Mr. Marin was in town to show an exhibit of Chicano art that he has collected over the years and we made sure to mark that date on our calendars. We had previously met Tommy Chong and really wanted to complete our set by adding Cheech's autograph to this duo's. Earl arrived at the art exhibit earlier, because Sterling was getting out of class later in the day. When Earl and his Mom arrived there was not much to see. Earl finally found out that Cheech would be doing a presentation between 6-6:45pm, so he informed Sterling of the information and he raced down to make it on time.

        Sterling finally arrived and we decided to wait by the stage until Cheech came out. We decided to go outside and try to catch Cheech going into the event, thinking that we would have more luck this way. Earl's Mom stayed in the event and knew to call us if he took to the stage. When we walked out we spotted Cheech Marin inside a building surrounded by security and many other people. They suddenly came out of the building and headed immediately over to the opening in the tent. We were too far away to ask for an autograph, so Sterling and Earl decided to catch his speech in the tent.

       After watching Cheech speak for a good amount of time, we headed back out and this time knew where he would be exiting. They had speakers outside so this made it easy to find out when he left the stage. Cheech's speech came to an end and we waited in anticipation. We waited and waited, but there was still no sign of Cheech. Earl became nervous and decided to check out the other side of the tent. We ran into Earl's Mom and she informed us that he already left some time ago and meant he went out a different exit, crap.

       We walked to the right side of the tent but all we saw was an opened gate, which he might've exited from. Suddenly a crowd of people exited the kitchen area of the tent and Earl recognized Cheech among the crowd. We weren't sure until a lady eating nearby jumped up and ran over to him and got a picture with him. Earl and Sterling immediately ran over to Cheech and Earl asked, "Cheech can we please have an autograph?"

       Cheech looked over and started to lean over to sign but told us he would get us on the way out. Instead of waiting we just blended in with the entourage and followed them into the art exhibit. They didn't browse through the art, but instead took Cheech to a little outdoor patio and guarded the doors while Cheech took a little rest on a bench.

       A whole bunch of people wanted his autograph as well and as a result there was a mob surrounding this outdoor patio from all sides. There was a window on one of the walls that looked out into the patio and people were pressed up against it watching Cheech like he was an animal in a zoo, or as Sterling and Earl called it "The Cheech Exhibit". Cheech didn't come out for a very, very long time and when he did, he caught us off guard. His entourage quickly escorted him through the hallways and we once again blended in with them.

       They took him right to the restroom and waited for his return. After he was finished they rushed him back to the same spot and we were once again forced to wait. Cheech really seems to like having all the attention and being escorted like he is the president or something.

       It was now approaching 10:00pm and we were getting pretty impatient. All of the sudden a rush of men came out of the doors and people said Cheech exited to the left so the crowd (including us) followed them, but we were being tricked. They went inside a door that led back into the patio and by the time we got back there they were way in front of us. Cheech was then led into a private dinner party and the autograph seekers stood outside of the window and tried to get his attention, but there was no luck.

       As they were heading to the restaurant Cheech's assistant kept telling Sterling and Earl (who were explaining that Cheech said he would take care of us on the way out) that we could get his autograph the next day because he was doing an autograph signing (for his book). Sterling and Earl were pretty tired of chasing Cheech so we decided to try the next day, if we wanted to put up with his games again.

       Having been so close to getting Cheech's autograph the previous day, it was really starting to wear us down. He really treated his fans so badly, that it would be really hard for us to give him another chance. You would think a book signing would be almost a given, so we figured we would try one last time. Sterling said he was going to meet me at the venue, so I rushed down there and arrived on the scene first. Later on Sterling called me and said he was busy and didn't want to waste any more time on Cheech Marin.

       I was on a tight schedule because I was supposed to be celebrating my Uncle's birthday at 3:00pm and the signing was at 2:00pm. Because of the birthday, I yet again dragged my Mom along for the ride. We arrived and there was already a pretty big line waiting for his autograph. We saw someone who was also trying to complete his Cheech and Chong collection (like me) and he said that Cheech would only be signing his book and poster that you bought from the venue. I was not going to spend 30 bucks for a book I would never read. I hoped that if there was trouble that I would let Cheech know that he promised to sign my picture the night before.

       The clock struck 2:00pm and Cheech was nowhere to be seen. 2:15 rolled around and there was still no sign of the man and I was starting to hate the way this guy treats his fans. The other artist's that appear in Cheech's book started to sit down at different tables and sign, but the man himself was still not present. Finally at 2:45pm Cheech strolled in, once again acting he was the president or something because of the security/entourage that surrounded him. He sat down and began to sign everyone's posters and books that were purchased through the venue.

       When I got to the table, I immediately stuck out my hand and shook his hand. We exchanged pleasantries and I gave him my picture to sign. Cheech looked at it and began to sign away. People around me asked where I got the picture and they thought it was really cool. After he signed the picture, I asked if I could get a picture with him and he said it was okay. I leaned over the table and was able to come away with a picture with him. I thanked him and I was off. Finally I had this man's autograph, it was harder than crap to get, but I'm glad I completed the collection of Cheech and Chong. It was now 3:10pm and I was obviously late for the birthday party, which I felt bad about.