IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2016

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a local food store where they were having an event called Cooking with the Blackhawks, which featured rising star Trevor van Riemsdyk of the Blackhawks. After a demonstration of healthy cooking, I was able to get one autograph of TVR on a Stanley Cup photo, and one autograph of TVR on his Young Guns rookie card, for free, in Homer Glen, IL.

Emceeing the event was former Chicago Blackhawks center Troy Murray, who is currently a color analyst on Blackhawks radio. I had Mr. Murray sign 2 cards, and he signed one large promo photo, which measures 10 x 13", for free.

Photo of the TVR autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psfnc0y5wx.jpg

Photo of the Troy Murray autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pszcsigct7.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 112

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to a radio show appearance by current Chicago Blackhawks young star Teuvo Teravainen. It was at a pizza restaurant in downtown Chicago, and I made a reservation to eat there, bought parking in advance, left work early, and raced into the city. Unfortunately, the handlers running the event would only let Teuvo sign a 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" photocard, which is basically a color printout from a computer. There was no reason why they did this, and at least one guy got his jersey signed, but they would not let me get my 8x10 of Teuvo holding the Stanley Cup signed, nor a trading card that my daughter tried. Overall, with all of the time commitment, eating in the establishment, the cost, and the mob scene of people in this little restaurant, it stunk. Seriously, what did they think was going to happen? Rampant selling of a single signed photo or card? People had sticks, pucks, Stanley Cup replicas, etc. He will be at an upcoming card show, signing for $59 each, + $20 for inscription. Nothing I hate more than the phrase, "No outside items"

I got three of the photocards signed.

Photo of one photocard:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psjvjqcsle.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 115

[bryanATX]

Yesterday, I went to a radio show appearance by current Chicago Blackhawks young star Teuvo Teravainen. It was at a pizza restaurant in downtown Chicago, and I made a reservation to eat there, bought parking in advance, left work early, and raced into the city. Unfortunately, the handlers running the event would only let Teuvo sign a 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" photocard, which is basically a color printout from a computer. There was no reason why they did this, and at least one guy got his jersey signed, but they would not let me get my 8x10 of Teuvo holding the Stanley Cup signed, nor a trading card that my daughter tried. Overall, with all of the time commitment, eating in the establishment, the cost, and the mob scene of people in this little restaurant, it stunk. Seriously, what did they think was going to happen? Rampant selling of a single signed photo or card? People had sticks, pucks, Stanley Cup replicas, etc. He will be at an upcoming card show, signing for $59 each, + $20 for inscription. Nothing I hate more than the phrase, "No outside items"

I got three of the photocards signed.

Photo of one photocard:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psjvjqcsle.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 115

Yeah that's a kick in the pants! :/ The game, she is cruel sometimes. Ebayers have REALLY put a damper on the hobby...I might drive up to dallas friday to try them. Last time they came through I was able to get coach Q, Seabs, and The Captain!

[arfmax]

Today, I went to the FanFest for the new Chicago Bulls D-League team, creatively titled the Windy City Bulls, who will begin play next season. The FanFest was free, and was advertised as having autographs from "Bulls legends" although the team would not respond to e-mails, tweets, or Facebook as to who would be there. In fact, when I got there, there was a table set up for Bulls Legends Autographs, but no name, and no one working there seemed to know who would be coming. It turned out that on the main concourse, former Bull Bob Love came, along with media personality Steve Kasul, and then in the upstairs concourse, former Chicago Bull Mickey Johnson was at a table with Toni Kukoc. I was able to get a recent ticket stub which had Bob Love on it signed by Bob Love, and got a promo 6x9 signed by Steve Kasul, and then went upstairs and got a The Autograph Card generic basketball card signed by Mickey Johnson and got 2 cards and a promo 6x9 signed by Toni Kukoc. I wish they had announced Mickey Johnson or Bob Love in advance, so I could have gotten cards or photos of them.

