hot tails of red stick ...from 36 back to you. and he was living here in Baton Rouge at window to my left, and there he was, Here’s wishing you loads of luck the time. That same year, Mary Jones walking by, nicely dressed in black, if I ever return to San Francisco, I can and successes in the future, Kiley. You was the first openly lesbian representa- with a backpack, shoes polished and meet with you again. As for now, you are one of the most deserving individu- tive. He asked if I knew her, and even shining, and probably heading for school have my wishes for a happy and pros- als I know. It just couldn’t be happening though I recall the name and the del- or work. Our eyes met, but he kept perous future. All signals spell suc- to a nicer guy. egate status, I am afraid I don’t know walking. I watched as he passed the cess. You just have to make it happen, where she is now. Perhaps some reader hotel where I was staying and then out and I know you will do just that. Casey, Ducote Connection can come forth with the information. of sight. my friend, you are truly a HOT little guy. ohn Ducote left our lovely capi- John would like to hear from her. What a lovely sight I had those Mercy! tal city some 27 years ago This all turned into one of the best three days. My Lonely Boy was now Jalong with other half Ken. I’ve reunion-type gatherings I’ve experienced gone, probably forever. After all, it’s Kiley Catch Up kept up with them through mutual in a long time. I am so happy those such a long way to go for a cup of coffee. he last time I saw Kiley was friends, but I never really got to know blooms brought us all together once The incident did remind me of some- at Splash. In fact, it was either one of them on a personal level. more. After all, if this hadn’t happened, thing that happened in Boston several Tshortly before he left for San That is a loss as I found them to be two how would I have ever met that wonderful years ago. There was another lonely Francisco for a new life and new future great guys, and we have so many inter- and sweet Casey? boy there. I was on my way to a restau- in this City by the Bay. He doesn’t live ests in common. rant, walking from my hotel, and even in the city but to the north and across We really confused TTT because Lonely Boy though it was dark, I found the area to be the Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, instead as the pictures were taken at evin went with me to San relatively safe and nearby to the hotel of driving into the city, he boards the Woodhouse Fish Company, Ken was Francisco. It was a combo- where I was staying. This lonely boy ferry to get to work in the downtown sending them directly to him and to me Ktype trip – wine country, Ti- was neatly dressed, perhaps heading financial district. for my files. It was amazing how many betan shopping, and bird watching. I for one of the bars. We didn’t speak. I From all indications, he is thor- friends we have in common, and the old came down with a sinus infection so I just recall the look on his face, and the oughly pleased with his life here in times kept coming back as we contin- didn’t make it to the bird watching phase details are still with me today. California. I asked him if he kept up with ued our meal. Of course, Casey was a with the two Kevins. (His friend was also I’ve met lots of people along the things in Baton Rouge, and he does – major distraction but in a good way. All named Kevin.) Actually, I managed to way during my lifetime. I find that some- with none other that that outrageously four of us were drooling, including the make do and came up with a coffee times it is best not to pursue your delicious heartthrob Lance. Of course, fourth member of the party, Wayne. shop acquaintance – on the next block desires especially if you are in unfamil- there are others, and he is even plan- It is sometimes unusual how things from the hotel. I’ll just call him LB, for iar territory. I suppose that is how it has ning a trip back for a visit around Christ- fall into place. Last winter, I had a Red Lonely Boy. He was there the first time been all my life. Maybe I’m the lonely mas. That should make for a nice home- Epiphyllum blooming in my utility room, I walked in, and the girl at the register boy. coming. and I took pictures and posted them on asked me where I was from because of I met Kiley quite a few years ago. I Facebook. That is where John saw the my accent. He overheard my response, In Memoriam liked him immediately. In fact, one of pictures, got in touch with me, and I but he didn’t say anything. t was tragic to return to Baton the most fun nights I ever had was with finally got him pieces to place in a As I drank my coffee, our eyes kept Rouge and learn of the drownings him. Well, it wasn’t just him. There were hanging basking in his garden. This all meeting – me by the corner window with Iin . When I first heard the about five of us, enjoying Mardi Gras, took place over dinner and drooling and LB at the last table along the wall. I news, I didn’t realize they were from and I have a great picture somewhere recalling old times. drank my coffee slowly, watching him Red Stick. Then I learned their names, with all of us tangled up in bed. Them – As long as TTT had been talking as he read his book. I assumed he was and memories came flooding back. not me. I took the picture. about me, John and Ken failed to get the a student. It was Saturday, and he was Charles McKenzie was such a nice The first time I was really around connection I had with Hibiscus Book- in jeans and sport shirt. He had those guy, always friendly when I ran into him Kiley for any length of time was even store. It finally all fell into place, so in all little reading glasses that made him at Hibiscus Bookstore and later on before the Mardi Gras period. It was at those 27 years when they were keeping look so cute and intelligent. His head when I would dine at the Cake Palace Joe and Les’ home for a Krewe of Apollo up with me, they failed to realize I was was shaved, and you could tell that at on Essen Lane. I hadn’t seen him re- meeting. It’s really nice to look back the same one they used to talk to at his early age that he had a receding cently, but I recall so many conversa- and recall these good times, and on Hibiscus. That’s so strange to know hairline. His eyes were dark, perhaps tions with him. that day Kiley was the life of the party – someone for so long and yet not realize brown, something I couldn’t tell from my I didn’t know Peter Landry, his lover, oops – meeting. it. I, in turn, recalled them from Apollo vantage point. I finished my coffee and that well, but I do know he was fre- For those of you who attend Apollo functions, and they were so pleased rather than embarrass myself, I decided quently seen at Mardi Gras balls. In balls, you may remember what I con- when I mentioned that Sam was a good to make my way back to the hotel. He fact, I think the last time I saw him was sider to be one of the best re-creations friend. They too were friends of Sam all watched me, and I wondered what he at the Royal Order of Unicorn Ball in ever of a costume from a movie. Re- those years ago, and they asked about was thinking. Lafayette last year. He and Charles member “The Fifth Element?” Well, Kiley Larry Fremin and others in Apollo. I even The next day I went for my afternoon were often seen at the old Mirror Lounge. came out as Diva Plavalaguna, and he learned that Howard, who lives on Span- coffee, same time, and there he was – I remember them both. All their brought the house down. It could easily ish Town Road is a good friend. at a closer table. I ordered, took my friends here will miss them and recall all have been Maiwenn Le Besco, who John and Ken live in Oakland, and coffee to my corner table, and sat down the good times. That’s what we have to originated the part in the movie. Of all I didn’t get to see their home, but I hear to enjoy the view - and him. I could tell do now. Goodbye my friends. Goodbye the costumes I recall to this day, I do it has a marvelous view of the bay. They he kept watching me, and I tried to keep forever. believe this one stands out the most. also have a home in Mexico too. It from making eye contact. I don’t know And this wasn’t the only time our friend seems that California has treated them why. I should have just invited him back Kiley shook up the troops. He was on kindly. I don’t know exactly how to to my room, but I didn’t. He was again roller skates one year, fell on his rear, describe their jobs, but I do know that dressed casually, and it wasn’t until he got up and continued as if nothing had John is into quality assurance in the stood up to get a sandwich that I noted happened. He pulled that off with per- pharmaceutical industry, and Ken is a a bulge that would indicate a freeballer. AMBUSH fection too. web designer and formerly in the Bio I almost spilled my coffee because of It isn’t surprising to see Kiley mak- Tech markets. I believe that Wayne is that wonderful view. Again, because I MAG.COM ing it big in the City by the Bay. I really into the tech industry too, maybe as a wasn’t feeling that great, I chose to go think the move did him good not only chief information officer. If you need back to my room – alone. professionally but in his own growth at clarification on any of this, I’m afraid you The following day, I had to get things 828 being out and about in a big city. He will have to ask them directly. It was packed and ready to head back to seems to have met his calling, and I difficult taking notes while enjoying the Baton Rouge, but I had to have a nice have no doubts that we haven’t heard sights and sounds of San Francisco. morning cup of coffee, same place, the last of his accomplishments. I will As I recall, John was the first openly same table. He did not show up as I had definitely keep track of this outstanding gay delegate to the 1984 Democratic hoped. I was almost ready to head back guy, and I’ll always report my findings National Convention in San Francisco, to the room when I glanced out the

