Multi Day NYC Haul in May

After Wizard World Philly me and went to NYC for what would be a week long torturous and agonizing ordeal to would result in lots of physical and mental pain (that would endure even after it was over). 


Day 1

The trek starts the evening of Wizard World Philly. After Wizard World we head to the city and I go to try for Larry David which wound up to be an awesome decision because Victor Garber from Titanic and The Flash was a random there! I got a photo op and when seeing him the coming days he would be difficult to impossible. Martin Short was also there as a random I told him I didn't need to bother him because I got him before and he joked about that saying "oh you don't need me anymore". 

When it came time for Larry he signed my photo but didn't want to do selfies. Luckily someone took my photo op. 

After this I went to a spot with Vanessa Hudgens mainly cause I wanted to get Richard White who voiced Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately I find out that White comes out before the rest of the cast. I got photo ops with lower cast members and had no interest in dealing with the crowd just for an updated Vanessa photo op (didn't have items on me). 

Final spot for the evening was a spot for Reese Witherspoon. That is a photo op I needed badly. Sadly when she arrived she did one item per and no photo ops. And then she snuck out. To boot, there were no random celebrities at this spot. Big, big let down. 

Victor Garber

Larry David

Full list of photo ops


Day 2

Hit up the first spot for the day where we got a bunch of names. It was cool to upgrade my Craig Robinson car shot. Unfortunately we got a punch in the face cause we found out shortly before we arrived that somebody scored a photo op with Dolph Lundgren. He wasn't part of any of the events, but he was just there. Wow that would have been a huge score for both me and Joresky. We did wait and wait for him to return but sadly didn't see him. I guess the combo Gods didn't want us to get Dolph. 

Then went to another spot where I got a couple of names. Then I followed Joresky to another spot which was worthless. The only fascinating thing there was when we went to a bathroom that looked like it was out of a 1950s sci fi movie.

Here is that bathroom

I went back to the previous spot where I did decent. I saw Rob Lowe who was mobbed but thankfully I didn't need him as I got him before. One notable name I got was X-Files creator Chris Carter. 

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2


Day 3


This day starts off at the first spot with a bunch of scores, including Melanie B of the Spice Girls, Scott Wolf from Double Dragon, Jamie Alexander from Thor, Mark-Paul Gosselaar from Saved by the Bell, among others. The big punch in the face here is seeing Wesley Snipes do nothing for no one It was even more painful that others got that photo op at other spots. 

Off to the next spot where we nab a premium spot - or so we thought. Unfortunately they changed the setup! WTF! So we had to improvise. This spot was total chaos with lots and lots of running around. 

I got a combo from Corey Michael Smith (The Riddler in Gotham), Got an autograph from Robin Lord Taylor and Ben McKenzie. I managed to chase Jamie Lee Curtis as she moved along and went to an area I wasn't allowed to in order to get a photo op with her! That is a huge score because she is normally not nice. I heard stories of how she would deliberately avoid old people. After I got her they barricaded that particular area. Via lots of running and begging and pleading I also managed to get an Emma Roberts photo op! 

Unfortunately Joresky failed on the Emma Roberts front and his reaction was this

I also got David Boreanaz to sign my Buffy/Angel photo. Damn does he have a horrid autograph. To think people pay a 3 figured number for that at conventions. I had to beg and plead a lot for that surprisingly. He was signing but seemed to single me out for some reason till I finally got it and he said "the 10th one I sign for you". Really?  This was the first and thus far only David Boreanaz autograph I got in my entire life!

Other notables were updates with John Stamos, Matt Bomer, Terence Howard, and a first time shot with Neil Tyson and Sarah Paulson. Fred Savage and John Travolta were doing combos but I had them already.  

After this I hit up 3 more spots throughout the evening. The previous spot of the day, then another where I get a Paula Abdul car shot and a less than ideal shot with January Jones, then another one, then back to the initial one. 


Cory Michael Smith

Terence Howard

Jamie Lee Curtis

Emma Roberts

January Jones

Paula Abdul

Mark Paul Gosellaar

Jamie Alexander

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Full list of photo ops part 3

Full list of photo ops part 4

Full list of photo ops part 5

Full list of photo ops part 6



Day 4

This day starts with a relatively stress free meet. Ronda Rousey at a book signing. She sat down shortly before it was our turn to go up to her which was a punch in the face, but thankfully posed for anybody that asked. 

Go to another spot and got a few names. Then to another spot where we saw Melissa Benoist (Supergirl) who blew us off. I then ran to the other side of the building and she did multi combos over there! I got a full combo. 

