Autograph Hound's Blah Blah Blog

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Garrett Dillahunt Dallas Fan Festival 2023

I mentioned this before, but I missed the 2022 DragonCon because of the airline. I was buckled into my seat and ready to take off to Atlanta. The plane sat about 20 minutes at the gate. Then it pushed back from the gate and sat for another 10 or 15 minutes. That is when we heard an announcement that the plane was returning to the gate. Not because of a mechanical problem but because the flight crew had ‘timed out’.

The next flight to Atlanta would get me in Saturday night. That meant, I was doing Sunday only.  My trip was no longer feasible.

Garrett Dillahunt was scheduled that year…along with a bunch of other Walking Dead/Fear the Dead actors.

The positive spin is Garret was scheduled to appear in Dallas. When he arrived, he walked out to the line of people and greeted everyone and shook the hands of the 30 people waiting for him.

After waiting a LONNG time in Alyssa Milano’s line, I was able to walk right up to the table for Garrett. I actually think he was going to take a break but he stayed when I approached.

I had printed two photos from DragonCon. I really didn’t know which one I wanted to get signed. It was going to be a game-time decision. After I paid, I handed over the one with the dart board behind him. Garrett signed and then he commented on my UofA shirt. His dad went there and to prove he had some cred (which he did NOT need to do), he mentioned visiting the campus and Old Main. That’s a pretty good reference.


We chatted. He was warm and gracious. Very relaxed. I mentioned Sarah Conner and Burn Notice. He said it was great to work on those shows. I forget to mention Dead Wood and how he played 2 different characters.

He saw I had another photo in my hand. He wanted to see it. I handed it over and mentioned I only paid for one autograph. I was not trying to get something for free. He nodded and turned to his handler.  He said this was his.  Then he asked if I liked red. After I nodded back, he signed. That was unexpected and another classy thing about him.

AH

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Mira Sorvino Dallas Fan Festival 2023

I don’t often get multiples of an actor signed, especially when I’m paying but I made an exception this time.

I really wanted to get Mira Sorvino to sign a photo from Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. I love that movie. However, every photo had Mira and Lisa Kudrow in it; which makes sense.

I didn’t print anything but I hoped Mira had an image of just herself. Nothing that I really liked so I selected the one I liked most. Mira gladly added the ‘I’m the Mary!’.  Maybe one day, I’ll cross path with Lisa…

Then the conversation shifted to Dancing with the Stars. This was tied together because of the song that Mira was going to dance to in the next episode. This is a show The Wife really enjoys. Mira told me about the upcoming episode and the dance routine. The Wife was thrilled to be ‘in the know’ before the show aired.

I did like the photo from Shining Vale and I got that. Mira suggested the quote. It sounds like a fun show. I need to add it to my watch list.

Since there wasn’t a line, I mentioned the series, The Intruders. She lit up. She said she actually read the book and chatted with the author to see where the show would have gone if it was renewed. Then someone showed and I didn’t get a chance to find out where the show would have gone.

Very happy to have met Mira.

AH

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Alyssa Milano Dallas Fan Festival 2023

By far, the longest line I stood in this weekend was for Alyssa Milano. She looked beautiful and was warm and friendly.

A couple of observations…

While I was looking for a photo to print from Charmed, it appeared she had a different hairdo every episode. I don’t think I’m exaggerating; I saw over 50 different styles.

She took a few seconds with the one of the handlers that was taking photos. She gave some feedback to make the table selfies look better.  It was the angle of the phone and where to stand. I think everyone was happier with the results. I liked that she cared.

She seemed to have 2 levels of smiling. The big smile when people are looking. And a small, private smile as she was waiting for the next fan.  With a lot of guests, you often see the big smile ‘on’ the whole time or you see the face go slack for a few seconds. She just shifted between smiles. I liked that too.

AH

 

Monday, November 27, 2023

Klinger – Jamie Farr Dallas Fan Festival 2023

I was happy to get Jeff Maxwell’s autograph. However, I was excited about getting Jamie Farr’s signature. While you will see Jamie in a lot of older TV shows, we all remember him as Klinger from MASH.

I’m also happy he had a few nice table photos to select from. I didn’t find anything in my searches that were the correct resolution or something I liked.  When I got to the table, I thought the yellow looked good on hm.