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • September 29-October 12, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 41 ambush paparazzi

Miss Elysian Fields judges Darwin Reed, Regina Adams & Miss Louisiana Leatherette Cathy Fox Miss Elysian Fields Contestants Heaven Lee, Tanisha St. James, Barbara Ella, Miss Beautiful & Bubbles Champagne The NO/AIDS Walk passing the Whole Foods water & juice stop along the route Top Individual Fund-raisers: 2nd place Brian Sands $9,430 & 1st place Toby Lefort $24,055

Madam Elysian Fields Judges Amon Ra's Keny Fernandez, Rusty Downing & Friendly Bar's Marty Curtin

Madam Elysian Fields Contestants Lady Hope, Chlamydia Nora Clapp Lyndsey Young, T.J. Rogers & Chad & Rhonda Roget Stelly of NO/AIDS Task Force

Team Petronius

Brian & Jonathan embracing on the bar at The Corner Pocket

First Miss & Madam Elysian Fields Some of the many Volunteers who Barbara Ella & Rhonda Roget hosted help make the NO/AIDS Walk possible by JohnPaul’s Team Satyricon

Corner Pocket dancer Danny throwing a kiss Kathleen Gross, Daryl Dunaway & J.P. Marcy Marcell gives us a glamour shot Gautier working the Coffee at Miss & Madam Elysian Fields Express tent

Jack Mackenroth from at Seiler home flanked by Noel Twilbeck from NO/AIDS Pageants, Action ~ New Orleans Photos by Regina & Lee Adams-Mullen, Gary Glitter Task Force & Ambush’s Tony Leggio for the Walk Meet & Greet 20th NO/AIDS Walk Raises over $165,000 ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, NO/AIDS Task Force Leggio, NO/AIDS Task Raises over $165,000 ~ New Orleans Photos by Tony 20th NO/AIDS Walk

Project Runway’s Jack Mackenroth Miss & Madam Elysian Fields emcees Queen Satyricon VII Wedon Brown & welcomed by GM Tommy Elias at Dance Opal Masters & Elizabeth Bouvier Eric on the bar at The Corner Pocket Troy at the Walk Club of the Year Oz

42 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 29-October 12, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • September 29-October 12, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 43 44 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 29-October 12, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM