Lech Walesa Dallas 2025

So, I did a thing.

My oldest friend, a better friend than I deserve, invited me to see Lech Walesa speak at the Dallas Convention Center. I’m glad my friend reached out and I’m glad we went. This was a treat.

Lech is on a speaking tour of the US and Canada. It appears to be put together by a travel company and they are doing this to promote their tour of Poland. While I don’t think this impacted the presentation or the content, it was just odd.

A quick recap for people born after Y2K, Lech was the President of Poland and is a Noble Peace Prize winner. But most importantly, he said ‘no’ to the USSR and got them out of Poland. To use parlance you might understand, one does not simply walk into Modor and say ‘no’ to the USSR. He did. He is part of the reason they fell.

Lech was entertaining through his interpreter. He spoke for an hour and then took questions from the crowd. Once that was done, he sat and signed books and did photo ops.

My friend teased me about NOT knowing any Polish. Yes, my heritage is Polish. Grandmom must be rolling in her grave that I didn’t ‘greet’ or ‘thank’ him in Polish. I’m a bad Grandson. The only think I could remember was: jeśli nie masz schlitza, nie masz piwa.   meaning, if you ain’t got Schlitz, you ain’t got beer.

Maybe not the best thing to say to a President.

AH

Henry Cho Majestic Sept 2025

I have been listening to Henry Cho on the comedy channel for a long time. He makes me laugh. It was great to see him make it to Dallas.

I got to the Majestic earlier than needed but it’s been a while since I’ve been there and downtown parking has changed a lot. After I parked. I made my way to the stage door. As I waited, I was distracted by a group decorating the night club next to the theater and a religion event in the park. It helped pass the time.

When the driver stopped and let Henry out, he gathered his things and I waved. He smiled and made his way over to me. Henry asked if I was waiting for him.  I nodded with a smile and asked if I could get an autograph.  He stuck his hand out, looked me in the eye, and told me his name. Formal in a friendly way.  We shook and I responded with my name. Then worried if my grip was firm enough, did I look him in the eye enough, did I mumble my name?  I need to practice shaking hands more. It’s a lost art.

I handed over the photo and paint pen. He signed and I said I thought that was a classy photo. He said thanks. And then said he appreciated me coming out. He entered the theater and I walked back to my car.

Side note, The Wife and I thought about going to the show. I really do enjoy his humor. I’m glad I didn’t only because of how sweaty I was when I got home. The Wife sent me to the shower quickly. If I went, someone would have had to bear with that; trapped for another hour or so.

Next time he comes to town, we’ll go.

AH

 

Michelle Ang Rebel Scum Con 2025

The one actor that put this convention on my radar was Michelle Ang. She plays Omega in The Bad Batch. Yes, I have said it before, I really like that series.

Before she signed, she told me she liked that photo. It was one I printed. She said it was from ‘x’ episode. I didn’t think she was right and said I thought it was from ‘y’ episode. She told me she could tell by the hair style Omega was wearing.  Yes, I laughed.  I sure this is sexist, but of course she would notice the hairstyle. And of course, I won’t notice that.

She had several quotes at the ready. Looked down her list. I think what she picked was perfect for the photo…and especially since I think it goes with the episode that I think this image is from.

I asked if she had a favorite Bad Batch clone. She said after the first season it was Wrecker. I like him a lot too. He’s a loveable giant. She mentioned it changed after the second season. It’s now Crosshair.  He’s someone that believes in following order even without the inhibitor chip. I agree, he is a much more interesting chnaracter in Season 2 and 3. But I still like Wrecker.

I left her table, a very happy camper.

AH

 

Rena Owen Rebel Scum Con 2025

One thing the Star Wars Universe has done a lot of, is use the same actor for live action and animation. It’s not all the time, but it happens often which gives some nice emotional feels (as the young ones say).

One of those actors is Rena Owen.  She plays Taun We in Attack of the Clones and in Bad Batch and some of the video games.

The photo signed, is from her table. I liked it. She said it was printed for one of the early Star Wars Celebration conventions. It makes the photo a little more special.

She gave me a huge smile and we just chatted a little. When it was time to sign, she knew what she was doing. She told me she was using white for the signature. I’m sure the location was by design by Official Pix. It looks great.

AH

Toby Philpott Rebel Scum Con 2025

This is confusing, but bear with me.

Jabba the Hutt is not real. He is a puppet. Albeit a BIG puppet. As with all puppets, a person is needed to move the puppet. And with this giant puppet, 2 people were needed. At Rebel Scum, Toby Philpott attended. He was the man that moved the left arm of Jabba.

Toby was very outgoing. He talked about hitchhiking across the USA and MX. Being a street performer and moving back to London. Then getting a job with Jim Henson’s workshop and then being picked for Jabba. A very interesting story.  I hope you get a chance to cross paths with him and hear in person.

AH

Howie Weed Rebel Scum Con 2025

While the wampa is small part, it is iconic in the Star Wars films. We see Luke using the force in a way we never thought possible. We knew it could influence the weak minded. It could anticipate the actions. Now we learn it can move objects. The light saber flying to the hand to cut of the arm of the wampas was thrilling.

Yes, of course, I wanted the signature of Howie Weed who was in the suit for the re-release. Howie (aka Harold) normally works in the Art Dept but he has done some acting. This was one of those times.

I loved that he added a quote: Grrrr!!

AH

Andy Secombe Rebel Scum Con 2025

Last year, I attended Rebel Scum’s inaugural convention in Allen, Texas. It was a small convention and the guest list was wanting. This year, it moved to Frisco and the guest line up was deeper. I only got 5 signatures although I wanted more. I had another commitment for the weekend and wasn’t sure how long I could spend at this convention.

