Steel City Con - The miracle appearance

Steel City Con doesn't usually have too many names for me and I often end up skipping it. But this time they added Nancy Cartwright AKA Bart Simpson. So there was one big name, there was Lance Reddick, and there were a handful of "maybe" names. I decided I would drag myself to this show. 

Then Lance Reddick died. Typical to what happens to me at cons. I need such few names and for one reason or another a name I want gets taken off the list. So now I was down to one name. A big name, but just one name nonetheless. 

Then the unusual happens. In fact it probably never happened in the last 10-15 years. Names I actually NEEDED started being added last minute. Usually names I want drop off last minute, not added (and names that do get added last minute are never names I need). 

First off, the elusive Randy Quaid, but of course no one believed he would show. But at least it gave me hope. With the addition of Quaid, Steel City is upgraded from "whatever, I'll go" to "OMG now I have to go". Then not only did Quaid actually show up there, but they added ANOTHER name I needed, Miriam Flynn for Saturday only. I missed Steel City in Spring 2022 which was her first con, so I was ecstatic to make that up!

I drive half the way, and carpool the other half with markedout board member CMShowstopper. 

I start the show by juggling lines. I wait in the Nancy line then get Randy Quaid. Plus he was not wearing a beanie like he did Friday so he looks a little more like him. Sucks he has a beard but at least it's still him. If somehow he does another con with no beard I'll get an upgrade. One silver lining about mask ops being a thing, beards seem like less of a thing to complain about. 

Then went to Miriam Flynn. They moved her table to the hallway I assume because of whatever feud she and Randy have. Then finally got Nancy after waiting in line for a while. I was in the cash line and for whatever reason they weren't taking people in the cash line and  only letting through those in the pre order line. I can understand giving them priority, but at least let in a couple of cash people after 5-10 pre order people. SMH.

I decided to skip people on my "maybe" list due to lack of splits, but I did one thing which is probably not the wisest financially speaking. I had two Jesse Ventura figures which were signed horribly in the past. I removed the ink and had him redo them. By MIRACLE I found two people to split a combo price with me. So I did save a little at least. The way I thought of it, I regretted not getting the rest of my Ultimate Warrior and Dusty Rhodes figures done, I don't want to regret not getting Jesse Ventura figures done. Plus he was cheaper here than at wrestling cons between that and his age it was basically now or never.

Randy Quaid

Miriam Flynn

Nancy Cartwright

Autographs

I got STONED prior to Steel City Con

On a day when I had nothing planned, I got texted a photo showing that Sharon Shone had gotten on a train. I wasn't sure exactly which train. But based on the timing it was likely one of two trains. If it were the first possibility, no way I could make it on time. If it were the second possibility, I would just make it. So I rushed to the train station. By miracle I found a free parking spot fairly quickly. I then arrived, as did the train.

A lot of times celebs get taken out in go carts. So I had to watch for that as well. Then I see a woman escorted by 3 policemen on a go cart, and that woman had her build (meanwhile there's a second go cart out and about that I ignore). I follow the go cart till the end of the hallway where the car is waiting to pick her up, try to ask for an op but get yelled at by the cops where they say "this is a restricted area". So I quickly go away. 

As it turns out, this was not Sharon Stone. Was it Uma Thurman who was also supposed to be in town? Was it someone else? The mystery remains unsolved.

I quickly run to the front area of the train station, and the SECOND go cart dropped off a woman to a car, and that woman is now taking selfies with the security guard who escorted her and her driver. That woman happens to be Sharon Stone! I couldn't believe it. 

So to recap, 

There were TWO go carts with VIPs that came off the train that I correctly guessed would be the right one

I initially chased the wrong go cart to the restricted area within the station

By MIRACLE the second go cart which Sharon Stone was on went outside and looped around to the front area of the station, where her car just happened to be waiting, and where I happened to decide to run to.

And the miracles don't stop there, because I asked Sharon Stone for the op and she did the op! In a span of over 12 years of me trying for Sharon Stone, she has never consented to the op (though I've gotten her to sign for me a few times). Today was a completely different Sharon Stone than all the other times! Much nicer.

