I was able to JAM with a GHOSTBUSTER

With a weekend in October came yet another chance at two big wants of mine that I have been unable to attain photo op wise, namely Bill Murray and Steve Martin. Sadly I was not optimistic. But the day before the event I ventured out to see what I could possibly get. 

Day 1

I go to the first spot and I was the only one there. I also needed to be at this spot to find the info for the evening spot.

As I wait I see someone and don't recognize him at first. But then I look at some photos and realize "holy crap it's Eddie Vedder". I ask him for autos and he is nice as can be, even gives me a free guitar pick. I asked for a photo op he said he was smoking. Wanted the upgrade but no biggie I got him earlier in the year. I saw David Letterman and asked him for autos but he denies. I had no reason to ask for a second Santa bearded Letterman photo.

I thankfully manage to find the info for the evening spot then head there. Entries were a disaster as no one stopped. We wait and eventually Eddie Vedder comes out to smoke. He ends up doing one autograph per person. When I got up to him I say "Eddie, can I have a photo op INSTEAD of an autograph" and he responds "yes I got you earlier" obviously remembering me from earlier in the day. I consider this an upgrade over my shot in January.

Besides that I needed a Jimmie Walker upgrade sadly he didn't do photos and signed my picture in a horrid spot, on a dark spot using blue.

Got Jimmy Kimmel auto, Paul Shaffer upgrade, a fresh Norm Macdonald, and failed to get Martin Short (I have perfect Martin shots so this was an autograph failure).

Now it was the witching hour. We see Bill Murray and Steve Martin at a distance. Bill actually does come over as someone offers him Peurto Rico money while Steve runs away. Bill takes his money and signs. I tell him I have $100 for a photo op to which he replies "you don't get to make the rules". I didn't know it at the time but Bill rejecting my $100 for the op was one of if not the greatest favor anyone has ever done for me.

I am then driving home halfway there in total defeat (at least Bill/Steve wise) in preparation for the next day where I expected to fail again. Figured I could at least get a good night's sleep. As I'm halfway home I get a call from a Master who told me about Jimmy Kimmel talking about going to a club. He passed by said club and said he saw cars. He said both Steve and Bill might be there but it might also be a wild goose chase. Said parking was bad and that he's just going home as he is satisfied with his haul for the day (plus remember he has multiple shots with both Bill and Steve so possible autographs weren't enough motivation to stay). 

I thought hard but didn't think long about what to do. A minute later I turn back and arrive in the area, spending perhaps the next 30 minutes trying to find a legal parking spot (he wasn't kidding about parking). As I'm doing that I talk to another combo hunter who told me he actually pursued both Bill and Steve. He said Steve went back to the hotel, and he had Steve one on one with hotel employees lashing out on him. Steve denied him one on one. 

But Bill and Jimmy apparently got dropped off on the same street where the said club was located! I figured if I got the name of a club from one person and physical confirmation of Bill being in the vicinity of the club from a second person, this must indeed be a good lead. I finally park legally, go into the club, and search all the club except the one area I couldn't enter due to being over capacity. 

I wait outside and find out from people within the club that Bill and Jimmy are in fact in there and in the area I couldn't enter. So I wait outside, enduring things cigarette smoke, pot smoke, and spats that almost lead to violence till the police got involved. In asking people what they saw inside (ie are they still in, are they doing photo ops) some drunk people start yelling at me screaming "paparazzi! paparazzi!" and proceed to record me and take my picture. One person even tried to tell me "let him live his life". 


It is over 3 AM and finally a drunk Bill Murray is out! He is walking to his car as I plead for the picture and he ignores my request as he has in the past. Then I offer him $31 for his Puerto Rico charity. He STOPS and agrees to the shot! After multiple failures in multiple cities, here it is, finally! 

After the fact I was jumping up and down on the street praising the combo Gods, as if I got high on a photo op, even proposing sex to random girls on the street. I showed the photo op to the folks yelling paparazzi and said "paparazzi! paparazzi!" myself! I continued to scream and jump on the street as I took a picture of a picture and uploaded to IG/Twitter/Facebook 

I then went to the 24h CVS and made a 4x6 print for less than 50 cents (expensive by Costco standards which is 15 cents for a 4x6). Since it was already late and I had to be at a spot in the morning, it made no logistical or economical sense to pay gas money to get minimal sleep at home. So I secured prime parking next to the spot I need to be at, displayed my Bill Murray 4x6 in front of me, and as I fell asleep in my car. Last year when I failed at Bill I had tears of sorrow as I drove home. This evening I had tears again, but they were different. I had tears in my eyes as I dedicated my Bill Murray score to so that the bliss I feel may be transferred to him in the after life.

Full list of day of Day 1 photo ops

Bill Murray

Eddie Vedder


Day 2

It was a wonderful day as I started this spot fresh off a Bill Murray photo op! I was showing off my 4x6 print to all and even kept it next to my merch all day.

