A few movie meets and a music legend

Start off a day with an event with some movie names. I enter the hotel where the event is at and my first get is actor Ramon Rodriguez (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). He was cool. Then I get director Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle). And finally get actress Camila Morrone. I didn't like my shot so I waited more till she left the event to go to the bathroom. On her way back I got another shot. She was super nice. Eugenio Derbez was also there but I didn't need to wait for him since I have him.

Later that evening I went to a spot for legendary singer Peter Gabriel. I was very nervous at this spot because it's the type where they can kick you out and many times they do. So I had to hide and stay as low key as possible till the time was right. There used to be a black woman who used to come out and scream at graphers. We used to refer to this spot as "the one with the crazy lady". She has since left. But tons of workers there who can still yell at you and bully you.  

I see his vehicle, it's the witching hour. I get out of my car. Literally I am shaking and can hear my own heartbeat as I approach and I'm nervous that someone is going to yell at me. Shockingly no one does and workers just look on. I ask a man who has Peter's build for an op but turns out not to be him when I see the face. Then I finally see Peter and ask for the photo and he graciously accepts. I ask for autographs and he signs two for me. I promptly left. This went smoother than I would have ever imagined. 

Ramon Rodriguez

Angel Manuel Soto

Camila Morrone

Peter Gabriel

Autographs

New York City and surrounding areas in September

Day 1

After much decision making, I decided to start a multi-day trek in the NYC area with a Bernie Taupin signing at Books and Greetings in Jersey. He was the song writer for Elton John. The book signing was smooth but he didn't do extras. Got the photo op and signed book.

After this it was off to NYC. I hit up the "easy" NYC show spots. First spot is for actors Ron Canada (National Treasure, Ted 2) and Bryan Batt (Mad Men). Get Bryan first, then Marcia Cross who I have. Photo didn't turn out good and the second take she purposely looked away cause of the flash. But I didn't care since I have her already. Then get Ron. Everyone here was nice. 

For the second spot, my goal was Vanessa Bell Calloway (Coming to America) and Leslie Odom Jr. I get Kenny Leon, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Kara Young, and finally Leslie Odom who is doing mask shots. I wait till it clears out then ask him to remove the mask for the op. He agrees but I get a no good photobomber.

Go to my last spot for the night to see what can be had. I see Erin Moriarty with her dog but she does nothing. I already have her anyway. It's slow otherwise. I get actors Evan Mock, and Young Mazino, and I get an update with Lana (after I previously paid for her at a wrestling con, ughhhh).

Bernie Taupin

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Full list of Day 1 photo ops

Day 2

Wake up and go to a spot and get hockey player Henrik Lundqvist on my way to my first spot for the day. My first spot I try a spot for Carrie Underwood but she garages. 

Next spot I would get results. First actor Geoffrey Cantor (update) then Carrie Preston and Michael Emerson. Carrie has shades but I have no shades shots with her from before. Michael is a fresh name. Then I get Oscar Isaac (update), actress Michelle Hurd and her sister Adrienne Hurd (both fresh), Mike Doyle (fresh), Jaimie Alexander (shades, but agian I have her), and actress Jill Hennessy (fresh, Robocop 3). I missed actress Ellen Barkin but it's ok I have her already.

Then to the next spot to see what could be had. I see Erin Moriarty checking out. I get my third photo op with her. It's funny cause I hear how so many NYC combo hunters have trouble with her, yet this is my third shot without even trying. Wish I were so lucky with so many other names everyone but me seems to have. Then get more repeat shots, this time with Jessica Chastain and Jenna Bush Hager. 

Go to the "easy" show spots. First spot I get Peter Friedman. He was in some episodes of the Muppet Show, and in Single White Female, among other things. And I get Sydney Lemmon (Fear the Walking Dead). I then go for Melissa Etheridge but she doesn't stop. In the final spot I look for Roger Bart but don't see him. I get some barely valids. 

Full list of Day 2 photo ops

Day 3

Back to Jersey this time at Bookends for a Millie Bobby Brown book event. This went smoothly and was pre signed books plus a pro photo (which I'm not a fan of because they are low resolution uploads). It was a quick meet, but I got the upgrade/update over my old photo op. 

