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My Lexington Comic & Toy Convention 2019 Experience
- Date of Event: March 22 and 24, 2019
- Location of Event: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
March 22: Another day for the book.I met actors Val Kilmer, Michael Biehn, and wrestlers Edge and Christian at Lexington ComicCon.For those of you who don’t know, Val Kilmer has starred in many movies, including Real Genius, Top Secret, Top Gun (Top Gun 2 next year), Willow, The Doors, Thunderheart, Tombstone, Heat, Batman Forever, The Island Of Dr. Moreau, The Saint, The Ghost And The Darkness, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (hilarious), and so many more. The most recent movie I saw him in is The Super. Very good thriller.He did not speak much because he’s had voice issues ever since he had throat cancer a few years ago.He’s cancer free now, but it did mess up his voice. But he was all smiles and in good spirits.He definitely loved my shirt, which I bought on his website. He kept pointing at it.When I got him to sign a picture of him from the movie The Saint, I basically just told him that I loved him. And he just smiled.It was a pleasure meeting him and when I go back to Lexington ComicCon Sunday, I’ll get a solo picture with him.The other man in the picture with Val and I is Michael Biehn.For those that don’t know, he starred in The Terminator, T2, Aliens, The Abyss, K2, Navy Seals, Tombstone, The Rock, The Magnificent Seven TV series, and much more.Of all the celebrities I’ve met, he’s definitely one of the best.He is a total class act. He spoke to me for at least five minutes and he did this with each fan that came to his table.When he first saw my shirt, he said “I normally don’t associate myself with people who wear a shirt like that, but in your case, I’ll make an exception”.What he meant was that the shirt I wore is that of Val’s character, Doc Holliday, in Tombstone. Michael played Johnny Ringo in Tombstone, and Val’s character kills Michael’s character in the movie.So anyway, once he said that, my response was well if I had a Johnny Ringo shirt, then I would’ve worn it. And he just laughed.I got him to sign a picture of him from the first Terminator movie.He told me all about this publicly picture. He said it was during a lunch, and he was just standing there posing for the photographer, while actress Linda Hamilton was sitting in the background.I told him that for some reason, T1 still scares me. Then he said well I should listen to Stephen Hawking talk about Artificial Intelligence and that that is really scary.But anyway, a long story short. Michael Biehn is someone anyone can talk to and feel comfortable with.I also met wrestlers Edge and Christian.I’ve been a fan of these guys for the past 12 years when I got back into watching wrestling, although I basically once again don’t watch it.But I love these guys. Neither wrestle anymore due to injury but both guys are great and very friendly.Well that was my Friday.I work tomorrow and then I go back to Lexington ComicCon Sunday to again, get my picture taken with Val again (wearing a different official Val shirt this time), as well as one of my favorite wrestlers ever: Sting.Great day!! I don’t have enough of them.For those who may think I’m rich, I’m not. I’m actually quite broke most of the time. Most of my life is just waiting for the next long day because all are long.So to keep myself going, I go to events like this and of course to concerts.As broke as I am, I’m still just making it happen for myself. And until I stop, I will continue.March 24: Another fun day at Lexington ComicCon.I met Val Kilmer again, Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, and my second favorite wrestler since I was 9 years old: Sting!!Sting signed a WCW Magazine from 1992 for me.I told him I’ve been a fan since I was 9. He said that’s awesome thank you so much.I thanked him for all he has done and that I know it didn’t ultimately work out but that I was glad he finally went to WWE.He said me too and thank you.I received two hand shakes from him and when I got my picture taken with him, I again thanked him and that I love him. He said thank you I love you too.It doesn’t get much better than that for me.Kevin Conroy is very nice too. He has done the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne for many years.I told him the Batman Mask Of The Phantasm film, which he signed for me, still holds up and he said that it really does.I thanked him for all his work and that I was glad he did The Killing Joke film too. He said that was wonderful wasn’t it? I agreed and I got a Hearty hand shake from him.And Val I was only going to meet today but since Michael Biehn was announced as initially appearing Friday (he later extended), I decided to get my picture taken with both Friday. See above for that info.But I still went through with it and have no regrets.Now before anyone says he looks bad, let me tell you: a few years ago he had a tumor in his throat.Throat cancer.He’s cancer free now but it did mess up his voice. He can speak but it’s not what it was.But he is working with a vocal coach and is still working.So give him a break.He was in a very good thriller last year called The Super and his voice was good in it, other than just raspy.And he’s Iceman again in Top Gun 2, out next year.I wore my official Val shirt of his movie The Saint today. He greeted me with a hand shake, arm around me, and all smiles.Another good day. If only all were good. Most aren’t.Now I’m eyeing another expo in August. I intend to go.Stay tuned.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Met KISS: My 8th KISS Show
