Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Final meet of 2023: Aqua
For my final meet of 2023, I chose to do the Aqua meet and greet. Under normal circumstances, I would have tried to get them for free, but it was after my long grueling weekend, and I had other non-combo related endeavors going on. So I sadly had no time or energy to dedicate to this. The meet and greet took place before the show. They lined us up for ops first. All three were friendly and as I came to shake Lene's hand she initiated a hug me instead. I know she did the same for everyone, but most female celebs don't hug male fans. So that was nice of her.
Then we lined up for autographs where I got the poster they provided signed plus two 8x10s I printed. Wish I bought vinyl instead. If only all concert meet and greets were like that. You got all the band members. You got to say hi to them. You got to use your own camera. They had a good standing setup. You were able to get autographs. It is a sad reality when things like that are all so rare for meet and greets that cost so much money. For the most part I cannot in confidence buy concert meet and greets because it seems at least half the time you will get a blurry op, some of the members won't be in the op, or something will go wrong.
After this I had to go put my camera back in my car because they weren't allowing it for the concert. But sadly, I went to my car to leave as I had no time or energy to dedicate to the concert. I tried to sell the concert ticket but to no avail. Then I tried calling some people I knew to give away the concert ticket but to no avail.
Combo wise, this officially ended 2023 for me.
Monday, January 8, 2024
The long agonizing weekend in December
Day 1
Ahead was my most dreaded weekend of December. Before dabbing with anything related to that, I would go for football player Joe Theismann. He was also in a couple of movies so I thought why not. Wait for him at the airport and he did the combo for me. Nice guy.
I went to the next spot to see if I could get singer St Vincent. I saw Joe Walsh leave but didn't need him at that point. Never saw St Vincent but we think she snuck out the other side.
Next up to the train station for Lin Manuel Miranda. I've met him before so this was basically for autographs. Got my items done. He did ops but I waited to go last and by that time he wasn't in the op mood so mine didn't come out. It's ok as I have ops from before. Later on in the day I would find out during that time at another spot people got Barry Gibb coming in. My top want for the weekend. That hurt bad at the time.
Next up I go to another spot for Billy Crystal coming in. As he is in the van I barely manage to get two autographs. One on an 8x10 and another on my Monsters Inc DVD already signed by John Goodman. I have an op from before so this was a success!
Queen Latifah flew in and on the same light was Bob Costas and Rob Reiner. Never got Bob and needed autos from the rest. But I wasn't there. I did intercept Rob at another spot and got autographs. Checked out another spot and went home to rest up for a long weekend.
Day 2
Start my trek early and it started slow. First get Chloe Bailey (update). Then composer Marc Shaiman (fresh) who actually seems like a decent name cause he did music for quite a few movies.
Then I got ops with Cynthia Erivo (repeat), Jamila Mustafa (fresh), Bob Costas who has been in some movies (fresh, plus auto). Saw Ariana DeBose this time got 8x10s done, no need for another op).
Then Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, Renée Fleming, Dionne Warwick, and Billy Crystal all showed up. Dionne and Renee ignored both ways (sadly need a Dionne op and autos). But on exit I managed to get Queen Latifan and Billy Crystal to sign for me. Would have liked a better Queen Latifah shot but wasn't able to get one. Billy Crystal wasn't trying to do ops but it's ok I have a great one. Then the man of the hour for the whole weekend, the lead singer and sole survivor of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb. My heart broke when he first went on the side opposite me and did combos. But thankfully he came to my side and I got a great op plus my two vinyls done! SUCCESS!
After that I got names I largely wasn't familiar with. Going in I got 2 members of the Clark sisters namely Karen and Dorinda. Both fresh. Also got MC Lyte (repeat), Monie Love (fresh), Yo - Yo (fresh), D-Nice (repeat). Missy Elliott was around but we never saw her as she snuck out. Clive Davis declined (have the op but needed autos).
Leaving I got Jacky of the Clark sisters (fresh) but Twinkie (who is on a wheelchair) wouldn't stop. I also got a combo with actress Kerry Washington (repeat).
The country group Little Big Town left and refused to stop. This was a waste of an extra 2 hours and that ended the evening.
Day 3
Next day starts with Jay Leno (update and autographs), Mickey Guyton (update), Sheila E (update), Tituss Burgess (update), Christine Baranski (update and autographs), Debbie Allen (update), and Whoopi Goldberg (update and 4 VHS tapes signed).
Also got Chloe Flower (fresh), Lin Manuel Miranda again. Got him to sign and do an op. But two scumbags deliberately photo bombed me (it's ok I have ops from before). Also got Rob Reiner to sign for me again.
There were sadly some failures. One was watching Robert Deniro and Gloria Estefan signing in the other side and skipping my side. Have them both but needed autos. Actress Dove Cameron declined ops. This would have been a fresh op. And Clive Davis declined some more. Twinkie of the Clark sisters also declined the whole day.
The next phase of the day begins in the evening. This phase is usually horrible and most everyone declines. But I actually got some coin despite this. I got Michelle Lee (update), Jennifer Crystal Foley (Billy Crystal's daughter, fresh name and actually a valid actress), Ashley Gibb (fresh, one of Barry Gibb's sons), Michael Buble (update), and a Queen Latifah autograph.
