Sting upgrade and more

Go to a hotel where a few celebrities are staying. First spotting is actor Jonathan Banks. I get an updated photo but he ignored my autograph request. Then get Mary McCormack, Mickey Guyton, and Andy Grammer. Sadly, all updates or upgrades, nothing fresh. 

Later that evening, I decided to try for an upgrade with another big name. This time Sting. Not the WCW legend Sting, but the legendary musician Sting. I first went for Sting in April 2010, over 16 years ago. He wasn't really trying to stop but I manage to get a couple of walk along shots. The photos from that day aren't the best quality. So, this was at least a repeat name with some meaning. 

A few years later I saw Sting again at an event with other people. Couldn't get another photo but I got autos. I also saw him another time in NYC where he was giving out autos but I didn't get one. 

Now fast forward to May 2026 many years since I last saw Sting and over 16 years since my photo op with Sting. He was doing a show on a very rainy night and after the show he went to the airport to fly out. I manage to see him there and hope to get a combo. He took a photo op with someone but didn't want to take a second one with me. 

I then ran after in the lobby, and he was ignoring me and his people began shooing me away. I was now outside in drunk and salvage mode trying to get his guitarist Dominic Miller who was smoking a cigarette. 

While waiting for him to finish smoking I look in the lobby and see Sting is still hanging out. I go back inside and try to beg more, and his people try to stop me. But then he signals for me to come on over. I then selfie it and successfully got the photo op. I attempted to ask for an autograph, but he was not having it. Go back outside to wait and get a photo op with Dominic Miller.

Overall, not a bust because I consider this photo op an upgrade over my photo op from 2010. And I got Dominic Miller who was the guitarist in all of Sting's solo albums since 1991 (starting from the third solo Sting album).

Two takeaways from this: 

Sting is still rough around the edges 16+ years later. He hasn't changed for the better or for the worst. 

At 16 years and 1 month, this may be my longest gap between getting a photo op and getting an update or upgrade photo op.

Sting

Full list of photo ops

Fresh off my Sting success I go to a flight the next day for Ryan Cabrera. He is super nice and I get an upgrade plus autographs. I find out NFL player Vince Wilfork is flying in so I get a photo op with him. 

Back to the hotel from the previous day. I get an update with Noah Wyle plus autographs and I get a photo op with his wife Sara Wells (who is a minor actress). I see Jonathan Banks and tried to ask for autographs but he outright declined autographs. I see Gary Sinise and get an autograph. Had no need for another photo op. My day ended with a 14 year updated photo with actress Melissa Leo.

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout May

May starts with the M3 Rock Festival. One of my main wants the original guitarist of the band Boston, Barry Goudreau. Get the combo with him. Get an update with longtime drummer of Typo-O-Negative Johnny Kelly, and some others. 

Then go to another city to a venue for R&B singer Lisa Fischer best known for the 1991 song "How Can I Ease the Pain". She met fans after her show and was nice as can be. I also got her opener.

Full list of photo ops

Barry Goudreau autograph

Next day I go back to M3 fest. My main want is the original lead singer of the band Faster Pussycat, Taime Downe. Starts with an update with Mike Tramp who the week prior was charging at Chiller. Got Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot updated photo op and also got him to sign. Then get Taime Downe and his barely valid band members. Also get a Barry Goudreau combo again.

Then I get word that actor Omid Abtahi (The Mandalorian) is doing a signing at a comic book store. I'm over an hour from said store. So, I bail on this spot and I rush there and go through tolls. I make it with plenty of time and get the photo op. 

Then a flight for comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. Already got him but I was commissioned for autographs. He remembered me from the last time. Also got his openers. 

Final spot for the evening is for Graham Parker of Graham Parker & the Rumour. After the show he comes out and is very nice. Get a photo op and some autographs. 

Barry Goudreau

Taime Downe

Omid Abtahi

Graham Parker

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Couple of days later I wanted to try for George Thorogood (Bad to the Bone) at a venue. Sadly never saw him and he seemingly drove out of town. I only got his barely valid band member Bill Blough. Bust.

Bill Blough

Next day I was given a meet and greet for a country band called Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The band has 2 original members and 1 longtime member. The rest are barely valid. At the meet and greet I got my 2 vinyls signed (which by luck are valid for all 3 of the members you want to get) and I get photo ops. Sadly, the venue wouldn't let me take my camera inside so I couldn't use it for the meet and greet. SMH. But I waited outside after the show and got individual photo ops with the 3 members using my camera. 

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Next, I go to a venue for Vanessa Carlton, best known for the "A Thousand Miles" song. If you bought merch after her show you could stand in line and meet her. She wasn't trying to do photos but would sign merch that you bought. I bought the vinyl (which stung) hoping I could end up pleading for the photo op. And indeed, I did. Success! 

Vanessa Carlton

Autographs

Next day shortly before leaving to NYC for the festivities of the Televisions (report coming) I went for the band Lords of Acid, best known for the Pussy song. Unfortunately, the line up only has one original member touring, Praga Khan. The lead vocalist is singer/actress Carla Harvey who isn't original. However, Praga Khan also composed and played the iconic Mortal Kombat theme song of the early 90s. He fellow Lords of Acid band member Olivier Adams who also played on the theme song sadly doesn't tour.

Waited by their bus and got blown off by the barely valid members of the bands including Carla Harvey. Saw Praga and he was nice as can be as he signed and did photos. Also saw Princess Superstar who is opening for them. She was super nice for the photo op.  

Praga Khan

Princess Superstar

Autographs

No rest for the weary, a couple of days after a week in NYC (report coming) I was nearby at a venue, and the show was ending shortly. Playing was Tony Lucca. So I thought let's go. He was in the Mickey Mouse Club, has studio albums dating back from the early 90s into the 2010s and later. Finished third place on the voice. It is a small venue. 

Mooched inside the venue after the show and it was the most fascinating sight. Inside where people of all ages. From kids to older people. And it was well attended. In a place where typically the only graphers are myself and people I know, there was people that had multiple CDs to get signed. And unlike most of the other times I was there, people were staying to meet. Usually most people leave and don't stay. It felt like I was in some kind of alternate reality. What am I missing? What is so popular about this guy that he would attract such a varied and quantified spectrum of people. The mind boggled. It made no sense to me.

Tony Lucca himself was super nice, as where the two people playing with him, Ernie Halter and Keaton Simons. 

Full list of photo ops

Couple of days later I went for a Rachel Platten, best known for the Flight Song. She wasn't do friendly, barely did the photo op, and wouldn't sign. 