She is sadly wearing shades in the op, but after mask ops being a thing, and after 12 years of failing on Sharon Stone (at least photo op wise), I'll gladly take a shades shot.

After this success I saw that Uma Thurman was at another spot. Rushed to this spot but sadly by the time I got there she was gone.

Sharon Stone

Next day I had some rather ambitious goals, Uma Thurman and Sharon Stone upgrade. Ashley Graham (whom I have) was also at this event. On entries Sharon does nothing. Uma is not trying to stop but signs autographs for someone as I plea for the op to no avail.

After entries check out another spot for Dionne Warwick and others. The spot is not looking like it's letting out anytime soon, so I decide to stick to the original spot since I can't be in two places at once. Plus, Dionne isn't good about the op anyway.

On exit Uma leaves and completely ignores despite pleas. Sharon leaves but also ignores. This is the Sharon I know. I guess she went back to her old self after a day. Ashley comes out and is nice as can be. I get a combo.

Then I go to another spot for actor Nick Swardson who was in many Adam Sandler movies. Wait for him to come out and he is nice as can be. I get a combo. After that it was time to rest up for Steel City Con.

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Galaxy Con Richmond and post Galaxy Con meets including A list music

Galaxy Con was in Richmond and had guests I needed. You had the 86 year old Walter Koenig who I cannot believe they managed to get, and you had two rare Reeves Superman guests. Namely Jeff East who played young Clark Kent in the first one, and Mark Pillow who played Nuclear Man in the fourth one. Anything related to the Reeves Superman is a good score. So this was a con I had to attend. 

I arrive in Richmond and find a free parking spot within a 10 minute walk from the con. A good start. First off, I get Paulo Costanzo from Road Trip. Since most other celebs I wanted weren't at their table I thought I'd go try for some comic book names. I get a Mark Bagley combo. He signed my Spiderman comic book. Then Simon Bisley (Lobo). I get Dan Jurgens to sign a Superman comic (didn't ask for the op since I have a great one). 

Then I go up to Marvel artist John Romita Jr who had some extensive VIP packages that were too rich for my blood. I simply ask him for the op and I get that. And finally I get D. G. Chichester (Daredevil).

Back to celebs, I get Walter Koenig. Wow he is in such great shape for 86. Then to actor and comedian Dave Foley. And finally Jeff East and Mark Pillow. 

Then I wait at the table for illustrator Daren Dochterman (The Abyss, Master and Commander, many more). Finally he arrives with Mark Altman and one other guy. Get ops and a signed poster.

Ended my time at Galaxy Con with a photo op from actress Melanie Scrofano. 

Walter Koen

Jeff East

Mark Pillow

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

After Galaxy Con was over me and one other combo hunter wanted to go for Jack O'Halloran and Sarah Douglas. He had a stack of things signed by Terence Stamp so he needed the completes and didn't want to pay. I on the other hand had one photo to complete so I just tagged along. We start with Jack who was actually nice and friendly and even said "you owe me a fortune" but didn't take money from us. 

While waiting for Sarah I spot John Rhys-Davies waiting for his flight. He is nice and I get an updated op plus an auto. Finally it's time for Sarah. She doesn't want to do anything more than the op. But she is offered money and does autos (at a discounted rate compared to the con).

Later that day, I try a spot for Bruce Springsteen. Wait it out and the witching hour is upon us. Bruce arrives and we are about 10 people. We plead and he agrees to sign one per. I manage to get a full combo (marking my second photo op with Bruce, this time no shades). 

Bruce Springsteen

Full list of photo ops

Superman autos

John Rhys-Davies auto

Bruce Springsteen signed album

Some scattered meets throughout March

In early March I attended a small con called Fairfax comic con. My main want was Animaniacs producer Paul Rugg. He also voiced Freakazoid. I got an op with him as well as Wayne Grayson who voiced Michaelangelo in the 2003 TMNT cartoon. 

Paul Rugg

Wayne Grayson

Next up, after being done with Monstermania in Cherry Hill I rush to another event for actress Tatyana Ali AKA Ashley Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I didn't go to the Steel City Con she was at, so I had a chance to make that up. Got in the event and after it was done, I asked her for the photo she couldn't have been nicer.