Then another spot where Sharon Stone and Luis Guzman did nothing for no one but still got a ton of names. Then the final spot of the evening I got a few more names including Ken Jeong from the Hangover, which ended the day. 

Ronda Rousey

Melissa Benoist

Ken Jeong

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Full list of photo ops part 3


Day 5


This day starts on a sour note where me and Joresky try to purchase tickets for NYCC. Literally as we were pressing the final complete order button, Wendy's wifi dies on us Wow I couldn't believe my bad luck. Thankfully we had a miracle as markedout's Greg2600 managed to order us two tickets 

Me and Joresky then go to the first spot. I breifly leave to check out another spot. I get one name before deciding it's a dud then go back to the original spot. I do decent there as upgrade my Jane Lynch shot and get several first time shots including Luiz Guzman. One notable blow off was Stephen Colbert who didn't do photo ops. I can never seem to get him photo op wise. 

I then stop by a spot where Woodmo and others were on a railing, then decide to join markedout's heelorton at an "easy" spot. I got Dan Lauria on my Wonder Years photo, got a photo op with actress Swoosie Kurtz who was a random (thanks to heelorton for phoning me to over), among other photo ops. 

Went to one final spot for the evening before calling it a day. My body at that point was telling me I needed to stop. Pain was everywhere. Despite Joresky saying things like "I'm here to rack" much like an uncharged phone cannot make calls, and uncharged body cannot combo hunt. 

Swoosie Kurtz

Luis Guzman


Jane Lynch

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2


Day 6

This day starts off early in the morning. But after getting 7-8 hours of sleep WOW did I feel better. The first spot was chaos defined, where I would run around, scream, beg, etc. Had to REALLY beg for the photo op with David Ramsey from Arrow but I broke him down. Got combos from Willa Holland (Thea Queen), Tom Cavanagh (Reverse Flash), Grant Gustin (Flash), Carlos Valdes (Cisco), among many other photo ops. Jesse L Martin and Paul Blackthorne I only got an autograph from since I had photo ops. Brandon Routh was doing photo ops with all who wanted but I got a perfect shot from Wizard World so I had no reason to get one. Daniel Panabaker for some reason did not want to sign for me. 

Over to the next spot where I got DJ Qualls, Aaron Stanford (Pyro in X-Men 2 and 3), among others. Sadly I JUST missed Julian McMahon (Dr Doom) and many did not come over. 

As I arrive at the next spot with Greg2600 I arrive just in time to get Julian McMahon! Wow that felt good. I got Josh Holloway, improved my George Hamilton photo op, among other things. Markedout's Lanza would also make an appearance here. 

Went to the last spot for the evening which was the same as the morning spot, got a couple more names and that was it. 

Julian McMahon

Aaron Stanford

DJ Qualls

Willa Holland

Tom Cavanagh

Carlos Valdes


David Ramsey

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Full list of photo ops part 3

Full list of photo ops part 4


Day 7

The final day. I chose to hit up yesterday morning's spot without eating breakfast. This was a good move cause I got photo ops with Ciara Rene (Hawk Girl), Wentworth Miller (Captain Cold), Arthur Darvill (Rip Hunter, took lots of begging), and Dominic Purcell (Heat Wave). 

Grant Gustin came out I had no reason to get a downgrade of a photo op so I got an autograph. 

After this spot me and Joresky went to find the movie set of Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson but we could not find it (as we would later find out, it wasn't even set up at that point). We then go try for actress Leah Remini but a security guard told us no one else was coming today. We believed him but still waited just in case he was lying. After it seemed like everything was dead we left the spot.

We are then joined by our buddies Jimmy and James and we go back to the filming spot and everything was now setup. Sadly, neither Dakota Johnson nor Rebel Wilson were trying to accommodate anyone! Me and Joresky go to try for Emma Roberts and Dave Franco. Emma does nothing for no one, Dave I got a combo from. 

Me and Joresky have a rule that if all else fails, go to the "easy" spots. As I told Joresky after the wave of failures, "well, all else has failed". 

So we go our separate ways and try our own "easy" spots. My first spot for me was for Amanda Seyfried. I got her before but had a magazine for her to sign. There's a crowd inside and a crowd outside. I elect to stay outside. As soon as her co star Thomas Sadoski starts signing, she runs out the side door. OH HELL NO! I came to "easy" spots as a fallback here! I ran after her till she was close to her car and started screaming and begging and she signed my magazine! After this I got a photo op with Thomas. 