Rachel Platten

Next day go to Rachel Platten's event which also featured actress Caterina Scorsone (who I have). Was hoping to maybe get a better shot with Rachel. Start off at the event then check a hotel for baseball player Keith Hernandez who was also in Seinfeld. Not long after arriving he pulls up in a car. He wasn't very nice and begrudgingly did a photo op. 

Back to the Rachel Platten event and it ends. See Caterina Scorsone sitting around and she was super nice. So, I got an upgrade. Never saw Rachel. Went to another spot for Noah Wyle but it was dead. Went to check out a show to get some actors but the web site had the wrong running time and it was over. 

Keith Hernandez

Caterina Scorsone

The next evening, I go back to the show. Wendell Pierce is the star of the play, but I have him. Lucas Iverson (The Pitt) and Ben Turner (Dr Who) are my main wants. This time I had the correct running time. First off get the barely valid Todd Scofield. Then Lucas Iverson comes out and is super cool. Actress Melanie Field comes out next and remembers us from before. Then the barely valid actress Olivia Cygan. And finally, Ben Turner who is super cool. Never see Wendell so he must have come out a different way.

Full list of photo ops

Next day starts at the train station for Stephen Colbert. He wasn't overly nice but stopped. I got his book signed and an updated photo op. Next to the airport get an update with Andy Grammer (had nothing to get signed). Later that evening I went to a venue for Chico DeBarge. After his show he charges $20 for the meet and greet at his table. I got the combo. 

Stephen Colbert

Andy Grammer

Chico DeBarge

Autographs

Towards the end of May I went for country singer Steve Earle who also was in The Wire. After his show, his opener Zandi Holup was meeting people in the lobby. Got a photo op. Then went outsdie and got Steve Earle. He was cool. Went to another spot to see if I could catch Charlie Puth but he was seemingly gone. I got Brandon Brown aka Pastor Funk. 

Full list of photo ops

Chiller Theater in April and NYC meets

I would arrive at Chiller Theater Friday. This one had quite a few wants for me. First, I get Caroline Williams (Days of Thunder), then Barry Corbin (Dallas), Grand L Bush AKA Balrog from the Van Damme SF2 movie (also in Lethal Weapon 2 and Die Hard), and Heather Locklear (Melrose Place). Finally get Sally Struthers (Dinosaurs, All In the Family, TaleSpin) who has alluded me for over 10 years. She was sadly pro-op only. 

Then get Dominique Swain from Face/Off and Lolita. And after that 89-year-old Dyan Cannon (Heaven Can Wait, Revenge of the Pink Panther). And then one of my top wants, Christopher Lambert AKA Raiden in Mortal Kombat and also from Highlander. Lambert was looking bad and he is not even 70.

After Chiller was done for the evening saw actor Reno Wilson (fresh) and got a photo op. He was a voice actor in the Transformers movies and was in 10 episodes of the Cosby Show. Also got Diana Lynn who recognized me from the semi viral Boy George video. Got UFC fighter, wrestler, and actor Don Frye (fresh). Got updates with Burton Gilliam, Megan Ward, and Barbara Crampton. Then got Tsutomu Kitagawa (update) Hurricane Ryu (fresh) from Godzilla fame. Got the dual shot with Drac and Countess Carita. Final shot for the evening is actor Tripp Bryant randomly walking around. 

Sally Struthers

Heather Locklear

Dyan Cannon

Christopher Lambert

Full list of Chiller Day 1 photo ops

Next day at Chiller I start with Pamelyn Ferdin (Lucy Van Pelt in Charlie Brown cartoons, also in The Beguiled starring Clint Eastwood). Then I get Keith Hopwood of Hermin's Hermits fame. Keeping with the music groove I get former Rainbow drummer Chuck Burgi. I didn't like my Grand L Bush photo op from the prior day, so I went up to his table and was allowed a retake. 

Then I get Wataru Fukuda of Godzilla fame, Johnny Brennan of the Jerky Boys, and Ken Lerner (principle in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, also in The Running Man where he gets stabbed by Arnold). I then stand in one of the longer chiller lines for David Clennon, who is a rare guest from The Thing and one of the last people I still need from this movie. 

Then get Darcy DeMoss (Friday the 13th VI, Can't Buy Me Love), Scott Colomby (Caddyshack, Porky's), Lisa Pelikan (Ghoulies, Return to the Blue Lagoon), Rutanya Alda (Rocky II, Amityville II), and Jocelyn Jones (The Enforcer starring Clint Eastwood). 

Grand L Bush

David Clennon

Full list of Chiller Day 2 photo ops

With Chiller largely in my rear-view mirror, I now set my sights to some of the "easy" NYC shows. It was Saturday just after Chiller Theater. Rain was pounding all day and scheduled to pound all night. I was at the second ever marked out social hanging out. After drinking water I decided that despite the rain I wanted to try some of the NYC shows. 

I was hesitant to even try, but I figured my main want for the evening, Rebecca De Mornay (Risky Business, Runaway Train) would take place indoors and that ends in about a week. So, after much back and forth, I left the marked out social, set the GPS to avoid tolls (at least the Jersey ones), and then headed to NYC. 

My first stop was Rebecca De Mornay. Found my way inside and waited. About 10 minutes later she came out and was friendly. Signed and did photos. I'm now officially on the board!

Next show was mainly for Patrick Ball (The Pitt) and secondary for an autograph from Alden Ehrenreich AKA Young Han Solo (I met him before so didn't need the photo op). I drove my car there and found nearby parking. I begrudgingly paid $6 for an hour's worth of parking (usually I find free parking and just walk all over but all the rain put a literal damper on that strategy). 

I wait, the show breaks, and Patrick comes out and I get the photo op. Alden Ehrenreich comes out and signs my magazine then I get an updated photo op. Sadly he was using a horrid black sharpie so that was botched. 

After this I decided to bail and go back to the car since I already had photos with the rest of the actors at the show. I then drive to the Megan Thee Stallion show and park my car nearby.

Again, supposed to pay for parking as we are about 3h till that parking spot becomes free. But this time I decide not to pay the meter. I then commandeer my railing spot and the show breaks. 

I really debated if I want to wait in the rain and risk a parking ticket rather than simply bail and get some rest. Plus, I had just found out about Jason Bullock's death which didn't help my desire to say. I was almost going to call it and drive back to Jersey. But then I thought, Jason would have wanted me to stay.