- Date of Concert: March 16, 2019
- Location of Concert: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
Aside from seeing the original KISS lineup in 1998 and 2000 and seeing The Rolling Stones in 2015, I saw my favorite concert ever last night in Columbus Ohio.My 8th time seeing my favorite band KISS.But for the first time, I got my picture taken with them!As usual with photo ops, it was fairly quick, but I got fist bumps from the band, and Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer spoke to me and were nice. I think Eric Singer said hi and if Gene Simmons said anything, I don’t remember because my head was on cloud 9.I met my favorite band!!!Worth waiting for!I actually even met their legendary manager Doc McGhee. He was nice too.The show was out of this world. Spectacular visuals, probably the best stage set they’ve ever had. Sam The Serpent is back.The band played a lot of songs, and contrary to what ANYONE says, they ARE NOT lip syncing.I was watching/listening very closely and I did not see any lip syncing going on, except maybe when Eric is playing piano to Beth.And yes Paul has occasional echo effects, but he IS singing.So please enough with the lip syncing accusations and crappy YouTube video. Do not try to convince me otherwise. I was there. You were not!!!!And even if Paul was, I actually don’t care because I still had fun!Anyway, back to the show.Great setlist. The band was very playful, to the point at the end of I believe Let Me Go Rock ‘N’ Roll, they played a little of La Bamba. Very cool!!The band was having fun, playing great as usual, and I know it makes you haters and purists so sick, but the packed crowd at Nationwide Arena was having the time of their life.I spoke to a guy 20 years younger than me and he said this was his first time seeing the band.What a great first time. I also spoke to another guy and he said he and a friend of his were following the band around for some of the dates of this tour.Why not? I applaud them.All of these people and again everyone else, including myself, in the arena had a great Saturday night.It’s nights like this that I live for.Most of life I find to be annoying and stressful in a bad way.This is one of my outlets to have fun with.I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again, hence why I finally met them, and because financially everything is getting tougher, but if this is the last time, it was as great as the first time I saw them in 1998.Yes the original lineup but again, no matter what the haters/purists say, this lineup and all lineups of KISS RULE!!!!!I’m a fan of every album and every lineup.Have I had problems with Eric and Tommy wearing Peter Criss and Ace Frehley’s makeup and costumes? Yes. Is it weird? Yes. But you know what? They’re great and the two main singer/songwriters who have ALWAYS been there, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, are still there.Also Paul’s vocals are not flawless anymore, but he is doing the best he can (no not lip syncing but even if he is I don’t care) and you know what? He sounded pretty good to my ears. No not perfect but more than good enough.Haters continue to hate but don’t try to change my mind because you won’t.I won. I always win with KISS.Anyway, yes I got a bit defensive but I’m very passionate about this band and all my other favorite bands, wrestlers, and movie/TV stars.This is how I have fun.No regrets.Set List:
- Detroit Rock City
- Shout It Out Loud
- Deuce
- Say Yeah
- I Love It Loud
- Heaven’s On Fire
- War Machine
- Lick It Up
- Calling Dr. Love
- 100,000 Years (with Eric drum solo)
- Cold Gin (with Tommy Thayer guitar solo)
- Bass Solo/God Of Thunder
- Psycho Circus
- Let Me Go Rock N Roll
- Love Gun (Paul On B-Stage)
- I Was Made For Loving You (Paul On B-Stage)
- Black Diamond
- Encore: Beth
- Do You Love Me
- Rock And Roll All Nite
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I Saw Two Comedians!! Steve Martin/Martin Short Show Review
- Date of Concert: March 9, 2019
- Location of Concert: Keith Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington, WV
I saw Steve Martin and Martin Short at the Keith Albee Theatre in Huntington, WV tonight.Lots of jokes, lots of laughs, stories, audience participation, music, you name it. They had it.My pictures are not the best, but trust me, it was a fun/funny night.Steve sang and played the banjo, Martin sang and dressed very uniquely at times, and both told some hilarious jokes.They even brought up three guys to give them the Three Amigos salute while Steve and Martin sang the song from said movie.If you get a chance, go see them and/or watch their Netflix special.Look it up.I feel I could say more, but I’ll leave it at that.More shows to come and more celebrities to meet.Stay tuned.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Met Arnold Again!! Arnold Sports Festival 2019
- Date of Event: March 3, 2019
- Location of Event: Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH
I was not going to attend the Arnold Sports Festival this year, until I found out that Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to take pictures with fans.
So I could not resist.
It was brief, as photo ops are, but getting my picture taken with Arnold may be the most important picture I’ll ever get with a famous person.
He’s been a hero of mine since I was a kid.