For the final spot I go back to the Vanessa Hudgens spot and was joined by heelorton. This time I was keeping my eyes open to spot Richard White. When I see someone exit the door that could have been him I yell out "Richard" and he stops and looks back and says "yes?". His reaction was this face I tell him that I came to see him while everyone came to see Vanessa. Again, the same face as goes "ok". I then ask him for a photo op he agrees to it but wonders what to do. I ask him to come closer so I can get it and he goes "sure". I also say I have something for him to sign. I pull out my Beauty and the Beast laserdisc and goes "oh wow you came prepared" and he also asked how I knew he was in the cast. Since I didn't like my photo op after he left the raining I got another shot and the security guard began telling at me. Really? The guy can't believe he's being stopped and security is yelling? 

Vanessa then comes out, does combos, and I get combo. This would be my final meet before leaving the city and going to Atlantic City Boardwalk Con.

Dominic Purcell

Arthur Darvill

Wentworth Miller

Ciara Renée


Richard White

Full list of photo ops


Now to showcase autographs obtained:

Signed stuff part 1

Signed stuff part 2 (Flash poster signed by Jesse, Grant, Carlos, and Tom)

Beauty and the Beast laserdisc

Wizard World Philly 2015 report

This con always seems to get some good names. And with this one headlined by Burt Reynolds, it was simply a "can't miss". 

But before Wizard World I would have to meet up with Joresky at a dingy club outside of Baltimore where he wanted to meet Mike Tramp the lead singer of the band White Lion. A total name for me. 

Luckily the place was very moochable so I got in no issue, but here is an overview at what a dingy place that was.

The show finally ended, and he was nice. I got a photo op.

Then it was off to Philly where we found a free spot not too far from Wizard World and slept for the evening. 


Saturday morning, me and mooch some breakfast at a spot, which has become a yearly Wizard World Philly tradition for us. 

First guest I met is Charles Martinet who voices Mario and many characters in all Nintendo games starting Mario 64 for the N64. Got him to sign a figure. This would be my only autograph for WW, although I kinda regret not getting a Burt Reynolds autograph especially when I saw some of the cool stuff people were getting signed like old playboys and laserdiscs. 

I got table photo ops with Adrian Paul, Danny Trejo, and Frankie Muniz.  

I got a free photo op with artist Phil Ortiz. 

I also mooched photo ops with Keshia Knight Pulliam (which was an upgrade from my street shot) and Vincent Young. 

I split two pro ops. Burt Reynolds with Joresky, and Katie Cassidy with markedout's Nightshift AKA Nate. 

Ended WW with a Roger Corman photo op at the end of a panel, although I already had him.

After Wizard World it was off to NYC for a long and grueling week. 

Sampling of photo ops

Katie Cassidy

Burt Reynolds

Adrian Paul

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Full list of photo ops

Signed Mario figure

Amidst Chiller, a haul in April!

At the end of April I would attend Chiller (already reported) but I had celebrity hauls the day before Chiller and the day after Chiller. Let us begin.


Before Chiller

The evening started with a flight that housed a handful of celebrities. Troian Bellisario, Alanna Masterson, Michelle Trachtenberg, Haley Joel Osment, and Naya Rivera were the names that I knew for a fact had a booking on there. But I had other photos on me in case others were. 

Haley Joel Osment was my top want from those names. Sadly it seems the LAX people did not see him. When the witching hour came neither did we but turns out Bailee Madison, a want of mine due to the movie "Just Go With It", was actually on there as well! Thank God I was smart enough to bring photos. 

I managed to score autographs and photo ops from everyone except Naya Rivera. While others were getting her I was busy with other people, and by the time I went up to Naya she was being rushed in her car. 

But Bailee and Troian were super friendly. Alanna was real nice as well even though at a con it was $10 just to say hi to her. And here I got a full combo for free! Michelle signed but begrudgingly did a photo op. Sadly it turned out to be invalid because she covered her face and wasn't even looking. Sucks but not a huge deal as this would have been an upgrade for me. I already have a photo op from a few years ago. 

Me and one other grapher then went to another part to check another flight from LAX to see if there were any celebrities on that flight, and Tom Arnold is spotted! I had him already so it was nothing extravagant, but I did improve my photo op. 

Full list of photo ops 

Autographs


After Chiller

The evening after Chiller was when the haul really began. 

In entries, it was practically impossible to get anything. BUT I did manage to get a combo with Maria Menounos who is a want of mine due to her wrestling connections. I tried to beg for more autographs but she did nothing more. 