Waited in the pouring rain and Megan Thee Stallion would not come out till about 1am! That was quite the agony and torture. As she works the railing and is near me I ask for a selfie and get the posed shot! Success! I then walk down the street to my car, shivering and my heart pounding, and thankfully no $65 ticket on my windshield! Thank you Jason Bullock for looking out. I then drove back to the Chiller hotel (100% toll free of course). And as I arrive I get a photo op with Jeffrey Scott of Warriors fame. 

Rebecca De Mornay

Megan Thee Stallion

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Final day at Chiller was a light one as I just hung out with some buddies and I got a photo op with singer Chris Farlowe who is best known for the song "Out of Time". This ended Chiller weekend for me.

Chris Farlowe

Jason Bullock's last ever con, and Jason Bullock's last ever meet

April would see the death of my long-time buddy Jason Bullock, who ended up succumbing to heart disease at 72. In this report will visit his last ever con and his last ever meet.  

His last ever con would be Steel City Con. Drove him there and he spent over 1K on autographs for around 10 celebrities, most notably his one of his favorite actresses, Patrica Arquette. 

My first get there is one of my main wants, actor Josh Duhamel from the Transformers movies. Then get drummer Rikki Rockett of Poison fame, which now means I completed the band.

Then I got Karla DeVito from the Bonkers cartoon, Allen Covert from Adam Sandler movies, and one of my other main wants from the show, Lori Loughlin of Full House fame. This practically completes my Full House cast minus the Olsen Twins. 

Then get actor Ty Simpkins from Jurassic World, finally after many years of skipping I got Tom Kenny AKA SpongeBob, then move to get some of the artists on site. 

Back to the main guests I got a free update with Doug Bradley AKA Pin Head and an upgrade with Child's Play director Don Mancin. Then get actress Emma Kenney (Shameless, Rosanne). My final photo op at Steel City was Corey Taylor from Slip Knot. 

Jason with Patrica Arquette

Josh Duhamel

Lori Loughlin

Full list of photo ops

Jason's final meet would be at the airport the Wednesday before Chiller Theater. We went for actor Andy Serkis. Traveling with him was his wife Lorraine Ashbourne who is also an actress. We see them and I explain to Andy that Jason is in bad shape and that he may be his final in person autograph (which sadly turned out to be true). 

While Jason was getting his stuff together, I got a photo op with Lorraine and I got Andy to sign my stuff. Andy then signed Jason's book and I prepped for them to take a picture. As Andy posed, I signaled to Lorraine to join the photo op which she promptly did (this was the quickest I've ever seen any celebrity enter a photo op). I took the photo with all 3 then I got an update with Andy. We thanked them all and they were on their way.

Jason would sadly die 3 days later, the Saturday of Chiller Theater. 

Jason obtains his final autograph

Jason's final photo op

Lorraine Ashbourne

Andy Serkis

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout April

April begins with a pre NYC/Chill Out signing with musician Bill Callahan. He was cool and I got the photo op before heading out to NYC. 

Bill Callahan

A few days after chill out I went for the Godfather of Rockabillly, Jim Heath AKA The Reverend Horton Heat. After the show he was nice and did the combo. Got some barely valids as well. 

Jim Heath AKA The Reverend Horton Heat

Full list of photo ops

Autograph

Next day went for the band Luna. My main want from there is actually not an original member of the band. It's voice actress Britta Phillips from the 80s Jem cartoon. Her husband Dean Wareham is an original member of the band, Sean Eden was there since the second album, and Lee Wall joined much later. Arrived and get the opener Jeffrey Lewis and Lee Wall. 

Then outside I got Lee Wall then finally Dean and Britta who were both nice as can be. Sweeping success! 

Full list of photo ops

A few days later I go for actor and comedian Ron Funches. After his show I got the photo op. 

Ron Funches

Around mid-April I made a quick trip to Books and Greetings in Jersey for a book signing with Law and Order actor Mark Harmon. Got the photo op with him and author Leon Carroll Jr. I also got Mark to sign a magazine for me. 

Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr

Autographs

The next day I went to a Mega Church where they had various artists of Christian music and gospel music. I wanted 90-year-old Bill Gaither. Sadly, never saw him at the merch tables or leaving the venue. But got a bunch of other names.

Full list of photo ops

Next day starts with a flight of an actress I failed on in NYC many years ago. Namely, Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, Beethoven). We see her and she is seemingly freaked out we were at the airport. She is rough and barely does a photo op. Would not sign. Thankfully I scored a satisfactory shot. 

Go to another flight for actor David Boreanaz. He is again rough around the edges but thankfully I didn't need to ask for a photo op. I got an 8x10 signed. 

Final flight for the day is for Candace Cameron and her husband Valeri Bure. Both were very nice and did multi combos. 

Later that same evening I went to a venue for the band Crack the Sky. Everyone there is either original or core. I arrive and not 3 minutes later the first person walks out. I got band members Bobby Hird, John Palumbo, Joey D'Amico, Rick Witkowski, Joe Macre all of which were nice as can be.

Patricia Heaton

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Next day was the "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" improv. I got the main people from that in the past but this time they had Gary Anthony Williams AKA Bebop whom I missed in the past. Saw him come out the van at the hotel and he is super nice. I also got Jeff B Davis who I didn't get at that improv show the last time as I was busy getting Joel Murray and Ryan Stiles (who I didn't bother getting this time).

Jeff B Davis

Gary Anthony Williams

Next day to an event with former child actor Nathan Gamble from Dolphin's Tale 1&2. Waited for him outside but never saw him. Went inside the venue and by luck bumped into him. He was very nice.

Nathan Gamble

Towards the end of the month waited at a venue for Lenny Kaye (who is with Patti Smith's band), Jimmie Dale Gilmore (country singer who was in The Big Lebowski) and Dave Alvin (The Blasters). Have Lenny need the other two. 

Wait at the venue and get Lenny and Dave both of whom are nice but sadly we are kicked out before we can get Jimmie. 

Lenny Kaye

Dave Alvin

Next day at a government building I scored a very good name. Jensen Huang who is the founder of Nvidia. I have been a user of Nvidia graphics cards since I started getting into computers in the 90s. So meeting the guy who started this was quite surreal. He was cool and also signed. 

Also got Marc Benioff and Robert Kraft. Could not get Tim Cook going in but I also have him. Checked another spot but it was a dud. Came back to the original spot to get people leaving. Got Anthony Pratt, Tim Cook update (this time his face is slimmer), Ainsley Earhardt, and Bret Baier.

Jensen Huang

Tim Cook

Autographs

Full list of photo ops

At the end of April I would go to the airport to get some AEW names. My first one is someone I never met before and in fact failed on the last time I tried for him at the airport, Kazuchika Okada. He was cool about photo ops but declined autographs. 