Tatyana Ali

Had a flight on country singer and actress Jana Kramer. Signed and did ops. 

Jana Kramer

Autographs

The cast of the TV show Ted Lasso was in town. Sadly there were too many present to successfully meet. On entry to the hotel no one stopped. But waited and had some success. I got actors Jeremy Swift, Hannah Waddingham (improving the shot I got in NYC), Toheeb Jimoh, and Phil Dunster. Brett Goldstein didn't stop. Some like Cristo Fernandez and Sam Richardson I never saw. A producer or two didn't stop. I also never saw Jason Sudeikis but thankfully have enough ops with him.

The next morning I would try for Brandon Hunt at his flight and managed to get him. 

After a nap I went to another spot where the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Gladys Knight, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Mindy Kaling may be had. I see Julia enter but she denies. Bruce and Gladys I never saw. I know for a fact Bruce went in the back so Gladys probably did as well. At least I have them. Took another nap and went back for exits. I missed Mindy Kaling leaving by 15 minutes. For some reason she left really early. It's ok I have a shot from NYC. Julia comes out and we are two people, we plead and break her down and she does two per person. I didn't ask for a photo since I have two ops (one from long ago and more recent). I focused on the autos.

Was going to the airport for Bruce but he left from another airport. 

Hannah Waddingham

Full list of photo ops

Julia Louis-Dreyfus autographs

And session guitarist Larry Carlton, who played on albums with Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, and others. After the show he came up to us and was nice as can be.

Larry Carlton

Autographs

An array of mostly comedy names in March

So there was an event with comedy meets, and sadly I had met most everyone. The only person I really needed was Jennifer Anniston and I knew that was a long shot. But I tried to see what could be had. 

A couple of nights before the event Adam Sandler was at a restaurant. I decided to go there see what could be had. I grabbed my VHS tape for Adam to sign. Eventually he leaves and starts singing one per but a huge PUNCH as I grabbed the wrong VHS tape from my car! I took instead the ET VHS tape I had for Drew Barrymore! I did manage to get a photo op with Jonathan Loughran who was in many movies with Adam. Adam himself wasn't trying to take photos but I have 3 ops I got in NYC.

To boot, I had a big umbrella which I left on the floor so I could free up my hands. According to the restaurant employee my umbrella was taken by Adam Sandler's people! WTF!

So I drive to Adam's hotel since I knew where that is. This time I am sure to grab the correct Big Daddy VHS tape. As he is loading off I say "Adam I didn't get you" and he replies "I love everything about you" and signs for me. Success! Then I say "did one of you snatch my umbrella" and a woman gives it back to me. Jonathan then goes "she was keeping it safe for you" and I thank everyone and wish them all a good night.

Jonathan Loughran

Signed VHS

This day starts at the airport for Steve Buscemi. We see him and he is all masked up. He says one each but signs more. I get him on three photos. He barely takes mask ops but that's ok cause I have a great shot from NYC. Next up, Judd Apatow. Get him on four photos and an update op.

Abandon the airport and the comedy for an event with actress Amber Midthunder and producer Jhane Myers. After the event and q&a I get selfies and autos from them. Then they then did a signing where they gave away signed posters. Sadly I was too far behind in line and they ran out of posters, but I got another photo op with both of them at the table. 

Tried the hotel for the comedy but it was hard to get access. Went to the airport for David Spade and got an auto and a downgrade op. Back to the hotel but by that point people were inside (I heard only Adam came out and signed). This ended the night.

Amber Midthunder and Jhane Myers

Full list of photo ops

Signed 8x10s part 1

Now the day of the event. No shock but we would not see Jennifer Anniston all day or night. 

Steve Buscemi comes by and he signs but doesn't do ops till after he is past me. It's ok I have a great shot already. I get some autos. Conan O’Brien signed and I got autos. David Spade signed and I got an auto. Idina Menzel didn't stop but thankfully I got her in NYC. I then get a fresh op Tim Herlihy (who wrote many Adam Sandler movies). I also got Robert Smigel AKA Triumph the insult comic dog who signed as Triumph and wrote "Steven you are a treasured fan for me to poop on".

