns mask and one without. Because I like Suzanne Snyder from other stuff like Weird Science.

I also wanted Brooke Bundy and Ronee Blakley from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, but sadly both wanted you to wear the mask in the photo op.

Stacey Nelkin

Suzanne Snyder and Grant Cramer take 1

Suzanne Snyder and Grant Cramer take 2

Next up, I go to a movie set where Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, and Lena Headey are filming. Have Woody need the others. I park for free, I find the movie trailers. Then I get a fat black woman (FBW from here on) approaching me. The conversation went like this.

FBW: Can I help you?

Me: Oh I'm just hanging out.

FBW: We need people to keep moving along.

Me: It's a sidewalk I can hang out.

FBW: We can't have people hanging out by the trailers.

Me: Ok. Well, I want to hang out by the trailers. You can call the police if you want.

FBW: I'm going to call the police.

Me: Go ahead. I'm not going anywhere, we can be friends or we can be enemies.

She makes like she's on the phone calling the cops. I just disregard her. Eventually she goes back to her post, which is a good distant from me and the trailers. Then she eventually gets dismissed from her shift as she takes her chair and goes away. This would be the last I saw of her. No cops ever came. Eventually another combo hunter joins me.

We wait and eventually see Justin, who is nice and does photo ops. Success! Sadly turns out Lena left the set. I then go to the hotel and check the restaurant/bar and there's some kid of cast and crew dinner. So I buy the cheapest thing on the menu (a glass of pineapple juice which was $8 after tax and tip) and blend in. I have a mask on cause I don't want Justin to recognize me from earlier. I see Woody doing photo ops but I don't bother him as I don't want to blow my cover. I also see the director David Mandel but also don't bother him.

Eventually I get a better look at the table and dammit Lena isn't there. Turns out she never came. I promptly exit.

I am not deterred as I go the next day. This time free parking is non existent. So I park illegally by a fire hydrant across from the movie trailers. As I park I immediate see a woman enter a trailer. I see her from the back but I figure it must be her. I wait for her to exit, and I see her from the back. I run from my car to the woman and it is indeed her. I ask and she denied. I plead and she accepts. She was on the phone and the first shot her hair is covering her face. I plead more saying it got sun bombed and she takes another shot! VICTORY!

I run back to my car. Thankfully no ticket. Then I see the director leaving the trailer. I'm about to run up to get a photo op. But then I see he has a mask so I don't bother.

Justin Theroux

Lena Headey take 1

Lena Headey take 2

Thursday, September 23, 2021

A video report showcasing various autographs

Full list of Day 1 photo ops

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

The return to the Big Apple after 18 months!

Last I was in NYC, it was March 2020, shortly before apocalyptic times hit us. Then things started coming back, but I still refrained from NYC due to mask ops. Then I saw masks dwindling, and there was a week with a lot of events, so I thought what the hell, time to make my return.

Day 1

I arrive in the evening, and I catch the tail end of an event. I got G-Eazy, actress Madison Pettis, among other things.

Madison Pettis

Day 2

This day would start with WWE flights at the airport. Sadly I screwed up cause I should have been at another spot earlier where I heard actor Simu Liu stopped. The WWE trek was a disaster mainly because none of them would remove masks.

Shotzi and Nox came through and were nice as can be but despite my pleas would not remove masks. I got the dual op but I don't count mask ops. I got them to sign the inside cover of my WWE_E V4 (the one released in 2020).

Apparently at one point Rick Boogs came through but I never noticed him. He is one that may have removed the mask.

Most everyone else I saw I already had and did not even bother to ask them to remove masks. But I salvaged a little by getting autographs on two WWE_Es. This is a summary of autographs.

WWE_E V3

Big E (single entry)
Finn Balor
Sami Zayn

WWE_E V4

Shotzi and Nox (inside cover)
Big E (single entry)
Big E (New Day entry)
Cesaro
Finn Balor
Baron Corbin
Kevin Owens
Nakamura
Liv Morgan
Sami Zayn
Tamina
Edge (single entry)
Edge (tag team entry)
Beth Phoenix

Went to another spot which was letting out, but didn't get anything good. Then to another spot where we got blown off by tennis players, and that was about it.