I also got photo ops with Brody King (update), Tony Schiavone (update), Edge (update), Lance Archer (upgrade), and Ace Austin (fresh). Also saw Andrade and Goldust but didn't need them. Then I went to a flight for Taz as I needed him on my CS figure. He sees us and goes "stop following me, what do you want". We ask for autos he does one each. Didn't need the photo. Saw Maxwell Jacob Friedman on the same flight and got an update (and downgrade) with him.

Final AEW get was an update with Christian. He wasn't in the mood but still did the photo and didn't sign. I can never say I had a bad experience meeting Christian, but this was the worst of all my times meeting him. Props to him for still being nice after 30 or so years. 

Kazuchika Okada

Signed Taz figure

Full list of AEW photos

After getting some sleep I went to a venue later that evening for former lead guitarist of the Scorpions, Uli Jon Roth. He was in many of their early albums in the 70s but not in their hit "Rock You Like a Hurricane". After the show I got the photo op and autographs. 

Uli Jon Roth

Autographs

New York City and Chill Out con in April

In April, to coincide with Chill Out, I would make my first NYC stop of 2026. Arrived the evening prior, parked, went to sleep. Wake up the next day and my first stop would be for Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson. Sadly, he garaged out. Then tried a spot to upgrade my photo with Arsenio Hall but he denied. 

My 2026 start in NYC is pretty rough, and sadly that remained a trend. Went to an event with Robert Pattison and other actors. It was a mob scene and there were people and barricades everywhere. Robert did almost the entire area of people and barricades....EXCEPT the part where I was at! PUNCH! He didn't stop leaving. 

To make things worse, Alana Haim who I never got also did the section I wasn't in. I got actress Sydney Lemmon who I already have and I got Jordyn Curet. Zendaya didn't do it going in but did it leaving. However, I have Zendaya and didn't want to miss actress Isabella Rossellini who was moderating a book signing q&a. So, I bailed just before Zendaya got to my side. In hindsight I could have stayed and gotten another photo op, but I didn't want to risk missing yet another name I was gunning for. 

Waiting outside the bookstore and saw Isabella Rossellini walk out. She was nice and I got the photo. This felt good because I had failed on her in 2025. Went in the bookstore and got a photo with biologist Marlene Zuk.

After a largely rough day, I decided to go to an "easy" show stop with mass gets, but primarily for Margaret Colin from Independence Day. At this spot I got Michael Esper (fresh), Richard Thomas (repeat), Jeena Yi (fresh), Kayli Carter (fresh), Marylouise Burke (repeat), Margaret Colin (fresh), Maria-Christina Oliveras (fresh), and Anika Noni Rose (fresh). Anika didn't want to do photos at first, but when I explained I just wanted a selfie she was happy to do that. I never had the desire to pay for her at a con so getting her for free was nice. 

My rough time hadn't ended because Carl Clemons denied and I didn't spot Ricardo Chavira, both of whom were on my want list. Final spot for the evening was a club with Fast and the Furious actor Sung Kang. When he was done there was a photo op line and I managed to get the op. This ended my evening.

Isabella Rossellini

Margaret Colin

Full list of Day 1 NYC photo ops

Next day is Chill Out Con. My first get is Giorgio Cantarini from Gladiator. Then get the twin girls from the Godfather, Jeanne Savarino and Janet Savarino. Then got an upgrade with Debbe Dunning. I was commissioned to get someone Boy George autographs and that landed me a free updated photo op. After the photo op he banned real cameras and I went semi viral. 

Then I got boxer Vinny Paz who refereed the Bart Gunn vs Butterbean Brawl For All match. Then Ross Bagley (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Brett Scallions from the band Fuel, and my main goal for this con, Joseph Marcell AKA Geoffrey from Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Ended my time at Chill Out with a Brooke Shields update. 

Joseph Marcell

Full list of Chill Out photo ops

After Chill Out headed to NYC to the "easy" show spots mainly for Rebecca De Mornay and Nathan Lane. First spot is for Rebecca. At that spot Ralph Macchio is randomly spotted and he is with his daughter Julia Macchio (she was in Cobra Kai). I got a photo op with both. Julia is fresh and for Ralph it's my second ever photo op, marking a 15-year update. 

Waited for Rabecca and while I went upstairs to check if she's mingling, she apparently ran to the subway and didn't stop. PUNCH. Went to the next spot in the hopes of seeing Nathan Lane but he apparently snuck out. At that spot I did get actors Christopher Abbott and Jonathan Cake among others, so it wasn't a total loss. But my NYC roughness bled to the next day as I didn't get my two main targets. Spoiler alert, I would make up both of these in the future. 

Full list of Day 2 NYC photo ops

Scattered meets throughout March Part 2

On an evening I decided to try for old school English guitarist Albert Lee. After the show he came out to the merch table and was friendly. I also grabbed the barely valids. 

Full list of photo ops

On another day I went to try to see if some Miracle on Ice hockey players were gonna show up at a spot. They didn't. So, I went to a nearby spot for Joan Lunden of GMA fame and Warrior Award recipient (who I already have). She was very friendly and even put us on her IG.

Joan Lunden

Autographs

Next day a quick flight for Hayden Christensen who was flying in for a con. This was mainly for autographs. He did 2 per and I also got the photo op. The autos alone are a $200+ convention value! He is wearing hat and shades for the picture so that is a downgrade for me.

Hayden Christensen

Autographs

Another day another flight, this time for actress Bridgit Mendler (Good Luck Charlie). She did the photo and was a strict one per. 

Bridgit Mendler

Autographs

Next day a quick folk singer Rhiannon Giddens meet. Waited at the venue, she arrived, was nice.

Rhiannon Giddens

Next day I went to a venue to get the original bassist of Phish, Mike Gordon. Saw him leave the bus but sadly only did a photo op through the fence. 

Went to a restaurant where singer Jewel was dining, she came out and did photo ops but sadly with shades. Since this was impromptu I had nothing to get signed. Checked another venue then came back to the Mike Gordon venue then decided to call it. 

Mike Gordon

Jewel

Next day starts with a flight for deaf actor Troy Kotsur. He was in the Jim Carrey movie "The Number 23". His wife Deanne Bray is also an actress. Saw him sitting at the gate and wrote a message on my phone asking for photo ops. Showed it to him. Both him and his wife were nice as can be.

Later that evening I went to try for Jewel again to upgrade my shades shot and also try to get autographs. When we see her, she remembered seeing us from the prior day and was not very accommodating. By some miracle I got lucky and managed to get a full combo. 