Back to NYC where I try for singer Owl City at a venue but sadly we never see him. I then try entry for Melissa Etheridge. I make it as she is pulling in but she doesn't do the photo with me but signs for others. I'm having a harder time getting this woman than I should. 

Next up I go to a spot for actress Melissa Barrera from Scream fame. Got into the venue and she is nice. I also got her sister Mayelah. 

Back to the "easy" show spot where I meet up with markedout's Greg2600 and we are waiting for Roger Bart. Finally see him and he is nice. Back to try for Owl City but again he is a ghost and we never see him.

Millie Bobby Brown

Melissa Barrera

Mayelah Barrera

Roger Bart

Day 4

Next day I sleep instead of attending a Millie Bobby Brown pop up event. That was a dumb move on my part because she did photo ops MUCH better than at Bookends and you could use your own camera.  PUNCH! Then I go for Melissa Etheridge again and this time she remembers me from the previous 2 times. She signs an 8x10 and I plead for the op she says "ok just because I'm in a good mood". Of course after I get her she starts doing ops most every night (spoiler alert I would go for an upgrade in the future). 

I go to the next spot for an event for the movie King of Knives. I look up the cast and there's a couple of decent names. But no indication on who will be at the event. I successfully mooch into the event to watch the q&a so now I knew who to look for. The only solid name was actress Mel Harris. Got the photo with her plus others. 

Wait for actor Philip Ettinger and get him as he enters. Then I get an upgrade with actor Dante Basco (Hook), a fresh photo with actor Paolo Montalban, and actress KC Concepcion. JK Simmons was due but I have him so I left to try an "easy" show spot (JK didn't even stop from what I heard). At this spot my main want is actress Nicole Ari Parker (Boogie Nights). It was a little bit of a struggle but I got her as she came out an she signed my program. I also got actor Jon Michael Hill (Elementary) who was super nice plus some barely valids. This ended my night.

Mel Harris

Dante Basco

Paolo Montalban

Nicole Ari Parker

Full list of Day 4 photo ops

Day 5

My final day I would try for actress Amy Ryan. Figured may as well do one last thing before leaving the city. I don't spot her entering but I get her on exits along with actor Mike Doyle (upgrade from a couple of days ago where he had shades). I also get actor Kevin Kreider. 

Kevin Kreider

Mike Doyle

Amy Ryan

Autographs obtained

It was an ORDINARY WORLD in RIO as I was HUNGRY LIKE A WOLF

I feel these guys deserve their own report. I went for the band Duran Duran, who sang hits such as Rio, Ordinary World, and Hungary Like a Wolf. All four current members are original/core member. Missing just one member (Andy Taylor) who is battling cancer. 

I go to the hotel and wait. I actually see the main guy, Simon Le Bon! From what I hear he retired from autographs so I ask for the op. Sadly it's not the best op as he is looking at me and not at the camera. Wait some more and I see Roger Taylor. He's nice as can be, takes the photo and signs. More combo hunters join. Thankfully Simon makes his return and this time I get a proper photo op. 

Wait even more, see John Taylor and he is nice as can be. Signs and does photos. At this point it's getting late and sadly we never see Nick Rhodes. So, the other combo hunters leave, and I'm getting ready to leave. But wait! I see a car pull up. I wait to see who comes out, turns out it's Simon and Nick! YES!! I was so close to calling it and Nick shows up! I get the photo op and he signs for me. Sadly he ruins one of my 8x10s by signing over another auto. Oh well I guess if he shows up he can ruin me an 8x10. 

Overall a success and I'm happy to get this legendary group who has such awesome hits under their belt.

Simon Le Bon take 1

Roger Taylor

Simon Le Bon take 2

John Taylor

Nick Rhodes

Autographs

September cons: Mid Atlantic Nostalgia and Baltimore Comic Con

For cons in September, I would do two cons in the same weekend. First off, Mid Atlantic Nostalgia show. Unfortunately my #1 want from this show canceled. Nicolas Hammond AKA Spiderman. With that gone I would still need the Bond girls and other names.