So this means a lot to me.
I’d met him twice briefly at the festival in 2016, but did not get my picture taken with him.
Glad I got that done.
I also got to see Arnold speak at two seminars.
Of these festivals I’ve been to (this is my 4th), this was the most I’d seen Arnold.
It’s just great to see how he conducts himself.
He’s super professional, very nice, humble but confident, and is very intelligent.
I’ll always be a fan.
Thank you sir!!
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What a Show!! Cher/Chic Concert Experience
- Date of Concert: February 10, 2019
- Location of Concert: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
Well, for the first time, I saw Cher and Chic in concert.I saw them in Columbus Ohio at Nationwide Arena.It was a different kind of show for me but I enjoyed it.Chic played about 55 minutes featuring many songs written by leader Nile Rodgers.Look up his body of work.Then about 30 minutes later, the one and only Cher took the stage in very grand fashion.Throughout the show, she had many costume changes, different backdrops, dancers, you name it.It was quite the show.My favorite parts were when she duetted with her ex husband Sonny Bono (RIP). Technology is quite amazing sometimes.Also, it was nice to see her guitarist, Joel Hoekstra, who also plays for Whitesnake, rock out a little bit.At 72, she looks AMAZING. Plastic surgery or not, I don’t care. AMAZING.She performed many songs from throughout her career.Fun show.I have posted pics below, as well as the setlist,courtesy of my friend Kevin Montavon, who was also at the show.* are musical/dancing bits where Cher isn’t onstage…when she’s changing outfits, taking 5, etc.)Cher Set List:
- Woman’s World
- Strong Enough
- *Gayatri Mantra
- All Or Nothing
- *Little Man/All I Need Is You
- The Beat Goes On
- I Got You Babe (Sonny “singing” with her from a magic mirror)
- *You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me
- Welcome To Burlesque
- *Lie To Me
- Waterloo (Abba Cover)
- SOS (Abba Cover)
- Fernando (Abba Cover)
- *Cher Movie Montage
- After All
- *Heartbreak Hotel (Cher onscreen as “Chelvis”)
- Walking In Memphis
- The Shoop Shoop Song
- *Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)-Featured Joel Hoekstra rocking out
- I Found Someone
- If I Could Turn Back Time
- Believe
Chic Set List:
- Everybody Dance
- Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
- I Want Your Love
- I’m Coming Out/Upside Down
- He’s The Greatest Dancer/We Are Family
- Get Lucky
- Let’s Dance
- Le Freak
- Good Times
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Mr. Scary: Lynch Mob (George Lynch) Concert Review
- Date of Concert: December 15, 2018
- Location of Event: The Venue Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH
I FINALLY saw one of my favorite guitarists, George Lynch, in concert.His band, Lynch Mob, played in the Cincinnati area at a place called The Venue Cincinnati.Two cover bands opened, then Lynch Mob came out and played for two hours.Two hours of Lynch Mob and Dokken songs.George has in the band Nathan Utz on lead vocals, Sean McNabb on bass, and Scott Coogan on drums (he sang lead on one song while Nathan played drums).They had fun, as did the crowd.I’m glad I finally saw George. He’s the last of the Dokken guys I needed to see.I’m just sorry it took almost 20 years for me to see him.Better late than never.That’s my last event until March.I live for these things.You know what makes me happy?Music, concerts, meeting famous people, and seeing movies. That’s about it. And that’s ok. Don’t ever expect me to change.Love and PeacePhoto Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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My Louisville Supercon 2018 Experience
- Date of Event: December 1, 2018
- Location of Event: Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY
I went to Louisville Supercon today.I met and saw a bunch of people.Some of whom I got pictures with and autographs from.All were very nice.I met William Shatner, Walter Koenig, Alice Cooper (super nice man), Richard Dreyfuss (He asked me where I was from and I said Ashland. He was curious as to where that was in Kentucky. I told him it was east of Louisville. He then gave me a quote that was said by President Abraham Lincoln, which is “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky.” Don’t ask me why he said that but I thought it was great he said it to me.), Jerry Lawler (who let me hold his crown), Scott Steiner (Yes he was cool to me. He has a rep for being a jerk but he was cool to me.), Allan Oppenheimer (actor/voice actor who did the voice of Skeletor and many others. He even did the Skeletor voice for me, saying “Lucas, I’m not nice”!!!), Jonathan Frakes, John De Lancie, Levar Burton, and Ricou Browning (The Gill Man in all the underwater sequences of the Creature From The Black Lagoon trilogy.)I saw many others, including Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Ralph Macchio, Henry Winkler, Kevin Conroy (voice of Batman on Batman The Animated Series and various animated films), wrestlers Sgt. Slaughter, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson (who literally parked a few cars away from me as I was getting out of my car to go in), Mark Henry, Booker T, Kane, managers Jim Cornette (who I had met before) and Teddy Long, artist Neal Adams, and many more.I didn’t meet everyone but I mostly got what I wanted.Fun day!!Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Saw Another Legend: Sir Elton John Concert Review
