IP-Chicago burbs:arfmax:2014

[arfmax]

This evening, I went to an appearance by Nascar driver A.J. Allmendinger, at a food store in Shorewood, IL. Mr. Allmendinger signed two cards, and one promotional 8x10, for free. I'm not a racing fan, frankly, but since the Chicagoland Speedway is hosting a big event, there have been a lot of signings the past few days for drivers, and I felt like hitting one.

Photo of the signed Allmendinger items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps068360f4.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 347

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to the taping of a local Chicago Bears show at a local restaurant. The show features a member of the Bears in a rotation, last week was Matt Slauson, this week was Roberto Garza, and the roster also includes Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte. The restaurant does a giveaway before each taping, and my family won, so we were VIPs for the event, had $100 food credit, an extra $25 gift certificate for later, and got 4 Bears mini helmets signed by the guest. So, we were given 4 free autographed mini helmets by Chicago Bears captain and center Roberto Garza. Of course, I wish it was a bigger name guest, such as Forte, but I am still quite happy. Garza is one of the nicest guys, and he brings his wife and two young kids with him, and will sign and take photos with everyone. This is not the first time I have seen him at an event, and he is always the same. One of the good guys in football.

Photo of the signed Garza mini helmet:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10a50bda.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 351

[arfmax]

Today, I went to an appearance by Chicago Bears rookie running back Ka'Deem Carey at Mariano's, a grocery store, in Elmhurst, IL. I was able to get Mr. Carey to sign 7 different cards, for free.

Photo of the signed Carey cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psafad7ea7.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 358

[arfmax]

This morning, I went to an appearance by former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Anthony Adams, aka Spice Adams, aka AA, at a Walmart in Elk Grove Village. Mr Adams signed two cards and 1 promo 5x7 card, for free. He is a very funny guy, worth a follow on twitter if you get a chance.

Photo of the signed Adams items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa17e4ada.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 361

[arfmax]

This afternoon, I went outside of my sports comfort zone to an appearance by lacrosse star Paul Rabil. I honestly know next to nothing about lacrosse, but learned that Paul Rabil is one of the top players of all time, possibly comparable to the Michael Jordan of lacrosse. He held the world record for a number of years for the fastest shot at 111 miles per hour! It was recently broken by another lacrosse player, who threw it 114 mph! Anyway, Mr. Rabil gave a little speech and encouraged younger players to keep trying, and then signed 2 cards and 1 8x10 for me, for free. I had him inscribe '111 mph' on the 8x10.

Photo of the signed Rabil items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps77390a50.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 364

[arfmax]

Today, I went to the taping of a local Chicago Bears show at a local restaurant. The show features a member of the Bears in a rotation, and the expected guest was Alshon Jeffery. Unfortunately, he called and cancelled a couple hours before the show, but they were able to bring in Bears rookie defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. At the conclusion of the taping, I was only able to get one autograph of Mr. Ferguson as my daughter helped, and I had a run-in with the show head, who uses his small dash of power to make arbitrary decisions about when the guest can sign and when they have to leave. These rules are not consistent, and he picks favorites frequently to come up during the show and get additional autographs.

Anyway, nice to get one autograph, but this is not a top-tier player, so it should not have been so restrictive.

Photo of the signed Ferguson card:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa7c24e4b.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 365

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a live radio show with Chicago Bears starting tackle Kyle Long. The show was supposed to be Brandon Marshall, but he needed extra treatment for his ankle, so cancelled. Mr. Long signed one card for me, for free, at a restaurant/bar in Downers Grove, IL.

Photo of the signed Kyle Long card:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psc22215ea.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 366

[arfmax]

After the Kyle Long radio show, I went less than a block away to another radio show for a different station, which was featuring Chicago Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston. Mr. Houston signed one card and one 8x10 for me, for free, at a different restaurant/bar in Downers Grove, IL. The 8x10 didn't come out great, as he signed in my blue on the dark Bears uniform.

Photo of the signed Lamarr Houston autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps517d13ba.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 368

[arfmax]

Today, I went to the taping of a local Chicago Bears TV show at a local restaurant, where the guest was Ryan Mundy. I was able to get 2 8x10's of Mr. Mundy signed, for free, in Vernon Hills, IL.


Photo of the signed Mundy 8x10's:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20e5d13f.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 370

[bobreaker50]

After the Kyle Long radio show, I went less than a block away to another radio show for a different station, which was featuring Chicago Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston. Mr. Houston signed one card and one 8x10 for me, for free, at a different restaurant/bar in Downers Grove, IL. The 8x10 didn't come out great, as he signed in my blue on the dark Bears uniform.

Photo of the signed Lamarr Houston autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps517d13ba.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 368

Houston define tilt needs signature placement work I got him at a paid signing in mchenry on a raiders 8x10. He signed in silver sharpie on the only sliver of silver on the picture... His pants. The entire rest of the photo is dark and he signed on the only light spot on the photo. Not a huge deal as I went more to meet him than anything but it seems like common sense to look for a good spot before you sign.