Celebrity Meet and Greets

Next up, start my day with an early morning Jessica Alba flight. Most would argue not the wisest of moves. But I saw her, she had a cap on but no mask and no shades, she took a photo op, and she signed 2 things for me. I have been going for Jessica Alba in a span of 10-15 years, and never in my life have I ever seen her this nice. Sadly I can never seem to get a "great" photo op with her. But this is better than the others I have. I'll take it.

I would try for two more flights that day. Second would be actress Emily Procter. When I asked for a photo op she completely shot me down. Wouldn't even sign. Completely nasty. Who would have imagined that Jessica Alba would be nice in an early morning flight but Emily Procter would be so nasty on a flight later in the day. Truly goes to show you how unpredictable combo hunting can be.

Final flight for the day was Mavis Staples. She would not do ops but signed 1 per.

Jessica Alba

Next day I try to look for the West Wing cast. Try the spot where they are doing a screening but they were already in. Didn't know where they would come out but finally the hotel was figured out. Go to the hotel and wait. We were almost getting ready to give up, then a bus pulls up, right on the sidewalk, and the holy grail motherload is there! Most of the cast!

I got director Thomas Schlamme (fresh) and Christine Lahti (update). Then I got actress Janel Moloney (fresh) and actress Emily Procter (fresh). Contrast to the airport the prior day, she was super nice with a huge smile happily stopping. She was such a different person to a point where I wondered if I made an error spotting her and it was actually someone else. Dule Hill was on the bus but I didn't bother him since I have enough ops with him. Martin Sheen was also in town but we didn't see him. No big deal as I've seen him enough times.

What was basically hours of running around and what seemed like a complete bust, in a span of 5 minutes turned into an epic success. Again, shows you how unpredictable these things can be.

Later that evening I tried Mavis Staples at her hotel, but sadly her handler remembered me from the airport and didn't stop for me.

On my way back from Baltimore Comic Con I would go for Gordon Gano, the lead singer of Violent Femmes, at his flight out. He was super cool even removing the mask for the photo op. Also got an autograph.

I would try for Scott Bakula at a show he was doing to get some autographs and hoping his wife Chelsea Field would show up. But never saw his wife and when I mooched into the venue I got caught and kicked out. Never saw him leave either. I would attempt this again soon.

Gordon Gano

Next night to a venue for original member of Judas Priest, KK Downing. During the show I get the original lead guitarist of Accept Wolf Hoffmann, a pretty solid name. During the span of the show I also get other barely valids. Unfortunately KK himself does a run off after the show and I never saw him.

Next day I went for a Jo Jo Levesque book signing. I had someone to help with gas and buy me the book. So I did it. I got a huge upgrade over my past shots. Outside the bookstore she wouldn't sign only did selfies.

Jo Jo Levesque

Next evening to a venue for singer Suzanne Vega. She is not only a good name in her own right but a good historical name as one of her songs was used in the creation of the MP3 format. When she came out she was nice, signed, and did ops.

Suzanne Vega

Next night is back to the Scott Bakula show. This time I was almost sure his wife Chelsea Field (Teela in the Masters of the Universe movie) would show up. And indeed I could see from the outside she did show up. I mooched inside the venue was about to ask. I caught her attention but the same security guard kicked me out again. I had to try at the next spot which would be a party spot. Sadly the same security guard was accompanying them. He tried to stop me but she agreed and I got the op! Thankfully didn't need to ask Scott.

Chelsea Field

Drove to a venue to try for Till Lindemannm, the lead singer of the legendary German band Rammstein. I had failed on at the airport. At the venue he signed but still refused ops. Sadly someone handed him a crappy tattoo marker to sign their arm and he used that. Thus all the autographs were garbage. I grabbed some barely valids while waiting for him. Evening was a bust. I then went to NYC.

Horrid Till Lindemann autograph

On the way back from NYC I would try for more music names, this time the band Counting Crows. First up, the airport. I would get

Jim Bogios (long time drummer)
Dan Vickrey (guitarist in all but the first album)
David Bryson (original guitarist)
Charlie Gillingham (original keyboard player)

Then it was off to the train station where I would get

David Immergluck (played on the early albums as a session musician turned into a full member)

And last but certainly not least, the original lead singer and main man himself, Adam Duritz!

Overall a nice clean sweep, only missing longtime bassist Millard Powers as far as the current lineup goes.

Scattered meets throughout September part 1

September starts with an event of largely Spanish speaking people. I arrive and just missed basketball player Carmelo Anthony. No biggie as I don't really care for sports and he wasn't that accommodating to begin with. Not long after I arrive John Leguizamo shows up and I get a combo. Lost count as to how many times I've seen him. Next up get Harvey Guillen (again a repeat). Next up get "actress" Nava Mau.

Then Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera, who is super nice and seems super healthy at 85. And after that my top want for the night, actor Danny Ramirez from Top Gun: Maverick and Falcon in the MCU.

It is smooth sailing from here as I get 80s singer Lisa Lisa, ER actress Lisa Vidal, Cuban singer Cimafunk, actress Paulina Chavez, and actress Annie Gonzalez.

This Latin boyband called Morat comes out. Never heard of them, but when in Rome. So I got the op with all 4 members. One singer I didn't see or spot is Nathy Peluso. So I would have to do the flight the next day.

Next day at the airport wait for singer Nathy Peluso. She is cool as she does photos and signs. Go to a venue later and wait for Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Get the combo.

Nathy Peluso

Rob Thomas

Next day I go to the airport for singer Bruce Springsteen. Due to parking fumbling I miss him during the day but I go back at night and he did a combo. This is my third photo op with him but my first without either hat or shades. I guess I can stop asking him for ops going forward.

Bruce Springsteen

Back the next day to the same spot as Bruce, 3 original members of Deep Purple. Roger Glover, Ian Paice, and Ian Gillan. I wait then see the car. As I go there I unfortunately see Ian Gilian at the door. Try to call for him but to no avail. Then I get Roger Glover who is cool for the op. I start getting yelled at by the staff. But I manage to ask Ian Paice as I am getting yelled at and he does the op. I guess 2 out of 3 (including the lead singer) is pretty good.

Roger Glover

Ian Paice

Basketball coach Dan Hurley is in town. Since he was on Monday Night RAW I figured I'd go get him. I also got 2 players while waiting. Dan was nice and did the op and autographs.

Tag Team (Steve Rolln and DC, the Brain Supreme)

Around mid September there was an even with Glenn Youngkin. He may run for VP in 2028 and it wasn't far from my house so I figured I'd go get him. After the event I got an op. Although in hindsight this effort would be a waste because I would see him in a rope line in the future.

Glenn Youngkin

In mid September I would go for the music duo Tag Team, best known for the song "Whoomp! (There It Is)". After the show we followed them and they let us in their VIP room where they signed for us and did ops. Super nice people.