- Date of Concert: October 23, 2018
- Location of Concert: KFC Yum Center in Louisville, KY
I saw another legend.Sir Elton JohnKFC Yum Center in Louisville, KentuckyWhat a show.2.5 hours of Elton and his band delivering the goods.I’m glad I finally saw him.My list is getting shorter.I’m letting the pictures and set list do most of the talking here.Set List:
- Bennie And The Jets
- All The Girls Love Alice
- I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
- Border Song
- Tiny Dancer
- Philadelphia Freedom
- Indian Sunset
- Rocket Man (I Think It’s Gonna Be A Long Long Time)
- Take Me To The Pilot
- Someone Saved My Life Tonight
- Levon/Elton and band Jam/Levon reprise
- Candle In The Wind
- Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
- Burn Down The Mission
- Believe
- Daniel
- Sad Songs Say So Much
- band introductions
- Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
- The Bitch Is Back
- I’m Still Standing
- Crocodile Rock
- Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
- Encore: Your Song
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
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Dream Come True: Phil Collins Concert Review
- Date of Concert: October 19, 2018
- Location of Concert: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
Dream come true: I saw Phil Collins in concert.He played a sold out or nearly sold out show at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.My cousin Zachary and I went and we had sooooo much fun.Before Phil came out, there were many pics of him on the screens.When he did come out, he was walking with a cane, and told everyone he would have to sit for a lot of the show.This is because he had hip and knee surgery, his right foot is numb, and that’s just the way it is.But you know what? Everyone, myself and my cousin, were just happy to see him.He sang great, his band is phenomenal, and the songs are just classics.He did sing three Genesis songs (his other band), and a lot of solo hits and a few somewhat deeper tracks.Even if he is not totally physically perfect, he’s still going for it and he’s having fun.He’s still got a great sense of humor and again, he’s having fun.One of the first things he said to us, and all the other shows he does, he starts off by saying that he didn’t think he would be doing this anymore.He actually did stop for a few years because of just life.But he said he missed the fans and missed doing this.So, for anyone who complains that he sits, shut up!! He’s giving all he has and I think it’s more than good enough. In fact, it’s amazing.Seeing him was HUGE for me.It was worth every penny, and trust me, it was not cheap.But TOTALLY worth it.I’ll never forget this one.I took many pictures.What a great concert.I’m glad I finally saw him.My list is getting shorter. When it is complete, so am I.Love and Peace always.Set List:
- Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
- Another Day In Paradise
- I Missed Again
- Hang In Long Enough
- Throwing It All Away
- Follow You Follow Me
- Can’t Turn Back The Years
- Who Said I Would
- Separate Lives
- You’ll Be In My Heart
- Drum Trio (Phil did play block percussion!! His son Nicholas is the main drummer)
- Something Happened On The Way To Heaven
- You Know What I Mean
- In The Air Tonight
- You Can’t Hurry Love
- Dance Into The Light
- Invisible Touch
- Easy Lover
- Sussudio
- Encore: Take Me Home
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I Saw Captain Kirk: William Shatner Q&A After Star Trek 2 Screening
- Date of Event: September 22, 2018
- Location of Event: Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH
Another great night in my life happened!I saw William Shatner in person in Cincinnati at The Taft Theatre.He is doing a series of shows where Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan (one of my favorite movies ever) plays and then he comes out afterwards and talks for an hour, tells stories, and answers questions submitted to him by fans at the venue.He had so many stories to tell.He talked about how he once played a trick on Deforest Kelley (Dr. McCoy), in which Deforest was heating bagels in a toaster, and he got Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock) to distract him so that he (Shatner) could remove the bagels from the toaster so that when Deforest came back, the bagels would be gone.He did this twice in a row. He did this because Deforest told him that he was afraid his memory was not too good.You had to be there to laugh.He told a story about a cop pulling him over one night/morning while he was driving to location on the Star Trek 2 movie in uniform.The cop asked him where he was going so fast to. Shatner told the cop “I have to get to my spaceship”.He even brought a fan on stage to try to explain to him Time and Space, which was fun.Again, you had to be there.One fan submitted question was “Boxers or Briefs?” He paused for several seconds and said “Depends”, and went on a funny Depends rant.Such a great night.My life sucks most of the time (always broke and working, don’t sleep well), but nights like this make me glad I’m here.Another one of the greatest events I’ll ever attend.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