At this con I would get Sivi Aberg (60s Batman), Diane Baker (The Net, The Cable Guy), Ellen Bry (stunts in Reeves Superman, Deep Impact), Tara Buckman (The Cannonball Run), Kristina Wayborn (Octopussy), Lynn-Holly Johnson (For Your Eyes Only), Kathleen Beller (Godfather II), Mary Stavin (Octopussy, A View to Kill), and Inga Neilsen (60s Batman). I would end this con with a free op with Chris M Allport.

Full list of photo ops

Next day I go to Baltimore Comic Con where I would get lots of comic book names. I would have to run around a lot but I would manage to get most everything I wanted. My main goals were Louise Simonson (met her before but needed her on my Death of Superman book and Superman comics) and Jon Bogdanove who created the character Steel (fresh meet, need autos on my Death of Superman books, Superman comics). 

First up I get Louise Simonson to sign my Death of Superman books and Superman comics. Then get an updated shot with her and her husband Walt Simonson (Robocop vs Terminator comics). Then on to my main want, Jon Bogdanove. Signed my Death of Superman books and Superman comics plus the op! Success! 

Forgot to get Bob McLeod to sign my Superman comic at Steel City Con, so I rectified that here and got another op. Then got ops with Terry Kavanagh (Spiderman) and Howard Mackie (Ghost Rider). Had Ghost Rider comics for Howard but didn't want to pay. Then got an op with Jan Duursema who did work for Star Wars comics. She gave me a free signed flyer. 

Then get a photo with Mike Grell (Green Lantern) and go to my other top want for the day, Michael Dooney of TMNT fame. He did work on the comics and even did the artwork that was used for the first NES game. Signed a comic and NES cover printout for me and did the op.

Then got an op with Marc Hempel (The Sandman). Then Todd Dezago who also signed my Spiderman comic plus the op. Then got the op with Adam Hughes (Wonderman, Catwoman). Got cinematographer Mark Irwin (Robocop 2, Scary Movie 3, many others) and an upgrade  photo op with Brian Michael Bendis (Spiderman, Avangers).

Goeff Johns, who did work on DC comic books and produced some DC comic book movies, had an expensive $100 ticket that gave you 4 autos and a signed print. I befriended someone in line and he just let me hang with him and gave me 2 of his auto tickets. And I got the op. I told him I'd hold his spot for him to find an item to get signed in the con area. Even offered him the blank photo paper I got signed. He just wanted his 2 comics signed and nothing else. Offered him money and he wouldn't even accept money from me. 

Then go to Barry Kitson who signed my Superman comics plus the op. Got Arthur Adams (X-Men) and lastly got Mark Waid again. I got him before but he signs one free comic per person. So I got another Flash comic book signed.

Overall it went pretty smoothly. Daredevil artist Lee Weeks canceled. And I never managed to see Garth Ennis from The Boys. Money wise I paid Bob McLeod $10 to sign my comic book and paid $10 total for Barry Kitson to sign 4 comics. So I spent $20 total on this con. Eat your heart out inflation! 

Full list of photo ops

Death of Superman, added Jon Bogdanove and Louise Simonson

Misc Superman comics signed by Barry Kitson and others added Jon Bogdanove, and Louise Simonson

Spiderman signed by Todd Dezago, Flash signed by Mark Waid, TMNT signed by Michael Dooney

Geoff Johns autographs

Some Scattered meets throughout August

First goal is Gavin Rossdale the lead singer of the band Bush. Sadly he's the only original member of Bush. I arrive at the spot and Jay Z is leaving but I don't bother doing anything. And indeed it is fruitless as he garages out. 

First I get Nik Hughes, the drummer of Bush since 2019. He was nice. Then I see Dave Chappelle leaving who was doing nothing for any graphers asking. But I didn't bother and just watched him get in the car with his family as I already have a few ops with him. 

Finally get Gavin and he is nice as can be. Signs and does photos. And get Chris Traynor, the guitarist since 2002. Sadly was not able to get Corey Britz, the bassist since 2010 as he got in the car before I could ask. But got Gavin so mission accomplished. 

Nik Hughes

Gavin Rossdale

Chris Traynor

Autographs

Next up actress Maria Bamford from Stuart Little 2 and Adventure Time. She was nice as can be when I asked her.