While waiting for the event to end I got a photo op and some autographs from Norman Reedus. The photo op I got is a HUGE upgrade from what I had. This makes it an even better score considering he costs an arm and a leg at cons. We also spotted Michelle Trachtenberg, Jason Isaacs, Eric Dane, Troian Bellesario, and Rebecca Gayheart. Needed upgrades with Michelle and Eric and a first time photo op with Rebecca. Sadly none did anything. I managed to get a Jason Isaacs autograph (he blew me off for a photo op but I have one). I also got photo ops with Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos

When the event let out is when it gets real stressful. This time I took a different approach though. I followed a Master combo hunter to a particular area. This turned out to be a fantastic decision. 

I scored Connie Nielsen, Ivanka Trump upgrade, Stacy Dash upgrade, Eric Stonestreet, Melania Trump (sadly blurry), Donald Trump upgrade, Jane Seymour, Emily Osment, Haley Joel Osment, Jennifer Coolidge (who I had), Frank Kaminsky, Michelle Trachtenberg (much nicer and valid shot), and Bailee Madison upgrade. 

But I would also get a major score for me, and probably my best name for 2015 so far. Namely, Jane Fonda! I got not one but TWO photo ops with her as the first was slightly blurry! When someone asked her to sign she refused so I didn't bother asking her. I told her I was a huge fan and she said thank you! HCIT! I was so happy with that score as it made my night, especially since I failed to get that photo op in 2014 (only got autographs). 

Left that sweet area I got Jerome Jarre, Gabourey Sidibe, Darby Stanchfield, Anthony Anderson, and Alan Rickman. 

After my Alan Rickman shot my camera's flash died! I would have to use Joresky's camera from that point forth. This would be a long term blessing as I purchased a better camera. 

On to the next spot where we had to stand across the street, run around, and fight with security. I got photo ops with Gillian Jacobs, Tony Romo, Chanel Iman, Naomi Campbell, Lauren Cohan, Michael Kelly, and Ty Burrell. Also got Lucy Liu to sign for me while in a spat with security (thankfully already have a photo op so I didn't have to fight for that). 

A sampling of photo ops:

Jane Fonda

Maria Menounos

Norman Reedus

Stacy Dash

Donald Trump

Jane Seymour

Haley Joel Osment

Michelle Trachtenberg

Bailee Madison

Alan Rickman

Tony Romo

Naomi Campbell


Lauren Cohan

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Full list of photo ops part 3

Autographs

Chiller Theater April 2015

Initially I was not planning to attend this Chiller. But then they added some pretty good names that are up there in age. So I decided this show was a "can't miss". 

I arrived at Chiller alongsideand markedout.com member HeelOrton. 

Luckily I didn't have too many wants. And would get no autographs from anyone. 

First guest I meet is Richard Karn from Home Improvement. Then Ken Kirzinger who played Jason in Freddy vs Jason, adding yet another name to the cast of this movie. Next up was Gavin MacLeod from love boat, and he was captain suited which was awesome. After that I split a Rip Torn photo op with markedout's Woodmo. But wow did he look like he was going to drop dead at any time. When I was about to get to him earlier they said he had to go do pro photo ops and I was nervous about the wait fearing he would drop dead before coming back to the autograph table. Thankfully he did come back and that's when I got to split the photo op. 

After Rip Torn I head to Michael Nesmith with Joresky and split that photo op with him. I can now say I got all four members of the Monkees. I then get a photo op with Friday the 13's Robbi Morgan and Bad Company Drummer Simon Kirke. 

Then me and Joresky go upstairs for the main event of the show, and that's to split a photo op with Ann Margret. She looks pretty damn good for her age. 

While there I remembered that Tia Carrere was here! That's someone I always miss either cause I don't go to the show or she cancels. When I got there I had no one to take my shot so I ask a woman if she can operate a camera. She says sure but turns out she can't I then take my camera back and hand it to someone else and get a good shot. It's ok to say "I can't use a camera" but please don't waste both our time by trying to do something you can't. I did have a playboy for her, but unfortunately I forgot to bring it with me. I guess money saved. 

Full list of Chiller photo ops

Ann Margret

Gavin MacLeod

Richard Karn

Michael Nesmith

Tia Carrere

A WWE motherload in April

It's been a long spell since I had a major wrestling haul. So not even 24h after my Lou Gramm success, I chose to embark at a motherload WWE flight. 

