Diary of an Ardent Fan

 

I met wrestler/actor Dave Bautista!!

 

I’ve been a fan of his since 2007 when I saw him wrestle The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 23 (not in person unfortunately).

 

He’s now an actor, most famous these days for playing Drax in the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies and a few Avengers movies.

 

He’s also starred in many other movies like Stuber (very funny), Blade Runner 2049, Marauders (very cool heist movie shot in Cincinnati), Escape Plan 2 and 3 (with Sylvester Stallone!!), Bushwick, and others.

 

He’s a very cool guy.

 

I was able to ask him a question at his Q&A (about Stuber) and he appreciated it.

 

He talked about upcoming movies, including one on Netflix, Dune remake, maybe a Gears Of War movie in a couple of years (once the script is truly ready he said).

 

He said he probably won’t do any more Avengers movies and probably not a Guardians 4 movie.

 

This is because he’s in his 50s now and physically he’s not sure he’s up for them.

 

But he did say he wants to hopefully do the third one and “finish what he started with the cast and family he loves”.

 

I had only seen him wrestle in person at a wrestling house show in 2008 (wrestling CM Punk), but had never met him. I’m glad I did!!

Love this guy!!

 

I also met George Takei (Mr. Sulu of Star Trek) and got his autograph!!!

 

He was the last surviving cast member of the original Star Trek that I needed to get an autograph from.

 

He was nice too but he jokingly gave me crap about my Star Trek shirt (that only shows William Shatner and Sir Patrick Stewart).

 

He told me “I’m here right now. Those captains are only here in image”.

 

I said I’m sorry that I didn’t have a Captain Sulu shirt. But again, it was all in good fun.

 

I also met wrestler Arn Anderson!!!

I’ve been a fan of his for over 30 years.

 

When I told him that, he didn’t think I was old enough to be a fan of his for that long.

 

I also told him he was one of my favorite wrestling villains growing up, and that even when I hated him, I loved him. He said “well that means I did my job”.

 

And before I left him, I told him he is my favorite member of The 4 Horsemen, too. He said “Good call”.

 

I also met The Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno!!

 

That was very cool.

 

He still looks to be in great shape.

 

I attended his Q&A and he talked a lot about fitness, getting fit, and staying fit.

 

I seriously needed the motivation because I’m soooo out of shape. I don’t expect to look like a body builder, but I need to lose between 30-50 pounds. But anyway, it was great seeing Lou!!

 

I didn’t meet them but I went to the Q&A of actors Cary Elwes and Chris Sarandon, who both starred in the movie The Princess Bride.

 

That was a lot of fun. Lots of fun stories. Cary said that movie is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

I didn’t meet them but I saw many other celebrities such as actor John Cusack, Star Trek The Next Generation actors Michael Dorn (Worf) Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), Brent Spiner (Data, who I met in September in Cincinnati), Star Trek Deep Space Nine actors Terry Farrell (Dax) and Armin Shimerman (Quark), Brett Cullen (who recently starred in The Joker and many other movies), Wrestlers Ric Flair (who I’ve met a few times), Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, Christian (who I met earlier this year in Lexington), and Mark Henry, and others.

 

Very busy, but fun filled day.

 

I never have enough money for these events but I did ok.

 

One more event this year (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation screening/Live Chevy Chase Q&A in Columbus, Ohio (I wanted to go to the Charleston, WV one, but it sold out).

 

Then I may be done with events until March.