Tuesday, March 22, 2016

JASON ALEXANDER - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Jason Alexander
Signed (2) 8x10 Photos
Sent: 01/06/16
Rec'd: 03/22/16
(76 Day Return)

     Happy to get this return back today, heck I am always happy when I get a return back in the mail, but this one is good. Jason Alexander was here in Fort Worth a few months or so back and I missed out on him as I had to work. Now I know he is a great signer through the mail so I sent my photos to him to sign and explained that I missed out on seeing him. 76 days later and it has arrived. He graciously signed both my 8x10 photos, one of which I hope to have Jerry Seinfeld sign if and when he ever comes back to town. If you haven't wrote to George Constanza, err I mean Jason Alexander, please do so. He is really great to his fans not only in-person, but also through the mail.

Monday, March 21, 2016

ICE CUBE - Local News Interview 03/21/2016

Ice Cube
Signed Rolling Stone Magazine & 8x10 Photo

     This morning I had hopes of meeting Ice Cube as he is in town promoting his new movie: Barbershop 3: The Next Cut. He is doing a local news interview then heading off to Paul Quinn College in Dallas to promote the movie there and they will have a trailer set up for haircuts. Hence the name of the movie, The Barbershop.

     I got to the news station early and let me tell you it was cold outside. I was hoping the wait was worth it in the end. After about an hour there were maybe 15 or so of us out there waiting. Time went by and all of a sudden we seen Ice Cube already entered the building. He was let in the side of the building as we found out. So now it was the waiting game as to what door he will leave from after his interview. Half waited on the side, half inside the hallway. Well as he was making his way out it was the side. I literally ran out around the building and seen even more people waiting. I didn't think odds were good at this point. Well he came out and started signing away. His handlers were like 1 only and he will get to everyone. Well he did get to everyone thankfully and right as he got into his SUV I asked if he could sign my Rolling Stone magazine and he did. I thanked him and went on my way. I always heard he was a great signer if you can get to him, but let me tell you he didn't say one word to anyone. He is really quiet believe it or not.

     Anyways, though it was cold, it was a success. I talked to some friends today I haven't seen in a while so that is always good as well. I am looking forward to the movie to come out as I do like the other Barbershop movies.

    So I have to say TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY!

Saturday, March 19, 2016

JOE THEISMANN - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Joe Theismann
Signed (2) 8x10 photos
Sent: 03/03/16
Rec'd: 03/19/16
(16 Day Return)

     Today I received my photos back in the mail signed by Joe Theismann. Joe is one of the quarterbacks to have his career cut short due to a gruesome leg injury. Yes, we all know and seen that play many times where Lawrence Taylor just snaps Joe's leg in half. It creeps me out thinking about it, but if you haven't seen it go check it out on YouTube. To get this success in today is a great feeling. Not only because Joe Theismann is a hell of a guy, but because I am also a huge Notre Dame fan. Joe Theismann was a beast in college. Not many know, but he was up for the Heisman Trophy award in 1970, but was beat out by Jim Plunkett.

     A little side story, the correct pronunciation of Joe's last name is actually "Theesman", but it was changed to sound the same as Heisman when he was up for the award in 1970. Just a little FYI for you.

     Anyways, Joe is really great to his fans and if you haven't wrote off to him, please do. You won't be disappointed at all. He will sign your items and he also will send you a note back asking for donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I will send a small donation to the charity, I mean it's going to a good cause, why not do it.

Monday, March 14, 2016

TOMMY LEE - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Tommy Lee
Signed (2) 8x10 Photos
Sent: 02/25/16
Rec'd: 03/14/16
(19 Day Return)

     I was pleasantly surprised today when I opened up my mail and seen that drummer Tommy Lee signed my (2) 8x10 photos I sent him. I wasn't sure if they would come back or not, but they did. One thing about musicians is that they are not really good signers through the mail. Some are, but majority are not. You know what's funny? As I am writing this I had to see how old Tommy Lee is and damn he's 53 years old. I remember rocking out to them in the 80's though I wasn't even a teenager yet. My brother had the cassette tapes and boom box and that's when I learned about and started listening to the Crüe. Anyways, I am getting way off topic again, I had to reminisce for a bit, but today was a great mail day and I couldn't be more happier with this return from Tommy Lee.