The day's highlights was more donations to Puerto Rico on two occasions where I got two Bill autos for $20 each. Chris Elliott from Groundhog day was an unannounced name but I got him at a past NYCC with a cap on (here he had a more intrusive hat). Grabbed some scrubs from the Letterman show as well as a couple of barely valids from another event at the spot (remember, Kate Upton and Felicity Jones!)

Eddie Vedder, David Letterman, Steve Martin, and Amy Schumer snuck in and out most of the time so we never saw them.

On exits I get an upgrade with Chris Elliott (no hat or cap), I upgrade my Jimmy Kimmel op as he goes in a spat with a combo hunter. The spat was rather humerus as the combo hunter basically slammed him for doing only one per as he is not a huge name. Jimmy told him to suck his dick.

The evening did end on a sour note as Bill Murray came out, took my $15, signed for others, but did not sign my cubs cap.

Chris Elliott

Jimmy Kimmel

Full list of day of Day 2 photo ops

Bill Murray autographs

Signed 8x10s

Some scattered meets throughout October

Figure I'd get out the little things before doing the bigger reports I have left for October.


October begins with a flight for actor Miles Teller. I met him in NYC in the past but I wanted to try for both a no shades shot and autographs. I arrive and here you can appreciate not being in NYC. At a NYC flight Miles Teller would have no less than 10-20 people. At an early morning spot he'd have about the same amount. Here, I was literally the only one. I spot him with cap and shades though I'm not 100% sure it's him. I follow then he removes his shades and I instantly recognized him. When he arrives at baggage I go up to him and ask for a selfie and he does it no issue. To boot, hit cap is on backwards so half his head isn't covered! I ask for autos he denies. I wait a little longer to plead some more for autos but he blew me off again. As I found out in the event the next day he signed nothing for no one.

Photo op


Around mid October I go for old school actor Don Murray who was in Bus Stop starring Marilyn Monroe and was in one of the older Planet of the Apes movies among many others. 

I arrive and find an older autograph hunter who says he's already in and that he himself is only here because he is waiting for the parking garage to close up so he can exit without paying the $5 fee (I was parked in a legal free spot). I was a little upset I'd have a bit of a wait but as I find out Don went to the bathroom and has been walking around. So I waited for him to be done and I got him no issue! Nice as can be. Wow if only all combo hunting endeavors could be that easy.

Photo op

Autographs


A few days later was Barney Miller himself, Hal Linden. Arrive at the spot and after his show let out he came out almost immediately. He was trying to rush away from us but managed to quickly get the photo op and autographs.

Photo op

Autographs


Next up I decided to try for Guns and Roses. I knew I had next to no chance at them but in combo hunting the only guarantee is if you don't try you will get nothing. After all how many times in 2017 did I take a shot in the dark and it paid off? Before going there I went for Steve O from Jackass, a "common" name where the stars never aligned for me. He was doing a m&g after his show, then he stepped outside not sure why. When he was coming back into his m&g he did the photo op with me no problem.

Went to the Guns and Roses venue and Chris Rock went inside to visit them. Sadly I didn't realize it was him till it was too late and I could use a better shot. On Chris Rock's exit venue security tried to stop me from going up to him but I ignored all their demands and kept trying, sadly to no avail. Guns and Roses went in their buses and did not come out to greet fans.

Photo op


After Chiller Theater Saturday night I had to make a decision. Do I go for Mario Lopez at his Women's Expo appearance to try and improve my photo op? Or do I go to an airport to try for Clint Hill. Who is Clint Hill? He is a secret service agent that is the sole survivor of the JFK assassination car.

After much soul searching I decided on the older man that I had no photo op with. Went to the airport and waited. I spotted him and he was as accommodating as can be.

Photo op

Autographs

New York Comic Con Week Report Part 2

Saturday


Saturday starts at the Javits with one main mission: the cast of The Tick. Needed everyone on there including The Tick himself, Peter Serafinowicz. He is a Star Wars name as he voiced Darth Maul in The Phantom Manace. Peter is spotted getting out of the car, as I asked him he denied and I got blocked by a bald black security guard, henceforth referred to as BBSG (spoiler alert, he would be a thorn in my ass throughout my mission for The Tick cast). 

Starting outside, I get one Tick cast member, Jackie Earle Haley. I didn't know it the moment I got it, but turns out he's a huge want of mine because he is Rorschach in Watchmen and also Freddy Kruger in the Nightmare on Elm Street remake. Most hate it but I enjoyed it for what it was, and that was a typical horror hack and slash. Also what is cool about the remake is they stayed true to Wes Craven's original concept of Freddy. In the original concept he was a pedophile but then he was changed to a child killer instead. The remake made him a pedophile again. 