Maria Bamford

Then I go for actress and comedian Cristela Alonzo from Cars 3 and the Laundromat. She was walking from her hotel to a restaurant and was nice.

Cristela Alonzo

And finally went for William Goldsmith the original drummer of Foo Fighters. He was in the first couple of albums before Taylor Hawkins. I went up to him and he begrudgingly did a combo as I get him to complete the first Foo Fighters album already signed by the other 3!

William Goldsmith

Autograph

August cons: Steel City, Station Unity, and more

First con in August is Maryland Pop and Horror in Maryland. I go there and get one name. Former child actor Oliver Robins from Poltergeist fame. Quick and easy.

Oliver Robins take 1

Oliver Robins take 2

Next up, a weekend with both Station Unity in Maryland and Steel City Con in Pittsburg. First up, Station Unity. Get Erica Cerra (Hera in Percy Jackson, Blade: Trinity), then Salli Richardson who voiced Elisa Maza in Gargoyles, one of my main wants from the con. Then my top want from the con, Matt Hill AKA Captain N!

Then get Travis Wester from Eurotrip, Isaac C Singleton from Pirates of the Caribbean, Ingvild Deila who was Princess Leia in Rogue One, and finally Chase Masterson from Star Trek fame.

Full list of Station Unity photo ops

Then I drive to Pittsburg for Steel City Con. First up, Bill Morrison who worked on The Simpsons comics. Then Patricia Velasquez from the Mummy, one of my main wants. Then get Josie Bissett from Melrose Place. Then got actor Zachary Gordon. Then rapper Method Man. Not really a name I'm a huge fan of, more of a big name I know who he is. And finally my other main want, Warwick Davis. I met him at Star Wars Celebration over 10 years ago but I don't like my photo op with him, so I was happy to upgrade it. And due to commissions I had the op was paid for. As a bonus, I got a photo op with his wife Samantha Davis. She was in some of his movies and was happy to do ops. I also met David Faustino and Katey Sagal again but only got the autos I was commissioned for. Same for Billy Dee Williams.

Patricia Velasquez

Warwick Davis

Samantha Davis

Full list of Steel City photo ops

Last con for August was Fairfax Comic Con in Virginia. I only got Marvel comics artist Mark Mckenna and actress Maria Canals Barrera (Hawk girl voice actress). 

Mark Mckenna

Maria Canals Barrera

Kicking off August in New York City for a major tune!

When it comes to film composers, I seem to have done pretty well. I have the combo with John Williams. I have the combo with Danny Elfman. So it was fitting that I would try to complete this trifecta with Alan Silvestri, the composer of the iconic Back to the Future theme song. So I decided to go to NYC with the intent of doing just that. 

So I arrive in NYC, go to the spot. The venue has a front and a back. I hang at the front then check the back. I see 3 people waiting in the back. They are in the "special" realm. I then leave the back for the front. I missed Bob Gale but it's ok I have him. Come back 5 minutes later to the back, turns out I just missed Alan stopping by minutes! I made it to NYC on time but was one upped by literal retards. That is quite the PUNCH. So now I would have to wait for exits. 

While waiting there's a spot for singer Elle King. My previous experience with her, she wasn't nice or accommodating. So I wasn't too keen on waiting, and I told Vanessa the Jersey Shore stalker as much. I then get a call apparently Elle King wants to talk to me. I quickly rush there. Elle King is there with her mother and wants to know why I said she wasn't nice. So I explained to her what happened years ago where she did a couple of people on the railing and not much else. And she apologized. And I asked if we could do a photo now and she did a photo with me. 

Now it's time for exits at the main spot. I see Alan come out and fight my way through the crowd and score the money shot right there! Success! I also get him to sign my Who Framed Roger Rabbit laserdisc. While there I would get other photo ops. Randomly spotted is singer Jon Secada! Nice as can be. His daughter is performing that's why he was here. Also got director John Rando and some other barely valid actors. 

Go to the next spot where I get author Michael Klastorin. Actor Adam Godley is randomly spotted and I get him. Sadly it's just an update. Huey Lewis comes out. Get a combo with him (sadly just an update as well). Alan Silvestri and I get another combo, this time I have him sign the show program. Got John Rando to sign the show program as well. Bob Gale is still not being nice but thankfully no big deal.

