Around mid may after leaving NYC for the Festivities of the Televisions I would go to a winery in Maryland for a bottle signing. In this one Harold Perrineau (Matrix Reloaded, 28 Weeks Later) and Malcolm D Lee, both fresh for me, are appearing. The prior signing had 4 people but I couldn't it them since I was in NYC. Luckily I had the other 2 and this one had the 2 I didn't have.
While people are lined up, I wait in the back and see the cars pull up. I ask for ops and they are nice as can be. Lots of time saved which would be needed to get to my next spot. Namely a hockey spot with Alexander Ovechkin via a tip I got while waiting at the winery. Since he broke a record held by Wayne Gretsky, I figured that's a good name to appease the combo Gods. Plus I actually failed on him at an airport 15 years ago so this would be a novel "reunion".
Arrive there and not 20 minutes later Ovechkin comes out and he is nice and takes care of everyone. I heard he can be nasty so this was a pleasant surprise. I also get other hockey players while there.
Next up I went to Maryland for a day. First an event with George Lynch where he did a performance and free signing. Then to a restaurant for actor Ed Norris (The Wire). Then a comedy show for actor Jonathan Kite (2 Broke Girls). Also got his opener Rudy Pavich. Checked a final spot for Matthew Weiner (creator of Mad Men) but he was gone and I only saw actress Adrienne C Moore (repeat).
Next day I go again to try again for Matthew Weiner. Arrive at the venue early this time and mooch after it lets out. The crowd is gathering in the lobby and the first person I see is Mathew himself. SCORE! He is cool as he signs and does ops. From this point on I am in bonus mode as I either have the names or they are barely valid. I get upgrades with Ben Ahlers and Adrienne C Moore among other names.
Next I go to a hotel where a bunch of performers are, but I really just need one person. Namely an upgrade with Gretchen Mol. I arrive and not long after I see her. Although that effort would be for nothing as we will see.
Next day I go to a venue for Bear McCreary who composed music for many movies and TV shows such as Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Walking Dead, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, among others. At the venue see some of his band members and get them but then go to the hotel from the prior day as he is probably inside.
Here I get Angel Blue (fresh), country singer Scotty Hasting (fresh), and upgrades with Blair Underwood, Mary McCormack, Gary Sinise (could never get a good photo with him now I finally did), Esai Morales, and Gretchen Mol (much better than the prior day). Again run into the same problem, I have so many people it's harder to get fresh names.
Later in the evening at the same spot I got chef Kwame Onwuachi and the country band Restless Road. Also got another photo op with Yolanda Adams returning. She had declined earlier.
Back to the spot for Bear McCreary. All the band members leave and I get them. And finally Bear himself who is nice and I got the photo op and autographs.
Go back to the same spot the next day. Gene Simmons left and did ops. Sadly, it's only an update for me. Didn't realize his wife and actress Shannon Tweed was there so now I had to wait for the return. While waiting get another photo op with singer Loren Allred. And finally Gene and his wife come back. Gene goes inside ignoring us because him and his wife thought we were asking for the dual shot. When he goes inside, I make it clear to his wife that I want an op with her, She seems perplexed but is nice as can be.
And finally in May I do the hotel for Big Lick Comic Con. I get an adult update with Chandler Riggs, 15 year update with Lou Ferrigno, an update/upgrade with Billy West, fresh op with actor Xavier Jimenez, update/upgrade with Katelyn Nacon, among others.
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