Troy Kotsur

Deanne Bray

Jewel

Autograph

Next day I would try for the band The Ataris, best know for their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer" in 2003. The way this setup is there's a performance and then a photo op session. The performance starts with just the original lead singer Kristopher Roe. After he leaves stage his band members take the stage. We have bassist Mike Davenport, lead guitarist John Collura, and drummer Dustin Phillips. None are technically original, but Mike joined in the second album and John joined in the third album. Meaning both were there for their hit song making them core members of the Ataris. Dustin is barely valid. 

After they were done, I was expecting a full band photo but turns out the Kristopher Roe left. PUNCH! Now it's a photo op session with the other members. I am heart crushed but I make the best out of it and position myself in between the two core members. 

Dustin Phillips, John Collura, and Mike Davenport

Next day I go to a q&a event with actress Tovah Feldshuh (Law and Order, Walking Dead). Thankfully she did a table after the show which made things easier. I bought a CD and get the combo no issue.

Tovah Feldshuh

Autograph

Final endeavor for march would be an event for author Salman Rushdie. Actors Arian Moayed and Omar Metwally would also be there. I met the former before, never met the latter. At the event I mooch some hors d'oeuvres. Never saw Salman come through but both Arian and Omar come through where I was waiting, and both are nice as can be. 

Arian Moayed

Omar Metwally

Awesome Con DC, Creature Feature Gettysburg, and more

In March I attended Awesome Con in DC. This con seems to have a thing for Dr Who. And they had some older Dr Who names here. First, I get Frazer Hines who in addition to Dr Who was a child actor in a Charlie Chaplin movie. Then get 86-year-old Carole Ann Ford and actress Nicola Bryant.

Move away from Dr Who and get some artists then actor Alessandro Juliani (Battlestar Galactica, The 100). Then back to Dr Who with actress Sophie Aldred. Then get actress Molly C Quinn (We're the Millers). Ended Awesome Con with Jewel Staite and Sean Maher.

Frazer Hines

Carole Ann Ford

Full list of photo ops

Next day at the airport I wait for UFC fighter Justin Gaethje. While waiting I see some awesome con guests leave. Got Sam Riegel, Whitney Moore, and Alexander Ward all for free. Then Justin arrives and was nice as he signed and did photos. 

Checked a flight in case of randoms and Michael Urie is spotted arriving. I get another photo with him.

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Later in March I attended Creature Feature in Gettysburg. My main wants there were child actors from Children of the Corn and Halloween. 

First off get Robby Kiger from Children of the Corn. Then got Lloyd Kaufman again. There were plenty of actors from The Toxic Avenger I would have liked to get but so many of them and no splitters meant I sadly had to skip. 

I got Terrance Zdunich from "Repo! The Genetic Opera". Not familiar with that but I knew someone with extra items, so I was able to get a free photo op. Then I get Anne Marie McEvoy from Children of the Corn and Brian Andrews from Halloween. And finally, Linda Miller from King Kong escapes. 

Drive to Baltimore to try for actresses AJ and Aly at a venue. I got AJ in NYC never got Aly. Don't see them pre but I get the opener Hayden Blount. So now I have to wait till post. On exits I get Hayden Blount again this time no shades. Then wait some more. Finally, they both come out and they are not really trying to stop for everyone but I manage to get selfies with each. Success! 

Aly Michalka

AJ Michalka

Full list of photo ops

Scattered meets throughout March Part 1

First stop for march I go to a spot for basketball player Kevin Durant who has also been in movies. Go to another spot for Wolfgang Puck but he wasn't there. Tried a government building to see who was there but nothing good. Went back to the Wolfgang Puck spot and he was sitting in the restaurant with his son Byron. Both were super nice as they signed and took photos. 

Go back to the Kevin Durant spot and he signs 3-4 autos but takes no photos. Went to another spot to try for Jesse Welles. Saw singer S.G Goodman then gave up. 

Final spot for the evening is for the old school blues rock band The Yardbirds. Unfortunately, only one original member, drummer Jim McCarty. The rest are barely valid. The only other notable one is Kenny Aaronson who played with Rick Derringer on many of his late 70s albums but sadly wasn't with him for the wrestling stuff. But all were nice and did photo ops no problem. 

Byron Puck and Wolfgang Puck

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Next day I went to a venue for musician Michael Andrews. Him and Gary Jules recorded a cover for the Tears for Fears song "Mad World", and this was used in the soundtrack for the awesome movie Donnie Darko (and also my preferred version of the song). So, I had to get that. I waited pre and saw him with a hoodie. He was super nice and even removed his hoodie for the photo op when I asked. I then got in a spat with venue staff who asked me to stop coming which I declined. I was then promised "consequences" if I go on coming. Fourth months later I still await said consequences. There were other people to get in his band but I didn't want to wait till the end of the night for post-show. So, I called it. 

Michael Andrews

Next day would start for a very cool and unique meet. Namely, Adam Christian Johnson who is best known as the Pelosi podium guy from January 6, 2021. He became one of the most prominent and iconic images of January 6, just behind the horns guy and the Pelosi feet guy.  

He was visiting town and I managed to contact him and say I wanted to meet him. He asked me to text him info on who I am, which I did. Eventually he got back to me and arranged to meet up with me at the airport in the early morning. He was cool and talkative and happily did the photo op.

Then went to a government building but only saw billionaires Jared Isaacman and Bill Ackman. Final spot for the evening was a comedy show for actor Matt Rife. Pre I got comedian Martin Amini but had to wait till post show to meet Matt. He did one combo per person leaving. Got Martin Amini again leaving. 

Adam Christian Johnson

Matt Rife

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Couple of days later I attended Blerdcon mainly to meet Redman. Got actor/comedian Godfrey, got barely valid voice actor LaKira Porter, and finally Redman who even gave me a free photo op in exchange for giving him my N50 Pental Pen marker. 

Full list of photo ops

Made a stop to Monstermania in Cherry Hill. I wanted the Welcome to Derry kids but sadly they were all so expensive and I had no splitters. I was commissioned to get someone some Bruce Dickinson autographs which I did. The lone photo op I got at Mastermania was actor Rohan Campbell (Halloween Ends).

Rohan Campbell

Next evening I go for the soul group The Stylistics which feature two original members. First get the barely valid Gregory Naar. Then we spot Airrion Love in a wheelchair, and he happily comes over and does photo ops. Unfortunately, Herb Murrell is already in the bus but we ask Airrion to tell him that we want a photo op. He comes out the bus and is as nice as can be.