AH

Friday, November 17, 2023

Jeff Maxwell Dallas Fan Festival 2023

Dallas Fan Festival brought in several MASH actors. That was exciting for old farts like me. You could see the people in the lines for the MASH actors had more grey hair than the people in line for the other guests. But that’s okay.

I was able to add Jeff Maxwell to my collection. He was nice. He tried to make the conversation more than just a few words. When I mentioned missed seeing him at another show, he asked if I lived ‘out there’. Then we talked about various places we’ve been. It was a relaxed exchange.

AH

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Denis Lawson Dallas Fan Festival 2023

After all these years, I finally got Wedge from Star Wars. Denis Lawson was at the Dallas show. Not a huge role but memorable.

This was a quick and easy autograph. The line was short and while people exchanged a few words, it didn’t take long.

AH

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Frank Grillo Big Texas ComicCon 2023

This was the last autograph I got at Big Texas ComicCon. I looked for a photo of
Frank Grillo
online, but didn’t see one I wanted to print. I decided to check out his table to see what he had. 

Since he had a prepaid option for his signature, I figured I’d have to go to another table to buy the ticket. One of the handlers said I could pay cash at the table. Since he had a table photo I liked, I got in line. 

As I was waiting, Frank and a fan were talking smack to each other. Good natured but intense. Very Back East. No smiles until you turn your head away; playing for the audience.

It was all because she wore a Phila Eagles Sweat shirt. Some of the exchange:

Frank: Ugh. I should charge you double for burning my eyes with that shirt.

Fan: You’re lucky I even came to see your loser face.

Frank: Oh, let’s get this over before I go blind.

Fan: At least I don’t like the Giants.

Then all smiles and a handshake. She went on her way without another word.

I step up as Frank and another handler are smiling. They had fun.

As he signed my photo, I asked if there was a back story. I was asking if maybe they knew each other. He said the only back story was he roots for NY and she’s an Eagles fan.

So, I said, And the only the only team you hate worse are the Cowboys.  

I think everyone in 20 feet of me agreed. Everyone hates the Cowboys. I paused after I said that. I was in San Antonio. I thought they really liked the Cowboys. Maybe that’s changed over the years.

Frank agreed with a smile, the Cowboys were the worse.

I did not bring up my football allegiance.

We hook and I left.

My convention was done. I drove about 5 hours. Spent less than 2 hours at the show and now I’m heading home.

AH

Monday, November 13, 2023

Paola Lazaro – Do you like Pink?

After I got David Harbour, I checked out Paola Lazaro. She wasn’t at the table. There as a short line but I decided to walk through the convention. It’s a small show but it had some vary big names. I was surprised the number of vendors and attendees was small.

When I made my way back to Paola’s table, she still wasn’t there. I asked one of the handlers about an ETA. The handler said Paola was due ‘soon’.  I have heard that a lot over the years. It’s a place holder answer. Meaning I don’t know but I don’t want to say that. I was about to ask how long she had been saying ‘soon’, when Paola walked up. I guess the handler was right, it was ‘soon’.

Paula was all smiles.  Her character in Walking Dead, is one that seems to have touched a lot of people emotionally. A few people had some stories to tell. Paola was all ears.

The person in front of me mentioned that Paola’s fingernail polished matched the pink of the pen she was using.  She joked that she used it on her nails last night.  It looked good on her.

When it was my turned, I said the normal: Hi, welcome to San Antonio.

She picked up her pink paint pen and I asked: Do you really like pink?

That caused some panic and confusion. She quickly asked if I didn’t want the signature in pink.

Now it was my turn to smile and quickly add: No, pink is the PERFECT color for your photo. I love that idea.

I could see the relief. She mentioned it looked good with the dark background on a lot of her pictures.  I agreed.

I continued with: I work at the Mary Kay Corp office. Mary Kay is known for pink. She personally didn’t like pink. But she knew pink would look good in everyone’s bathroom. So that was logical choice.

That is a lot to digest in a few seconds. A non-sequitur from a strange man: pink and makeup.

Then I added, I was just wondering if you really like pink or it’s been forced on you and you learned to like it.  Then she smiled as it started to sink in…or she realized this encounter was soon to be over and once I got my autograph; she would never see me again.

