The Golden Jet, Bobby Hull, flew into Springfield, Illinois, earlier today for an appearance at the last home game of the Springfield Jr. Hockey Blues at the Nelson Center. Regarded as one of professional hockey's greatest players, the Hall of Famer entered the lobby of the ice rink by demonstrating the "right way to skate." Sporting his 1961 Chicago Blackhawks championship ring and a Hawks leather jacket, he quickly became fast friends with folks waiting in line with hearty handshakes and posing for photographs. Once his table of merchandise was set-up, he sat down and began signing. Each person was required to purchase one item ($10 postcards, $20 and $30 8 x 10s of very poor quality, ie. no glossies, $20 pucks, $100 replica sticks) and Bobby would sign that item and however many additional items you brought. I got Hull to sign a postcard and then he gladly added his signature, complete with his uniform number and The Golden Jet inscription, to my hockey stick that I brought.

Here's John McCain, your Republican nominee for President of the United States. This photo was taken on April 13, 2007, at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois, during a Republican Day event.

Time for a little catch-up tonight after enjoying a beautiful, sunny 70 degree day here in Jacksonville.

Last week in St. Louis, it was a two-for-two night, highlighted by author Salman Rushdie. Rushdie was making an appearance at Maryville University's St. Louis Speaker Series. Salman Rushdie was condemned to death by the former Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on February 14, 1989, after publishing Satanic Verses. He was late in arriving and took time to only sign before entering the Powell Symphony Hall venue. Following his presentation and a reception, he emerged two and a half hours later. Rushdie was surprised to see me still there and gladly took a minute to exchange greetings and pose for this photograph.

Earlier in the evening, I visited Vintage Vinyl for an in-store signing by the band, Angels and Airwaves. Here a photograph with the elusive Tom Delonge, former front man for the band Blink-182. And, here's a shot with Atom and Matt, and if you look closely, you'll notice the rabbit ears Atom is applying to Matt. They all got a kick from seeing my friend, Mark's, photographs he had taken at the David Letterman show in 2006.

In-store signings are a great way to meet a band/celebrity, but lots of times obtaining that great shot is next to impossible because you have to lean in, lean over, bend backwards, etc. (see above) to get yourself into position.