Getting back on topic, after a few names I go inside the building for The Tick panel. It ends and I try to get them but I'm both cock blocked and assaulted by the BBSG so batted zero here. Go in the hallway to see who I can pick up. See the whole cast and manage to score The Tick himself (Peter) plus one other (Scott Speiser). Next stand in line for the free signing. They are of course saying no photo ops. Now the BBSG is in front of 3 people. Peter, Griffin Newman (Tick's sidekick), and actress Valorie Curry. I go up try to get Peter to sign my Darth Maul photo already signed by Ray Park. I get yelled at by both the handler and the BBSG. I ask Peter if he would do it outside he said if he sees me outside he would. 

Now move on to Griffin Newman. I ask him for a selfie he agrees and BBSG tells me no selfies. I completely ignore his demand and get a selfie with Griffin. BBSG then lashes out at me and says if I ask for one more selfie he would throw me out of line. Next up Valorie while BBSG is right behind me. At this point I had to pick my battles so I didn't ask Valorie for a selfie since that damn BBSG was right behind me. But ahead of me were 7 more people (4 actors, 2 producers, and the creator of The Tick). After I finished with Valorie I completely ignored the BBSG's demand and got selfies with everyone except Scott Speiser who I got in the hallway. Got actors Yara Martinez, Michael Cerveris, and Brendan Hines, then producer David Fury, then Tick creator Ben Edlund. Not sure if BBSG didn't notice or didn't care (I'm guessing the former). Producer Barry Josephson was the last one in the line. When I asked for the selfie the woman there goes "no selfies" but I completely ignored her demand and got it. She then dubbed by action as "disrespectful" to which I replied "I measure things by photo ops, not by respect". I then walked away (had zero to lose at this point as I was literally done with the line).

Go to the vendor booth of Larry Lieber (Stan Lee's brother) and get a free photo op, then back outside where I still need Valorie Curry from The Tick cast and the autograph that Peter had promised me. Unfortunately it was getting time to go to Hammerstein for actor Christopher Meloni, a huge want of mine. Go there and get the full combo with him then back to Javits. Thankfully I didn't miss the Tick cast. Finally they come out and I score my Valorie Curry photo op. It was hard fought but Mission Accomplished! Peter did not come over and goes in his car (with BBSG in the front seat). I then run up to the car and hold out my Darth Maul photo to Peter's window, he rolls down and signs. Said he was "glad" he saw me. 

After more photo ops at Javits I ended my time at NYCC for the day. Went to another spot where I wanted to score a first time Ben Mendelsohn (Director Krennic in Star Wars Rogue One) and an upgrade with actress Rooney Mara (I have a shades shot). Me and Joresky wait for entries and see Ben, he denies and said on the way out. But 2 minutes later he comes out and does photo ops asrushes to join the party. SCORE! We must have missed Rooney while getting Ben cause we never saw her go in. But wait for exists and she takes care of all. 

At this point I had to go somewhere with a NYC Master, then I returned to join Joresky for actress Carrie Coon. Sadly as I'm literally on the street of her show I get the call from Joresky that I missed everything and he saw Sally Field as a random. I was upset at missing Carrie and could have used an improved Sally Field shot but while I didn't know it at the time, this miss would actually be a blessing from the combo Gods. More on that later. After what was a disappointment at the time I went to a spot for randoms but came up empty. Then to a spot to get the information for the late evening spot. Sadly 5 minutes after I arrived Stephen Speilberg did autographs for all. He didn't do ops but would have been nice to get the auto. Some people waited for Speilberg to exit I chose to simply go to the next spot as I didn't anticipate Speilberg would do anything leaving (and he didn't, goes to show you how many times I've tried for him as I know all his habits by now).

At the next spot Speilberg arrives, I plead for the photo op and he denies. A minute later everyone from the previous spot joins in. This spot is pandemonium and pretty much a bust. I get an invalid Sam Smith, Gal Godot does nothing going in and sneaks out (got a photo op at RICC last year but was trying for autos). At one point even Speilberg does autos down the line but bails before he gets to me. I guess you can't win em all 

Peter Serafinowicz

Jackie Earle Haley

Christopher Meloni

Ben Mendelsohn

Rooney Mara

Full list of Saturday photo ops part 1

Full list of Saturday photo ops part 2




Sunday


Back to the Javits center but then I have to go inside as Greg is holding me a spot for Castlevania game designer Koji Igarashi. After that I enter a panel for actor Jack Cutmore-Scott and actress Ifanesh Hadera. As the panel is going on I point to Joresky to the two security guards and tell him "these are our baby killers". The panel ends and for a change I was completely wrong as the security guards did not care as everyone was swarmed with fans. Got them both plus the producers. 