Full list of Day 2 photo ops

Day 3

For this day I go to a spot to try to redeem Simu Liu, but sadly never see him. Could have gone to WWE spots but everyone had masks anyway. I guess I could have gotten autographs.

Then to the evening spot where I get some successes, like singer actress Tinashe, singer Julia Michaels, among others.

Full list of Day 3 photo ops

Day 4

Start at a spot and would get some results. Got fresh names in actor Laura Harrier, singer Charli XCX, actor Andre Royo, singer Addison Rae. Got repeats in actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse and singer Rita Ora. Also got trans actor Tommy Dorfman.

Got a shot with Eiza González where I had to wear a mask, but that's ok cause I have her from before. Also singer Saweetie who I never heard of did mask ops.

Went to a spot for tennis player Emma Raducanu but she blew everyone off. Got another shot with model Winnie Harlow. Went to another spot but it was a dud.

Full list of Day 4 photo ops

Day 5

Start the day at the same spot I started the prior day. Cause actress Sofia Boutella and possibly Pom Klementieff were there. I get country singer Maren Morris, actor Joseph Sikora, among others.

Nicky Hilton is walking the street with her daughter. I then run up to her as she is getting papped and ask for the photo op. She is nice as can be.

Finally after hours of waiting I see Sofia and manage to score a combo. Never see Pam (spoiler alert, I would see her somewhere else another day).

Go to another spot with Ben Platt and Amandla Stenberg. I have Ben need Amandla. I stupidly leave that spot and forgo Amandla to go to another spot with quantity. And that spot was a bust.

Go to another spot for the evening, and get some actors from Gilmore Girls. Then the last spot with some rappers. I stupidly miss French Montana cause I was waffling around. Not a name I'm a fan of but would have gotten if there. Got other names I never heard of.

Nicky Hilton

Sofia Boutella

Full list of Day 5 photo ops

Day 6

I start the day at a spot with singer Avril Lavigne. She did photos the night before when I was a block away, so I wanted to remedy that. Sadly I would find out the photos she had been doing were mask shots. I failed to get the op cause I wasn't aggressive enough as it was a mask shot. I did get autographs though.

While in the same spot I got fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and Melissa Gorga. Saw Audra McDonald and Lili Reinhart who didn't stop but I have them.

Now for the evening there were two spots, both a block or two from one another. I stand at one of them. I actually score Pom Klementieff there and Elon Musk's wife and singer Grimes.

Also get a Korean rapper CL, Kim Petras in a horuse outfit (repeat), and a mask shot with Lee Pace (whom I have no mask). Singer Rihanna did 2 ops and blanked everyone else.

Sadly in the other spot people get Taika Waititi, Simu Lui, and Billie Eilish! Guess I should have been there. This was the biggest blunder of my week.

Move to another spot where I find out Billie did combos not long before I got there. That spot was done so I leave. Then a block away where I score a slew of names including actress Laura Harrier no shades, actress Julia Garner, Adam Sevani, among others.

Pom Klementieff

Grimes

Julia Garner

Full list of Day 6 photo ops

Day 7

Start at around noon, and I score a Hailee Steinfeld shot. Not the greatest shot, but no mask and better than what I had (which was nothing). Get some other shots like Leslie Grace and Storm Reid before giving up.

My final stand for my time at NYCC would be an evening spot with Jessica Chastain. Already have her but other people could show up (and they did). I got Richard Kind (repeat) and Jessica Chastain (repeat, but she looks much nicer as she is dressed up). Maggie Gyllenhaal shows up but sadly doesn't stop. Peter Sarsgaard (who I have) is with her too. I see actress Cherry Jones who I need and she stops, but sadly a mask shot. I redeem this spot by chance as young and upcoming actress Rachel Zegler is walking around and is nice as can be. Try out one more spot for the evening but it was a dud. This ended my time in NYC.

