Ben's Autographs

Another Packers great

2007-01-03T22:23:00.000-06:00

Well, once again I need to thank my bud Mike. He got me another successful Packers address, and I so totally appreciate that! On December 19, I sent a letter with SASE, customized photo paper card, and questionnaire to Packers Super Bowl I and II backup quarterback Don Horn. Today, after the longest three days of my life (how did I make it three days with no mail at all?), I got back my card autographed by Mr. Horn. I wish he'd have filled out the questionnaire, but I guess he was too busy or something. Oh well, I'm still really happy to have gotten the card back. A little piece of the envelope stuck to it because a bit of the glue was touching it. At least it's really small so it's not really obvious.

My new site is still under construction, but when it's up and running, rest assured, you'll have the address and sent/received dates!

Until next time, here's hoping everyone's having a good start to 2007!

A very nice success for me yesterday

2006-12-28T23:36:00.000-06:00

First off, I need to thank my buddy and fellow Packers fan, Mike, for letting me know that this would work. I printed out a customized card on photo paper (as I so often do), and sent it along with a letter and SASE to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila c/o Lambeau Field, and received my card back signed, along with a football card KGB sent, signed and personalized, and a letter asking for donations to his foundation, which I think is authentically signed as well. It looks as though it may be printed on, or it could be signed. Not really sure. Well, here are the scans.

And here's the link to the letter. It's too big to put on the blog.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/bennyholb/KGB2.jpg

I'm working on a new way to put the addresses and sent/received dates online, so keep an eye on the blog in the next week or so, because there will be a new webpage coming soon.

Until next time.. This is Ben, and that's the way the cookie crumbles.

I don't like hockey, but here's one Puck I love!

2006-12-21T12:42:00.000-06:00

Well, we've already gone over the fact that I have a part of me that wants to be a chef in life (I'm still seeing what's all out there though), so I've been trying to get ahold of as many TV chefs as I can. I found out that Wolfgang Puck does in fact sign if you write him a message on his website, so I gave it a shot. Well, today I got a nice 8x10 color photo (possibly an autopen. I'm about 50/50 whether I think it's real or not), but either way, I'm happy with it.

Sent 10/5/06
Received 12/21/06
77 days
Address used: http://www.wolfgangpuck.com

I've sent out a few more requests this month, so we'll see how I do:

Ron White
Larry the Cable Guy
Pylicia Rashad (VV in Canada, only through the 24th)
Don Horn
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young

Until next time.. Merry Christmas, and hug your family!

Update from last week

2006-11-24T10:01:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm sorry I'm getting to these so late. I've just been really busy the last few days, taking care of the brother while mom's at work, going to school, and going to work. I just haven't had much time for the computer lately. Back on October 13, I sent an email to the Daily Buzz, a morning news and entertainment program shown on the CW Network, asking for the hosts' autographs. On November 13, I got an email from Mitch English (the weatherman) saying thanks for the request and that he'd sent it out. Then on November 16, I got my photo from Mitch:

And the next day, there were two more envelopes waiting for me, one containing a picture from Andrea:

And the other, a picture of Kia:

I'm really bummed though, because as you'll notice, the picture of Andrea has a big crease in it, almost like it got sat on or something. Oh well, I guess. At least it's still a signature from a host of one of my most favorite shows.

Address used: buzz@dailybuzz.tv
Sent 10/13/06
Received 11/16/06 and 11/17/06
34 and 35 days

Until next time, here's to more of those beautiful 9x12 yellow (or sometimes white) envelopes we all love seeing when we open our mailboxes.

Lots to report from yesterday

2006-10-11T20:46:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm pretty tired, so I'm not going to go into much detail about what I got yesterday, just the pics, send/received dates, and addresses..

Jeff Foxworthy (Inscription reads "To Ben, Keep Laughing! All my best"

Address Used
Jeff Foxworthy
c/o Parallel Entertainment
9255 Sunset Boulevard Suite 1040
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Sent 8/21/06
Received 10/10/06
50 Days

Here's the letter and index card I got from Jeff

And the questionnaire he filled out for me

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr

Address used:
Robert K. Orton
4227 River Oaks Drive
Florissant, MO 63034

Sent 9/27/06
Received 10/10/06
13 days

Josh Kelley
Won via contest in his street team

What a day

2006-10-02T14:17:00.000-05:00

Well, there's stuff happening both good and bad all over.. First, let's all say a little prayer for those wounded and killed in the PA school shooting this morning. I never would have imagined something like that would happen at an Amish school. They're saying the man left a note saying that what he did was "revenge for something that happened 20 years ago." I'm not sure what's going on in the world, but I definitely don't like it.

On a nicer note, my girlfriend's ten-year-old sister Miranda had a successful heart transplant which began at approximately 11:30ct last night. The new heart is working well and she's expected to recover just fine.