Lots of people expected to be there. Namely: 

Curtis axel 
Brie Bella
Prime Time Players 
Dean ambrose 
Heath slater 
Naomi 
Sin Cara (Hunico) 
Kalisto 
Kane 
The Ascension 
Luke harper
Randy orton
Rusev 
Ryback
Seth rollins
Joey Mercury 
Jamie noble 
Lana 
Eden stiles 

Cody Rhodes

Most of these people I didn't even need. But let's see who I DID in fact need

Needed upgrade shots with 

Viktor 
Ryback

Needed first time shots with

Rusev
Lana 
Kalisto 

So at the spot I play the waiting game. Wait for signs of life, and finally signs begin to trickle in. The Ascension were super nice. I got a Viktor upgrade, I got a Conner update (he has red hair) and they both signed my Ascension photo. Sadly most of the others I either didn't need or were dick. When I saw Rusev and Lana came I presented Rusev his new figure and asked for a photo op. He says he'll sign but no photos  Kane of course is always the friendliest. I got a figure signed and the Brothers of Destruction entry on the WWE_E V2. Tried to get autographs from Seth and Dean but Seth shrugged it off and Dean pulled the fake cell phone trick. Even Joey Mercury was being a dick for a photo op (could have used a bald headed Joey photo op). He goes "no no no". A maskless Kalisto shoots me down for a photo op and Hunico goes "no photos" 

I am hoping a Ryback upgrade can salvage this. But he goes "gotta get to the plane" then he was just standing there for like 20 minutes  

As a last ditch effort to salvage things, I try to beg Lana but only manage to score an autograph. I then try to beg Ryback some more while he's standing in line he goes "I'm getting on the plane" 

One thing did happen that was absolutely shocking. Randy Orton of all people actually posed for photo ops! Not just with me but with other random people there. Wow, Randy Orton who is usually a dick posed while others like Naomi and Joey Mercury were assholes. While this photo update was not high on my priority list it was still cool to get it as this is my first Randy Orton photo op in about 5 years.  

To further illustrate how unpredictable combo hunting can be, not two hours later at the destination city Randy Orton actually lectured fans not to bother the stars for combos after a long trip. And another motherload that landed in NJ they had more success. All but 2 or 3 on that motherload did multi combos with all fans. Even though bothering people after an 8-9 hour trip may seem like a bad idea, results are in fact possible. 

While technically this was not a bust, I do consider this WWE trek a failure, as I failed to get almost all my top wants.  

Randy Orton

Full list of photo ops

Autographs (for some reason the Kane auto does not show up)

The first wave of April meets

April starts off very stress free event. 
In fact, for an evening I lived a day in the life of 

How did I life a day in his life? Rather than focusing on simply combos, I chose a social event with lower tier music names. The band is called Seabound, and this is my favorite song of theirs (and probably their best known song). 

The setting was a medium sized club and there was a merch table. I asked if the band would come out after the show and was told they would. 

After the show I got a photo op with tour drummer Daniel Wehmeier. Then I got a photo op with keyboardist Martin Vorbrodt and finally the singer Frank M. Spinath came out and I got a photo op. Wow I can see the appeal of all those music names Joresky goes for. At least they are happy and willing to do combos. 

Full list of photo ops

Two days later I chose to hit up a film set and a Russel Crow event later that evening. On that set was Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley. Needed a better shot with Shailene plus some autographs, and also needed a Joseph photo op. Didn't bother to bring stuff for him to sign as I know he's not nice. 

I arrive and manage to find the base of operations. I find metered parking close by, I scout it out, and I see them both minutes later! I ask Joseph and he shoots me down 

I wait some more. They go back in their trailers. I ask Joseph again and says he does not do photo ops when working. I ask Shailene she says she can't sign. I wait for Shailene to exit and get harassed by security saying "I don't harass you at your job don't harass me in mine". Really? It's a public sidewalk! I keep my distance but when she exists I run up to ask her and she ignores me

I then find out where they are actually filming. I go there and see the actors along with Oliver Stone. Wow it sure was painful to see Joseph and Shailene at such close proximity knowing I couldn't ask as I would have no doubt been stopped by movie personnel and possibly the cops on site. 

I then go to a spot where Russel Crow was supposed to be because there would be less people than in the evening spot. But he garages it. Wow what a day of busts. 

I go back to the filming location and see that it is done. I run and see that Oliver Stone is leaving while a movie crew tries to stop me. But I ignore him and ask Stone for autographs and get two out of him. YES something salvaged out of this ordeal. He also marked out over the photo I had him sign, HCIT.

As a last ditch effort for Joseph and Shailene , I am now harassed by another security guard and told to stay away from Shailene. Since Joseph was there I chose to sacrifice Shailene. After she left Joseph is about to leave I quickly run up and ask and he gives me his routine "I don't take photos when working". I tried to say he was done filming for the day but to no avail. 

