Ali Gator

Luckily for me, before I started the profession I have now, I owned my own small retail business for 25 years (right out of college). I've mentioned it here from time to time. I was / am very proud of it, as it was a success, I enjoyed every day, and met some of the nicest people (including providers). I also gained some 'notoriety' in the local media and national media for being 'unique' in the retail world. Because of that, I attracted dozens of people over the year who thought it was A-OK to come to my store (often at the busiest times) , search me out, and then tell me they wanted to 'pick my brain' on how to open a store like the one I had. Seriously. I guess they thought I would be honored when they would come in - often for the very first time- with a notebook in their hands, and say "I want to open a store just like this ! Can you give me some pointers on how to get started and how to do this ?" with a big smile on their face. Men, women, young couples, retirees - everyone you can imagine. "Where do you find all these great products ? How do you do it ?" And they would get mad when I would refuse them - very mad. They thought I 'owed it to them' to teach them how to open a business. Finally, I got smart one day and said to this young couple (the guy was awfully sexy) with their pens and notebooks, "I'll be happy to. Let's set an appointment up for an hour consultation, which will cost you $1,000. If you wish to go further after the initial consultation, I charge $500 an hour for business consulting. What day is good for you ?" At that point, the gave me the gut-crunching hearty laugh, and reminded me they didn't want to pay for this, they wanted me to teach them for free. I told them I don't offer my services for free. They said I should, as part of 'giving back to the community'. I asked them, 'Nordstrom has a store in our community. Do you think you two can walk in and ask the manager for his / her time to teach you all about running a department store and getting started with your own ?" They left. This was my answer to all after that, and that's how I was able to handle others (including this provider the other day) going forward.

I'm not sure why some are saying if I did his resume for him (and was compensated) it would change my relationship going forward with him. Why should it ? By me keeping it professional from the beginning (when I tell them what I do on the side professionally, should they need my service), should be enough to keep our relationship the same. It would be no different if I told anyone else I employed (dog walker, house cleaner, handyman) or was friends with. His employing me to write his resume (and being compensated by money or 'in trade' massage) should have no change on our relationship as masseur / client going forward. It's business for both of us. If I offered my service as a 'favor' to these guys, and then turned around and asked for some compensation - that would be entirely different.

Some new photos he shared this weekend: https://images2.imgbox.com/4f/35/3rQW6zVn_o.jpg https://imgbox.com/scsym9dO https://images2.imgbox.com/f3/fd/qjCzgvov_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/35/ae/iVK575aU_o.jpg

He's been sharing 'how to make pizza' on his socials, too. This guy has proven to be a disappointment. It's too bad - he's sexy!

I don't think this has ever come up before, and this happened to me again this morning, so I'm going to share this here as I'm sure others have had experiences similar to this. I'm curious how it was handled (to give me better insight going forward.) In the past, when I have had repeated appointments with masseurs, we get to know each other better through conversation. Many times the question of my profession comes up, and I share what I do (but not where I work / the company I work for). Just usually a generalization of what my job entails (when asked). Because of my job skills, I have had a side business on weekends since the pandemic, which includes 'resume writing' for people who need help writing their resumes or 'updating', etc. I've mentioned this to providers from time to time, so that if they ever need this - they can consider hiring me. I don't go into detail on pricing, because we're never that far into the conversation. They just answer "ok - good to know". Early this morning, one of these masseurs (whom I do like, and we get along fine) who I haven't seen in months (he's been mostly traveling since the new year), called me and asked if I was free this afternoon. He's in his mid-30s, and now interested in applying for an entry-level job at the company where his brother-in-law works (a very good company) . He needs help writing a resume, as he never wrote one before. He has a Zoom interview tomorrow afternoon, and he needs to have the resume sent in by noon tomorrow. I gave him a time I'd be available for him to stop by my house today, so I can write a resume for him. I then told him it would take an hour at least, gave him my rate for the service (which is the going rate in my area these days), and if we need more than an hour to finish, what the rate would be (for 90 minutes and two hours; all in line with my competitors). It just so happens the rates equal what he charges for massage, so I told him he could either pay up front, or we can work it out in 'trade' - he can give me a massage of equal value when we're done with the resume. His response was: "Can't you do it for free for me ? We're friends." That really threw me. I ignored his request. I told him my rate again, so how does he want to proceed if he's serious about this - with payment or trade of services tonight? He then said he'd do the massage at $25 off - so he'd charge me $175. He thought that was fair. I asked, "So you think my service to help you is worth only $25 ?" He apparently thought so. I suggested he find someone else today who will make time to write a resume for him at $25 for the hour. (That would be no one, as we all know our worth in this industry). That was the end of our phone conversation. A few hours later he calls back and I let it go to VM. He raises his offer to $150 for the massage if I will write the resume for him. He tells me it's a real good deal. I don't bother answering him. Since then, he's texted / left VM every half hour or so, wanting me to take the deal. Even if he agrees to a 'trade' at the $200 (my original offer), at this point I'm just no longer interested in doing any business with him. Keep in mind, in all the years I've hired him I have never asked him for any type of discount (and he has raised his price over the past five years). Has this ever happened to anyone else where a provider wants to hire the client for their professional services ? How did you handle it ? How did it turn out ?