Full list of Little House on the Prairie Con ops

Septmeber Cons: Little House on the Prairie Con and Baltimore Comic Con

September would be a relatively low activity month in terms of cons.

In early September I would go to a small Little House on the Prairie con in Lancaster. I arrive there and the line is ginormous. Like, what the hell? To boot, admission was sold out and there was no way I could buy it. Another obstacle to overcome. I wait in line and Alison Arngrim comes out to greet fans lining up. I ask for a selfie and she does it. She was my main want so right there I'm officially on the board.

By miracle I improvise getting into the event. There are lots of lower names from the show. Everything was priced $10. I selected 3 names as I there are lots of cons coming up. I got Charlotte Stewart, Dean Butler, and deaf child actor Jonathan Kovacs.

Alison Arngrim

Later in September I would attend Baltimore Comic Con. I would have 2 main wants there. Actor Daneil Kash from Aliens, and comic book writer Karl Kesel who was involved in the Death of Superman story line.

First I get my photo op with Daniel Kash, then line up for Karl. I add him on two of the Death of Superman storyline paperbacks and add him to 4 comics books. Primary objectives are done. I also get comic artist Richard Case, Lee Weeks, and Keith Champagne.

Daniel Kash

Full list of Baltimore Comic Con ops

Death of Superman paperbacks

Signed Superman comics

Monday, December 23, 2024

Multi Day New York City Haul in September

Towards the end of September I would go to NYC. There were a lot of broadway names I wanted to clear up before New York Comic Con that was coming up soon and there was also a book signing with Lance Bass of NSync that I could hit up.

I arrive in NYC, commandeer my parking spot, and sleep. Wake up in the morning and it's off to a bad start. I go to a spot for Javier Bardem. I miss him by about a minute. He was rough around the edges and didn't exactly take care of everyone, but I probably would have had him. I go to the next spot but get nothing good. I think they're housewives. I try for Chris Stapleton at the next spot and he declined. So far a horrid day.

Go to the book signing for Lance Bass. I try to get an extra item before the signing but the guard cock blocks me. At the signing I get the op and the book signed. Outside the signing I manage to get him to sign my 8x10 despite the guard trying to say no.

Got to a spot where George Clooney is having an event and lots of celebs are present. Here is where I find something out just by checking an event on my phone. There was a screening with Hellen Mirren (who I have) and other cast members. And Dustin Hoffman attended that screening! He was not part of the cast but he just attended. To boot, everyone waiting for the cast got the op. Dustin Hoffman is someone I miserably failed on in 2012. And have constantly missed since. My heart was crushed. To boot, the guy is 87 so not many more opportunities will come up at this point.

Now in a stroke of magical luck, all the cast members left the screening, but Dustin himself stayed! This means there is another shot at him. I could have waited at the theater, or I could go to his hotel. I abandoned my current spot and go wait outside his hotel. I figured he probably would not stop at the theater since he did it for everyone going in.

Wait at the hotel, the event lets out, and sure enough he did not stop at the theater. By another stroke of magical luck, I'm the only one waiting at the hotel! Finally Dustin arrives as expected, I give him my plea, and he agrees to the photo op! Major unexpected score of the year right there! It went from a horrid day to an epic day right there and then!

Go back to the Clooney event to see what can be had, I see people I have leave such as Shailene Woodley, Keegan-Michael Key, Gabrielle Union, and others. But I had no need to fight to get them. I got a DJ named Mark Ronson and an update with actor Richard Kind.

Dustin Hoffman

Full list of Day 1 photo ops

Next day start at a spot mainly for Fred Hechinger (Gladiator 2). I get Hamish Linklater (repeat), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Fred Hechinger, Jimmie Fails, and Ethan Herisse. Daveed Diggs was there but I didn't bother to get that since I have him. Go to the Dustin Hoffman spot to see what can be had, and I score Luke Wilson (upgrade).

I go to the next spot for Cate Blanchett. Someone I've always failed on photo op wise. And given the crowd it was looking like history would repeat itself. She did nothing going in and barely signed while leaving fast. I got an autograph. I also got an op with Leila George.

Move on to the "easy" show spots. First one the main target is Mamoudou Athie from Jurassic World Dominion. I get a couple of barely valids in the show and then see him inside on his bike. I go up to him, he introduces himself, and is nice as can be. Next Show spot features Adam Driver but I need actress Heather Burns. I get Frank Wood and Kenneth Lonergan who I have but somehow I miss Heather Burns. I also fail to even get an Adam Driver autograph. This means I would have to return.

Fred Hechinger

Luke Wilson

Full list of Day 2 photo ops

Next day I start at the same spot as the prior day, this time for actor Brady Corbet (Thirteen). Adrian Brody and Felicity Jones are here but I have them both. Got Felicity Jones going in but it's slightly blurry. No big deal as I have a shot. Randomly leaving nearby was Timmy Trumpet. I get the op. Brady Corbet goes in and I get that op. On exit I get Adrian Brody but it comes out blurry. Again no big deal. But I get his wife Georgina Chapman who is an actress.

Go to the next spot for an upgrade with actress Saoirse Ronan. On entry she does nothing but I manage to score her husband Jack Lowden who is a fresh meet! On exit neither do anything.

Now back to the "easy" show spots. First up I wait for a big want of mine, Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Wait and as luck would have it she is the first one I see. Was nice, did ops, and signed. Score! Between entries and exists I also get Rafi Gavron, Anna Kahja, Melora Hardin (The Office), and others. Overall a nice clean sweep. Robert Downy Jr is also there but no one ever sees him. Thankfully I have a passable shot.

To the next place back where Adam Driver is, I got Heather Burns (Miss Congeniality, You've Got Mail) but I fail to get another op with Adam Drive. I score his autograph on a program. I'll take that. Heather was moving fast but I ran after her and asked and she was very cool.

Final spot for the evening is a late night spot. I would get lots of good names but sadly I have most of them. It was pandemonium but fruitful. I got Jean Smart (repeat), Jim Gaffigan (repeat), Dana Carvey (no hat upgrade), among others. Post Malone I got autographs since I already have an op. Chaos truly erupted when both Jelly Roll and Machine Gun Kelly came out. I almost got tackled by Jelly Roll's security asking for the op but Jelly Roll overid his authority. The black mark for the evening is failing to get Machine Gun Kelly who is want of mine due to his WWE connections. I guess you can't win them all.

Andrea Martin

Jelly Roll

Full list of Day 3 photo ops

My fourth and final day would be a day of relative rest as I would stick to the "easy" show spots. To boot I would get some much needed sleep. First spot is Meredith Garretson from Resident Alien. She was super happy to do the photo op. Always nice to start your day with names like that. Your day starts well as you got your first photo op, and you make someone else's day.