A combo hunter then noticed a car sneaking at another door, we went to that door and it was Robert Deniro! I got him to sign me an 8x10 before he shut it down. Dave Chappelle was also there but he wouldn't sign my 8x10s and I didn't need another op with him. So I just helped out another combo hunter get a vinyl signed.
On to the last phase of the evening, I would do pretty solid. First, I finally got Twinkie Clark. She goes "he's been asking me for a photo all day". And she agrees to do ops as long as the wheel chair doesn't show. Then I upgraded my ops with the other Clark sisters, Jacky, Dorinda, and Karen (they are all dolled up now compared to yesterday). Also got dolled up grades with Kerry Washington, Yo Yo, and Mickey Guyton. Got a photo op with Ego Nwodim of SNL fame (update).
Meg Ryan came out and did no ops but I scored an autograph on my Harry Met Sally 8x10 that I got Billy Crystal on. Glady Knight came out and was actually stopping. I have two ops with her. One sub par op and one great op. So I had no need for a photo op. I got my 8x10s done and I let others get the op.
Dionne Warwick somehow did one photo op with someone who pleaded with her but did nothing else. I scored an autograph from Amy Grant. She barely did that thankfully I didn't need an op. Sigourney Weaver wasn't doing ops but I managed to get a VHS tape and Alien blu ray done.
Dove Cameron sadly snuck out. When D-Nice came out with actress Jennifer Freeman (who is an actress) I tried asking Jennifer for an op but she looked at me like I was insane and just ignored me.
I would also get more ops I'm not familiar with. Namely Grandmaster Caz, Sway, Heather B, and Rapsody (final fresh street op of 2023). My final street combo of 2023 would be an update with Gloria Estefan who racked it out as I got 3 CDs done.
Full list of day 3 photo ops part 1
Full list of day 3 photo ops part 2
Now let's take a look at the autographs obtained the last 3 days:
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Final Con of 2023: Wrestlecade
For my final con of 2023, I would attend Wrestlecade in North Carolina. I was not going to go. Didn't have very many wants. Needed a better shot with Bugsy McGraw, didn't have Bobby Blaze or Jack Victory so needed those. But someone else expressed interest in going, and my philosophy was if he goes, I'll tag with him. If he doesn't go, I won't go. He ended up going and I tagged along with him. And I'm glad I did, because names I needed that were not announced appeared there!
First guest I get is Bugsy McGraw, upgrading my shot from 2009. Got a combo from him. I also got Jimmy Valiant to sign the same item as Bugsy. No need for another Jimmy op.
Then a photo op with Jack Victory (wearing shades). Then I go for Rick Link, a rare name that was not announced for the show. Then get a photo op with Bobby Blaze. I then go to Matt Hardy's son King Maxell. I show him and Reby Hardy the broken Hardy group op from years ago at MCW and they got a kick out of it. The younger brother of Maxell even wanted to see the op. Maxell was just a baby. I got an update with King Maxell form baby to toddler. And his little brother looked like he wanted in on all the photo op action. So I setup a group shot with both of them plus Reby Sky and they were all happy to do it.
Then I go for a solid WCW name that I don't have and was not announced! Namely Scotty Riggs! Wow how awesome! He was doing group shots with Buff Bagwell and they had the WCW tag belts. So I got that American Males photo op!
Next I show Izzy Morena our photo op from Wrestle Con in 2019. She got all excited and said we have to do an update. So she gave me a free photo op. That was nice of her.
Then I go for Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse. I actually do like many of their songs so I wish it were both of them. Then Xia Brookside from NXT UK. And finally go back to Jack Victory cause I see him without shades and I get a free no shades shot with him.
I also got Kane to sign my WWF magazine that I got Undertaker to sign in early 2023.
Scattered meets throughout November
In early November I would go for actor Jim Caviezel AKA Jesus Christ in the Mel Gibson classic. I have the op from NYC but I never got his auto. I wait at the spot and see him walking in with his wife. I get signed a Passion of the Christ book, blu ray cover, and VHS tape. Interestingly, the movie was made in 2004, two years before the last ever VHS tape was released in the USA. Only a year after that, even Star Wars Revenge of the Sith did not get a VHS release in the USA. So this one barely made it on VHS.
I also got another op. Then I walked to the venue to see if I could get the country singer Clay Walker who was also in the same event. Not familiar with him but when not get what you can. I saw a van waiting. I wait by there and see him walk towards the van. I ask for the op and he is nice as can be.
A couple of days later I attended a clubbing event with singer Jonny Craig. I never heard of him but I was actually there to see a friend so this was primarily a non-combo related endeavor. After the show he did a meet and greet and was nice as can be. So why not pick up a photo op.
Next, go to the airport for a founding member of Chicago, Robert Lamm. I had failed on him in the past as he is never accommodating but I figure this is the best shot I'll have. He came through and wasn't trying to stop. But then he did ops and no autographs. This means photo op wise I now have 5 original members of Chicago. Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, and Danny Seraphine.