Dash to Hammerstein where I manage to score a photo op with Bill Skarsgard AKA Pennywise the Clown. Also scored two new Gotham names Alexander Siddig and Chris Chalk. Always awesome when I score fresh names from my favorite modern day TV show. I also got actress Rebecca Hall, another "common" name I could never seem to get. 

Back to the Javits for the Mortal Kombat panel. I was a huge MK fan, so this meant a lot to me. Panel was full so I try to mooch into the panel but was caught and yelled at by a woman. Shortly after towards the end I manage to mooch inside. 

After it ends I get combos with co creators Ed Boon and John Tobias, John Vogel, and Dan Forden. Dan was not only the sound designer but it's his voice that says "Toasty". Sadly after that I decided to time out and take a crap which cost me a couple of photo ops at Hammerstein. But I rushed there after. Bill Skarsgard would be mobbed again. Gotham actress Crystal Reed came out but did nothing. At this point I decided to completely break the rules as this was basically my last stand at Hammerstein till NYCC next year. So I ignored security guards and barricades, I went by her car, asked her for the photo op, and she posed with me! Sadly in coming here I missed the Exorcist panel at Javits. I guess can't be everywhere. I also got a huge PUNCH as I was told there were some MK staff at the panel that were not part of the discussion, and two of them are names I would have wanted photo ops with. One was the motion capture actor who played Raiden, and the other was the sculptor of Goro.

Back to the Javits where it is un-eventful and wrapping up. Then I go with Vanessa the Jersey Shore stalker and friend to another spot where I manage to upgrade my Bill Skarsgard to a night shot with no shades. Also get an auto.

Now we go to the Carrie Coon show that I missed the evening prior. Get photo ops with her and the barely valids. Vanessa's friend David notices someone and gets a photo op. I then get one. After I look him up it hits me who he is: David Zayas! I was ecstatic as I know him from Gotham. I was jumping up and down on the street as I randomly got yet another Gotham name. The combo Gods made me miss this the day prior so I can have a fresh Gotham name!

Tried out some more spots for randoms but to no avail. I decided to extend my stay for one extra day as I wanted to try for Jackie Chan. Vanessa decided to crash in my car for the evening. It was much harder than it normally was for me to find a free parking spot. I was almost gonna give up and try to go to a completely different area, but then I see a spot with a traffic cone in the middle of the street preventing me from going into said spot. This would deter most people but I simply moved the traffic cone, parked my car legally and free, then put the traffic cone back in place.

Rebecca Hall

Alexander Siddig

Chris Chalk

Ed Boon

John Tobias

Crystal Reed

Bill Skarsgard

David Zayas

Full list of Sunday photo ops part 1

Full list of Sunday photo ops part 2



Monday


This day stars very early as Vanessa goes for Monica Lewinsky. Sadly my body had officially shut down after 4 days of NYCC and 5 nights of car sleep. I just had to get some good rest. This may have been an error as Vanessa scored a perfect shot with her and she normally doesn't do photo ops. 

After I get some much needed sleep and wash up at Lowe's I head to a spot for randoms. I score Dizzy Reed of Guns and Roses and actor Grant Show. Not a bad start to the day. Go to the spot for Jackie Chan and unfortunately he is only doing send ins, not coming over for photo ops. Dash off to the next spot where he does nothing going in and sneaks out.

With that bust I decided to instead try for Andy Serkis. After all if I get that shot it's one less pro op to get at RICC hence money saved plus I don't have to be in Providence on Friday as he is Friday only. Going in I score an upgrade with Andrew Garfield but not much else. Greg leaves the spot, after a while I call him and he tells me he is trying for Domhnall Gleeson AKA General Hux in Star Wars. I rush there but sadly just miss him. Had he simply told me about that 3 minutes prior to when he did, I would have made it!

Back to the original spot and wait for exits. I wrestle and have a spat with security as he tries to prevent me from getting an auto from Andrew Garfield and photo op from actress Claire Foy. Andrew signs my Spiderman 2 poster but sadly the auto comes out bad. I get a valid but bad shot with Clair Foy as I fight with security. Finally Andy is out and is nice as can be as he does combos for all. 

Try another spot for Jackie Chan but he wasn't there to begin with. Try his hotel where lots of people are waiting but we never see him as he snuck in. With that major failure I called it a night and left the city. Despite failure on my main goal I don't regret staying the extra day as I will save both money and time at RICC due to getting Andy plus I got other names as well so I definitely made the right choice staying in NYC a little longer.

Dizzy Reed

Andrew Garfield

Claire Foy

Andy Serkis

Full list of Monday photo ops


Now to showcase autographs obtained the past couple of days

Part 1

Part 2

New York Comic Con Week Report Part 1

Wednesday

My NYCC week starts the evening prior to NYCC. I arrive in NYC and try a spot to see who I see. The Chucky cast is also staying there. Get an upgrade with Brad Dourif and a first time shot with actress Christine Elise. Then I go to a show to get Elizabeth McGovern and Anna Camp. Sadly they went out a different way so I only grab the barely valids in the spot. Though one of them is Anna Baryshnikov, daughter of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Checked out some other spots for randoms but came out empty handed. Commandeered my free parking spot and called it a night. 