Hailee Steinfeld

Rachel Zegler

Full list of Day 7 photo ops

And the Autographs obtained.

Overall I didn't do as well as I had hoped, and I had blunders and misses, but I'm glad to have gotten a taste of how things were before the virus hit, getting some new street photo ops again, and seeing and hanging out with the NYC graphers whom I hadn't seen in over 18 months. It was good to catch up with so many of them again.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Some scattered meets in August and September

In early September I would go for the band Fifth Dimension, best known for the song The Age of Aquarius. Sadly only one original member, Florence LaRue. The rest are barely valid. I arrive at the venue just in time as the band is signing. I get in line and get ops with the barely valids just so I'm not out of place. Then get the Florence combo no issue.

Florence LaRue

Couple of days later I would go for the female group En Vogue. Unfortunately they didn't stop at the venue, but then THEIR car drove to OUR car and they said they couldn't do ops but would sign. A bit of a let down but at least I got my CD covers signed by 2 of the original members as we handed them stuff in the car.

Next up, the end of August, comedian and actor Michael Blackson (Coming 2 America). He did a meet and greet after his comedy show.

Michael Blackson

Start off September with politician Ron Paul. I met him before but this was very close to my house so I thought why not try for some autographs. While so many young actors and politicians wear masks, after the event there was the 86 year old Ron Paul doing a meet and greet and taking maskless photo ops.

While waiting I go to one of the tables and see a burger untouched. So naturally I grab it and eat it.

Go up to Ron and get an 8x10 and a program signed. Also get another op. After his meet and greet I get another photo signed.

I saw someone doing an interview. Asked who that was and apparently it's Gerald Celente. I get the op.

Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Show and Fanboy Expo Orlando

In August I would attend two cons within the same week. Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Show in Hunt Valley, MD and Fanboy Expo in Orlando. Initially there were many rare names at Fanboy Expo, but sadly they dropped like flies. I was upset and stuck with the plane ticket. So I ended up going.

First up, Mid Atlantic. My main want there was Louis Gossett Jr. I botched meeting him at NYCC in 2019, so it was good to finally be able to make that up. While there I also got to hang with my good buddy Troy B from Richmond.

First up I go for actress Jo Ann Harris who was in a movie with Clint Eastwood. She had a face shield on but took it off for ops and did over the table photos (fine by me).

Next up, child actress Mary Badham. She was virus phobic but did FREE no mask shots socially distant across the table. Sounds good to me.

Then get Louis Gossett and opt for the full combo since he is looking frail. Then Mariel Hemingway who was in Superman IV. And end my time with soap star John James.

Now to Fanboy Expo. I arrive at Orlando, rent a car, and that would also double as my sleeping quarters. I would end up putting about $2 worth of gas in the car as I would hardly end up driving it during my time in Orlando. Essentially airport to the con and back. Thankfully I found a spot in the shade to park in or the Florida sun would have killed me.

Despite the heavy cancellations, I would get some good rare names. And I split almost everyone which made things more affordable.

First off, Renee Jacobs who voiced April O'Neil in the original TMNT. You had to stand a couple of feet away for the photo op, but that's fine by me. Next up ops with Peter Behn and Donnie Dunagan from the original Bambi.

Then I get Bret Iwan who is the current voice of Mickey Mouse. His op was over the table distant. Doesn't look too good but at least it was a split. I then get an op with Lee Arenberg from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Then I get a cool music name, Bob Berryhill from the The Surfaris. They are best known for the iconic tune Wipe Out. He also co wrote the song. Most everyone else from the band is dead.

On the the "creator" side I get Tim Jacobus (Goosebumps), Tony Isabella (comics), and Nik Ranieri who was an animator for Who Framed Roger Rabbit and a lot of Disney stuff.

I wanted to get Dog the Bounty Hunter, but he was doing distant ops from TWO tables away. I didn't want to pay for that. So that was heartbreaking. This marks my first ever con photo op pass due to the virus.

My final guest for this con would be Dante Basco from Hook fame.