The "one last thing" should've been the 'very first thing' mentioned to the client, to see if the client is interested and wants to move along further. That way, no time is wasted on either end.

Huh ?

There was a story on this over the weekend on one of the weekend news shows (covering how tipping has gotten out of hand). It focused on 'take out orders' where the person behind the counter takes your order, then hands you the bag when the order comes out of the kitchen (by someone else). Paying by CC, you are first asked how much you want to tip - 20%, 22% or 25% - or the 'no tip' as the cashier stares you down? Those interviewed on 'the street' were split - between 'no tip' and 'the lowest option'. Most had the same question - why do we need to tip take-out orders when those employees are making at least minimum wage ? For the record, I don't - the 'no tip' option is fine for me.

I have not seen the show, nor will I be seeing it. However, from what's been reported on multiple sites, Peck is the winner as far as best emcee. He was a surprising choice, yet a very successful one. They should have pulled the plug when he left a couple of weeks ago, and ended on a high note. But they didn't - they decided to gamble with Porter, and this is what they got. A box office falling like a rock.

The post I was referring to implied guys can't control the information which they put in their ads - such as age, height and body description (at least that was my understanding). I asked how can they not control this ? There was never any mention about hiring / not hiring the guys.

But warranted in this case.

Ana Navarro of 'The View' also commented on Cain joining ICE on her social media yesterday. She suggested instead of joining ICE, Cain should've joined a gym. 😆

Thoughts and prayers for him.

After I make my Act of Contrition, and the hot seminarian asks what I want to confess, I would have to say "I fantasize about having hot passionate sex with you, and deep throating your cock and balls every time you jog by me in front of my house." There's not enough 'Hail Marys' in the world for that.

About a year ago, I responded to a thread here on the forum. It was a 'general topic' (not about a provider or a review) and I had shared my experience concerning the subject matter. Nothing controversial, just my experience. (I believe the thread was about a chain retailer). Anyhow, someone I never engaged with before decided to quote me, and rip me up one side and tear me down the other because my experience was opposite his. So be it. I didn't respond or defend myself, I just continued on here, enjoying the forum. Within days, I got PMs from other members here (again, members I had not engaged with previously) giving me the heads up on this guy, letting me know he was 'trouble' and not to be bothered by him. Apparently, these other guys had dealings with him in the past. I thanked each one for their message of concern, and let them all know I wasn't bothered by him at all. But with the info they all shared as a community, I made the decision to skip over all his posts on this thread every time I see his distinctive avatar - no interest in him or his thoughts. What's funny is he's PMd me on a couple of things in the past year, and I could tell he was itching for an argument. But again, I had no interest in what he said, and never replied.

