The Professional Nerd

#TonightWeTiki at The Franklin craft cocktail bar (and Prohibition era speakeasy) in Philadelphia. My excursion (downstairs, and not at the excellent all tiki Upstairs Bar) featured some #TwistedTiki heat! The “weird” menu featured the tiki forward “Turn Me On Dead Man,” made with London Dry Gin, Laphroaig, Macademia nut, pineapple, coconut, black pepper! Szechuan! And angostura. The spice brings this alive and is a fun surprise in the mouth, while having the tiki sweetness. Other slightly spiced tiki winners: “Innocent For Ridiculous Reasons”: Peanut Butter Washed Bourbon, Old Tom Gin, Basil, Coco Lopez, Lime and Thai Bitters. “My Favorite Mutiny”: Butter Washed Mezcal, Habanero, Chipotle, Cane, Cream, Angostura, Egg White. “Summer Palace”: Blended Scotch, Sherry, Rum, Banana, Lemon, And Black Sesame Orgeat (which was a great housemade orgeat). . . . . #philadelphia #philly #cocktails #tiki #tikidrinks #tikibar #speakeasy #travel #spice #rum #thefranklinmortgageandinvestmentco #threedotsandadash

This is what you do in Philly, right? . . . . . . #travel #food #foodporn #philadelphia #phillycheesesteak #yards #yardsbrewery @yardsbrew #beer

Eastern State Penitentiary: In 1829 the first Penitentiary in the world opened with the idea that prisoners (even those for minor infractions) would find penitence through extreme isolation. That isolation may have led to madness. Operational until 1971, it became a more standard, overcrowded prison. And stories of hauntings abound. I first visited some 13 yrs ago, and have returned a few dozen times since to discuss its ghostly myths and history. This is an immensely important building to me. I never tire of visiting, but always try to honor the history that took place here. . . . . . #paranormal #paranormalpopculture #history #urbanexploration #philadelphia #ghosts #haunted #prison #easternstatepenitentiary #paranormaltourism #hauntedhouse #travel (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Back in the Brooklyn Groove. #brooklyn #nyc #newyorkcity #home #empirestatebuilding (at Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Just a few more from Pennhurst. I was honored to join all the great folks at #PennhurstParacon. It was a great event & I hope to be back. About 13 yes ago is when I first started writing professionally about paranormal entertainment (almost 10 since I coined “Paranormal Pop Culture”). I love discussing the history and influence of paranormal in entertainment as a journalist without attempting to prove or debunk phenomena. And this event was something of a homecoming for me after stepping away from paranormal events. But I’m happy to be back! (And it’s a great coincidence that I was roaming in underground asylum tunnels wearing a @lastexittonowhere Ghostbusters 2 “Ray’s Occult Book” tee.) . . . . #pennhurst #asylum #urbanexploration #paranormalpopculture #ghostbusters #ghosts #paranormal #supernatural #history #unexplained #ghosthunters #ghostadventures #journalism #pennsylvania #creepy

Pennhurst Asylum, Pa. part 2: There is an eerie poetry (& perhaps justice) at play as the buildings that witnessed such horrors fall to rot & nature reclaims them. Life flourishes & literally breaks through the tragedy. It is no wonder so many believe it is haunted; it is certainly haunting. . . . . #nofilter #haunted #pennhurst #pennhurstparacon #history #darkhistory #darktourism #urbanexploration #asylum #ghosts #travel #paranormal #paranormaltourism #ParanormalPopCulture #healthcare

Children were here: I spent the weekend at the supposedly haunted Pennhurst Asylum, a massive hospital complex shut down in 1987 after nearly 80yrs. It was a city of shame in Pennsylvania, where abuse & neglect ran rampant (and ultimately forced some reform in how we treat our severely mentally & physically ill citizens). Children were amongst those who lived here. . . . . . #pennhurst #pennsylvania #history #darktourism #paranormal #paranormalpopculture #ghosts #healthcare #asylum #sufferthechildren #pennhurstparacon #paranormaltourism

#TonightWeTiki - Celebrating #NationalRumDay in the #EastVillage at #motherofpearl with the Sugarcane Magik, a sweet, slightly nutty concoction with coconut cream, pineapple, lime, almond & #ronzacapa sticking out. On the nonalcoholic front was the delightfully spicy Pepper Keenan with pineapple, pomegranate molasses, lime, bell pepper, jalapeno, agave. . . . . #rum #cocktails #cocktail #tiki #tikibar #tikidrinks #newyorkcity #travel @motherofpearl #polynesian

Before I really grasped what #StarTrek was about, I knew my dad was a fan (he named our first dog Vulcan due to pointy ears). I’ve met Bill Shatner a few times and he’s always been great. And really an icon that dominated pop culture for me early on. (And I dug TekWar). It was great hanging with him backstage. . . . . #startrek #rescue911 #tjhooker #williamshatner #nerdgonepro #tekwar #BostonLegal #3rdrockfromthesun #conlife

Last weekend I had a delightful time talking with #CaryElwes. He shared stories about #andrethegiant #alpacino & more. He gave the slightest Stranger Things tease. And yes, he responded to a young fan’s question with an “As You Wish.” He was a consummate gent. . . . . #theprincessbride #saw #jameswan #glory #saw #twister #jigsaw #robinhoodmenintights #melbrooks #strangerthings

#TonightWeTiki at #TikiRock in Boston. This fairly new joint is pretty huge. They feature food but I was here for the drinks. My favorite: “I Can See Clearly Now” made w/ gin, mango, Thai chili, and lime. Light, sweet, hint of spice. #tiki #tikidrinks #cocktails #boston #travel #food

SO are we just not going to talk about the fact you just shot Greedo first? . . . . #greedo #princessleia #carriefisher #starwars #hansolo #hanshotfirst #moseisley #fanexpo #fanexpoboston #nerdgonepro

My third time interviewing, but first time hosting for Evangeline Lilly, who was a great guest & delightful presence. . . . . #evangelinelilly #lost #hobbit #fanexpo #fanexpoboston #antmanandthewasp #antman #mcu #marvel #squickerwonkers #realsteel

My eyes are sleepy but I do always enjoy hosting for #FamkeJanssen. She is incredibly smart, classy & a joy to speak with. I am looking forward to checking her out in #Primal w/ #NicolasCage . . . . #xmen #goldeneye #jamesbond #startrek #hemlockgrove #fanexpo #fanexpoboston #conlife #nerdgonepro

I was fortunate to moderate for the #BackToTheFuture cast again, but why do I feel like I’m about to fade from this photo? “Doc Brown, I don’t feel so good.” . . . . #michaeljfox #tomwilson #christopherLloyd #leathompson #michaeljfoxfoundation #avengersinfinitywar #fanexpo #fanexpoboston #comiccon #conlife #itsafanthing #nerdgonepro

What do you do between takes as a shot is being reset? In this case, chat flirtatiously with Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl at #ToyStoryLand. . . . . #disney #hollywoodstudios #toystory #hostinglife #oncamera #themepark

That time I hosted for #johncena. It was an interesting one because he was in character. I admit it caught me off guard initially but found a groove. He is great to his fans, and we had a cool chat backstage where he thanked me for playing bad cop. . . . . #youcantseeme #wwe #bumblebee #dallasandrobo #nevergiveup #riseabovehate #earntheday #earntheday #blockersmovie #transformers