Tomorrow, I go in for my first of five tests for school at the technical college, so I'm pretty nervous. My teacher said that based on how I did on the book and on the pre-tests, he's sure I'll do well, but that only eases my nerves just a little bit.

Now for the autograph part of the day.

As an aspiring chef (I plan on going to culinary school after high school), I've been trying to find addresses for television chefs. A couple weeks ago, I found a successful address for Food Network chef/restaurant owner, Mario Batali. The next morning, I sent a letter and SASE to him, asking for his autograph, either on a photo or even better, on a menu. Well, today, I found in the mailbox a big manila envelope (not one of my SASEs) waiting for me. I opened it and there was an autographed menu from Mr. Batali's restaurant, Otto Pizzeria. I'm really happy with this one, as I watch Molto Mario all the time. I need to take it with me to church to use the paper trimmer on it, since it's just a tad too big to fit in the holders I have in my binder for my collection.

Sent 9/11/06
Received 10/2/06
21 days

Address used:
Mr. Mario Batali
c/o Babbo
110 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10011

Now, I have a request for you all. If someone finds a working address, whether it's postal or email, for a television chef, would you please provide me with said address? You can either leave it in a comment on here or email it to me (see my profile for my email address). I'd be forever grateful if you could find a good address for Rachael Ray, as I have not been able to thus far.

That's all for today. I mailed out a letter to WWE Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton on Wednesday, so we'll see how that one turns out.

Very happy with the mail for me today

2006-09-28T21:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I've got a ton of email request successes, but I've never gotten a Myspace request success. Until today. Two weeks ago today, I sent a message via Myspace to, in my opinion, one of the greatest comedians around, Mr. Mike Birbiglia. If you haven't heard this man's act yet, you really need to. It's a guaranteed laugh. Today, I got a big manila envelope with the return address of Birbigs.com, so I was pretty excited. I opened it to find two posters and a signed photo. I asked him to personalize it with the coordinates thing. It's hard to explain why, but it's from one of his acts. Great stuff.

Address used: Sent via http://www.myspace.com/birbigs
Sent 9/14/06
Received 9/28/06
14 days

My last few autographs

2006-09-25T19:08:00.000-05:00

Well, for my first "mail day" post, I'm going to fill you in on the details of a few of the last autographs I've gotten. Hopefully I can figure out how to work this thing lol

I'll start with a professional wrestling legend. When I found an address at which to write Mr. Harley Race, I jumped at the opportunity.

The best part about this success is that Mr. Race answered the questionnaire I sent him! The image is too big to fit on here, so you'll have to go here if you want to see it: Click

Sent 8/31/06
Received 9/20/06
20 days

Address used:
Harley Race
119 South Maple Street
Eldon, MO 65026-1850

Next is Milwaukee Brewers player Jeff Cirillo.
I sent him the photo and he signed it and returned it to me.

Sent 8/25/06
Received 9/21/06
27 days

Address used
Jeff Cirillo
c/o Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park
One Brewers Way
Milwaukee, WI 53214

Next is Hollywood great Tim Conway. This man is an amazing talent and a great addition to my collection. Too bad he didn't answer my questions :(

Sent 8/23/06
Received 9/23/06
31 days

Address used:
Tim Conway
PO Box 17047
Encino, CA 91416-7047

And now for one of my top 'graphs. I've been watching The Price is Right quite literally all my life. My mom watched it while she was pregnant with me, I watched it a wee child, and I continue to watch it when I can to this day. I've sent two emails to the show in the past asking for Mr. Barker's autograph, but was unsuccessful, only receiving Beauties and Rich Fields. Well, this time, I got the gold!

Address used: pir@tvc.cbs.com
Sent 9/8/06
Received 9/23/06
14 days

And finally, another legend, but this time one from football. As a Wisconsinite and huge Packers fan, when I found a working address for Hall of Famer Bart Starr, I didn't waste any time writing and mailing my letter.

Address used
Bart Starr
c/o Green Bay Packers
2647 Rocky Ridge Lane
Birmingham, AL 35216

Sent 8/28/06
Received 9/11/06
14 days

I suppose now I should mention that I sent the photos to Mr. Starr and Mr. Race. I'm sure Mr. Starr will send his own photo (as he sent one for my grandpa), but I don't know about Mr. Race.

Another update

2006-09-23T17:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't know who all is going to actually see this, but I just got done updating my links page. Keep in mind, these are just the sites and pages I visit most often. If you'd like your link on my list and it's not already, comment here with your URL or send me an email.

More to come

2006-09-23T15:30:00.000-05:00

Well, this is the first post on my new autograph blog, a better way for people to see my autograph collection. I'll update later with scans and information from my last few autographs, and I will post as soon as possible when I get a new one. Hope I get lots of viewers!