Got Dana Carvey update and autographs. Ben Stiller came and took care of everyone. I got a downgrade shot and autos as he came in and left. In a way it was heartbreaking to see how a big name can easily take care of everyone while so many people want no part of it. Got an op  with Dan Bulla who wrote some of the newer Adam Sandler movies. Chris Rock came in and out and barely stopped thankfully I have a great shot from NYC. Also got an auto from Rob Schneider didn't need to put effort for an op.

Luis Guzman did very little and I wasn't able to get him. Thankfully I have a great shot from NYC but wanted autos.

On red carpet entries I got Tinx, Nikki Glaser, Conan O'Brien (with hair), Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Ian Fidance, and others. Drew Berrymore came and did nothing but thankfully I have her. Adam Sandler greeted everyone but entered without doing any autos or photos.

Jonathan Loughran came in and stopped for people. I said hello and told him he already did an op with me and I asked if he remembered me. He goes "yes, you're umbrella boy".

Exits of the event was a total bust. So I went to the hotel to see what I could get coming back. I got Pete Davidson autos and updated photo op, I got a photo op with musician Michael Bearden. Rob Schneider and Robert Smigel came. I got two more autos from Schneider plus an updated photo op, and got another auto from Smigel this time signed as Robert Smigel. And Adam Sandler lined everyone up and did one each no ops. Luis Guzman ignored.

Full list of photo ops

Signed 8x10s part 2

Signed 8x10s part 3

Signed blanks (Steve Buscemi, Pete Davidson, and Robert Smigel) 

Multi day haul in NYC, Philly, and respective areas

In early March, I decided to make my first NYC venture of 2023. There were a few names I wanted in the "easy" NYC shows. There was a Sarah Ferguson book signing where ops were guaranteed. And there were multiple cons in the vicinity which of course translates to tons of guaranteed ops. And of course, who knows what other things you can stumble upon.

My first stop was the Sarah Ferguson signing at book ends. It was pre signed books and ops. Went up to her, she was friendly. Got the op. Then got the pre signed book. 

Entered NYC for the first time in 2023. Start with the "easy" show spots. My first spot with for actresses Constance Shulman and Aya Cash. I see Constance come out with Jenna Fischer (repeat name sadly) and get ops with both, but somehow I sadly never see Aya (spoiler alert I would make that up the next day). 

Go to the next spot for Courtney Henggeler from Cobra Kai. Nice as can be. Next a spot an event  with Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Andy Serkis. But had them all. Needed an Idris upgrade but missed him as I arrived. Got another with Dermot, a couple of get if there names, and got Andy again at his hotel when he left the spot to the hotel. 

After this I commandeered my free parking spot. 

Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York

Courtney Henggeler

Full list of Day 1 photo ops

Wake up and my first stop is to try for an upgrade with Kerry Washington and some autographs. Margaret Cho enters and does ops but didn't need her. Kerry unfortunately says on the way out. This prevented me from trying another spot though in hindsight I would have made it back. On the way out she keeps her word and I get her on two magazines plus the upgrade. 

I go to the next spot on the off chance that I see Adam Driver. No shock he eventually garaged. I get actress Chloe Fineman (though that victory would be neutered in a couple of days). Actress Hannah Waddingham is also due to this spot, but I try her leaving the hotel and she blanks. Beat her back to the spot but no luck. 

Then go to another event to see what I can get on entries. I get a fresh op with actor Edgar Ramirez, updates with Christian Slater, Nicholas Braun, and Tom Sturridge, among other things. Sadly I fail on both Brenda Vaccaro and Sam Waterston. The former ignores and the latter waved at me when I asked for the op (though he was wearing a mask anyway). Bernadette Peters was there all masked up but thankfully I didn't need the op. 

Went to the hotel for Hannah Waddingham and by miracle I caught her not long before she was checking out. But that victory would be negated in another event in another city in the future.

Back to the event for exits, the only significant thing I get is an upgrade with Ellen Burstyn of Exorcist fame. The rest I got were sadly all updates. Namely Camryn Manheim, Taylor Russell, Kenneth Lonergan, and Josh Hamilton.