He was coming around the table for ops, but only with a mask (and people were paying for it!). If you wanted no mask, he would stand behind the table behind the glass (but the glass was on the table so his torso and up would be above the glass).

Then I saw that in the pro op he did normal photos. No glass and no mask and multiple people huddled together with him. My mind was just baffled.

So I started pleading/suggesting to go with him behind the glass and against the wall with no mask. I got my way. Score!

Dog the Bounty Hunter doing a distant photo op

Scares that Care in Williamsburg

Towards the end of July I attended Scares that Care in Williamsburg, VA. My wants there were limited. In the con you were required to wear a mask, but you could remove them for photo ops (a setup that I'm fine with).

First up I get Al Leong from Big Trouble in Little China, Lethal Weapon, Genghis Khan in Bill and Ted, among others. Sadly no photo op only price so I get the full combo.

Next actor Ed O'Ross from Full Metal Jacket, Dicky Tracy, Red Heat starring Arnold, among others. Get the op. Then get Jeff Kober. Not a huge want but I figure not much I'm getting anyway.

I end my time at this con with Michael Pare. He is in one of my favorite Christopher Reeves movies besides Superman. Namely Village of the Damned. I get the full combo since there's no op price.

Sunday, July 18, 2021

A quick meeting with Wynonna Judd

So Wynonna Judd was playing at a venue not too far away. I got her before but I figured since I found a cool record for $1.50, I'd go get it signed. And at least when just seeking the autograph it's less stressful.

Wait there, and as the show is ending one guy tells us that she's in the bus and she's not doing combos. Considering I am watching the bus like a hawk and seeing who goes in and who goes out, I find that hard to believe.

In the end it's 4 of us waiting. While waiting a woman just collapses on the floor and bumps her head on the ground, bleeding. They call an ambulance and police come. This caused quite the commotion.

Finally Wynonna comes out, I call for her, she says one minute and goes in the bus. Eventually she comes out and is nice as can be. This picture is much better than my older one. And she has a beautiful signature.

Wynonna Judd

Autograph

Monday, July 12, 2021

A Mighty Duck at the airport

CSA show returned for the first time since the virus hit. I didn't need any of the sports names. The only non-sports name was actor Shaun Weiss of Might Ducks fame.

I decided to go for him at the airport. Spotted him with a mask. I asked him for the op which he agreed to. Took off my mask and he took off his mask without me even asking. Super nice guy.

Shaun Weiss

M3 Rock Festival 2021

With things returning to normal, I decided to go get some 80s rock bands. Sadly there are many barely valids who replaced the original members in those bands, in some cases even the lead singer. But I still did solid.

Some highlights from the first day include:

Group photo op with 3 original members of the band Little Ceaser: Loren Molinare, Ron Young, and Tom Morris. Ron Young also had a small part in Terminator 2. He is the biker that Arnold throws him out the window. Tom Morris had a mask on and I asked him to remove it, which he did.

Group photo op with original members of Hurricane: Robert Sarzo and Tony Cavazo.

Group photo op with 3 original members of Bullet Boys: Marq Torien, Mick Sweda, Jimmy D'Anda, and the fourth original member Lonnie Vencent separately.

Original members of Winger, Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein. Kip was virus phobic so I had to hold my breath while he was in the car.

Got the original lead singer of Stealheart, Miljenko Matijevic. He also did the signing voice of Mark Wahlberg in Rock star and even subbed for Jim Morrison for a Doors tour.

Got Steven Adler of Guns and Roses again. He signed me a drum head then another drum head the next day.

Steve Riley of LA Guns fame did only mask shots on day 1 and refused to take off the mask. But the next day he removed the mask for photo ops without asking.

For day 2 my main wants were Warrant band members I missed in the past. They are most famous for the song "Cherry Pie". Sadly the lead singer is dead, but of the 4 originals still alive I needed 2 (one of the four wasn't on this tour thankfully I had him). The ones I needed were guitarists Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon. Thankfully I eventually got them after fumbling in the first attempt.

I got photos with Great White original members Mark Kendall and Audie Desbrow and almost original member Michael Lardie (he wasn't on the first album but on all the others).