Full list of photo ops 

Couple of days later I go for legendary photographer, 87-year-old Henry Diltz. His photos were used on many album covers for James Taylor, The Doors, and others. After his thing he was meeting fans doing multi combos and signing as he shakes. It's incredible to see this old man struggling to be so accommodating while so many young people barely do anything. 

Henry Diltz

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout February Part 2

The day starts at political spots where I hope to see some actors. Saw football player Plaxico Burress go in but he denied. Sadly, the only entertainment name I got is director Eduardo Verastegui who I already have. The rest were names I didn't care for.

Final spot for the night is for a band lead by REM member Peter Buck. Already have Peter and one other member of the band but needed the other two. After the show tried to mooch in but got shut down. They were doing the merch table and we explained we wanted to buy merch but to no avail.

Wait a bit and the employees went home. Then tried to mooch inside again, this time successfully and we see the band members mingling. I got Peter Buck (update), Duke Garwood (fresh), and Barrett Martin (upgrade). Sadly, never saw Alain Johannes who I never met before. Overall, a subpar day. 

Full list of photo ops

Next day starts at a radio station for the band of musicians/actors The Runarounds. Sadly only 4 of the 5 members are there. I got Zende Murdock, William Lipton, Jeremy Yun, and Axel Ellis in a group op and singles with the two I wasn't next to, Axel Ellis and Zende Murdock. They also signed for me. No Jesse Golliher who was supposedly sick during the day but not at night. 

Go to the next spot hoping to see actor Andy Richter so I can get an upgrade. But only see some people from Dancing with the Stars. I get the ops. Go to another spot for actor Lamman Rucker. It seemed like he was never coming out till much later but at one point he went outside for a break. I managed to score the photo op and was able to leave.

Final spot for the evening is for bluegrass legend Sam Bush. Mooch inside the venue after the show and get the opener Lillian Hackett and also Sam Bush who was super nice greeting the crowd. Also got autographs from him.

Zende Murdock, William Lipton, Jeremy Yun, and Axel Ellis

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

This day starts off badly as I go to a venue to try and see Billy Gibbons for some autographs. But never see him and give up since he is presumably inside. Go to an event with Mark Cuban. Get an upgraded photo op and autographs. Go to a final spot for the band Skeleton Crewe who have a couple of decent names in the lineup but they were already inside and I didn't want to wait till late at night. So, I called it a day.

Mark Cuban

Autographs

Next event is a political event that Robert Deniro was attending. I missed him going in where he stopped but at the event as it was ending, I approached the stage and managed to get him to sign my Meet the Fockers DVD already signed by Ben Stiller and Jay Roach (and barely got that). I have two ops with him from before. I was always afraid to get him to sign it due to the chaos in Deniro spots as I didn't want it ruined. But this was the perfect setup for this. 

Autograph

Next evening I wait for Chris Hughes, the co-founder of facebook alongside Mark Zuckerberg. Didn't see him go in but after the event got him on stage and he was cool and had to learn how to sign 8x10s as no one had asked him before. 

Go to Baltimore for actress Lena Waithe (Ready Player One) who is doing a show. That evening she had a q&a discussion with Meagan Good (whom I already have). Wait after it lets out and while waiting get the barely valid actress Jacki Hydock. See Meagan Good leave and she was nice as I got a combo. The venue staff says "this is weird". Sadly never see Lena Waithe. They shut down the lights of the venue. Check out some people leaving a block away to see if she walked out a different door, but it wasn't her. Return to the venue and the last of the staff was walking out (as if they waited for us to leave to escort Lena out). 

Chris Hughes

Jacki Hydock

Meagan Good

Autographs

Next a subpar day. Stop by a spot and see a couple of Hockey names. Then go for actor London Brown after his show. Brown was super cool with everyone after his show. 

Full list of photo ops

Another evening and another attempt at actress Lena Waithe. Go back to Baltimore and first go to a signing for rapper Lil' Cease. I never heard of him, but I figured may as well get something in case Lena goes south. It was a signing at a pot store. He was super nice. 

Now to the show and wait till it lets out. See Cory Booker leave but don't bother asking him as I want to stay under the radar until it's go time (plus I have him and don't even care). We had someone watch the side and someone watch the front. Then I get the call that someone is leaving the side. Run there and Lena is already in the car. I call for her while she is in the passenger seat and she exits the car and takes care of two of us and goes back in. Success! Vic Mensa was part of the q&a discussion and also in the car, but he didn't come out. 

Lil’ Cease

Lena Waithe

And on the last day of February, I wanted to get Jan6er and ring wing activist Jake Lang. He was coming to the Capitol to demonstrate, and I thought how cool it would be to get a photo op with a notable Jan6er in front of the Capitol. As he approached, I went to meet up with him and in front of my eyes he got arrested. He apparently had an outstanding warrant. This marks the first time someone I try to meet gets arrested as I was trying to get a photo op. 

At this point I am in drunk and salvage mode. I get photo ops with random Jan6ers in front of the capitol. And I go to a bottle signing for actor Jim Gaffigan. Sadly, I have him twice so this is really just an update. I get the photo op. 

The final meet of February was for a DJ named Tiesto. The last time he didn't do photo ops but signed. This time he did one combo per person. He told us "see you next time".

Full list of photo ops

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout February Part 1

First off, a book signing for director/actor John Sayles (Eight Men Out, Sunshine State). He was cool and I got the photo op. Also in attendance was his wife who is also a producer and actress.

John Sayles

Maggie Renzi

Next day I go to a play for actress Shannon Cochran (The Ring). After her show she was mingling in the lobby and was overly nice.

Shannon Cochran

Next day was bad one as I tried for child actor Paige Gosney at the airport but couldn't spot him. Then I tried John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys) at a venue but never saw him leave. It's a mystery how we missed that one.

The day after went a little better as I went to the airport for British writer and anti-trans activist Graham Linehan. He wrote and created shows such as Father Ted and The IT Crowd. Spotted him and asked. He said it was the first time he was "recognized" in America. So this we got the first combos he ever did in this continent. How cool is that? This also marked my first autograph of 2026.

Graham Linehan

Autographs

Next day a flight for singer and actress Lola Kirke. She was super nice as she took photos and signed. Went to a venue for actor/comedian Jeff Foxworthy but he was nasty and completely blew us off. 

Lola Kirke

Autographs

Fast forward a few days and I go to a book signing for blue grass singer Alice Gerrard. Admittedly I never heard of her but seems to have been around for a long time so I figure that's a good offering to the combo Gods. After her book talk, I got the photo op and she was very nice. 