Walk back to the "easy" show spots to try for Aya Cash again. This time I see her and get the op. Then to another spot for actor Dakin Matthews (My Two Dads), Jordan Donica (Charmed, Blue Bloods), and Andrew Burnap (Snow White). Phillipa Soo (Moana) is there but I have her. She ends up not being so nice. I score Dakin and Jordan, but sadly Andrew doesn't take off the mask despite my pleas. This ended the day.

Kerry Washington

Aya Cash

Full list of Day 2 photo ops part 1

Full list of Day 2 photo ops part 2

Left my golden parking spot in NYC and it was off to Philadelphia before going to Monstermania in Cherry Hill. The top guest of the con was Charlie Hunnam. And it was a name I needed. He was $120 a pro op with no table and that wasn't very appealing to me. So I decided to try my luck at the airport. He arrived and was nice as can be. This saved me from a pro-op migraine. Next up was Rebecca Gayheart coming in. She wasn't so nice and barely did two ops before literally running away. I was lucky to get one of them. Not as good as the ops at the con but I like the price much better. 

Now it was off to the con. First I got Melanie Kinnaman of Friday the 13th fame. Then Amie Donald AKA M3GAN. And finally Eduardo Franco from Stranger Things. Got some dinner, came back to Monstermania, got a group shot with Amelie McLain and David Howard Thornton of Terrifier fame and the Terrifier director Damien Leone.

Started driving back to NYC but couldn't finish the drive due to falling asleep. So spent the night sleeping at a rest stop in Jersey. 

Charlie Hunnam

Rebecca Gayheart

Amie Donald

Full list of Day 3 photo ops

Back in NYC, and first stop is Big Event in Queens. Despite the chaos, I find my way in. And thankfully I did not need any of the bigger guests as I had gotten them before between airports, hotels, and other cons. Praise the lord. So my time there was pretty smooth. First op is my second ever member of Lucha House Party, Gran Metalik. Still missing Kalisto.

I needed James Mitchell to finish up an old TNA program. So I got the dual op with him and James Mitchell and Max The Impaler (that is a cool op) along with the auto. Then got ECW original Jason Knight, got an upgrade with Ernest Miller since I had a splitter, then ECW original Angel Amoroso, all wedding dressed. I also noticed Shirley Alvarez AKA the Tragic Doll attending the event, so I asked her for an op. She basically has a rare skin hardening disease and uses her disability to make herself a public figure. Christina Ricci was basically standing there with no lone, which was odd to see. I suppose it's a combination of her price and the fact that she was in a wrestling con.

With some downtime, hit up a buffet and on to the "easy" show spots. First up Mexican actress Veronica Falcon who was in Jungle Cruise starring the Rock. She was cool and signed and took photos. Then went for actor Rhys Coiro. Got there in time as he was outside talking to people. 

Went to the next spot and apparently missed Jack Endino entering the building. Not a huge deal but cool to get. Then it was off to the final spot for the night where actress Jenna Ortega and others would show up. Sadly I knew Jenna was a long shot and indeed she blanked going in and going out. 

My only fresh name here is actress Riki Lindhome. Otherwise got Fred Armisen (update) and Chloe Fineman (update from 2 days ago). I saw Michael Ealy doing ops and he cut it off just as I was about to go up to him, but I have him from before so it's ok.

Gran Metalik (with pinyata)

Veronica Falcon

Full list of Day 4 photo ops

Bidding farewell to NYC, the final day I would start by attending Mega Show in Jersey. First get is Aliens suit actor Carl Toop. Then actress Peggy Miley from stranger things and other movies. Predator 2 suit actor Davis Smith is next. Then got director Sheldon Lettich who directed many Van Damme movies. And got actress Deborah Rennard who was in Lionheart starring Van Damme and in Dallas. Ended my time at this con with actor Michael Wright who I shockingly never got before. 

Then it was off to Monstermania for one final name who was not there Friday and who I didn't get at the airport, Brooke Smith from Silence of the Lambs. Was in and out very quick and hit the road as I had to drive out of area for a meet (which will be in another report).

Full list of Day 5 photo ops

Now to showcase autographs obtained:

Duchess book

TNA program

8x10s and magazines