Next spot was for actress Gus Birney then found out about Saoirse Ronan has an event nearby. So I abandon ship and fail on Saoirse Ronan. No big deal I have a Saoirse Ronan shot and would try for Gus Birney in the future.

At this point I was debating if I should leave the city or try one more thing in the evening. Upon learning that director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall, Spectre) is there I decide to stay. The show breaks and I start getting people. Get Clark Gregg (update), Brandon Uranowitz (update), Richard Lumsden. Then playwright/director Jez Butterworth and finally a combo with Sam Mendes. Then get Bryan Dick (Master and Commander), Leanne Best (Star Wars Force Awakens), Laura Donnelly (update), Ophelia Lovibond (Guardians of the Galaxy), among others. This ended my time in NYC till comic con week.

Sam Mendes

Full list of Day 4 photo ops

Autographs obtained:

Autographs part 1

Autographs part 2

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Scattered meets throughout August part 2

Around mid August I would go for UB40, probably best known for the song "Red Red Wine". The current line up has 10 members, but only 4 original. The rest are barely valid. I already met 2 original members who are not in the current line up. Original lead singer Ali Campbell and Astro (who is dead). So it would be cool to add these 4 original members to the 2 I have.

The show let up and I wound up seeing all 10 members, every one of them was as nice as can be. Success. I should add this wound up being a better deal than the $250 meet and greet because in that op you had all 10 members and weren't even next to any originals.

The 4 original members I got are

Jimmy Brown
Robin Campbell
Earl Falconer
Norman Lamont Hassan

Full list of UB40 photo ops

Before hitting up Fairfax comic con I would do a flight for the group Shalamar. Two originals members Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel. I already have the third original member, Jody Watley.

First up is Jeffrey Daniel he is dazed and confused as to how we knew he was coming and why we would want combos from him. Was super nice and even chatted with us as we explained to him where he landed and where he's playing. Also got Howard Hewett who was also super nice. And both signed. And I got the barely valid Carolyn Griffey.

Shalamar photo ops

Next up a venue for Christian music singer Sandi Patty. She came out after the how in the lobby and was nice as can be, along with her husband Don Peslis.

Sandi Patty

Don Peslis

And finally a flight for Sam Sorbo, wife of Kevin Sorbo. She's not really a huge name but she was in episodes of the Hercules tv show. And since I had a flight I thought why not. She was super nice and I got a photo op with Sorbo's son who has some movie credits.

Sam Sorbo

Shane Sorbo

Saturday, December 21, 2024

WWE, New Japan, and more in August

On a day towards the end of August I go for Jake Paul, brother of Logan Paul. He has WWE connections hence why I wanted him. Going in the MMA event he didn't stop. So I enter the event and get an op with ring girls Janey Lee and Holly Barker. I later left to wait outside which was a fatal mistake because he apparently did combos inside after his segment. PUNCH!

While waiting out I get co owner of the league Donn Davis and figher/boxer Francis Ngannou. Some other people came out and I couldn't get them but don't know who they are.

Jake Paul finally comes out and he agrees to the op. Guards are physically trying to stop me despite that. I get the op but don't like the photobombing guards, so I run to the car and get a roll down shot. Stupid guards if not for them I wouldn't have bothered him again.

After this success it was off to the airport for WWE flights. First up, Michael Hayes. Wasn't too nice about signing but I get another op. Then there were 2 mass flights on opposite ends of the airport. The timing would have worked out if the flights were on time. But 1 flight was delayed and 1 flight was early. Meaning they were both landing at the same time. The worst possible outcome timing wise. One flight had Jacob Fatu, and one had Blair Davenport, both of whom I need. To add further insult, Tama Tonga (who I need) came in at the same time in another airport.

Wait for the first flight and saw Grayson Waller walk by. He barely acknowledged. Thankfully had no need to bother him. The first flight lets out. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fato were both dicks with Jacob saying he is still mourning his uncle Sika's death. This sucks because I need Jacob Fatu. I didn't ask Nia Jax or Tiffany Straton but Nia shot down on Tiffany's behalf when someone asked.

Saw Naomi who hugged me. I asked for autos. She said sure but no ops since she's not looking great. I said it's ok I have so many ops with her. She says "I know". Got her on my WWE_E V4. Then I rush to the other end of the airport as I don't want to miss Blair Davenport.

I arrive in time for the max exodus. Sadly my teammates did not make it in time so I have no one to take a cool Santos/Angel/Berto/Elektra group op for me.

I saw but didn't ask

Santos Escobar
Angel
Berto
Kevin Owens (who barely acknowledged)
Appollo Crews

I got selfies with Elektra Lopez, Blair Davenport, Isla Dawn. Then I go next to Blair who was next to Piper Niven to get Blair autos. She is nice as can be. I tell Piper that I got her before and don't need to bother her this time. She goes "no worries". I also get a selfie with B-Fab.

Jake Paul

Blair Davenport

Blair Davenport autographs

Two days later it was time for a book festival and a mass WWE outbound. At the book festival my main goal is author James Patterson. I bought the book from Barnes and Noble since it would be cheaper than buying it at the festival. They had said no posed photos. But I managed to score the op. On my way out I saw author Doris Kearns Goodwin was doing an interview and when she was done I got the op. Then it was back to the airport.

I stop by a hotel near the airport and run into Byron Saxton (who knows me). I shoot the breeze with him and he told me how he's going to visit some museums before flying out.

On to the airport and wait for check ins and see no one. Turns out most had already checked in! Now it was time to go to another part of the airport. I see both Jade and Theory just sitting down. Soon after they start lining up and it is chaos as 2 WWE security guards are trying to stop us yelling at us that they're trying to get on a plane.

I get a combo with Cody Rhodes (signed my WWE_E V4), I get a dual shot with the Street Profits. My first time getting both Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford in the same op. The whole time I'm trying to focus to find Tama Tonga. I see AJ Styles declining ops but I didn't ask him.

I saw Bayley, Indi Hartwell, Naomi, Tiffany, Nia Jax line up but I didn't ask them. I told Naomi to have a good trip. I saw Johnny Gargano and Candice Le Rae, Tommaso Ciampa, and Pretty Deadly arrive. I get an op with Tanga Loa but he shoots down autographs. This is my first op with him since the Camacho days.

As my dumb luck would have it, after everyone else is loaded on the plane and it's almost time for the plane to leave, Tama Tonga is seen running with Jacob Fatu. Of course Tama has the "I have a plane to catch" excuse and Jacob goes "we're still in mourning".

In hindsight, I should have done Tama Tonga at his inbound then woke up early for Blair Davenport. But presumably I would have had multiple opportunities at Tama Tonga leaving but that would not happen.

