Ali Gator

The bottom line (no matter where she or you are providing the personal service) is losing time. Time is money, and when customers are 'no shows' or 'last minute cancellations' - its a loss of time neither of you will ever get back. (Working out of a hotel, home or clients space is the nature of your business - and you must make professional allowances for that. On the flip side, she has her monthly overhead expenses of having a studio space to work in, and she must make professional allowances for that).

Sorry, but the best made plans are never concrete. We don't know if those plans were interrupted, delayed or postponed (for a myriad of reasons, including weather and illness). You have to allow for such - especially on a holiday weekend.

I jump to the reviews, first. I skip right over the reviews which include the word "amazing" - especially when it's written AMAZING (all caps). That just tells me the one who received the service is 'easily amazed'. A rub and tug will amaze them. I'm not that easily amazed. I can tell when a review seems honest - it doesn't have too many sugary coated words. You can understand the experience with fewer words. As for the ads themselves, if they're promising too much - I skip. I've learned too many times that 'kissing' means 'kissing them on the cheek or neck' and 'mutual oral' means they will lick the tip and not go down (but its so nice when a guy will go all the way down and tell you how much he enjoys it).

Sound, intelligent advice no matter what the service is. (Not even a fitness / personal trainer.) Pay as you go - you will be much happier for it.

According to CNN / GasBuddy, Americans will be saving $39B in 2024 compared to what was paid in 2023 when they fill up their tanks at the gas pump. Compared to 2022, drivers will be saving $72B . The average gas price is predicted to be below $3 across the country next year (especially in the summer travel time), but probably won't be as low as it was in 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit the country, and everyone stayed home (the average price back then was $2.14). GasBuddy says drilling in America is at an all time high, and we're currently one of the top producers of oil. The day after Christmas, I filled my tank (in Southeastern New England) at $2.70 a gallon. The days leading up to Christmas weekend it was $2.97 at the same station (BJ's Gas Station - I pay the member's price).

You should have texted him while sitting next to him. It would have been more effective than talking to him while sitting next to him.

Maybe this was sprung on him last minute ? I know I had 'free time' booked for myself this past Friday / Saturday (Dec 22-23) and was looking at ads to book some 'fun time', and my free time suddenly filled up with last minute changes due to it being a 'holiday weekend'. I went from having 48 hours of 'very little to do' and having 'me time' before the holiday, to running around doing errands for others and pitching in where I could. I'm certain I'm not the only one - and providers (in any service business) should realize it's the nature of the beast. I have a part-time job on Sundays, and my schedule is usually 'set'. However, when I accepted this job, I also agreed to filling in on weekend shifts should someone call out and they are short-staffed. The rule is that my manager has to give me three hours notice. Plenty of times, when I am scheduling (in advance by a few days) a provider on a Saturday or Sunday evening, I will let them know I will confirm a few hours prior, and explain that I am 'on call' for the weekend (easiest way to explain), so I may be called in and will have to reschedule with them. I also encourage them to fill my appointment with someone else, if they want to be assured of an appointment for that time and I will reschedule. 99% of the time this works out fine. If a provider isn't understanding with this, I simply cancel the appointment altogether.

" In documents filed Wednesday, Cher claims her 47-year-old son is "substantially unable to manage his own financial resources due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues." The documents state Elijah is entitled to regular payouts from a trust set up by his late father, legendary musician Gregg Allman, but Cher is concerned the money will immediately go toward drugs rather than basic living necessities." Cher Files for Conservatorship Over Son Elijah WWW.TMZ.COM Cher doesn't seem to trust her son Elijah to make sound financial decisions right now ... so the singer-songwriter has filed for a conservatorship to control...

In the photo in my OP, she looks like she's morphing into Faye Dunaway.