RICHARD PETTY - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Richard Petty
Signed (2) 8x10 Photos
Sent: 03/03/16
Rec'd: 03/14/16
(11 Day Return)

     The King has arrived, in my mailbox that is. Now, I am not that big of a NASCAR nut, but I know enough about it. When you think of NASCAR greats a few people come to mind, first name that pops in my mind is The King, Richard Petty. I met Richard a while back at Texas Motor Speedway when I used to attend the races. Being in the presence of greatness is something I will never forget. Enough about that, you are here for the autograph and not my life stories.

     Richard Petty is great to his fans in-person as well as through the mail. If you haven't wrote to The King yet I would. This is my 3rd time writing to him (yeah a bit overboard), but I didn't have any 8x10's signed by him. He did not disappoint as usual. He signed both photos and I got them back in only 11 days. A quick turnaround from a NASCAR Legend.

Friday, March 11, 2016

BILL ROMANOWSKI - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Bill Romanowski
Signed (2) 8x10 Photos
Sent: 02/25/16
Rec'd: 03/11/16
(16 Day Return)

     Today, I got back one of the fiercest and most feared linebacker in the 90's. That is Bill Romanowski. I always respected the way he played the game. He played really hard and dirty at times, but he could lay a hit on you like no tomorrow. Being a Raiders fan I didn't like him much when he was with Denver, but when he came to the Raiders I was like hell yeah! The man's a beast!

     Anyways, I was pleased to see that he signed both my photos one of which was a photo already signed by Kevin Nash from the movie The Longest Yard. A great movie, check it out if you haven't already. Plus he signed my Raiders photo and to me that is bad ass. Another great mail day, hope it keeps up.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

JIMMY SMITS - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Jimmy Smits
Signed 8x10 Photo
Sent: 02/25/2016
Rec'd: 03/08/2016
(13 Day Return)

     A couple of things about this return and something that those who are new to autograph collecting can take away from this success. Consider this Autograph Learning 101. First, let me say how pleased I was to get a return from Jimmy Smits today and that he signed my Sons of Anarchy photo (one of my favorite shows by the way) and he also added some cool inscriptions. He added "Beware the Reaper" and "All good wishes" along with his character name "Nero" from the show. It's always a plus when they go out of their way and add some cool inscriptions to the photos. Jimmy is a great actor and has been in some of my favorite shows and movies. He was Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars Episode II & III. Also, he was in Dexter another great TV series if you haven't seen it yet.

     Now to the schooling I am about to put on. Jimmy is really great to his fans let me tell you. He will sign 1 item and 1 item only in the mail and I am cool with that. He doesn't have to sign at all. So for that I am grateful. What I think is just plain b.s. is when someone signs there name through either an inscription or your name or whatever. This is called "looping" in the autograph collecting world. You ask yourself why and what does it matter? Celebs sign like this because it will prevent you from selling the item on eBay. For one I despise being known as an eBayer. I am a collector of autographs and always have been way before eBay came around. Anyways, personalizations can be removed from a photo and I will teach that another time, so they 'loop' their signature through a personalization or inscription so it makes it damn near impossible to sell the autograph. I have a couple like this in my collection and it doesn't bother me, really it doesn't, but this one does for one reason and one reason only. I planned on framing all my SOA 8x10's (the black and white photos like this one) into 1 big frame. All my other SOA signed photos do not have my name on it and this one does and it just bothers me cause it will be out of place if I add it to the frame. Maybe it's my OCD, but it sucks and I will not be using this when I was looking forward to. No big deal, it's a great autograph from a great actor and I am happy it came back. It will just be put into my portfolio with my other graphs. I am off my soap box now.

BRANDI CHASTAIN - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Brandi Chastain
Signed 8x10 Photo
Sent: 01/11/2016
Rec'd: 03/08/2016
(57 Day Return)

     One of the most iconic photos ever in Woman's soccer happened in the World Cup in 1999 and I remember watching it on TV and never forgetting what happened. We all know what that is. It was when Brandi Chastain scored the winning goal against China to win the Woman's FIFA World Cup and then proceeded to run down the field and take her shirt off and celebrate. I was never really a big soccer fan until that point. Watching our woman and cheering for our Country made me appreciate the game of soccer more then I ever had.

     Once I seen that Brandi was actually good at answering her fan mail I decided to send a couple 8x10 photos and play the waiting game. Today they came in and I couldn't be more thrilled. Brandi was generous enough to inscribe "Dreams do come true!" on both photos. I was pleasantly surprised and looking at the photos took me back to 1999 watching that historic game on TV. A day I don't think any of us will ever forget.