Alice Gerrard

Next there was a movie screening with National Treasure. I was hoping there would be people I never got before. But it was only Jon Voight who was his usual nice self. I got another photo and autographs. 

Jon Voight

Autographs

Next day I quick stop for actor Bill Irwin. I got him before, so it was mainly for autographs. After his show he was nice as can be. 

Bill Irwin

Autographs

Next, I wait at a venue for an actress from The Wire, Felicia Pearson. She enters and is happy to do the photo op. Then to the hotel for actor/comedian Dov Davidoff. Wait and he finally walks out. Super nice. Then to a book signing for composer Marc Shaiman (Hocus Pocus, Sister Act, South Park Bigger Longer Uncut, much more). Met him once before so this is for an upgraded photo op and autographs. After his book talk, he is nice as can be. 

Felicia Pearson

Dov Davidoff

Marc Shaiman

Autographs

Completing New Kids on the Block

Here is a report from Ashley Furniture at Bensalem, PA. It was announced that both Knight brothers, Jordan and Jonathan Knight from New Kids on the Block, would appear and do photo ops. Over the years I've met every member of NKOTB except for Jordan Knight who I failed on in 2024.  

The song "Step by Step" was big when I was in late elementary school and early middle school. So this event was a "must go" for me because it completed NKOTB without paying big money for their concert VIPs. 

I arrived at the store and a long line had already formed. Thankfully we were able to wait inside which was nice since it was arctic level cold outside. Two unique things about this event. 1) I found no familiar faces in the photo op line and 2) The attendees were predominantly middle aged females. This may be the first predominantly female combo related event I ever attended. 

I did see one Philly grapher I knew, and turns out he was actually running the event! So that was a little shocking.

NKOTB were scheduled for 2-4. They arrived 1:30. The line went very smoothly. When you arrived it wasn't even their own camera. You handed your own device (which I prefer) and your photo got taken. The Knights were friendly especially Jonathan who is even super friendly on the street. Jonathan also asked where I was from. My photo op with Jonathan is actually an upgrade compared to the 2024 NYC one where he has a cap and eye glasses. So basically one fresh op and one upgrade. 

I was a little nervous going to this event because I was expecting this kind of event to be a disorganized zoo and I was expecting people to be shut out. But it could not have been run better. I thank all who put this together. 

Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight take 1

Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight take 2

Crowd photo

Crowd photo

Kicking off 2026 for celebrity meets in January!

The first combo related endeavor of 2026 would be for 87-year-old blue grass legend Del McCoury. In his band are also his two sons who are somewhat valid. Wait after his show and see his barely valid bassist Alan Bartram (who is on wikipedia). This would be my first photo op of 2026. 

Then Christian Ward comes out and I get him. A little later him and his sons come out. He says in a laughing tone "you want a picture?" and we get ops. Also get his two sons (both of whom are on wikipedia). I tried to get Del to sign but he ignored. I have to say the guy looks fantastic for 87.

Del McCoury

Full list of photo ops

Next morning I go for actress Tisha Campbell. She arrives at the spot and is nice about photo ops. This marks my first movie/TV name of 2026. Go home to rest and come out in the evening for actress Jennette McCurdy (Melrose Place). Failed on her at the airport a couple of years ago where all I got was a mask shot. Wait at her hotel and former VP Mike Pence is spotted randomly. I got him in 2016, so this is almost a 10 year update. 

Jennette McCurdy leaves the hotel but unfortunately, I fail to get the photo op as she was rushed in the car (blurry and invalid). Wait at the venue till it lets out. There's a crowd of people and she enters the car. I begin to walk away to my car to beat her to the next spot. But then she starts doing photos from her. I got back and ask for a selfie she goes "didn't I get you already?" and I told her truthfully that it didn't come out. I then get a valid shot. Success!  

At the hotel she did perfect shots I didn't get there in time, but I guess 50/50 she would have done it with me since she recognized me. Go to the final spot for the evening for Joe Gatto (Impractical Jokers). Wait for his show to let out and get a photo with his opener Paris Sashay. Joe finally comes out and he is cool.

Tisha Campbell

Mike Pence

Jennette McCurdy

Paris Sashay

Joe Gatto

Next day I go for actor Adam Ray. Wait for him to enter his show. The car pulls up and he is nice as can be. First, he does car shots then he exits his vehicle and we ask for normal shots. He then walks into the venue. 

Adam Ray

Days later I have 2 main objectives. Director Brett Ratner (Rush Hour movies) and singer/actor Loudon Wainwright. I try a hotel for Brett but don't see him. I go the venue for Loudon and people are leaving. I enter and see Chris Smither mingling with fans. I get the photo op. I am wondering what is happening as I don't see cars for Loudon. Turns out Loudon was the opener and Chris was the second act. And turns out Loudon did a signing after his set. PUNCH! Because this meant he left after his signing. Who would have thought! 

It gets worse from here. Go to a spot hoping Brett Ratner and Jordan Belfort (Wolf of Wal Street) would show up. But don't see them. It's getting so cold my camera batteries are even dying! I get Howard Lutnick who is nice. Linda McMahon did nothing, but I have her. See Dr Oz but don't even bother asking him as I have a photo op. At this point decide to bail it's so cold. Went to my car and my remote wasn't even working as the cold was killing even that battery. Although it seems both Akon and Jordan showed up later at the spot. PUNCH. Overall a big bust of a day.

Howard Lutnick

Chris Smither

The final meet in January would be my first organized signing of 2026. And it was for original bassist of Faith No More, Roddy Bottum. Already have the lead singer so this would be my second member of Faith No More. Arrive and he is doing his book talk. As he is about to sign, we get photo ops and he is nice as can be. Also get the moderator Richard Morel who is some kind of song writer and DJ. 

Roddy Bottum

Richard Morel

Final report for 2025 meets - Steel City Con, Bocelli, Conti and more

After my success with Andy Card, I would be out every day for the next week to round off my 2025 combo related endeavors. 

Day 1

I start with some private flights hoping Stallone is in one of them, but no luck. I then go to a commercial flight for actor Michael Crawford. He was the titular character in the original stage production of Phantom of the Opera and has been in several old movies and TV shows.

When he arrives, he stops but is not overly nice. Was a strict one and the photo though I managed to squeeze two. Overall, that was a success. Shortly after at the same airport Lauryn Hill was arriving (which I didn't know in advance, or I would have had items). I got her before but since I was here may as well get an update. She was very nice.