I got Nightranger members though I had them already.

Lita Ford blanked when I tried to get her. And we never saw Steve Sex Sommers of Pretty Boy Floyd fame.

Steven Adler signed drum heads

Saturday, June 26, 2021

OMG, first major event back!

So I attended an event. The event had a huge list. Turns out many were virtual or not present at all, but some people were actually live and in person. And it felt like it was 2019 again! No masks, crowds, celebrities, autographs, photo ops! It felt good to be back!

I arrive and off the bat I'm on the board as I got a photo op with actress Dawnn Lewis! She is from A Different World, Hanging with Mr Cooper, among others.

Jody Watley arrives and I only get an autograph as I have a great shot from before.

Not long after Naomi Judd arrives with her husband. She is nice as can be. I get her on multiple items and a photo op.

In something rare, we are let into the event! Inside during intermission I get Larry Strickland. He is Naomi Judd's husband and he actually sang with Elvis in the last years of his life. After intermission Dawnn Lewis starts doing photo ops with people and I ask her to sign my 8x10s. She even goes "where did you get that one?".

While others like Roberta Flack, Denise Williams, Klymaxx, and The Go Gos were not in attendance, I was very happy with this more than solid haul. Especially after over a year of almost nothing.

Jody Watley signing for me

Video of her signing for me

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Whitney Cummings at a comedy show!

Went inside a comedy club to get actress Whitney Cummings. And going in there, it was like I went into a 2019 time slip. Or an alternate 2021 where there was no virus!

Crowds of people, no masks in sight, even the club employees weren't wearing masks. It was so amazing to feel like I was back in a club setting again!

She did multi combos on stage. I managed to get a photo op and got her to sign my 8x10s. Here are photos and videos of the experience.

Whitney Cummings take 1

Whitney Cummings take 2

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Finally! First airport meet of 2021!

In what is more evidence of normality trickling back, I finally got some people at an airport. My first airport success of the year, and second airport success since the virus hit.

The target was Debbie Allen from Fame and A Different World. Flying with her was her husband and NBA player Norm Nixon.

I wait and see them both. They separate. He waits with some bags while she goes to check in. Since she is my priority, I figure best to take the "divide and conquer" approach. After she checks in she lines up for baggage check in. I figure this is my chance. I ask for the photo op and she agrees. Sadly she is wearing a face shield. I ask if she's keeping it on she apologizes and says she doesn't know me. So I take the op. Face shield is not ideal but honestly better than if wearing both hat and shades.

Then I sanitize my pen, go back up to her and ask for autos as I tell her I sanitized the pen and point to the spot where the sanitizer was. She goes "what are you doing here? You happen to be carrying those?". She signs them.

I then go back to her husband. He's a get if there name since I don't care for sports. And there I was so I asked him for the op. He gets up ready to take the op. I ask for a no mask shot he pulls it down.

Debbie Allen

Norm Nixon

Friday, May 21, 2021

A meet and greet at a venue!

So since I was in town for other things I decided to try for Serbian blues singer Ana Popović at a music venue. Sometimes that venue has signings. I mooched my way inside to check saw that she indeed did have a signing. And she wasn't wearing a mask! Wow things seem to be trickling back! A no mask signing at a music venue would have been unthinkable this time in 2020. I stood in line, I got the photo op, and I was on my way. Nice effortless meet.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

First wrestling con in 2 years

In May I would attend my second con of 2021 and my first wrestling con since Wrestle Con during WrestleMania weekend in 2019.

My wants in this con would be few. But in these virus times, even few is good. Also, the con felt almost like a normal con. Many people weren't wearing masks. Most none of the wrestlers wore masks at the table. And I don't think I saw a single mask photo op. It felt great to be back, so to speak. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

First I would get Brett Azar. He played the Iron Sheik in Young Rock and also was a stand in for two Terminator movies. Then I got Randy Hogan, who was a parody of Hulk Hogan in NWA. Then to Lisa Danielle aka Bronco Billie. She was a valet of Randy Savage in the first Spiderman movie. She was only $5 for the photo op and anything even remotely associated to the Macho Man Randy Savage is euphoric.