On to another flight saw Shinsuke Nakamura. And as I was leaving the airport saw Ilja Dragunov.

Cody Rhodes

Street Profits

James Patterson signed book

During the last days of August I would try for the first time in my life New Japan Pro Wrestling. First I would try an inbound flight for Hiroshi Tanahashi. I met him in 2011 but I thought it's enough of a big name to warrant an update and autographs. Since it's a flight from Tokyo I also hope for more people on the flight. Unfortunately I see nothing which is shocking. In a somewhat humorous incident, I see someone who looks like he could be a Japanese wrestlers. I ask him for an op and he doesn't even speak English. He does the op. But upon an image search turns out he's a Hispanic singer from Panama named Flex.

Flex

Next day it took a lot of hard work and time spent searching but I finally found the NJPW hotel. As a result of the time it took, I could only do them coming back from the show. I arrive at the hotel and get James Drake (fresh), Zack Gibson (upgrade). Sadly it turns out they are leaving via private plane to make the next AEW show. This meant Lio Rush and others I was hoping to get would be doing the same thing. PUNCH.

When the NJPW bus arrives it is pandemonium. I get Matt Vandagriff (fresh), Kevin Knight (fresh), Robbie Eagles (fresh), Mikey Nicholls, (fresh), TJ Perkins (downgrade), Tomohiro Ishii (update), Royce Issacs (fresh), Yoshi-Hashi (fresh), Hiroshi Tanahashi (update), Shane Thorne AKA Slapjack (downgrade), Dan Moloney (fresh), and Hiromu Takahashi (fresh). At this point an older Japanese lady is yelling at me demanding to stop saying this is private property. I see Zack Sabre Jr and others go upstairs while I'm being yelled at.

After this woman is gone the lobby is mostly empty. But Zack Sabre Jr (fresh) comes back down and I get him. Then I get Gabe Kidd (fresh). I see some NJPW women out and about and people at the bar. I wait for a good time to strike. But the women rat me out to the hotel staff and that ended my time. While I didn't get "everyone" it was still a solid sweep of largely fresh ops.

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Next day I had two flights at two different airports. Hiroshi Tanahashi leaving and David Finlay (son if Fit Finlay) leaving. And they were leaving around the same time. I chose to go to Hiroshi Tanahashi for some autographs because it was the easier airport for me. He was super cool. Got a great shot sitting next to him and photos signed.

Hiroshi Tanahashi

Scattered meets throughout August part 1

Early August starts with a flight for actor Jay Eillis from Top Gun: Maverick, Escape Room, among other things. He was super nice and signed and took photos no issue.

Jay Ellis

After this success I would try a play letting out. Photo op wise my goals were actress Lesli Margherita and Michelle Veintimilla (Firefly in Gotham). Autograph wise I needed Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Scarface) and Steven Pasquale (both of which I have ops with). The play also featured a plethora of barely valids and potential up and comers.

The play let out and it was a success. Got the op with Lesli Margherita. Michelle Veintimilla was super nice and signed and did ops. Steven Pasquale was rough but I got a combo. Mary Elizabeth was super nice and signed all my items including my Scarface laserdisc marking the fourth autograph on it. And I got 18 other ops.

Michelle Veintimilla

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio autographs

Other autographs

Next day I go for a flight with Liv Morgan and Bron Breaker. I have them both but figured I'd get some autographs and I was also hoping there would be more people on the flight. As it turned out Bron canceled and there was no one else on the flight. Flight was a let down but Liv was her usual friendly self.

Liv Morgan

311 (Tim Mahoney, Aaron Wills AKA P-Nut, Nick Hexum, Doug Martinez AKA SA, and Chad Sexton)

A radio station had an event with the rock band 311. I admit I'm not too familiar with the band, but you won tix and it got you free food, a free performance, and a guaranteed free pro op. Hard to beat that, especially in this day and age. To boot, you got all 5 original members. Unheard of for a band that released its first album in 1993. Ate some good food, got a free photo op. Then outside I got a selfie with the main guy Nick Hexum.

Nick Hexum

Now for a rare sports meet for me. Former NBA player Gheorghe Muresan who also co starred with Billy Crystal in a movie. First day I tried for him I missed him by 5 minutes. So I waited earlier the second try and I saw him. He was nice as can be. Even told me "hello shorty" and signed. He stands at 7'7, the same height as the Giant Gonzalez. I guess it's a forever preview of how a Giant Gonzalez photo op would have looked like. This has to be the tallest photo op I have.

Gheorghe Muresan

Next I try again the play from before, this time for more Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio autographs. I get some repeat photo ops, I get another Steven Pasquale autograph, and Mary Elizabeth signs for me again as she is her friendly self.

Then a Michael C Hall flight. Had him 1 on 1. Did 2 and the photo. I consider this an upgrade over my NYC photo from his play years ago.

Michael C Hall

On a day I went for a flight for Olympians returning from Paris. The main get was swimmer Katie Ledecky. First up is wrestler Kyle Snyder who is nice. Then Katie comes out and is mobbed but I manage to get a combo. And finally track and field runner Quincy Wilson who is mobbed and does it for everyone.

Later that same evening I went to a venue for Bare Naked Ladies singer Steven Page. He doesn't tour with the rest of the band. Waited after the show and got him and other barely valid names. He was nice as can be and signed all my Bare Naked Ladies albums, completing most of them.

Katie Ledecky

Steven Page

Full list of Monstermania photo ops

Olympic autos

Bare Naked Ladies autos

August Cons: Monstermania, Steel City Con, and more

First up, Montermania in Cherry Hill. My wants at this Montermania would thankfully be very little. First up, Ronee Blakley from the original Nightmare on Elm Street. Then Craig Sheffer from One Tree Hill. And finally Mikey Madison from Scream. In hindsight getting Mikey would not pay off because I would see her for free in NYC in the near future.

Next up, Steel City Con. My top want here is Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Red Dawn, among others.

First up I get Yuji Okumoto from Karate Kid 2 and Cobrai Cai. I went back later to get a retake because I didn't like my expression in the photo. They were cool enough to let me do it for free. Then Mary Mouser form Cobra Cai. Then Tanner Buchanan from Cobra Cai, He's All That, and Fuller House. Then of course Jennifer Grey.

Then I get actor Mark Pellegrino (Mulholland Drive) and go for screen writer Todd Langen. He was involved in the early 90s TMNT 1&2 movies. He had a sign that literally said "everything is free". As in free autos and free photos. Even free items to get signed. You don't see much of that in this day and age. I got a script page signed and the op.

After this I got my Yuji Okumoto retake. Ended my time at Steel City with a suited Thomas Lennon.

