Monday, June 26, 2006

It's almost over . . . birthday number 40 . . . a great day topped off with a wonderful dinner with Michelle at the Magic Kitchen . . . food doesn't get much better than this!

From this past Saturday's Andre Iguodala's Charity Basketball Game at LLCC in Springfield. I was looking to snag a pic with Allen Iverson, Andre's 76'ers teammate and all around NBA star, but he was a no-show. I did manage to capture shots with three key members of the 2004 Fighting Illini Final Four team . . . Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and Luther Head . . . all three were more than happy to chat, sign, and take photos with fans. Dee was especially pumped for the upcoming NBA draft.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

I was pleasantly surprised to see Frances Sternhagen on last night's episode of The Closer (another one of my favorite prime time TV picks!). She was playing Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson's (Kyra Sedgewick a.k.a. Mrs. Kevin Bacon) mother. I met Frances, or should I say startled her, as she arrived for a Sunday afternoon performance of Steel Magnolias last May. She had her hood up and head down as she made her way to the theater. I suppose she wasn't expecting me to ask for a picture as she jumped and exclaimed, "Oh, my," when I spoke. You might also remember Frances as Norm's mom on Cheers.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Finally . . . a few minutes to share a couple of photos from the May NYC trip. It was a very productive visit, with over 150 pics added to the collection. There were lots of "A listers" on the trip. Here are my first three highlights.

I'm three out of four in meeting the Seinfeld cast. Jerry, Kramer, and now the lovely Ms. Elaine Benes! Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was hosting Saturday Night Live May 13 and I met her following the show at the show's After Party at McCormick and Schmicks. She opted not to do photos or sign autographs during the week of rehearsals, but was accommodating following the show, signing before and after the party. I also got to meet hubby Brad Hall, also a Saturday Night Live alum.

A decision to stop at the Mandrian Hotel for a few minutes after a tasty Mexican lunch at Rosa Mexicano (awesome food and guacamole made fresh at your table!) provided a house call by the doctor himself . . . Hugh Laurie! Hugh stars in "House," one of my favorite primetime TV shows. Plus, the good doc shaved for the pic! I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to meet him!

May 21 . . . 4:30 a.m. . . . Rockefeller Center . . . Kevin Spacey! Yep, just before sunrise, Kevin exited the Saturday Night Live After Party (he hosted) to sign, chat, and pose with those fans who were still awake. Don't know if you can tell or not, but Mr. Spacey had been enjoying the beverages all night "--).

More from NYC . . . stayed tuned.