Full list of Wednesday photo ops


Thursday


The day starts out at the mighty Javits center.thinks we are headed for a bust, but my fears are cleared away when I get a combo with a want of mine, John C McGinley. Got some other names including Fiona Dourif, update with Jason David Frank, Robert Patrick with shades (which I liked cause he had shades as the T-1000), among others. 

Went inside the building and got the band Nerf Herder (who played the Buffy theme song). I chose to stand between the lead singer and drummer since these were the two original members who played the song. Then got Marli Renfro who was the body double in the iconic shower scene of Psycho. Back outside where I got more names, including a Keanu Reeves combo (in my previous shot he has sleepy eyes) and Vanessa Marshall who denied me going in but I managed to break down to pose with me as she left. 

Now I had a choice, go to a spot for Steven Spielberg or try for Sarah Michelle Gellar. The Spielberg setup was the exact setup where I met him in the past and he would only sign and do no photo ops. So I opted to try and upgrade my hat and shades shot with Sarah. I arrive at the spot and see a car that is likely hers. No other combo hunters in sight! I see her on stage from outside, then finally she is done, I see her come out of a door and ask for a selfie and she goes "quick have your camera ready" and I score the money shot with her! There was a security guard who was working for another building standing there and he congratulated me. 

As I predicted, Spielberg only signed and did no photos. I speak to Vanessa the Jersey Shore Stalker and she says he may still be at the spot. So I head there and meet up with her. As I'm there I see some Masters with Mike Myers photos! The shot I have with him he is covering half his face with his arm, essentially a reverse hat and shades shot. Spoiler alert, this spot turns out to be an all nighter but well worth it. 

Tony Bennett leaves and I get him to sign. Gina Gershon is a "common" NYC name but I got her for the first time so I was happy with that. Get actor more names including actor Timothy Chamalet. Fail to get Army Hammer but had him already. Finally Mike Myers is spotted and by some miracle I score the money shot! First shot was blurry, I cried and plead for another then manage to snap a perfect shot. Not only that I managed to get my camera to take the shot right before his hand begins to cover his mouth! I was ecstatic! 

Sadly Spielberg would garage out but I rounded the evening with Blythe Danner from Meet the Parents. 


John C McGinley

Marli Renfro

Keanu Reeves

Vanessa Marshall

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Gina Gershon

Mike Myers

Blythe Danner

Full list of Thursday photo ops Part 1

Full list of Thursday photo ops Part 2


Friday

The day is off to a bad start as I attempt to upgrade my Scott Eastwood shot and get a first time John Boyega shot. Both barely do anything and I get nothing. Move to another spot where I meet up with marked out MODS and get Rufus Sewell who I know best from Dark City. In hindsight that would be a wasted effort as I get a better shot with him later in the day. 

Move back to he Boyega/Eastwood spot. Get some names but fail on a Scott Eastwood upgrade. I do manage to get his autograph though. Wait for Boyega to exit but sadly it is getting time to go for my Felicity Jones photo op (the only paid photo op I got this entire NYCC). Go in, spit Felicity with board member 50 Shades of Rey, I'm ready to rush back for Boyega but was informed he snuck out.

Back outside the Javits where I get more names. I even go viral on youtube as Mark Hamill keeps skipping me for the photo op as he goes down the line. I got a clean shaven shot with him in 2011 but I wanted a shot with him because he has a beard just like in the new movies. I manage to go on the street and get him on a roll down. I wanted a no shades upgrade with Elijah Wood and the damned autistic Montreal guy ruined it with a photobomb that can't be validly edited outI also got him on a Lord of the Ring DVD cover. Tried to get a suited Bruce Campbell shot but he made idiotic poses making photo ops worthless (I got him at a con a few years ago so no biggie).

The cast of the Runaways do nothing going in. I left to another spot for Family Guy voice actors. I needed two names including Mike Henry AKA Cleveland Brown. Seth Macfarlane was supposed to be there but fortunately he cancelled cause I have him and his presence would have made it impossible to get the others. Go back for the Runaway cast but sadly nothing leaving either.

After that I go for Star Wars Rogue One actor Riz Ahmed. But he is a dick and does nothing for the 3 or 4 of us waiting. Go to a random spot and grab some more photo ops. Then call it a night. 