AS A SIDE NOTE, at the very top of my street is a Seminary, which welcomes a new class of young men every June / July. Usually by the end of June they are settled in to start their year of study. This building where they are housed was originally built as a Catholic orphanage in the early 50s, and converted to a seminary sometime in the 90s. The architecture of the building is very 1950s. For the past 15 years or so, I guess the rules have been loosened up a bit. All summer long, in the hot, humid, heat, these guys jog through my neighborhood in shorts and nothing else. They're all bare-chested and for the most part - quite defined (they must belong to the gym about a mile away). When I'm outside walking my dog, and I see them at the top of the hill ready to jog down and come by my house, I stop where I am and wait patiently (my poor dog wants to continue on his walk, but I tell him to wait and to behave). Then comes the 'joggers' - either one, two, or three (I don't think I've ever seen more than a group of three) - right on schedule. Some clean-shaven, some with facial hair, some smooth, some with hair. Their gold chain with the cross on it dangles around their necks, their white shorts have the blue cross logo of the seminary on the side. I always greet them with a 'Good morning guys' - and they always respond in kind. (They must be thinking 'here's that gay guy with the little dog again!') One of them really caught my eye this summer - about 6', late 20s, dark hair, chiseled cheeks and jawline, beautiful muscled chest with just enough hair in the middle. I'm in need of Confession for my thoughts on this one.

Geez, what's wrong with you guys ? Anyone can tell it's a seminary for Catholic seminarians ! These fine young men live together as a community, and engage in spiritual, intellectual, and human development, all focused on discerning and responding to God's call to the priesthood. They take a vow of poverty which means they have no clothing. Now do we have any new, interested members here on the forum ?

According to the book "Come and Knock On Our Door: The True Story of Three's Company", Anderson auditioned for the role, went to a few call-backs, and made it to the finalists. When the producers were deciding among the three finalists (Suzanne Somers was one of them, of course) they asked John Ritter for his opinion of the three actresses. He narrowed it down to two: Loni and Suzanne. Ritter's honest opinion was that Anderson played the character as smart, sexy and sensible (the way she played Jennifer on 'WKRP' a couple of years later). He said that audiences wouldn't believe Anderson's 'Chrissy' couldn't afford a beachside apartment on her own, and she would need two room-mates to help with rent and living expenses. He said she would come across as 'sensible enough' to have a well-paying job with control over her finances, or a 'sugar daddy' who would take care of her, and let her live independently. Suzanne, on the other hand, played her as the 'dumb blond' who needed help from others, and couldn't survive independently. The other room-mates would have to guide her, because she couldn't really figure out life on her own and make smart choices. He was right. The producers listened to what he had to say and went with Somers over Anderson. They did bring Anderson back as a guest star - playing an air line stewardess who once had a relationship with Jack. And she played her as smart, sexy and sensible - and it worked perfectly for that 'guest' character.

He was also best friends with Charles Nelson Reilly. I believe they were living together in Florida when Burt met Loni*. She moved in and the three of them shared his house for a while, until CNR moved out. When Burt split with Loni, and things got ugly, he went to CNR for advice and support on how to handle it all. *It could have been Sally Field. It's been a while since I read the book on CNR, but I remember an 'odd' living situation for that time.

I honestly don't know if I'm understanding this correctly. Are you saying escorts can't control their age and description of their appearance which they themselves submit in their ads ? Are you saying a 40 year old escort who stands at 5' 4" with a hairy body can't control the information he puts in his ad which says he's 5'10" with a naturally smooth body ? Please correct me and tell me I misunderstood.

Au revoir to Jimmy - and that was a few weeks too late. Ava is HOH and she nominated Zack, Vince and Keanu - the three most gorgeous guys out of the four left.

When he's onscreen, the banjo music from 'Deliverance' should play. There's nothing sexy or appealing about him, yet he's the one who walks around bare-chested for the camera. Yuck!

From what I heard, MJ : The Musical didn't cover his legal troubles from the 90s - 2000s. That was the agreement the producers had with his estate in order to use his music on Broadway. That's like doing a biopic drama on Nixon's life, and not covering Watergate. Another disappointment was 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical' in 2018. One of the worst B'way shows I ever sat through (and I'm a huge Summer fan). They should have staged the autobiographical musical she wrote herself in the 90s called 'Ordinary Girl' - with the new music she wrote.

Keanu does not strike me as 100% straight at all. I'm guessing he's gay, bisexual or 'sexually fluid' (or whatever Millennials call themselves these days). NO WAY is he straight.

There's another provider I know personally (not professionally) from RI /MA who advertises often both locally and traveling. He's been advertising his age as 34 for years (big muscle guy) and yet a mutual friend of ours (which is how I know him in the first place) went to his surprise 50th birthday party two years ago.