I waited for Roger Bart to come out but sadly I never see him. Not sure if he was here or I couldn't spot him. Spoiler alert, I would make this up in the future. 

Next day I try a couple of spots and see nothing. Then I go to a spot for DJ Pauly D. And possibly more cast members of Jersey Shore were there. I wait and finally see Pauly D and get the photo op. I then give up on that spot and go to another spot. I see other combo hunters waiting but no celebs. Go to yet another spot where I hope to see Richard E Grant but his event was canceled and seems he left town. Adam Sandler is there with his daughter. I get an auto. No need to bother him for a photo op. I probably should have tried to get a photo with his daughter since she has been in movies with him. 

Then I go to a spot for actor Casey Cott. The audience from the show makes it a massive crowd but he stops for everyone. Try a last spot for actress Juliette Stevenson but she was replaced for the evening. What bad luck. This ended my time in NYC.

Elle King

Alan Silvestri

Autographs

Full list of photo ops

Scattered meets throughout July part 2

Let's start this is a WWE haul. Sadly it would be almost entirely repeats. My main goal was a flight with both members of Pretty Deadly whom I never met. I so wanted that dual shot. Then I get a huge PUNCH. Elton Prince got injured and was sent home early! So now it was just Kit Wilson on the flight. 

Go to the airport, and first up I get an op with Asuka. Then Charlotte Flair, Austin Theory who unfortunately wouldn't sign. Then I get Bianca Belair (my first photo with her in a while). Charlotte would criticize us at the airport saying "we do signings across the country". I of course did not argue with her, but the problem with her response, many names do not do signings. At least not while with WWE. You see the Jay Usos, Kevin Owens, and Charlotte Flairs of the world doing signings. But how often do you see WWE signings for names like Maxxine Dupre, Bronson Reed, or Veer Mahan? The answer is pretty much never. Tons of names don't do signings and the only way to get them is via "alternate" means or wait for them to get released so you can MAYBE pay money for them at a con. Sorry Charlotte, but my way is the smart and efficient way. I can go to the signings she speaks of and get 1 or 2 people. Or I can do it my way and get 10+ people. And that's not even bringing up the fact that the Fitterman signings cost an arm and a leg these days. 

Then to the flight that would have been Pretty Deadly. Wait and get Kit Wilson who is nice as can be and signed my 8x10s. Walk to another part of the airport for more flights. On the way to the second area Fandango is randomly spotted shopping for sun glasses. WTF? Apparently he happened to be connecting because he had an Impact taping in Detroit. Get a photo op and get him on the WWE_E V4. While we were getting ops there was an Indian girl working the store and she goes "what am I missing?" to which he replies "I used to be famous". 

Go to the second area and get a dual shot with Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley. Doesn't quite make up for no Pretty Deadly shot but at least it's something cool and unique. Then Maxxine Dupri, Chad Gable doing a "shhhhh" pose, Otis (plus auto on WWE_E V4), and Finn Balor. A cunt photo bombed me and ruined my Balor op and even bragged "I photobombed you". I wanted to curse her out but being at the airport I didn't want to cause a scene. Also saw Matt Riddle sitting down wearing shades but had no need for another op. Gunther was due to fly out but didn't bother waiting for him since he shut it down at airports. Left the airport and mooched a nice breakfast. 

Bianca Belair

Kit Wilson

Fandango

Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley

Chad Gable

Otis

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

WWE_E V4

Otis (Heavy Machinery)
Fandango 

Next up, a book signing for George Brown, the drummer and a founding member of Kool and the Gang. Went up to him was cool, signed and did ops. 

George Brown

Autographs

Next up, I wanted young up and coming actor Andrew Barth Feldman (No Hard Feelings). Wait for him and see him. Got the op, he signed but not for me. So I would have to come back for him. I also get Alex Boniello (Ghosts), Myles Frost, Terrence Johnson, and Sammi Cannold.

Then go to the airport for Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind. I got him before but I wanted to upgrade my shot and get his autograph. He wasn't very friendly and we had to really talk him to do anything. But I did get the combo. Then on another flight I got other members of the band. None of the others are original but they have been in many albums.