Next up was the Russel Crow event. Going in we are like 10 people. His guy comes out and says one per. I got two but sadly failed to upgrade my photo op. 

Leaving I tried again, as he got in the car I tried for a photo op he goes "go ahead and take it" in doing so I apparently bumped into a child and he goes "don't knock out children" and the mom gives me lip. The funny thing is by the child's mother's admission her kids don't even know who Russel Crow even is so here she is with her kids taking something away from fans  

And thus another failure for this day. Thankfully I do have a Russel Crow photo op already, but his would have been a shot with less facial hair. Although even if I had gotten the shot it would have been a car shot, so maybe it would not have been an upgrade anyway. 

While I did not leave completely empty handed, I've definitely seen better days. Despite the sub par day, I was the essentially the best combo hunter one could possibly be that day. I got out of bed, I scouted out all the locations, found all the spots, and got close to every celebrity I was targeting. Not my fault they shot me down one on one. 

Autographs for the day


About a week later I decided to try an event that featured legendary singer Emmylou Harris. There were other names, but she was my main want. We start at a spot where we think they are staying. Turns out we were very wrong, but a Master pap managed to find out where they were really staying. Unfortunately by the time I got there my main want Emmylou Harris was already inside So now I had to salvage the evening. I got a photo ops with Rhiannon Giddens and Lyle Lovett. Then I get a photo op and two autographs from T Bone Burnett as he left. After that it seems like it's dead, but I notice Darlene Love eating in the restaurant/bar. She was also in the Lethal Weapon movies. So me and another grapher decide to go inside and wait for her to be done. At that point I decided I wanted to come back in the morning to try for Emmylou again, so I questioned why I was even bothering to wait. More on that later. 

But anyhow, as we were waiting the other grapher noticed studio musician Nathan East who was more than happy to pose with us. FINALLY she is done eating. She is reluctant to do combos saying she is tiered but the other grapher breaks her down and we each get one full combo! SUCCESS! 

On to the next morning where I want to score Emmylou. First I get gospel singer Shirley Caesar and I had to go IN HER VAN to get that shot! This marks my first "in the van" shot. Then got a combo with Rodney Crowell. During all these 2 or 3 people blow us all off, don't remember who though. Lyle Lovett also remembers me from the night before. HCIT. Then all of a sudden Emmylou comes out. I couldn't believe it. Another grapher began making small talk and I firmly yelled out his name to get him to stop as I wanted my photo op! 
As he stopped, I FINALLY got the shot, my reaction was this face 

She also signed one for me! SUCCESS! After that we see Darlene Love, She was wearing shades and a bandanna. WOW what a difference in her look. So glad I waited till 2AM at the bar the night before as this photo op would have been garbage. Didn't even bother asking for anything I just said hi and she remembered us from the night before. HCIT. 

One person that was MIA was singer Michelle Williams. It's a mystery whether or not she was still there or she had gone, but we all quit. 

Emmylou Harris

My first ever "in the van" shot

Full list of photo ops

Full list of autographs


Couple of days later I decided to go for Lou Gramm, the original lead singer for Foreigner. 

I go into the event and find out he had already performed. It seemed like there was no way to get to him. I then browse about and see a small room with some sort of VIP reception. I hung around and heard them say that Lou Gramm will be doing photo ops. WTF! I have a shot. I mooched in the room, I blended in, lined up. I didn't try to mooch food as I didn't want to blow my cover. Now they had somebody taking pro ops. But since I wasn't in the event I had no way of getting that shot. So as I got up to him and I got a selfie. They then asked "don't you want a pro shot" I said sure and took a shot. 

After this I waited for an autograph and they got wind that I didn't belong there. I was asked to leave or be escorted out so I left the room and just waited outside the room for Lou Gramm to finish. As he got out I asked for an autograph which he was happy to do. Now here's where we have an HCIT moment coupled with a punch in the face. He asked to look at the CD booklet and I said sure. He looked it over with his handler and they were discussing it. Sadly I didn't do my research apparently it's an album that he tried to file a suit to stop. It is a "best of" and while some of the songs in the album are from the original line up, it's the CURRENT singer that sings themthus his signature completely invalidates my item. Damn I guess that's what I get for not doing proper research. But the reason I chose that CD was because it was only $5 at walmart and if I didn't see him I could return it. I saw "best of" and I saw his songs on the track list and immediately assumed it was something correct for him to sign. I suppose I will sell it now. 

After this HCIT moment and punch in the face, I got another photo op with him. I also talked to someone who attended the event and sent him an email from my phone so he can email me the pro op link when he gets it. But I have two photo ops with him so I'm not bothered about it. 

