The mind is funny
sometimes. (Well mine is at least). Especially when it comes to world of
collectibles. Whether it’s autographs, figures, or whatever. The memories your
mind ties to certain experiences or items is extraordinary. One example I have
is when getting autographs, I like to try and make that moment a little more
special than your average convention “Pay, sign, shake hand, good bye”
experience. I like to try and bring a different photo that they wouldn’t
normally see or have them write an inscription that’s different than what they
would usually sign. Or try to have an actual conversation with them. You would
be amazed with the response you could get. A few years ago, my daughter and I
met actress Rashida Jones in Dallas. She has been in a ton of things. But me,
being the huge fan of View Askew movies, I brought the dvd cover of the movie
she did called “Now You Know”. She was so amazed to see that I had brought it
that she called her friend over and they started talking about it. Her friend took a photo of us on her phone and Ms. Jones wholeheartedly thanked me for bringing it.
Another example out of many is when I met singer Alice Cooper. Alice was going to be at Texas Frightmare Weekend and I had to meet him. I knew exactly what I wanted to have him sign. Since I knew CJ Graham was going to be there as well I had a photo of him and Alice together. Alice did the song "He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" on Friday the 13th pt. 6. C.J. was Jason in that movie. I also had to have a photo from Alice’s performance on The Muppet Show. So I had a 16x20 printed up of that. I get up in line and everyone has the usual Alice Cooper stuff. Photos of him or the band, record sleeves, etc. I lay down my photo of him and C.J. and he commented on it. Then I roll out the Muppet Show one. His face just lit up. He started talking about the show, Jim Henson, then he called his manager over to show him and he started talking about it. He gave one of the best inscriptions “Riley, Welcome to my Muppetmare” Alice Cooper”. Now do I have autographs and collectibles that are less memorable than others? Sure. But it’s those ones that I have, that are tied to a really great experience that are a little more special to me. I can tell the story of how I got it, what had happened, what was said, etc. Even if it had been years since I obtained it. It’s usually those little moments that make me a bigger fan of that person than I was before. Of course there have been a few experiences that would totally negate my fandom of that person. Those are few and far between. Even so, the story is still there.
Another example out of many is when I met singer Alice Cooper. Alice was going to be at Texas Frightmare Weekend and I had to meet him. I knew exactly what I wanted to have him sign. Since I knew CJ Graham was going to be there as well I had a photo of him and Alice together. Alice did the song "He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" on Friday the 13th pt. 6. C.J. was Jason in that movie. I also had to have a photo from Alice’s performance on The Muppet Show. So I had a 16x20 printed up of that. I get up in line and everyone has the usual Alice Cooper stuff. Photos of him or the band, record sleeves, etc. I lay down my photo of him and C.J. and he commented on it. Then I roll out the Muppet Show one. His face just lit up. He started talking about the show, Jim Henson, then he called his manager over to show him and he started talking about it. He gave one of the best inscriptions “Riley, Welcome to my Muppetmare” Alice Cooper”. Now do I have autographs and collectibles that are less memorable than others? Sure. But it’s those ones that I have, that are tied to a really great experience that are a little more special to me. I can tell the story of how I got it, what had happened, what was said, etc. Even if it had been years since I obtained it. It’s usually those little moments that make me a bigger fan of that person than I was before. Of course there have been a few experiences that would totally negate my fandom of that person. Those are few and far between. Even so, the story is still there.
Even if I didn’t
obtain the autograph myself and a friend did, there is still the possibility of
a story and a memory. For example, my friends Tom, his wife Charlie, and his
lovely daughter Lily (“WHO” happens to be the Guinness World Record Holder for
having the biggest Doctor Who collection in the world). They frequently visited the filming locations of one of my favorite television shows, Doctor Who in
Wales. Well during one visit, out of the kindness of their hearts, they
obtained three autographed photos of the three main cast members for me. As
well as two others during a couple other encounters. Totally unexpected and
nothing wanted in return. To say I was happy for this gift would be an
understatement. There’s a couple stories that will always resonate with me
about this. One of them is the shipping of them, that’s all I’ll say (cough
cough, Charlie, lol kidding). Those memories make me smile every time I think
about them. Tom and family are just great people who I was honored to call my
friends.
There can also be
times that a collectible or souvenir can spark a memory that makes you smile every time. One of mine happens to
be a popcorn bag. What’s so special about a popcorn bag, you ask? Well this
particular bag I got in May 1997. Those who know me personally know who my
favorite actor has always been. Well in May 1997 a movie came out co-starring
my favorite actor and that movie was The Fifth Element. My wife and I had
almost been married a year and we went to the movies for my birthday. We shared
a small popcorn and the bag had a picture of the movie printed on it. The movie
was just awesome (imo). From the
visual effects, the costumes, the story, and most importantly to Gary Oldman
(Can that man have any more range? I mean damn, the guy is just awesome). About
three quarters of the way through it I look over and discover the Mrs. had
fallen asleep. She had apparently slept through the majority of the movie unbeknownst
to me. I didn’t want to disturb her so I just made sure she was comfortable and
she wouldn’t wake up with a crick in her neck. And it didn’t really upset me
that she fell asleep. She knew I really wanted to see that movie and she wanted
to go with me to see it. Even though she was asleep, she was still there.
So every time I see that movie, or that popcorn bag, that memory pops in my
head every time. And it makes me love her even more. And that just adds to the
reasons why that movie is in my favorites list.
Even though I have
quite a few autographs and collectibles, as stated above, some of them are a
little more special to me than the others. It’s those certain ones that I will
never get rid of because of that connection. That memory that was built around
it. Some of them are probably not that meaningful to others, but they are to
me. Which is what the hobby is about. IMO Do you have any autographs or
collectibles that are tied to memories? I sure hope so. Because it's a great feeling to have.
