In early September there was a book festival with several authors. One of them was John Green author of The Fault in Our Stars. He had no signing just a panel. So, I found his flight coming in the day before. He was cool and signed and did photo ops.
The day of the festival there was also a bottle signing for Ciara. So I had to juggle both. I start at the book festival by entering the panel of author Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children). I ask him for the op before the panel starts, and he is nice as can be. Then I did the signing for Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Sadly, they were strict with no photo ops and only signed books. VE Schwab (whose work made it into tv and film) had a huge line and sadly didn't get her.
Then I headed out to go for Ciara. Took a while for her to get there but when she finally did she had hat and shades. PUNCH. I don't understand why even do appearances like this if you're not going to look your best. Makes no sense to me. The photo is essentially a step above a mask shot. Had I known this in advance I probably would not have bothered.
Back to the book festival and sadly I arrive 15 minutes too late to get any Geena Davis signed books (I heard her line was nonexistent). She was strict no merch which made that miss less painful. I went to RL Stine's line and got a signed book and another photo op. His line was huge, and they even limited it to one book per person no ops. Ended this event with ops from authors Ron Chernow and Paul Tremblay.
Later that evening I wanted to go for John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. They did music for Rocky IV, Cobra, and Eddie and the Cruisers. Besides John himself there is one other original member, Gary Gramolini.
The venue staff were being dicks, so we had to beat them to the hotel. I got both John and Gary who were super nice plus some other barely valids. I even got Gary to sign the album cover where he is actually pictured.
John Cafferty autographs (plus Gary Gramolini on the album)
Next day I go to an easy venue for singer Grant-Lee Phillips who was also in Gilmore Girls. He comes out after the show and is nice as can be.
Next day a screening for the director of Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians, Jon M Chu. Wait for him to come out and he is super nice as he signs and does photo ops.
Next evening to another venue for British pop star Sheen Easton. Among other things she recorded For Your Eyes Only for the James Bond film of the same title and even has acting credits. After the show she came out and to my shock did photo ops for all 8 of us waiting. She event signed. Beat her to the hotel and got another item done.
On my way back from Ohio for horror hound I go directly to Baltimore for a flight for actor/comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. He made headlines when he made a joke about Puerto Rico at MSG during Trump's 2024 campaign. He was cool. Signed and did photo ops.
Next day starts with searching for Victor Willis of the Village People. But looked through several hotels and found nada. Then to Baltimore for "Please Don't Destroy" actors/comedians. On entry only saw Martin Herlihy. Never saw the others so they must have been inside already.
To kill some time till exists, checked nearby hotels and found Steph Curry. Sadly, he was a dick. Back to the venue for exits. Got both John Higgins and Ben Marshall single and dual shots. Success!
Go to another venue for the band 10cc. There's basically 3 original or core members to get. While on the way we found out Rick Fenn left with his daughter. And as we arrived the bus left with Graham Gouldman and Paul Burgess. Basically, we missed 1 member and made it just in time for 2 members. We beat them to the hotel, and they were nice despite the tour manager harassing us.
Next morning I go back to the hotel for 10cc and mooch some breakfast. While eating I see both Graham and Paul and they tell me hello, remembering me from the prior evening. Later on, I asked one of the band members about Rick and he told me he left for the airport very early and always does his own thing. Damn.
But later in the day I went to the airport for the lead singer of the Village People, Victor Willis. Waited for him. He was rough and didn't want to do anything but eventually broke down for the photo op. He refused autographs. Now I have 3 original members of the village people. Missing 2 that are still alive.
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