She did like pink.  I walked way and she never saw me again…

AH

Friday, November 10, 2023

David Harbour Big Texas ComicCon 2023

I drove down to San Antonio for Big Texas ComiCon. This is a 5 hour drive each way. There was guest I really wanted but she cancelled. I found out about it the night before. Since there were still guests I wanted and I paid for David Harbour in advance, I made the trip.

Big Texas was in the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center. I’ve been there a few times for other conventions. I got to the convention early. I expected to be in line all day and I wanted to be sure I was parking someplace fairly close.

Once they opened the convention, we filed in and I headed to David’s line. On the way, someone explained we needed to swap the prepaid autograph receipt for a ‘ticket’. This is occurring more and more. The logic of it eludes me. It just seems to be a waste of time and effort.

After I got my ticket, I got in David’s line. After a brief wait, it actually started moving.

David was behind curtains. However, I could hear him chat with the fans. He was doing a good job of asking questions beside just responding to people. And he followed up on some of the answers.  

The line actually moved quicker than expected. That is NOT a complaint.  

I asked for a quote: Nothing ever happens in Hawkins. I thought the photo I brought was perfect for that. David read the quote and nodded. I don’t think he remembered it but that’s okay. It’s for me, not him.

The negative is, he wrote the quote first. Then signed. He signed over the quote. I knew what he did. He was trying to keep the white ink in the dark background of the photo.  I didn’t realize how large his signature was. Again, that is not a complaint. I’m happy.

AH

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Jennifer Beals Giganticon 2023

While Mark Dacascos made my decision to travel south, Jennifer Beals sealed my plans. I don’t think I ever watched the movie Flash Dance. Maybe I was at a drive-in double feature and was distracted by other things but I know the sound track was everywhere. I heard it a million times. I admit, it’s a catchy tune.


Jennifer wasn’t in the main room. I had to search for her. I’m sure I could have asked someone but the event center wasn’t that large. I had time. The four autographs I already picked up took less than 30 minutes. I was ahead of schedule. I found her in a back room. A nice sized meeting room. She was in one corner, near the exit. A line of tables wrapped from her to a third of the way up the side wall. It was a nice set up. The money was all handled far from her.

While there was a line for Jennifer, it wasn’t long. I was about 20 people back. People slowly filled in after me. She was the main draw for this show. They had a special ticket for her, a commemorative t-shirt and photo or something. Some people in line got gift bags. The line was 99% women. I did not opt into that ticket.

I paid for 2 autographs. Not something I normally do but I wanted an 8x10 and I had a poster I wanted to add her to. I showed the mini poster to check if they were charging more for the 'large item'. Nope.  Then I showed my 8x10 to make sure she would sign it.  No problem there either.

As I crept closer, the manager/handler came over. He looked over my stuff and okayed it. He had the real veto power. He asked about the poster. I pridefully told him a few details. He seemed impressed. I told him I wanted a silver sharpie for that and the white paint pen for the other.  He asked where I wanted the signatures and he took the items to Jennifer.

She was finishing up with a young lady and about to take a table selfie. The color of the Jennifer’s jacket was mentioned. It was coral. Jennifer felt like coral that day. I’m not sure if I ever felt like a color but The Wife liked that detail so I’m sharing.

Jennifer asked about the Book of Eli mini poster. I gave a few details through a big smile. I told her I got it from San Diego ComicCon. I stood in line a LOOOONG time to get a winning ticket. The ladies in line didn’t know anything about this movie and I sensed they were confused about Jennifer’s interest.

I said I wanted a silver sharpie on the poster because everyone (but Denzel) signed in silver. It‘s hard to see their signatures but I wanted to keep the color the same. In the photo, Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, and Gary Oldman signed, along with the 2 directors. Her autograph is under Denzel's and above 'Of Eli'

And of course, I had to get a Star Wars photo signed too. Considering the line was mostly women, I bet she didn’t sign many items from that franchise either.

I was very happy as I left the room. I found a place to hang out for 5 minutes while the paint dried. Then I walked back to the car and started home. I stopped at Bucc-ees and was home before dinner.

AH

The Book of Eli signing was my very first post on this blog.