Then I got Miranda Gordy, daughter of Terry Gordy. Then 80s WWF wrestler Desiree Petersen, who was officially attending her first ever con. She did free ops. Then I got Davey Richards, someone I always missed when he came around. Then the daughter of Tully Blanchard, Tessa Blanchard. I rounded my wants at the con with Alex Garcia and Amber Nova.

Then as the con ended and everyone was wrapping up I snagged a few more photo ops. Namely a dual op with Kelly Kelly and Layla, Tatanka, Ari Lehman of Friday the 13th fame, and Bill Alfonso (all of which were updates).

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

New video report, TTM legend and more!

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

New video report! TTM and more!

Thursday, April 1, 2021

An A-list in person street meet in 2021!

So in 2021 I ventured to a spot for actor Denzel Washington. I already had a photo op pre virus, but I figured I could get autographs. It was a fairly public spot too. Plus there were other smaller actors I wanted to try for, namely Chanté Adams and child actor Julian Vidaurrazaga.

Arrive and not too long after the spot ends and they start to leave. First Chanté Adams comes through wearing a face shield but she denies any photo ops. Then comes Julian. He seemed confused why anyone wanted a photo with him. I asked if he could remove the mask but his handler said he couldn't. I got a mask shot which I consider completely worthless. Though technically this is my first street photo op of 2021.

Photo op wise this is officially a bust. This photo op with Julian serves no other purpose than historical documentation of something happening.

Denzel then starts to leave and tells us to meet him by his vehicle. He signs for me and one other and takes mask/car photo ops with everyone.

This officially marks my second in person autograph of 2021.

After I got Denzel I got a photo op with an extra named Lucky Harmon. He removed the mask but wanted to distant. This officially marks my first no mask street shot of 2021.

For reference, my pre virus Danzel photo

Monday, March 8, 2021

New video report! TTM, purchases, and more!

Rosanne Sorrentino and Toni Ann Gisondi

Monday, March 1, 2021

First con of 2021, first photo ops of 2021, second ever virus era con

With February coming to an end, I attended my second ever virus era convention and first ever convention of 2021. Super Mega Show in Wayne, NJ. My main wants there were two of the orphans from Annie. Namely, Rosanne Sorrentino and Toni Ann Gisondi. Nothing big but in virus times beggars can't be choosers.

Arrive at the con and the parking lot is PACKED! I wait for someone to leave and finally get a spot. I enter and go for the Annie guests. I got a no mask shot with them and got my Annie laserdisc signed (already signed by Carol Burnette and Aileen Quinn). Main reason for coming is out of the way. First photo op of 2021.

Next up I get Bernnadette Stanis from Good Times. I mooched a photo op at a con in the past, but she is not next to me in the photo op. She is next to another cast member. I also had a splitter here. So I figured why not split the shot and upgrade.

Then I get Dee Benrey from Warriors. She seemed a little weirded out that I wanted a photo op which is strange considering she is at a con. At first I asked for no mask. She agreed and she thought I wanted a picture OF her. When she realized I wanted to get in the picture she begrudgingly agreed but wanted to go outside. After struggling to get an acceptable pose finally getting the photo op she asked what I do with the photos. Again, all baffling considering she is at a con with a sign stating autograph and photo op prices.

My final photo op is Vic Mignogna. He is apparently huge in the anime sector. Everyone goes crazy for him. He had the longest line here with people getting multiple autos. He also had several sexual accusations against him which got him banned from many anime cons. Since I had someone willing to split the op (who by the way met him multiple times in the past) I thought I'd do it for shits and giggles, even though I'm not really familiar with his work. He had a transparent mask and he removed that for ops.

Here are photos of the crowd, along with the photo ops I got and the signed laserdisc.

Bernnadette Stanis

Dee Benrey

Vic Mignogna

Signed Annie Laserdisc

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Video report: first TTM autographs of 2021

First TTM autographs of 2021 obtained.