Later that day I had a flight on Don Cheadle. Didn't need another op so I only got him to sign 8x10s for me.
Towards the end of November I went to the airport for Joe Walsh. Did not need an op. Good thing too cause he came with a mask on. Went in the car and played Solitair on his phone. Didn't want to stop till he was finally broken down and did one per.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Final WWE haul of 2023
Fist day I went to the airport for one goal: The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile. Arrive and get Xia Li (update). Then I see Natalya and Tyson Kidd. Natalya also had Hitman-esque glasses. So I got a dual shot and also got them to sign my WWE_E V4. I've been seeing Natalya since 2008 or so and it's incredible that she is still nice in 2023. Jinder Mahal and Zooey Stark were out and about but I had no need to chase them down.
Then got updates with Tegan Nox, Piper Niven, Shayna Baszler, and got Piper on the inside cover of the WWE_E V4.
Then got an update with Ivar, saw Drake Maverick walk by, and finally the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile. Got two group shots in different positions so I'm next to everyone at one point. Got them on 8x10s. They were nice.
Julius Creed, Ivy Nile, and Brutus Creed
Julius Creed, Ivy Nile, and Brutus Creed
Next day I start it off with a Jey Uso signing at Cricket Wireless. The last time I got him with no shades was almost 10 years ago and he didn't even have a beard, and I have merch for him to sign, so I figure this is a good chance for a major update/upgrade and some autographs. Arrive and there's a line. When I get to him he is nice as can be. I got the store photo done plus 3 encyclopedias.
Fast forward to the evening, I check out the hotel. My main goals are Samantha Irvin and Jackie Redmond. Both of which I never met. I start with a major update with Nick Aldis. Last time I saw him was 2009 when he was Brutus Magnus. Then I get updates with Drake Maverick and Bobby Roode. Saw Michael Hayes but had no need to run up and bother him. And finally saw Samantha Irvin and Jackie Redmond who were nice as can be. They seemed a little freaked out when we approached them asking for ops. Then they were like "oh you're fans?". Saw Jey Uso again but he denied me.
Back to the airport the next day where my main goal is Sanga. Arrive there and he is super nice as can be. Does ops and signs me an 8x10 and the inside cover of my WWE_E V4. From there on it is unfortunately all updates. I even see many I don't even bother with such as JD McDonagh, Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and others. I did get updates with Apollo Crews, Tommaso Ciampa, Zoey Stark, Bronson Reed, Otis, Veer Mahaan, Finn Balor, Jinder Mahal, and Indi Hartwell. Cody Rhodes and Chad Gable slipped by us. They were apparently sitting in the shadows and we didn't notice them till they were boarding. I have them but could have used them again. Saw Byron Saxton who knows who I am. Told him hello.
WWE_E V2
Jey Uso (Usos entry)
WWE_E V3
Jey Uso (Usos entry)
WWE_E V4
Piper Niven (inside cover)
Natalya
Tyson Kidd
Jey Uso (Usos entry)
Sanga (inside cover)
Monstermania in Oaks plus Philadelphia
In what was my final celeb con of 2023, I went to Monstermania in Oaks with one main goal: Michael Ironside. He was in classics such as Total Recall, Top Gun, and Starship Troopers. First I get Lee Waddell who played Ghostface in Scream. Then I got free ops with producers Bryan Thomas Norton and Joe Zaso. Then finally Michael Ironside.
Then went to Philadelphia for singer and actor Luke Grimes. I arrive and it is off to a bad start as a Philly grapher got him smoking out back. Even worse he tried to call me and I didn't see that he called!
I would then get the opener Carter Faith who was very nice. Then Luke came out and stopped but sadly my photo came out blurry. When it was clearing out it was clear he wasn't coming back out. I started walking to the other side to try my luck and instead I see Luke with an entourage across the street. I follow and his handler is trying to stop me, but I plead for a re do and get the op.
Monday, January 1, 2024
post RICC 2023 meets in NYC
The post RICC NYC endeavor was sadly less than stellar. But I didn't leave empty handed. After Providence I hit up Melissa Etheridge for the last time to improve my op. At that point he had stopped doing autographs so I guess it's good I got the auto when I did. She came out and did ops. I had to ask for a second op due to a dirty no good photobomber.
At this point it was slim pickings as far as what could be done. I decided I would go for an adult update with Gaten Matarazzo since he was a child in my photo op. While there I got actresses Maria Bilbao and Annaleigh Ashford. Not too familiar with them but always good to get what you can just in case.
This ended the night. The next day I would try a couple of "easy" shows going in but had no luck. Then went to a spot for the signer Pink. This is where I would get the most heart crushing news ever. Kristen Bell left 20 minutes earlier and did combos! PUNCH!
While waiting for Pink I got signer Maxwell. When it came time for Pink crowd was insane and she signed and did a few ops. I wasn't able to get one but she was wearing hat and shades anyway so I would have resented that op even if I were "successful".
After this bust went to the airport for actress and director Sofia Coppola. She was also with her husband Thomas Mars, the lead singer of Phoenix. At first they weren't trying to stop but another combo hunter I brought with me managed to break them down. These would be my last meets in the NYC area for 2023.
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