The first guest was Andy Secombe. He was friendly. We chatted and then he mentioned he ate at Perry’s the previous night. It’s a nice steak house close to the convention center. The Wife and I have gone there for anniversaries or birthdays. I recommend it.

He picked up a black sharpie but I stopped him and suggested blue.  He checked where I wanted it signed. I mentioned when I printed the photo, I thought the right side would be the best location. I think I’m right.

AH

Building e-Commerce - Off my to-do list

FINALLY! I finally got my copy of ‘Building e-Commerce Sites with the .NET Framework’ signed by BOTH Jason Bentrum and James Whatley.  

I know! I can now cross this off my list. It’s taken me forever. I feel all of you did this decades ago. Having the signed copy of this book in my grubby little hands just eases the mind. I no longer need to stress over this milestone.

What?  Your copy isn’t signed? You are still working on this project?

Hold on, you don’t even own a copy? You don’t know what I’m talking about?

Let’s back this up. Let’s begin from the beginning.

I work for a very large and famous cosmetic company, Mary Kay. But they are so much more than makeup. Besides providing women an opportunity to start and succeed in a small business, they also manufacture those cosmetics that are sent to close to 40 countries. This allows women in those locations to start small businesses too.

Another important part of what this company does is IT.  Being into IT doesn’t make sense until you realize, no other company does what Mary Kay does. International solutions were not as global as they needed. Mary Kay created a lot of homegrown solutions to allow those women to succeed.

As .NET and internet commerce become the norm and was expected by the public, this cosmetic company created a solution to help millions of women all over the world order, pay, and ship product. At the time, it was bleeding edge.

I started working with this company close to 15 years ago. The Wife had told me a couple of coworkers published a book about eCommerce back in 2002. It was based on their work and the launch of the e-Commerce system being used by May Kay. That always stayed in the back of my mind. Recently, I was in a meeting and this book was mentioned. I asked a few follow up questions and I learned the authors names. I actually knew both of the authors.

I did quick internet search. Since ‘Building e-Commernce Sites…’ is not currently on the best seller list, I couldn’t go to the corner book store for a copy. I needed to purchase a used copy. And yes, I paid more in shipping than the cost of a used copy.  That is the price of my autograph addiction.

Jason has moved on to other opportunities. However, His Wife, was my current manager. I asked for a few minutes of her time and handed over the book. She laughed when she realized what was in my hands. I asked if she could get Jason to sign it for me. She gladly accepted the assignment.

After I got the book back with Jason’s signature, I needed to get the other autograph to make my OCD happy. James still worked at Mary Kay. He is little higher on the food chain than me. We don’t cross paths very often. I set up a short meeting with him. The meeting invite did explain I had a copy of the book.

James signed and he afforded me some time to reminisce. It was a very busy time for Jason and James. They were busy finishing and launching the eCommerce system; over 60 hours a week for months. They worked on the book on the weekends. The publisher changed their representative. The plan for the book promotion changed. They sold more copies overseas than domestically.

Since everyone is busy, we ended the meeting. I thanked him and smiled as I made my way back to my desk.  Another successful addition to my collection.

While my tone is lighthearted, I’m very impressed. Writing a book and getting it published is an incredible accomplishment. I am 'tipping my hat' in respect.

AH

Paige Turco Greater Austin ComicCon 2025

The whole reason of going to Greater Austin ComicCon was to see Paige Turco. She was scheduled for last year but there were software issues with the airlines that canceled thousands of flights. One of those flights was hers.  She generously agreed to come back this year. Which was very exciting for me.

I drove down with 2 fellow collectors. It made the trip easier. Long drives get to be a grind. It was nice to chat with someone as the miles passed in the rear-view mirror.

When we found Paige’s table, she was away.  I asked the handler when she was coming back. He pointed to Kevin Clash’s table and said she was chatting with him. We didn’t need to wait long before she wandered back. We were greeted with a wonderful smile.

We chatted for a while. She was so glad to be invited back this year. She mentioned some issues with the flight this year too and had a passing fear of missing again.  It ended up with only a delay and then she was in Austin.

I mentioned I had 3 items to get signed. All from The 100. Her face brightened as I pulled out the first mini poster. She looked over the other signatures. I explained to her and my buddies about the WB group signing. I was very happy to get a chance to add her to the poster.

I mentioned I would like to match the color of the other signatures. A black and grey sharpie would work.

She signed the first. She signed next to her ‘daughter’. Fitting. The second mini poster my buddy suggested signing top and center. I agreed it was a good place. Both mini posters looked great.

I handed over the 8x10. She suggested a bronze color. I gently frowned and countered with blue.  They didn’t have a blue so I pulled out my blue deco. I suggested she could ‘test’ the bronze on my top loader and we could look at the results with the photo underneath the coloring.  I was correct. That color would have been hidden.

The blue pops nicely.

I stepped away and let my photo dry. Paige chatted with my buddies. She was just as charming with them. I’m so glad she made it this year after unable to appear last year.

AH

Robbie Rist Greater Austin ComicCon 2025

Another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle alumni that I was not getting for TMNT.

I saw the name and when I tracked it down, I was interested. Robbie Rist was Cousin Oliver in Brady Bunch. How cool is that?

If you look at what I got signed, you know it’s not from Brady Bunch. Robbie had a photo of our favorite Cousin but I liked this photo better.

We chatted about both Brady Bunch and Galactica. When he signed, he said he usually adds this the little factoid: he was replaced by another actor. The name is Patrick Stuart. But it sounds like Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame.

It made me look it up. I bet you will too.

AH