In Person Success - Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt

Carl Bildt served as Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991-1994 and as Sweden's Foreign Minister from 2006-2014. Mr. Bildt also served as co-chair of the Dayton Peace Conference which ended the Bosnian War in 1995.

Mr. Bildt was in town for a conference and I saw an advisory that he was holding a press conference downtown. I arrived at the venue of the press conference and after about half an hour of waiting, he arrived. He gladly signed an index card for me. After he had signed the autograph, I asked him if I could take a picture with him and his assistant said; "We actually have an engagement; its not possible right now" to which Mr. Bildt responded; "A quick selfie is always possible!" and he came leaned in for a picture. Not the best quality photo, but I'm glad I got it just the same!

In Person Success - Governor Martin O'Malley

Had a great encounter with one of my favourite US Politicians Martin O'Malley, the current Democrat Governor of Maryland. He has served as Governor since 2007 and, due to Maryland's gubernatorial term limits, will end his time as Governor in 2015. He is a very likely candidate for President of the United States in 2016.

Governor O'Malley was in town giving a speech to a political think tank, but unfortunately his speech fell on an afternoon when I had to be at work. I really wanted to meet him though, so at about 9:00 the morning of his event, I went to the hotel where it was taking place and waited in the hopes that he would come in early. At about 9:45 I spotted a black SUV pull up and a man who appeared to be a bodyguard step out! Sure enough, Governor O'Malley also got out of the vehicle and came inside.

I approached him and asked him for an autograph which he  said he would be happy to sign. He really liked the photo I had printed and showed it to his staff that were with him and told us about the event he was participating in when the photo was taken. I also told him a story about how he had sent me his autograph through the mail several years ago when he was Mayor of Baltimore. After he signed the autograph he also took a photo with me.

A very nice guy who I really think might just be the President one day.

TTM Success - Kirk Douglas

In the history of film there are few individuals who are as iconic and as legendary as the great Kirk Douglas. From Ace in the Hole to Paths of Glory to Gunfight at the OK Corral to his iconic performance in Spartacus; every movie he made was epic. He has been recognized for his acting with a Star on the Hollwood Walk of Fame, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a 1994 Kennedy Center Honoree, and lifetime achievement awards from the Oscars, the American Film Institute, and the Screen Actors Guild.

In recent years, Mr. Douglas' health has not been great and he has largely stopped signing autographs aside from occasionally his books; but even that is often hit or miss. I decided to take a chance though, and wrote him a letter and enclosed my copy of his book hoping it would be signed.

I was so excited to come home to a package the other day that contained my book, duly signed and inscribed by this Hollywood great. Mr. Douglas also covered the shipping costs, returning the $15 I had sent him to cover return postage.

One of my very favourite successes!

I sent to:

Mr. Kirk Douglas
805 N. Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
USA

He returned my book signed in just 37 days.