Mark Hamill with beard

Elijah Wood with horrid photobomb

Rufus Sewell

Felicity Jones

Mike Henry

Full list of Friday photo ops Part 1

Full list of Friday photo ops Part 2


Now to showcase some autographs obtained within the last couple of days

Signed photos

Other items

Monstermania Hunt Valley, TF Con, and CSA Show

On a weekend was both Monstermania in Hunt Valley and Transformers Con. I went to Monstermania the evening before and hung out with and others in the lobby.

First score is cenobite Nicholas Vince, a want of mine. I'm already on the board. Then get Simon Bamford who I have then Andrew Divoff AKA The Wishmaster, another want of mine. Photo op wise the evening ended with the Soska Sisters who even groped and hugged me when doing the dual op. Cenobite Barbie Wilde declined a photo op that evening 

Slept in the car and woke up the next day as I await so we can drive to Transformers Con after Monstermania. Stood in the line for Michael Biehn as I needed an upgrade from him. Next up went downstairs to finish up. Got Ricou Browning then wanted to upgrade my Ashley Laurence shot. Since she doesn't do flash shots I got a photo op with her using my phone at Chiller a while back. But camera phones have evolved since I purchased my current phone. So I found a random person with an iphone 7 and asked to use that for the photo op. Got a much better quality shot than what I had. Ended my time at Monstermania with a free Barbie Wilde shot and it was off to Transformers Con.

Michael Biehn

Full list of photo ops


Arrive at TF con, the two main wants of mine were at a panel. First get a free photo op with writer Aaron Archer. The main wants then return from the panel. I elected for the full combo from Jack Angel, got a free photo op with comic book writer James Roberts, then my other big want here, Neil Ross from GI Joe and Transformers, then finally free photo op with voice actor David Kaye who was in the more modern stuff. What baffled most is how James Roberts had a bigger line than any of the voice actors. 

Everyone lines up for James Roberts

Browsed a bit then finally dropped Greg at the train station so he can head home. 

Full list of photo ops

Autograph


In mid October it was time for the CSA sports Show. First I go there Saturday. I get the kids from The Sandlot and a group shot with the Mighty Ducks kids. Since I got Brandon Adams at NJ Horror I chose to stand in between the two I didn't have. Now there was Joe Montana, a football name so huge that even I know who he is. I even remember he had video games for SNES and Sega Genesis. Without going into details I had an opportunity to get the shot for 1/3 of the cost. Since I do like to have a well rounded collection combined with the fact that I had a chance to get it at a relatively low price, I chose to make an exception to my "never pay for sports names unless they were in movies, TV, or wrestling" rule. So I got the shot with Joe Montana.

Now on to a football name that actually is a want of mine, namely Dick Butkus who was in My Two Dads, a show I used to watch and already have photos with cast members. I go to the airport for him and I'm the only one there. Sadly I never see him. He must have gone out one door while I was watching another (the drawbacks of being the only one there). So I go to the hotel and I actually see him but by the time I realize it was him he jumped in the car and went out to dinner. I then waited for him to return. 

While waiting one guy recognized me from the MJ Fox incident last year. He said he wanted my perspective on how I allegedly pushed his wife. I once again had to explain that no one was pushed and it didn't even involve his wife. So I explained the full story on how it happened. Some people were even saying they saw video footage of it, but I said there was never video footage. Multiple people insisted video existed, and I said it was false memories. I then said I would give 1K to anyone who would pull up the video but if the video can't be pulled up I get paid $1. Long story short I was $1 richer. 

Dick Butkus finally returns and I ask for a selfie but he shrugs me off. However, my time here was not a waste because I met somebody who had two mags for Dick to sign the next day. He agreed to my offer to get one of his items done so I could get the table op.

Go there on Sunday. What sucks about this show is pro ops are always before table ops, so you essentially take a risk although most people do table ops. It is time for the Butkus autograph line and I don't see photo ops for a while, but shockingly no one was asking. I guess in sports most don't care about photo ops. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him do a table op. The person in front of me got a table op then I got one next. He seemed slightly annoyed to do two photos in a row but did it no issue. I gave the guy $20 for allowing me to get his item done. Pretty good deal considering his pro op was $100 (as was his auto).

Joe Montana

Dick Butkus

Full list of photo ops

September Cons: Mid Atlantic, NJ Horror, and Baltimore Comic Con

Mid September was Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Con. Sadly as I was on the way I found out my main want there, Maud Adams, had cancelled. I arrive, pick up a program. I must say the program is probably the most impressive of all shows, especially for such a small con. Of all cons I attended, only NYCC has a better produced program. It also featured a memorial for the late Martin Aaron Totten. Nothing major in terms of guests. They were either real cheap or free. Tammy Locke complemented my looks, how cool is that? 

Full list of photo ops

Tommy Cook autograph and Martin Totten memorial


Towards the end of September I go to New Jersey Horror Con. I had two main goals from that con. One was Kerri Green from the Goonies and the other Crispin Glover AKA George McFly from Back to the Future. I already got Crispin in the past but sadly he had a horrible beard so he didn't look like him. 