Saturday, March 5, 2016

MICHAEL CUDLITZ - Walker Stalker Dallas 2016

Michael Cudlitz
Signed Funko Pop

     I was really contemplating about getting Michael Cudlitz or not, but I said the hell with it and bought a Funko Pop at a vendor's table and went to Michael's line. The general admission line was brutally long, but the VIP had maybe 10 people in it. Thank God for my VIP. You really need it at these shows. Anyways, about 10 minutes later I was in front of Abraham himself, Michael Cudlitz. I shook his hand and asked him if he would inscribe "Mother Dick" on my Funko Pop. He had no problems doing that. I am sure he does it a thousand times in a day anyways at these shows. Next, I got a selfie with him and he snapped a couple pics with my phone. I talked to him for a minute after and shook his hand then left. Overall, an awesome experience and I am glad I met him.

ROBIN LORD TAYLOR & ERIN RICHARDS - Walker Stalker Dallas 2016

Robin Lord Taylor & Erin Richards
Signed 11x14 Gotham Photo

     I was stoked to finally meet The Penguin himself, Robin Lord Taylor and Erin Richards who is Barbara Kean in the show Gotham. That show is another of my favorites and anytime you get to meet the cast you have to go, so I did.

     First, I met Robin Lord Taylor and let me say how cool and laid back he is. We talked for a couple minutes and then he signed my 11x14 photo which was previously signed by David Mazouz & Sean Pertwee. He signed it and drew an umbrella which represents the penguin. I took a picture with him and then headed off to the table next to him.

     With not one person in her line which shocked me, I walked right up to Erin Richards and let me say how beautiful and sweet she is in person, also very friendly. I handed her my photo and she signed it and she drew a knife next to her name. She was digging the marker I gave her to use. I laughed and told her that it was a Walmart marker and they are like .96 cents. She was surprised at how great it looked. I then got a picture with her and that made my day. Two great experiences again from the cast of Gotham.

STEVEN YEUN & MICHAEL ROOKER - Walker Stalker Dallas 2016

Steven Yeun & Michael Rooker
Signed Season 2 BluRay Limited Edition Zombie Head Bust

     Well it's that time of year again for Walker Stalker Dallas. For those that do not know about Walker Stalker it's an all year round convention that visits different cities and countries. The main guests are Walking Dead, but they sprinkle in some actors from other shows as well. It's a great convention if you never been to it, but its quite pricey, but then again money isn't worth anything till you spend it. That's the way I see it.
   
      I had a VIP pass and got into the convention at 9am and did a straight bolt for Steven Yen's line. He was here last year, but I skipped his line cause it was brutally long even for VIP pass holders. I was in line maybe 40 or 50 deep but the line grew big time with VIP holders. Only problem Steven didn't get there till 11 o'clock. When he started signing the line moved pretty good. I got up to him shook his hand and he signed my zombie head and thanked me. I thanked him and told him he needs to put a Dallas Mavericks hat on since he was wearing a Detroit Pistons hat. He laughed and told me to tell Dirk Nowitzki he said hello. I got a kick out of that.

      Next, it was on to Michael Rooker's line. It was filled with general admission pass holders, but no one in VIP line so I walked right up without an issue. He was really cool and signed my zombie head and then talked to me for a bit then I left. Another great experience with Michael Rooker.   

Friday, March 4, 2016

DAYTON CALLIE - Through The Mail (TTM) Autograph

Dayton Callie
Signed (2) 8x10 Photos
Sent: 02/02/2016
Rec'd: 03/04/2016
(32 Day Return)

        If you have never seen the show Sons of Anarchy you are missing out. SOA is one of my favorite shows ever. Please do yourself a favor and watch a couple episodes and I can guarantee that you will be hooked. I have a lot of the cast members autographs except Dayton Callie who plays Chief Wayne Unser in the show. Once I found out that he was signing TTM I had to send out and add him to my already vast SOA collection. If you want to see my collection please click this link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.994371173972491.1073741871.470420759700871&type=3

While you are there please like my autograph page if you haven't already. Okay back on topic. I printed up a couple SOA photos of Dayton and sent off. The wait was over today as they arrived back in only 32 days. A quick turnaround in the TTM world. Dayton signed and inscribed both photos for me which was an added bonus. I very pleased to say the least. Another great TTM return and let's hope they keep coming in at this rate.