Jennifer Grey

Everything is Free

Full list of Steel City Con photo ops

Next up, I would knock out 3 cons within a single weekend. First, Fair Fax Comic Con in Chantilly (same venue as CSA show). I enter and get a free update with comic book artist Brett Breeding. I had no splits and didn't like the prices for the names, so I thought I'd try my luck at a hotel.

First up was a name I actually wanted, Ryan Drummond who voiced Sonic in the Dreamcast/PS2 era of Sonic games. And I also got voice actor Matthew Waterson (X-Men 97).

Next day I would make a stop at Risu Con in Silver Spring, MD. I would get one name, namely Paul Niemeyer who did the cabinet artwork of the original Mortal Kombat game. There were other names I might have gotten but with the prices there and no splitter I left the con. Then I headed to Station Unity at the Gaylord hotel in Maryland. I mooched Christopher Larkin (The 100) as he was leaving the con and got actress Lotte Verbeek (Outlander).

Fair Fax Comic Con, Risu Con, and Station Unity photo ops

Paul Niemeyer Autograph

Friday, December 20, 2024

Scattered meets throughout July part 2

The last few days of July would be riddled with failures but had some successes. First up, I would try for John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls at the airport. Complete and utter dick, cursing people out even threatening to call the police.

I would have a success that day waiting at the hotel for Styx members. I se James Young go to his bus wearing a mask and debating if I should blow my cover asking him. But then I see Tommy Shaw, I ask for the op and I score that. By then James is already in the bus so I can't ask him.

I had the hotel for some cast members of 3 Body Problems, but then found out they all checked out. I was one step behind. I tried another spot for Elon Musk and saw nothing.

Tommy Shaw

A few days later I would fail on 3 different bands in one day. First I tried Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt at the airport. They had an entourage and did nothing. I couldn't believe it. I had items for Billy Joe Armstrong which was the next flight but seeing how bad this one was I went for James Iha at another airport which landed around the same time. I was right about Billy Joe being worthless, but as was James Iha who declined.

Later I tried for Blink 182 at the airport the cars snuk in the tarmac. I beat them to the hotel where they declined.

Another day On my way to AC Celeb Con I stopped by McGoobys for Lil Rel Howery from Free guy. He was cool.

Lil Rel Howery

On my way back from Shore Leave in Lancaster I stopped by the airport for Tim Armstrong from the band Rancid. Wasn't going to stop but ended up doing combos.

Tim Armstrong

The final success of July would be at the airport for Ellen DeGeneres. She was actually nice despite her bodyguard trying to stop things. Actress Portia de Rossi (Ally McBeal) went in the car, I called her from the car windows and she opened to the door to take a photo op (much to the chagrin of the bodyguard). This is something I truly expected to go south but went much better than I would have imagined.

Ellen DeGeneres

Portia de Rossi

Final day of July I tried for Joan Baez outside a venue she declined. Only got Ari Shapiro. At the hotel I watched from a distance as she declined those that asked. I had her flight out and did not want to mark myself. But at the flight she declined as well. SMH.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Tyra Banks, Dukes of Hazzard, and more

In the second half of July I would try for Tyra Banks as she was appearing to promote a pop up store of overpriced ice cream cones. Line up, watched her do interviews, then when I went inside I managed to score a combo!

At Cooter's in Luray, VA they were having a 3 day Dukes of Hazzard event. First day was at a store, second and third were outdoors. So I thought it would be a good idea to go to the store and knock off the names I need rather than deal with a crowd. I would go again 2 days later because I wanted the band Confederate Railroad, but I thought it would be easier to go to the store friday just to get the names out of the way. In hindsight I could have gone just 1 day and gotten everything.

Anyhow, after Tyra Banks I arrive at Cooter's. I got Byron Cherry (Coy Duke) and actor and comedian Jeff Altman. I also got the Daisy Duke stuntwoman Kay Kimler. And I was out.

Next day I would go to a venue for Kevin Bacon. I met him before but I had a Wild Things DVD signed by Neve Campbell and Denise Richards. He wasn't that nice after the show, definitely a far cry from what I got him in the past. But I did manage to get the DVD done. He didn't take an op with me but thankfully I didn't need one.

Then back to the Dukes of Hazzard event where my main focus is the band Confederate Railroad. The original line up had 6 members. The current line up has only 4, and sadly only 2 are original. The lead singer and the drummer. I would later find out that the drummer was sick and even he would not be present that day. PUNCH.

While there I got 2 musicians I got before, namely Fred Douglas and Bobby Crafford (who drummed with Elvis in the 50s). And I got signer Whey Jennings (fresh).

Confederated Railroad were supposed to do a signing at their booth but after the show they just did the railing by the stage. I got individual ops with all the band members including the lead singer Danny Shirley. I could have had all 4 in a photo op if I tried but since 3 are barely valid I figured why put the effort. With that I was out.

Tyra Banks

Danny Shirley

Full list of photo ops day 1

Scattered meets throughout July part 1

Early June is a concert event where my main goal is Debbie Sledge of Sister Sledge, best known for the song "We Are Family". I already have Kathy Sledge so this would be a good addition.

First up I get Debbie Sledge with her band of barely valids. Sadly she is wearing shades.

Then I get Alfonso Ribeiro (update), Noelle Scagg of Fitz and the Tantrums (fresh), dancer Britt Stewart (fresh), Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz and the Tantrums (fresh), and Olympian Shawn Johnson East (fresh) who took care of everyone.

Then country singer Gavin DeGraw who is unrelated to this event happened to be staying there randomly. I got the combo with him (update photo op).

Darren Criss didn't stop and Sheila E Barely stopped but I have both.

Singer Loren Allred (fresh) is nice to all. Then it was time for returns as I wanted to get Debbie Sledge no shades. While I was eating I missed Smokey Robinson coming back and doing ops but thankfully I have him and he doesn't sign anyway.

Coming back neither Noelle Scagg nor Debbie Sledge stopped.

Next day I go to the first spot of the evening where I get football player Andrew East (husband of Shawn Johnson East) and Michael Fitzpatrick no shades. Sadly I botched Noelle Scagg as I stepped away for a second. Security here were trying to stop us for ops so we headed to the spot from yesterday where I again missed Noelle Scagg by seconds. Then I would get Alfonso Ribeiro all suited up, Britt Stewart (upgrade), and finally got Debbie Sledge upgrade no shades. Then someone asked Amanda Nguyen (barely valid) for an op so I just got one. This ended that trek.

Debbie Sledge

Full list of photo ops day 2

Gavin DeGraw autograph

Next day would start with a flight for En Vogue which has 2 original members and 1 barely valid. Shortly after COVID they signed for me but refused ops. See them coming through with their entourage and they were very nice and signed by politely declined ops as they weren't looking their best.

I would wait after the show and finally end up at their hotel where I got a great dual shot with originals Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis. Also got a separate selfie with Rhona Bennett. They remembered from the airport and asked "wasn't it worth the wait?"

Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis

Rhona Bennett

Next up I go for former child actor Khleo Thomas at a screening. Mooch in after the event was done, get him and some barely valids no issue.

Wang Chung (Jack Hues and Nick Feldman)

On an evening around mid July I would go to a venue for folk legend Patty Griffin. Get to the venue and got the opener Lucy Wainwright Roche and then Patty herself not long after. She was nice.

Lucy Wainwright Roche

Patty Griffin

Next evening it was a venue for some 80s bands. Some of which I've met before some I haven't. First gets were repeats, Thomas Dolby (He Blinded me with Science) and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins. Next up, two fresh names. Two original member of The Tubes, Roger Steen and Fee Waybill.

Men Without Hats pull up in a van, and I get an upgrade with lead singer Ivan Doroschuk. Also got a photo op with his barely valid backup singer Sahara Sloan.

Went to the hotel to wait for Wang Chung but never saw them. Sadly I missed Eddie Munoz (The Plimsouls) while there. After the show broke got another photo op with Annabella Lwin (Bow wow wow). Then was able to make up Eddie Munoz (fresh) as he left the venue. Then Wang Chung came out. In the past I got Nick Feldman but never Jack Hues. So this time I was able to get both. Got them and got them again as they finally checked into the hotel.

After this clean sweep I go to a nearby comedy venue for actress Chloe Troast. Mooch into her autograph line and get a couple of barely valids that were there.

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

July Cons: Contropolis, AC Celeb Con, Shore Leave

First in mid July, Contropolis in Jersey. The main attraction for me were the Police Academy names.

First up is Julie Brown from Police Academy 2, Earth Girls are Easy, A Goofy Movie, and more. Then Tom O'Connell (one of the Darth Vader suit actors in the Obi Wan tv show). Then my main want for the show, Tim Kazurinsky AKA Sweetchuck in Police Academy.

Next big Police Academy want, Lance Kinsey AKA Proctor. I wasn't going to get actor Daisuke Tsuji but since I had a splitter I thought why not. My final guest for the con was Dennis Greene from the Bad Boys movies.

Tim Kazurinsky

Lance Kinsey

Full list of AC photo ops

Towards the end of July I would attend AC Celeb Con. I normally don't ever do cons on Sunday, and this is honestly a good reason why. But many factors were involved so it was sunday or nothing for me. I arrived and went to the admission table. It was $35. But they didn't have change. I told them I had $30 in change and they accepted that.

After going in we learnt most guests were not at their table and had no plans to come back. PUNCH. Some just came back to get their stuff. The only person there that was on my list was Michael Horse (Twin Peaks) which I split with former board member Heelorton. Then came a point where they stopped selling admission and the con was officially canceled. I went to the admission table to try and get my money back to no avail as no one was at the admission table.

After we exited we went to the hotel to see what could be had. Ready to leave the building was Dana Ashbrook (Twin Peaks) which we got a free op with. Then inside the lobby was my top want from the con Harry Goaz (Twin Peaks, Eerie Indiana) just sitting there. We got the op and he gave us a signed 8x10 and signed book, all for free. Right there it wasn't a total bust because I got all the Twin Peaks names that I came for (which was basically the main reason I came). I also got Matt Lintz (repeat), Katelyn Nacon (fresh), and 3 people from California Dreams (all fresh).

So while I didn't pay for everyone I intended to get, I did get a lot of free stuff and I did get the main reason I came to this. So I was happy with that. After this I headed to Shore Leave in Lancaster. Some of the names I missed out on that I would have wanted included Brendan Sexton (Black Hawk Down), Taryn Manning (Orange Is the New Black, Sons of Anarchy), and Majandra Delfino (Roswell).

To time jump a little, when I got home that Sunday I sent them an email, left an instagram comment, and sent them a PM on instagram in an attempt to get my $30 back. I detailed my exchange with them at the counter and gave them my paypal address asking for my admission back. I wasn't rude, insulting, or anything. I was polite and diplomatic. I was of course expecting this to be completely futile. But the following Tuesday late evening, to my shock and awe, I got $30 back via paypal.

Keep in mind this was a cash payment they gave back to me. Not paypal or credit card where I would have had some power. So they could have just ignored me altogether and there would have been nothing I could do about it. This leads me to believe that they are not scammers but they are just inexperienced folks who bit off more than they could chew.

Back to that Sunday, after leaving AC I headed to Lancaster for Shore Leave. My main want was 87 year old actress BarBara Luna. Traffic delayed me by quite a bit, and I arrive there and apparently miss BarBara Luna buy like 20 minutes. PUNCH. I get Amanda Tapping AKA Samantha Carter from Stargate at her table.

As the combo Gods would have it, I wait in the lobby and see BarBara Luna in the bar, and manage to get a photo op. She was nice as can be. Damn she looks fantastic for 87 doesn't seem like she's a day over 65. I didn't know it at the time but the traffic to Lancaster was a blessing. Sadly I did not get actress Teryl Rothery from Stargate who was next to Amanda Tapping. A regret on my part.

Amanda Tapping

BarBara Luna

AEW airports meets in June

Towards the end of June I would go for some AEW at the airport. The first day I had flights for Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada. Neither of whom I ever met. First was Will. He was super nice about the op but would not sign. Second was Okada. Somehow I never saw him. But I had the outbound as backup.

Two days later it was again time for Okada but the outbound was canceled. So that was heartbreaking. They decided to use him for the next show so he drove out instead. But I would still go to the airport for some solid coin.

I would get Billy Gunn to sign me some cards. I got an update with Daniel Bryan plus his autograph on the WWE_E V4, I would get a 15 year update with the young bucks, I got them to sign me a card, and I even showed them our photo op from 15 years ago.

Went to another area of the airport and the success continued. Got MJF who was shockingly nice (udpdate), Prince Nana (fresh), and updates with Swerve Strickland, Alicia Atout, Konosuke Takeshita. Also saw Taz who signed me an original WWE promo that I already had Michael Cole on it. He busted balls about ebay even though he was just doing one per. I had no need to ask him for another op.

Will Ospreay

The Young Bucks

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Scattered Meets Throughout June part 2

Towards the end of June I attended CSA show. I went for one actress, namely Ellen Latzen from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Fatal Attraction. After I got her I saw Ryan Kerrigan doing free ops. No idea who that is but as they say, when in Rome. So I got the op.

After this headed downtown to an event with actor Demetrius Grosse from Rampage and also the Grim Reaper in the MCU, among other things. When the event broke I mooched my way inside looking for him hoping to find him. I was about to give up and I checked one more area and there he was just chit chatting. I asked for the op and he was nice as can be even asking my name.

