Like many others, I have been laid off from my job in the hospitality industry and have had lots of time on my hands so my television viewing has increased immensely. I have watched things that would have never been of interest to me if it wasn’t for the fact that we are living in the age of a pandemic and I am just bored and want something mindless. So here are … [Read more...] about Guilty Pleasures: Tony’s Top 5 Television Series over Quarantine
Book Review: A Is for Alibi
I love a good murder mystery filled with lots of suspects, red herrings, and satisfying twists. Sue Grafton, who passed away in 2017, is famously known for her novels whose titles each start with a letter of the alphabet. Since the COVID pandemic started, I’ve been checking out new authors and have always wanted to read one of Grafton’s novels. Figuring the best place to … [Read more...] about Book Review: A Is for Alibi
2020: The Year of Living Dangerously
Pandemics, quarantine, massive unemployment, riots, rampant racism, political divides, murder hornets, cancel culture, Saharan duststorms and f**cking Carole Baskin are just a few of the highlights of 2020 and the hits keep a-coming. Sometimes it’s just too much and you want to lock yourself in your house and hide. I have to admit, it is getting hard for a positive … [Read more...] about 2020: The Year of Living Dangerously
Book Review: Compulsive Haiku
In my long list of reviews, I do not believe I have done one on a book of haikus. There is a first for everything and my book of the month is called Compulsive Haiku by Rocco Talarico. A haiku is a specific type of Japanese poem which has 17 syllables divided into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Haikus are typically written on the subject of nature and is … [Read more...] about Book Review: Compulsive Haiku
Bartender of the Month: Grant Dane Kay at the Crossing NOLA
Now that the city has moved into Phase 2 with many bars having reopened, I am very excited to resume my column celebrating some of the hardest working people in the hospitality industry -- bartenders. My bartender for the month of June was delayed slightly (I actually had him slated for March), but it seems fitting that he is the first one back after our hiatus in … [Read more...] about Bartender of the Month: Grant Dane Kay at the Crossing NOLA
Social Distancing Style
How do you temper your desire for social interaction with fear for your safety and that of others during this time of COVID-19? It is a fine balance, especially for a very social person like myself, who craves human contact. One thing I discovered was even though large gatherings have been cancelled, life hasn’t been, and with common sense, precaution and safety, … [Read more...] about Social Distancing Style
Clipping A Social Butterfly’s Wings
Greetings from my humble abode that has also been my quarantine quarters for the past few weeks. And, may I just say, screw this! Seriously, some of my friends used to call me a social butterfly because I go out all the time. I am not a butterfly, however; they are pretty and delicate and flitter about. I am a social beast. I love … [Read more...] about Clipping A Social Butterfly’s Wings
Book of the Month: Who Killed Buster Sparkle?
Reading—the best state yet to keep absolute loneliness at bay.William Styron During these incredibly trying times during quarantine, I find that reading has been my salvation. It is a life preserver I hang onto when I find myself adrift in a raging sea of loneliness. It is calming, transporting me from my current reality, and into another place created by the … [Read more...] about Book of the Month: Who Killed Buster Sparkle?
Hot Virtual Happenings
Even though our city is on quarantine, the LGBT community has found a way to keep us entertained. New Orleans has been a city alive with a culture that can’t be locked behind a door. Music, drag performances, and fundraisers are just a socially distant or cyber click away from you. Hopefully, these hot virtual happenings (both locally and nationally) will give you lots of … [Read more...] about Hot Virtual Happenings
Party Down
The title of my column seems less than fitting as of late. With the crazy coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing panic that has occurred, it seems like a person needs to party more now than ever before. But alas, they closed all the bars, restaurants, movies, literally everything, so what is a lonely social butterfly to do in these troubled times? But before … [Read more...] about Party Down