Lou Gramm photo op

Incorrectly signed item

Monstermania weekend report

Slacking off so much in 2015, I finally ventured to Monstermania in Cherry Hill and also NYC. Let us begin.

Friday

First stop is Monstermania. Sadly Monstermania ended up costing me more than originally planned thanks to multiple punches in the face. Two people who would have split some photo ops with me (one being a travelling buddy and the other being markedout's Greg2600) changed their plans. And refused to split photo ops with me because he either had the person or simply did not want to split the said name to save a very precious $10

And while I did try to get other people to split with me, when I try to explain how we can split to save money they act like I just spat on their mother's graves  

So we arrive at the show. Upon arriving we see none other than markedout member Big Chad! How haven't seen him in ages. Then me and Joresky do is take our spots in the Tobin Bell line. While waiting in that line I get photo ops with Betsy Russell and Judge Reinhold and me and Joresky split Lin Shaye. FINALLY we get to Tobin Bell and I get a photo op. 

While walking about at Monstermania somebody even stops me and says he's a "big fan" of my stuff on markedout.com. Things like this remind me why I keep delivering content to the people. 

I then go wait in the Robert Patrick line. In doing so I see that WCW's Fifi the Maid was with Ric Flair! I ask her for a photo op and Ric Flair's handlers try to stop me and say no but she would hear nothing of it. She came over and posed with me no issue! What a nice bonus. While she is not exactly the biggest of names, fresh wrestling meets for me are few and far between. 

We finally get to Robert Patrick. I split the photo op with Joresky and get an autograph. This would be the sole autograph I get at MM. I hated having to get that as it felt like biting poison. But there was sound reasoning for it. First off I now have at least one combo with all 4 major characters from Terminator 2. And second off I have Arnold and Sarah Conner signed T2 figures. So adding the T-1000 makes it my third signed T2 figure! Very glad he was clean shaven as he looks more like the T-1000. 

Director Alan Green, a name for me was doing free combos at his table. Free is free so I get a photo op. I then end my time at Monstermania with mooched photo ops from Sean Cunningham (creator of Friday the 13th) and Robert Mukes from House of a 1000 Corpses 

We leave Monstermania and head for NYC. We arrive at our spot and meet up with a few friends including markedout's Greg2600. We were planning to meet Larisa Oleynik (Ten Things I Hate About You, Babysitter's club). Lucky for me there were bonus meets I was happy to get! Namely Steven Pasquale (Alien vs Predator Requiem) and Caroline Aaron (Edward Scissorhands). Both were super friendly. One girl criticized me saying "you don't know who he is" when I was getting Steven Pasquale but I go by the philosophy "take photo ops now, ask questions later" and this was just one of the many times it paid off. I also got a Jay O Sanders photo op but I had him already. Finally it was time for Larisa Oleynik and she was super nice. Got a photo op and my photos signed. Though she didn't like the photos I printed up. 

After this we ate some $1 pizza slices and slept to prepare for two more days of combo hunting. 

Betsy Russell (Jill Tuck in the SAW movies)

Tobin Bell (John Kramer/Jigsaw in the SAW movies)

Robert Patrick AKA The T-1000 (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) 

Full list of Monstermania photo ops

Full list of Friday NYC photo ops

Friday autographs

Saturday

Unfortunately for us, Saturday would be hindered by rain. So we aimed our missions to indoor stuff. Our first spot was a possible Heidi Klum appearance. But I was suspicious on whether the info was accurate. She had an appearance the day before I didn't think she had one today as well. Sadly I was right and we wasted our time (not that I really care about Heidi Klum to begin with). Next up was a spot for Ken Watanabe, one of my top names for the day. Sadly we did not see him but we did see Tony Shalhoub. I already have a photo op with him but I got a new shot and it's a million fold better than my old one. Next up I wanted to go for Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson. Thankfully the rain subsided by then. Already have Jake but needed Ruth. Stood over an hour waiting but they finally come out. Jake refused to sign my 8x10 but took a photo op with me. Sadly this is a downgrade from what I have. Ruth thankfully did a combo with me amidst all the chaos. I had two photos but she didn't like the ones I printed. She signed the one she hated less. Me and Joresky then try for Jennifer Nettles, but sadly we were told she wasn't coming out at this point. 

Me and Joresky then go relax at McDonalds, eat some lunch, and engage in a philosophical debate on the differences between mooching and stealing. 