Ellen Latzen

Ryan Kerrigan

Demetrius Grosse

Next, the Pop 2000 tour. My main want was Ryan Cabrera. All the bands had a meet and greets except for Ryan. I had the Ryan outbound flight as backup. Luckily I didn't need it because while he was out and about after his performance. I got the op and autographs! Nice guy.

Then I get Stephen McNally and Mark Barry in one shot (BBMak), Jacob Underwood (O-Town), Brad Fischetti (the only living member of LFO), Christian Burns (BBMak), Trevor Penick and Erik-Michael Estrada in one shot (both O-Town). The repeats here are O-Town since I got a group shot in NYC. The rest are fresh.

Now it was meet and greet time. I managed to mooch the Brad Fischetti meet and greet (didn't like the free shot I got earlier, so this is a rare same day upgrade). I also mooched a couple of shots from the O-Town meet and greet as they weren't really checking, namely Trevor Penick and Dan Miller. Feel bad for people who paid and didn't get the group op they were expecting.

With that I have ops next to every member of O-Town plus a group op from NYC.

Off to the airport for a Joe Greene flight. He was doing CSA show but I was unable to do CSA show since I was busy with POP 2000. He has non sports credits to his name hence why I decided to go for him. Went to the airport he was just sitting there and gladly took the photo op.

Ryan Cabrera

Joe Greene

Next evening to a venue for Bob Dylan's son, Jakob Dylan. Unfortunately they say he's not doing anything tonight but will take care of everyone tomorrow night. I get the op with barely valid Ben Peeler. Go to the hotel for Dylan where he signs two CD covers but no ops. I guess I'm now stuck coming back the next evening.

Next day I go to the airport for pro Trump swimmer Riley Gaines. Super nice and signed and took photos. Contrary to the next flight, tennis player Martina Navratilova who was foul and did nothing. Luckily I do have the op from years ago.

Back to Jakob Dylan at the venue. Start by getting the barely valid opener Justin Trawick. Wait for Jakob and true to the tour manager's word he took care of everyone. Sadly the ops were sub par because it was dark and he didn't want my camera being used. I was with someone with a high end iphone but even that wasn't good enough. He was also getting annoyed with multiple ops being taken accusing us of recording video of him (which we weren't).

Riley Gaines

Jakob Dylan

Autographs night one

Autographs next day

Next 2 days would be largely successful. I would first try for country legend Randy Travis. I see him getting wheeled into his room where his event is taking place and I don't get to him in time. I then go a block away where Paris Hilton has her own thing going on. I enter the room and wait. When it ends I manage to approach and get the op despite resistance from people trying to stop me. This is huge upgrade over my NYC photo op with shades.

Back to the Randy Travis event, I enter that room and wait. During intermission I get the photo op and autographs. SCORE! It's amazing how many young stars are awful and when they scribble it looks like nothing. Meanwhile you have Randy Travis, on a wheel chair, sub par health, being nice about photos and giving good autographs.

After this success I go to a hotel where lots of actors are staying. My main want is Marin Hinkle. Sadly I don't see her but I see Dean Norris and get another photo. It's ok I have a flight for Marin Hinkle the next day.

Wake up the next morning for the flight and get a PUNCH. She canceled her reservation. I was heart broken. I still go because actress Cara Jade Myers who I don't have is on the flight. She is nice and signs. Marg Helgenberger is on the flight too and I get the op. But I have her.

Later that day I go to another airport for another flight. Namely actress Megan Cavanagh (fresh meet) from Robin Hood Men in Tights. I find her sitting down, she stands for the photo op and signs no problem.

Paris Hilton

Randy Travis

Megan Cavanagh

Full list of photo ops part 1

Randy Travis autographs

Actress autographs

The next 2 days would revolve around a sports event but I would also focus on non-sports stuff around it. First a flight for basketball legend Julius Erving AKA Dr J. He was also in the movie "The Fish that Saved Pittsburg". He did a combo no issue but not more than that.

Went to another spot to try for Joan Jett. She was attending a baseball game. Saw her walk through but security cock blocked me. Waited by her bus outside for her to leave but again security stopped me! I did manage to find out her hotel.

So the next day I go to her hotel and wait for her to get in the bus, but I see all her people and never see her. Go to the hotel for the sports event where I get a bunch of basketball players I never heard of. I did see Goerge Gervin but he declined me.

Now I had 2 choices. Go to a venue for Greg Hawkes of The Cars, or go try for Joan Jett coming back to her hotel. Since Greg Hawkes was much more of a guarantee and I had good items for him to sign, I chose him. I sadly left a little earlier than I should have, because if I stayed longer I could have had the Goerge Gervin who did ops coming back. Oh well at least he's more of an "appease the combo Gods" kinda name for me.

After the Greg Hawkes event was done he did a signing and was nice as can be. I got him to sign my 2 Cars vinyls which had other autographs on it including the late Ric Ocasek (one of them is now complete). I also got the barely valids in his band.

Julius Erving

Greg Hawkes

Julius autograph

Greg Hawkes autographs

Full list of photo ops part 2

Monday, December 16, 2024

Scattered Meets Throughout June part 1

June would start with a flight for singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. She is best known for the song "Murder on the Dancefloor". She was super nice. I also got a photo with her husband Richard Jones who is with her band and also valid in his own right (he was an original member of the band The Feeling).

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Richard Jones

Next up to a venue for legendary signer and songwriter Dave Mason. Be did a signing at the venue after the show so I joined in. Wasn't that friendly but did a distant photo op. It's valid and it's not blurry so I'm happy.

Dave Mason

Next day I go for actress Bailey Bass (Avatar Way of the Water, Interview with the Vampire), at her flight. She was super cool and signed.

Bailey Bass

Next up a song writer's event. Start with Christian singer Martha Munizzi who is nice as can be. Then R&B singer Angie Stone, then Crystal Waters. We were waiting for legendary singer Jocelyn Brown but turns out the Jocelyn Brown that was scheduled here is a young lady that was completely unrelated. When Martha Munizzi left her daughters were with her. She was signing for someone and I got a dual op with her daughters (both of whom sing) and got another op with her.

Expose (Jeanette Jurado, Gioia Bruno, and Ann Curless)

Next an event with meet and greet photo ops. I did not buy any but a good friend of mine had to cancel his plans so he gave me the tickets, of which I am grateful.

First up, the 80s girl group Expose, 3 of the 4 original members in the op! Namely, Jeanette Jurado, Gioia Bruno, and Ann Curless. Score! Also got them to sign my vinyl. They were cool.

I headed to the airport to try and get Charlie Wilson flying in, but sadly did not make it on time due to traffic and closed roads. I would have to try again at his outbound. Back to the first event where I have the op ticket for singer Ava Max. Not really familiar with her but never met her and free is free. So I got the op.