Photo of the autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psed4twpek.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 121

[arfmax]

Drove up to Milwaukee today to get an autograph from rising star Jabari Parker of the Milwaukee Bucks. Jabari has done a couple appearances in the offseason, but I keep missing him, so this is the first time I could get him. I ended up getting a single autograph, on a rookie card, for free, at a cellular store in Milwaukee. He has virtually no personality, FYI.

Tomorrow's going to be a good one!

Photo of the Parker auto:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pssnjkjnaj.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 122

[arfmax]

On Thursday, I got an e-mail from a local radio station saying that I had won a meet and greet with Dan Marino at the Fanatics Authentic show this weekend. The e-mail said that I got a photo op with Dan Marino, 2 autographs, VIP admission, which included 1 random autograph from the lineup, a free autograph from VIP guest Kyle Fuller of the Bears, and one presigned item. Marino was at the show on Saturday, so I quickly changed my plans, and arranged to go. Looking at the website for the show, a photo-op with Marino is $199, an autograph on a regular item is $199, inscriptions are $89, and the VIP admission was $100. So, the prize was worth around $700!

At the show, I was able to redeem for two autograph tickets, but it didn't come with inscriptions, and I don't think it is worth paying $89 for someone to write HOF 05.

First, did the photo op with Marino (I cropped myself out, no one needs to see me!):
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psvmzduzza.jpg

Then, I had Marino sign a mini autograph football, and I purchased a spotlight 8x10 which he signed. I had the mini football authenticated, something I have never done before. Photo:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psyil4wwjs.jpg

Then, I got the autograph from Kyle Fuller on an 8x10:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psgts4wznn.jpg

My free presigned photo is an 8x10 of Redskins punter Mike Bragg. To be honest, I have never heard of him.

Finally, my free ticket for one of the guests was for Christian Laettner, so I went back on Sunday to get that auto, and had Laettner sign a Duke card:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pssy86bubp.jpg

Personally, I can't see how anyone would pay that much for a Marino auto and certainly not for a 10 second photo op, but to each his/her own. I was thrilled with my luck!

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 126

[grifnutz]

That's awesome! Very cool spotlight picture! And Laettner!! Cool! I got jipped when I sent to his charity camp. They sent me a letter saying thank you, cashed my check and didn't return my card!

[arfmax]

Yes, I bought the spotlight picture at the show, I wish I could get more of them for other players, or be smart enough to be able to do it on my own.

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to the Chicago Wolves AHL hockey game against the Lake Erie Monsters. The Wolves are the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. It was trading card set giveaway, so I stayed after the game to get player autographs. I was able to get 1 autograph of winger Cody Beach, 3 of goalie Jordan Binnington2 of defenseman Jeremie Blain, 2 of Lake Erie Monsters center (and former Rockford Ice Hog) Alex Broadhurst, 2 of defenseman Chris Butler, 1 of captain Pat Cannone, 1 of winger Jordan Caron, winger Emerson Clark, 2 of goalie Pheonix Copley, 1 of winger Jacob Doty, 2 of defenseman Peter Harrold, 2 of defenseman Jared Nightingale, 2 of winger Ty Rattie, 2 of defenseman Jordan Schmaltz, 2 of forward Evan Trupp, 1 of center Zach Phillips, 2 of winger Scooter Vaughan, 2 of winger Yannick Veilleux, 1 of center Jeremy Welsh, and 1 of mascot Skates. Overall, 34 autos.

Photo of the cards signed (Part I of II):
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psckgn87py.jpg

Photo of the cards signed (Part II of II):
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pswlrckfid.jpg

I was happy to get Binnington on his Young Guns card, really wanted Rattie (every other time I am there, he has been called up to the Blues), and getting Cannone, Rattie, Phillips, and Veilleux on their Upper Deck AHL cards was cool.

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 160

[arfmax]

Today I went to an appearance by former Chicago Blackhawks legend Jeremy Roenick at a bar in Rosemont, IL. Mr. Roenick signed three photos for me, the one with '9x All-Star' is for @EaglesBruins5 for our 50:50, and the others are mine. He is super friendly, chatting away with everyone, taking photos, and inscribing whatever you want.

Photo of the signed Roenick 8x10's:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psq8rewsfl.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 163