I arrive the night before and mooch a couple of photo ops. Next day I do a lot of splitting with  including the pro op only Kerri Green. One notable interaction was Daeg Faerch. I was trying to negotiate a photo op only price but he said he can't do it at the table unless I buy an auto. Then he actually invited me to mooch him in the lobby. Eventually I did just that. There was also a Pretty Fine Things signing and the main person I wanted from there was Camila Perez who was in a couple of Gotham episodes. Sadly she didn't show up but since I learnt from past mistakes with Kate Upton and Felicity Jones I made sure to grab free photo ops with two barely valid actresses that did show. 

After hitting up the Chinese buffet with  it was time to wait for Glover. I didn't care to pay to sit through his ordeal. I talked to two other convention goers who seemed oblivious of his antics and told them his routine. Even mentioned how much time he spends answering each question. One guy asks me if they are in fact obliged to "endure" hours of his movie and q&a just to get the combo. I said that this was an understatement but basically yes. While waiting for George to let out I got a tip for a private flight for some Van Halen band members, but rather than go to Philly and possibly struggle at the spot (there was a chance they would drive out) I decided to stay put and get my upgrade as planned. 

Finally the thing let out and I take my spot in line to get the photo op. One guy I talked to earlier told me he thought I was exaggerating about the ordeal but turns out I was being lenient. The other guy said how he wanted to shoot each person that asked a question (he apparently took 30 minutes to answer each question). Of course this did not end as life stories were exchanged during the m&g. And a lot of people just bailed the line as they didn't want to dedicate more time waiting. Finally I got up to him, and this upgrade is not only night and day compared to my previous shot, but he has short hair so he looks just like George McFly! The whole thing must have taken about 6h total. After this I headed out as the next day I planned to attend Baltimore Comic Con. 

Keri Green

Crispin Glover

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2


Next up, Baltimore Comic Con. I needed one acting name there, namely Finn Jones. Sadly he wasn't doing table ops and I didn't feel like paying an arm and a leg for the pro op (with no one to split with). I tried to plead for a table op but was denied. So I decided to wait and see if I could score a table op after the pro op.

Meanwhile I look for 90 year old comic book illustrator Ramona Fradon (best known for her work on the old Aquaman comics). She also co created Metamorpho. I must say that woman looks incredible for 90. She was sitting on a regular chair signing and sketching stuff. Wow, may we all be this fortunate. I asked her for a photo op and she seemed shocked I wanted one. One thing about comic books guests they are not used to doing photo ops so are happy to do them without any charge. While I went around the table to get the op one guy actually dropped his comics to get signed. How fucking rude! But I got the op eventually. I also looked for some of her old comics to get signed by the only ones I could find were in the triple digits. Too rich for my blood. Since it was Sunday I'm guessing all the cheap ones were bought and signed over the weekend. I just went back and got an index card signed. Told her why I was getting the index card signed and she described paying so much money for old comics as "robbery".

I notice Stan Sakai at a table. He apparently created Usagi Yojimbo. I know that character from the TMNT lore. Also noticed Don Rosa who is a Disney comic book name that is HUGE in Europe but not so much in the US. He even joked how Europeans actually travel to the US for his appearances because his line is so much shorter in the US than in Europe. Got a photo op. 

I passed by the MCW booth and saw Joey Mercury and Melina. I needed a photo op with Mercury with a bald head (because that's how he looked for J&J Security) and Melina was looking different. So I chose the dual op as it wasn't much more than the Mercury only op. I asked Mercury if he could remove his cap for the op and he tried to say it was an extra $20. 

Saw a huge line for comic book names Walt Simonson and his wife Louise Simonson. I looked them up and saw that they worked on quite a few things I enjoyed in the past. Most notably Walt worked on the Robocop vs Terminator comic books. So I got photo ops with them and they were happy to do it. I also noticed Val Staples was there and he worked on a lot of the 200X Masters of the Universe properties. After he signed a stack of MOTU comics for someone I asked him for a photo op and he was dazed and confused at my request. He then joked that he's ugly but would do it. When we took the shot he commented that I look better than him in the photo. 

Now back to Finn Jones. I go up and say I missed the pro op and if I could get a table op. The handler denies but Finn says that it's "ok" and comes around and I get a FREE table op! SCORE!

Since I didn't pay anything for the Finn photo op ended my time in Baltimore Comic Con by finally caving in to a Neal Adams photo op. On my way out I mooched an upgrade with Darryl DMC McDaniels

Joey Mercury and Melina

Finn Jones

Full list of photo ops

Ramona autograph

Some scattered meets in August and September

In August I tried to go for Roger Waters. I waited at the venue sadly he drove in and did nothing for no one. So I went to another venue to Michelle Branch. Not really a huge want of mine but I do know one song. She was doing a fuck money m&g despite that was nice as can be outside and I got a shades shot. Patrick Carney was also there and I upgraded the shot I got in NYC in the past. 