Went back to the previous spot to try to get more actors and Andrew's auto but that didn't work out as they came back fast. But I did rush to the venue and get wheelchair bound actress Ali Stroker. She was very nice.

Full list of photo ops

Andrew Barth Feldman

Stephan Jenkins

Next day was a signing for Post Malone at Sound Garden in Baltimore. I admit I'm not a huge fan of his but he's a big name and could branch out to other things. And here was a signing that was practically free. So I figure better go for him than regret it in the future. Before the signing I went to get Andrew Barth Feldman to sign for me and was successful. Then it was off to the signing. Lined up and the line was huge. By the time I got to him he was doing autographs even though it was advertised as photo only. But afterwards they shut down autographs. He was nice as can be, got the photo op and 2 things signed. He marked out for the TMNT Ray Fillet photo I had for him.

Post Malone

Autographs

Next day I go back to the Andrew Barth Feldman spot for the last time and get some of the other actors I missed. I was in town and the timing was right.

Full list of photo ops

This day, I would have a flight for Andy Summers, guitarist of the Police. Go to the airport and he declines at first but then get him to sign and do photos. Success! 

Next spot is for basketball player Kevin Durant. He has some movie credits so I thought why not. While waiting I get tennis player Andy Murray. Kevin is sadly not accommodating and fail on that front as he leaves.

Then to an event for rapper Chino XL who has TV credits. While there get some barely valids and also rapper Nine. Get Chino XL as he arrives.

Andy Summers

Autographs

Full list of photo ops

And finally ended the month at the airport to get a Penn and Teller dual op. They were very nice and signed as well.

Penn and Teller

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout July part 1

First off, while doing 4 cons in 1 weekend, I stopped by a spot in NYC for actress Emily Bergl (who somehow had eluded me for years). Got her and others. I then went to another spot to  improve my photo op with singer/actress Jojo but to my dumb luck she didn't come out that night.

Full list of photo ops

Next up, went to a spot mainly for actor Derek Theler. While waiting I grab others there, most notably record producer Jimmy Jam. Sadly never see Derek, so I go to another spot to get other actors. I get Shawna Hamic (Orange is the New Black), singer Brooke Simpson, actress D'Arcy Carden (update), actor Brandon Scott Jones (Ghosts), Paul Welsh (Crazy Ex Girlfriend), actress Karole Foreman, and actress Liz Mikel (Friday Night Lights). Needed Neil Casey (2016 Ghostbusters) but never saw him.

Take some time out and later that evening I go to the original spot cause I get a tip that Gabourey Sidibe AKA Precious has an event. I have her but could use a better spot. I go there but her event is done. I decide I will wait a little more for a Hail Mary stroke of luck that I see Derek Theler. And lo and behold I see him in the lobby with his girl. I couldn't believe my luck! I ask him for the op and he is nice as can be. 

Derek Theler

Full list of photo ops

I try again at the spot for Neil Casey. This time I thankfully see him. Also get comedian Dan Black. John Gallagher Jr is due. Thankfully I have the op from before so this time I'm focusing on autos. He is rushed in I manage to get the autos. I let others who don't have him get the photo op.

On to another spot where I want to improve my photo op with actress Keke Palmer. The venue security is trying to stop us from being in position but since it's a sidewalk we largely ignore him. As she pulls up we call her over and she approaches us. We get photos. Failed on the autograph.

Keke Palmer

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Next up, a flight for musician Joe Satriani. I got him before but it's a socially distant shot. So I thought I'd go upgrade it. He was cool and did ops and signed.

Joe Satriani

Autographs

Next day a WWE flight for Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. I wanted to get autographs as I have the ops but they declined doing anything at the airport. Matt Riddle was on the same flight and I got another photo with him.

Matt Riddle

Day after that I decide to go for rapper Wale. I wanted him mainly for his WWE connections. When he entered he did nothing, when he left I had to go after him to get the op. Event security was trying to stop me but since we were on public property I largely ignored him and called for Wale as he himself was surrounded by his people. Eventually Wale stops and lectures me about getting in people's faces then finally says "come on let's do it" and I get the op. After that I get some soccer names I never heard of. 

Wale

Autographs

Full list of photo ops