Later in the evening I had another flight for the legendary Andrea Bocelli. I got him in NYC but it was a terrible car shot. Wait at the spot and when I see him I run over, fearful the staff may stop me. But it was late enough in the night where no one cared. I asked for a photo and Andrea gets into his car. I thought I was done but his wife says to come closer. He was nice as can be and I get the photo op.

Michael Crawford

Lauryn Hill

Andrea Bocelli

Autographs

Day 2

With the success of the prior day came a disastrous day. Tried for Stallone and George Strait flights. Never confirmed a Stallone flight but figured out George Strait's flight. And he took 2 whole hours to come out. There were like 30 people and he did nothing. What's worse because it took him so long to come out, I had to miss a Heidi Klum flight. I already have two photo ops with her but wanted to get autographs. 

Went to another spot to try for George Strait. They pulled his van right to the door and ignored going in and leaving. Went to one last spot and saw Peter Criss. He was cool and I got a photo op. But I have a perfect shot from a con. BUST of a day.

Peter Criss

Day 3 

This is the day that I dread as I wake up in the morning and stand all day at a spot. But this year things seemed uncertain, largely due to Trump taking control of things. That combined with the bust of the previous day I decided to bail on this and head to Steel City Con where things are certain. This marked the first time I ever decided to go to a con the very morning of.

Arrive and find decent parking. First get is Ken Kirzinger. I have Ken but someone I knew had multiple items so why not get a free update. Next is the main reason I came to this con, namely Shia LaBeouf. He wasn't very nice and most photos we took were invalid. He got annoyed cause I wanted retakes. 

After the unpleasant experience with Shia I got a free photo op with Disney, Warner Bros, and Hanna-Barbera animator Willie Ito. The only other celebs I got were Lawrence Makoare (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit) and Joel David Moore (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story). 

Left Steel City and came back to try the event I bailed on. Went to one spot and it was a bust. Then tried another spot only saw Gloria Gaynor enter. Stallone had garaged. In hindsight based on the stories I heard I made the right choice going to Steel City Con. While some people were gotten, I already had them and would see them the next day.

Shia LaBeouf

Full list of photo ops

Day 4

After the uncertainty of the prior day, I was very weary going out this day. But I knew others were out, so I had to be there to be part of the action if there was any action to be had. Start at the hotel and I see a couple of Tennis players John Isner and Sam Querrey. I get photo ops. Then I see Frank Stallone walking around. I got him at Chiller years ago so this wasn't anything for me but I got a photo.

Go to the venue where there has apparently been action. I find out I missed Vince Gill. PUNCH. I met him before, but I had some CDs for him to sign. Garth Brooks comes in and doesn't sign but does photo ops. I had no need for another photo op so I didn't bother to fight for it. Then we almost miss one of the best names as everyone almost lets him walk by. We asked him and he was super nice and did multi combos with everyone. Turns out it is the composer for classic movies such as Rocky, Karate Kid, and others. I got the photo op and some blanks. Sadly, I left my Rocky poster (already signed by the director) in the car so I didn't get that done. I went and got my poster. I also have a Karate Kid poster signed by the director but that's at home. 

I would then get photos with Ron Henry and Christal Rheams, session drummer Kenny Aronoff, singer Blessing Offor who is blind (marking my second blind photo op within a week), Kid Kentucky, actor Garrett Hedlund (update since I paid for him at a con a year prior), Chris Blue, Kelsey Grammer, and Jason Crabb. Going in I got the photo op with Kelsey Grammer which was a 15 year update as my last photo with him was from NYC in 2010. Wasn't able to get autographs. But he signed on the way out and I managed to get two 8x10s done. 

Then we see someone walk from a distance no one can decipher who he is at first. Turns out it's magician Criss Angel! Get the photo op. Score! Then I get an update with Robin Zander from cheap trick and Marcus King, Montana Tucker, Frank Stallone (this time no hat).

Then I get a selfie with Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick which is an upgrade over what I have because he always intentionally looks away from the camera. Here he is mostly looking in. Got Robin Zander again. Also got them both on my Cheap Trick 8x10. 

A big botch was for singer Deniece Williams. She came and someone said "Gloria" so I immediately got my Gloria Gaynor vinyl. Turns out it was Deniece Williams and that killed my chances to get a photo op (she barely even did 2 or 3). Got Richard Grenell and other political names. Some of the final names I got going in were actor Neal McDonough (blurry photo op but it's ok I got him at a con years ago) and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger who founded the company with the same name. 

Exits were slim pickings I got Rick Nielsen looking in again and a combo with Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick (update photo op). I then bailed on exits since it was looking bad and went to the hotel where I just missed Peter Criss. PUNCH as I could have used an autograph. Then I saw Bill Conti pull up and this time I got him on my Rocky poster and got a photo op with him all dressed up. 

Saw Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and their sons but couldn't get them. Saw Gloria Gaynor she didn't stop but she did send ins and I got my vinyl and 8x10s signed (it's ok I have photo ops with her). The evening would end with a photo op with Mike Farris and that would be my final photo op of 2025.

Kelsey Grammer

Tommy Hilfiger

Criss Angel

Bill Conti

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Now to showcase autographs obtained:

Bill Conti autographs

Gloria Gaynor autographs

Cheap Trick and Kelsey Grammer

Neal McDonough, Criss Angel, and Tommy Hilfiger

Day 5

The next day I sat out everything during the day but Michael Crawford had a flight out and it was in the evening. I thought since the timing was good and the airport was close to my house I figured I'd go for an autograph. I arrived and got him to sign an 8x10. This would be my final autograph of 2025.

Autograph

Starting December with a 9/11 attack name

Over the years I always tried to get political names related to the 9/11 attacks. Some successfully and some not. One name I've always either missed or failed on in the past is Andy Card, who was White House Chief of Staff under Bush Jr from 2001 to 2006. He was the one who informed Bush about the attacks in what is probably the most iconic photo of the 9/11 attacks that is not a burning building. This is the image I'm referring to:

But I finally got another flight on him and would try for him again for the first time in years. The bad thing is he was with his wife who traditionally tries to shut down any graphers. This time she was hardly a factor. Maybe she is getting old? But I got a perfect shot and some autographs. Success! To boot he writes the entire quote he uttered to Bush Jr when he signs the famous image.

Andy Card

Autographs

Later in the day I decided to try again for Victor Willis of the Village People at the airport. As expected, he was his usual grumpy self barely doing photos and shooting down autographs even yelling at someone for asking. The photo op I got is a slight upgrade over my previous op so I guess I can't complain too much.

Victor Willis