Go back to the airport for a flight for up and coming singer Brittney Spencer. Again, not too familiar with her, but I was already there and it was an easy flight. Might as well. She was cool and I got the op.

Ava Max

Brittney Spencer

Signed vinyl

Next up go to an event to see what can be had, but sadly nothing great. I get a few ops. I try a venue for psychologist and author Jordan Peterson but never see him.

Another day, time to make up the Charlie Wilson (The Gap Band) miss. Go to the airport see him at a restaurant. Wait till he comes out with his entourage. He had bodyguards but he got up from his wheel chair to take an op and was nice as can be as he sat back down and signed for me. Got the op and autographs

Later that evening I go to a venue for the Happy Together tour. I have most everyone there but my main focus was Jay and the Americans, of which I have no members and of which there are 2 original members in the current line up. Namely Marty Sanders and Sandy Deanne.

After the show I see lots of people but make little effort because I either have them or they are barely valid. I did get yet another photo with Ron Dante. I see 2 current members of Jay and the Americans and get the ops. I ask about Marty and Sandy. Apparently Sandy was not with them this particular evening. PUNCH! Marty is apparently in the bus and one member is nice enough to go to the bus and bring him out for me. He was nice. Also got a photo op with Royce Taylor from The Vogues (sadly barely valid). Heartbroken that I couldn't get one of the only original members of Jay and the Americans that's still alive.

Charlie Wilson

Marty Sanders

Next the band Stone Temple Pilots. Three original members but sadly not the lead singer who died shortly after I failed on him years ago. After the show I manage to get all 4 members including the current lead singer. Dean DeLeo was the only one a little rough around the edges. On 2 event posters, I got all 4 on one of them. And on my two CD covers I got all 3 originals. Plus ops with all of course. As a bonus I got free food and free drinks. Overall I call that a clean sweep.

Autographs part 1

Autographs part 2

Another night I went for singer Marc Cohn at a venue. After the show I was the only one waiting. I asked for the op and he agreed.

Marc Cohn

And another day at the airport for Frankie Beverly (Maze). He arrives and is cool as he does ops and autographs. He died about 3 months later.

Frankie Beverly

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Some scattered meets throughout May

In early May I went to a venue for singer and actor Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill). Opening for him was the daughter of Lynda Carter, Jessica Carter Altman. Tyler arrives first and is nice as can be. Then Jessica arrives and she is nice. I told her I met her mother. Was hoping Lynda Carter would come so I can get autographs but that didn't happen.

Tyler Hilton

Jessica Carter Altman

Next an event where anyone could show up. You just wait and see who you see. The main score for me was Melinda Gates, ex wife of Bill Gates. Otherwise, it was slim pickings. The only actor I got was Wilmer Valderrama who I already have. Actress Michaela Coel denied going in and denied leaving. Sean Penn denied going in. Don McLean ignored going in but stopped going out. I got an auto and I got an op with his girl Paris Dylan. The only other name I got that I consider notable is billionaire Daniel Lubetzky from Shark Tank fame. See the full list for the other names.

I tried waiting for Sean Penn to leave to try for an autograph, but he wasn't leaving anytime soon. So I went home.

Melinda Gates

Don McLean autograph

Gary LeVox, Jena Malone, Afroman, and more towards the end of May

So this trek starts at the airport with flights. First up is Gary LeVox, lead singer of Rascal Flatts. Probably best known for a cover of Tom Cochrane's "Life Is a Highway" and they also did the soundtrack for the 2006 Cars animated movie. He is nice as can be. I get the ops and autos.

Next up is Jena Malone. She wasn't as nice and seemed freaked out. Even hating on markedout board member adelta. After she finished smoking and went to wait for luggage we were all able to go up to her one by one to get a combo, but she still denied adelta.

Next day we had to look for the hotel but it wasn't easy to find. Came across one hotel with the band Aventura. Never heard of them but got photos with 3 members though not the lead singer.

Finally found the hotel. It was a success. I got a fresh op with actress Patina Miller, upgrade with Gary LeVox, and update with Bryan Cranston. Autograph wise I got Gary Sinise, BD Wong on 2 blanks, and Jena Malone.

Go to a different event where Donald Trump is speaking. My objective is Afroman, best known for the 2000 hit "Because I Got High". After Trump was done and left, I mooched inside the room and Afroman is just sitting around fully USA suited. He is nice as can be and I get the op.

I go back one last time the next day. And again, it was a success. I get a photo op with actress Ruthie Ann Miles (fresh), combo with Gary Sinise (upgrade), combo with Jena Malone (upgrade from 2 days ago), combo with Mary McCormack (update), and a photo op with country singer Jamey Johnson (update).

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

A host of rock meets and more in early May

In early May I would cover the M3 Rock Festival and get some classic rock names. The first day I would go for Aldo Nova. Very rare name that doesn't come around, probably best known for the 1982 song "Fantasy". He was very cool and did ops and signed. Then I left the area to try for comedian Lewis Black. I knew where he was staying so I went inside in the hopes that I would see him. After barely 5 minutes and saw him and got the combo. Then quickly left. Wow that doesn't happen too often.

Aldo Nova

Lewis Black

First thing for the day is a flight for the band Quiet Riot. The only original member is Rudy Sarzo. He also played with Whitesnake. See him and 3 other barely valid members, he is nice as he signs. I get him on a Greatest Hits Whitesnake CD. I also get the op with him and 2 other band members. The barely valid lead singer Jizzy Pearl is a dick and refuses to do ops at the airport.

Back to the hotel, one unexpected name I got is Vivian Campbel from Def Leppard. He is not original but a long-time member and the only member I have yet to meet as he is normally ungettable. I couldn't believe he actually stopped. Also the band Cold Sweat has 5 original members, I got 2 of them. Roy and Chris McLernon. I would have to come the next day to get the others.

Rudy Sarzo

Vivian Campbell

Perry Richardson, Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox

Another day. First flight is for George Lynch of the band Dokken. Sadly, he is a complete dick. Go back to the hotel, park, and get some rest. Wake up and go inside I instantly see the band Pretty Boy Floyd in the lobby, with the lead singer Steve Sex Summers fully suited. I get an op with him and an op with the full band. Unfortunately, they are all barely valid besides Steve Sex.

I get the other members of Cold Sweat namely Marc Ferrari (singer), Anthony White, and Erik Gamans. And I manage to score a group shot with the band Stryper. I get Perry Richardson, Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox all in one shot. Even better the one non-original (Perry) is on the far left so he can be cropped out!

I would end my time with this event at the airport for Stephen Pearcy of the band Ratt. He was eating at a restaurant with his girl when we saw him so we waited till he was done. Then we followed him to the gate and he was nice as can be. I got ops and autographs.

Steve Sex Summers

Stephen Pearcy