Roger Waters let out and I waited at a spot I thought he would arrive at, but sadly never saw him. So I rush back to the Michelle Branch spot to try and upgrade my shot to no shades. Again she is nice as can be. Also grabbed some barely valid opening band members. It was a nice feeling to get it free when so many paid money for it. 

Full list of photo ops


Early September I wanted singer and actor Dwight Yoakam. Go to the venue wait for him to leave. We see him WALK to his bus he says he won't do photo ops but will take items in the bus. I get my 3 items done and we try to plead for photo ops with the tour manager. He tells us to get the m&g and we told him truthfully that it was sold out. We said we were ready to pay money right now for photo ops, sadly he refused our money. Wow just wow. 

With that failure I had to go for names I didn't particularly care for but needed my evening to be worthwhile. Go to the next venue 5 minutes away. The main attractions are Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and Faith No More lead singer Mike Patton. Not really a fan but I do know who they are. 

John Waters was attending the show and I get another photo op with him. Dave Lombardo is mobbed but I get a combo. Mike Patton leaves out a different door but we rush and we get him. Also picked up some barely valids while waiting for them. 

Full list of photo ops

Autographs


A few days later I had the Pat Benetar m&g. I had someone interested in the merch so since I could split it I decided that was the best chance I would ever get for a photo op with her. They wanted to personalize the poster but I ignored the emails asking. I also had train information for Lin-Manuel Miranda. So it made sense to try for him first. I go there and he signs then shuts down autographs. When outside I got another photo op with him though he has hat and shades, a downgrade from my previous shades only shot. 

On to the Pat Benetar m&g, I get my poster non personalized. They wanted to take my name to get them to write it on there but I stated "it's fine the way it is". First Neil Giraldo does the photo ops then Pat Benetar. For whatever reason there was no flash for Neil but flash for Pat. When fixing my hair before the Pat shot she said I looked great. How cool is that!

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Autographs

Neil Giraldo

Pat Benetar

Signed poster


Days after that when driving down from NYC I decided to stop by for a Randy Newman flight. He was cool about combos, but when I got him on a blank his wife wanted it back. WTF! 

Randy Newman

Autograph


Next day I do a flight for someone I failed to get a good photo op with in the past, Joe Walsh. First time I got a garbage shot, second time a blurry shot. So I set out to break that curse. I go away from the rest of the graphers, I see him, ask him for the photo op, and he happily agrees! YES curse broken! Then immediately someone runs up to ask for an auto but he denies. He exits and more graphers are waiting. One guy manages to get him to stop with his air force uniform and I get my album signed. I will never go for Joe Walsh again for the rest of my life.

Joe Walsh

Autograph


Next a day where I have 3 flights. First up actor John Carroll Lynch who has been in movies such as Face/Off, Gran Torino, Shutter Island, Ted 2, among others. Sadly I found that flight late so didn't have time to print. But he was nice as can be. 

Later in the day I went for director/producer Reginald Hudlin. I saw him, and he is shocked someone is stopping him at an airport. Told him "I bet you don't get harassed at an airport too often" he said he didn't and said that this is so amazing. Signed and took photos no problem.

Then it was off to the main event of the day, Marvel actor Chadwick Boseman. He signed for us but sadly ignored requests for a photo op. I tried pleading to no avail he goes "I don't take pictures at the airport. Even waited till he left the building to ask but no dice. 

Not deterred I went to the event the next evening. I missed entries by 5 minutes but he signed and ignored photo ops. Waited for exits where he again ignored my pleas for a photo op. But I got more autos from Reginald Hudlin. I also saw a woman take photo ops. Had no idea who it was at the time but got the shot. Turns out it's singer Andra Day.

John Carroll Lynch

Reginald Hudlin

Andra Day

Autographs


Another evening I go for singer John Waite. I was on the fence at first but decided to do it. When he exits he is nice as can be. 

John Waite

Autographs


End of September I went for Chris Hillman of The Byrds. He came out and was nice as can be. Also got the barely valids. 

Photo ops

Autographs


To round up September I embarked to get Harrison Ford yet again. The day starts when I pick up a NYC Master and friend from the train station. We head to his hotel where lots of combo hunters are waiting (many who just got him in NYC). 

The hotel has a driveway and when everyone stood there the employees were chasing people out. Harrison Ford does nothing. 

Rush to the venue where people line up. Ford starts signing. I manage to get two Star Wars laserdiscs signed by George Lucas. He does one single photo op with an old lady and most everyone gets at least one auto.

We wait for exits but sadly he sneaks out. 

Autographs