After lunch we wait for Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan but never see them. We do however see Jason Biggs walking the street all hooded up. I didn't bother for a photo op as it would be a downgrade. Joresky got an autograph. As he was walking away one girl spots him but doesn't bother to chase him down for a photo op that he would have surely done. Wow it baffles me why someone wouldn't try for a photo op when randomly seeing a celeb. 

Thankfully I didn't leave this spot empty handed. Joresky spots Dylan Baker from Sam Raimi's Spiderman! Unlike the girls that spotted Biggs, I actually chase people down the street. I chase him down and ask for a photo op. He removes his hood and is happy to pose. I thank him for removing his hood and take the selfie! In my previous shots he is not looking so glad to finally get a proper shot without dedicating time to it. 

It began to rain again but thankfully in our next spot we had an awning. This was where we were planning to meet an entourage of Asian actors. Our main want was James Saito who physically portrayed Shredder in the first TMNT movie. 

Unfortunately the cast being average looking Asians proved a bit of a challenge. Me and Joresky would google the actors and constantly think the next Asian coming out was one of the cast members. One woman in particular Joresky swore was one of the actresses but to me she looked too old to be that particular actress. Joresky's suspicions were further fueled by the fact that she entered a town car (spoiler, I turned out to be right on that front). 

I then decide to mooch my way into the venue. I go downstairs and I see all the cast just mingling about  I then go upstairs, signal to Joresky to come down, and he runs down. Wow! In damp, rainy weather we essentially got a VIP indoor meet and greet!

To boot, Joresky spots Rosalind Chao from Star Trek. Had we stayed outside we may have left before she came out and we would have never known. We then get James Saito who I got on my TMNT laserdisc already signed by Robbie Rist. He seemed happy to pose and sign TMNT stuff. And I got photo ops with Telly Leung, Jo Mei, and Jennifer Lim. 

Now back to one of my top wants here, Ken Watanabe. We wait and see Tony exit again but I had no reason to get another photo op. I do however see actor Jerry O Connel from My Secret Identity and upgrade that photo op! So another cool bonus! I also get a photo op with actress Gayle Rankin.

Then FINALLY Ken Watanabe comes out along with Kelli O'Hara. Lots of fans were sticking around but shockingly most don't go after Ken and Ken did not seem too eager to walk the whole line. I got one combo from him inside and after he left I run after him outside and get another item signed. It baffled me why everyone was getting combos from Kelli but didn't seemingly care that much to go after Ken. Not that I'm complaining as that meant more Ken for me. But it truly boggles my mind how some people exhibit such peculiar behavior. After I get Ken for the hell of it I then get another Kelli photo op. This ends the evening as we go to Starbucks to chill, charge our phones, and go to sleep. 

Dylan Baker (Dr Curt Connors in Sam Raimi's Spiderman movies)

James Saito (Shredder in the original 1990 TMNT movie)

Tony Shalhoub (Monk, Galaxy Quest, voiced Splinter in the Michael Bay TMNT, among others)

Jerry O'Connell (My Secret Identity, Joe's Apartment)

Ken Watanabe (Ra's al Ghul in Batman Begins, Inception, 2014 Godzilla movie, among others)

Full list of Saturday photo ops

Sunday

This day starts with me and Joresky waiting for Jennifer Nettles. She arrives and does combos with us no problem. I get three photos done. A good start to the day. 

My main goals in the next spot were Larry David and Rita Wilson. Unfortunately as me and Joresky were standing a crowd of people began to gather. Rosie Perez and Jerry Adler came in and I got photo ops. Then came Rita Wilson. I was the ONLY one that asked for a photo op (Joresky didn't cause he had it). Shocking that no one else in the crowd cared to ask. Wow just wow Again I cannot comprehend (though again I'm not complaining). Additionally I got two photos signed! Success! Sadly the success stopped there as Larry David did nothing for no one going in. 

At this point we killed time then went in position for the final spot of the day. Namely Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan. Bill Nighy comes out and is nice as can be. You forget that some people are actually that nice. Got two photos signed plus the photo op. Then director Stephen Daldry came out and we got photo ops. Finally Carey Mulligan came out after taking a long ass time to come out. I got two photos signed plus the photo op though I already had her. 

Unfortunately Carey taking so long to come out thwarted our plans to meet singer Sarah McLachlan on the way home. But this ended a trek. Not the most extravagant haul, but a pretty decent one. 

Bill Nighy (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,  Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean, Viktor in Underworld, among others)


Rita Wilson (Arnold's wife in Jingle All the Way, Psycho remake, among others)

Full list of Sunday photo ops

Non-Asian autographs from Saturday and Sunday

Asian Autographs from Saturday night