Got an email from Amazon today, telling me that starting next month, some 30 second ads will interrupt the streamers I watch, all for my benefit ! Yes, I'll get to watch commercials so that Amazon can bring me better programming. However, for an upcharge of $3 a month, I can skip the ads. I think I will fork over the $3. For 2023, I'm done with : Lume deodorant for your ass crack, to keep it smelling fresh and clean. Christina (and her vocal fry) for Jacuzzi. Javier and his Botox. Josh Sanabria, the vet owner who cries when Alexandria K (Tammy Faye Baker look-alike) from Bank America tells him his loan is approved. Balance of Nature fruits and vegetable supplements - and all the copycats. Miserable Martha who's 75 and doesn't want to pick out her Medicare health insurance supplement. Marlo Thomas for St. Jude's.

I'm not sure why she - and so many other celebs - opt for the 'Southeast Asian' look.

There's exceptions to every rule - and I'm certain there are more like him out there (I hope). However, in general, the Zoomers have proven to be very removed from socializing, making small talk, etc. since they have not been exposed to this growing up. This is the tech generation.

Hollywood analysts were expecting to take in at least $10 Billion at the US Box Office in 2023. With just days to go to finish off the year, it will be lucky to see it hit $8.6 Billion at the Box Office. Ticket prices increased 15% this year, but less people went to the movies, it seems. Hollywood insiders blame "Superhero Fatigue" as many of the "Superhero" movies flopped at the box office. Others say the writers strike, overlapped with the actors strike this summer, was also to blame. Actors couldn't promote their movies from May - October, and some movies were postponed to 2024. 88 films were released in 2023 as compared to 108 in 2019 (looking at pre-pandemic) when the box office hit $10.5 billion, and tickets were at least 15% lower back then. This November was much worse than last November - 11% worse - with 'Wish' and 'The Marvels' proving to be an expensive flop. Two films helped the box office surpass the $7.5 Billion take it did in 2022 : "Barbie" and "SuperMario Bros", wit each taking in $500 Million at the box office.

Madonna premiered her new face for the Holidays in a series of photos of her with her family. The 65 year old's face doesn't match her hands. Her hands are holding a 'Madonna' Christmas ornament which looks more like her than the 'person'. Madonna shares a series of festive photos of her celebrating Christmas with her six children: 'Santa Babies' | Daily Mail Online WWW.DAILYMAIL.CO.UK The day after the holiday, the 65-year-old singer-songwriter took to Instagram to post a festive slideshow of her and her family enjoying the day...

I was always told Federal Government employees are not allowed to receive tips or gifts - especially not at Christmas time. I tried to give my carrier a card with a tip in it years ago, and he told me he couldn't jeopardize his job and accept it. When did this change ?

If you're in New England, this gentleman has been around for about a year or so. He used have nudes in his ad, and he was rather 'impressive'. I've never hired, and don't know anyone who has. Martin_nSF - Pornstar Performer, Rentboy, Gay Massage in Providence, RI | RentMen RENTMEN.EU Pornstar Performer & Rentboy in Providence, RI - Martin_nSF: Submissive Gentleman

When I first opened my store in 1987, I had just turned 24 years old. I was fortunate that I had some 'small business managerial experience' behind me (while I put myself through college) and had some mentors who had their own business over the past 5+ years advising me. That's what made me successful from the beginning - but I still had a huge 'learning lesson' ahead of me with customers. Some of the best advice I got early on (from a neighboring storeowner who had been in business for 7 years - she owned a children's toy store) : "Don't let your customers run your store," meaning : do what you can for your customers, but set boundaries and limits. You don't say "Yes" to everyone and every thing. It's OK to say 'No'; your customers respect you even more for setting your limits. I think this advice goes to providers, as well. (This goes on 'price negotiations' as well - if someone hesitates over a price, you stand firm. If they want you they will pay the price for your services.) She also said to me, "This is your business - don't let it become your grave." Such sound advice, and true for providers as well - set your working hours / travel days, etc. and learn to take time off and keep time to yourself each week. She told me to 'learn to lock the doors and walk away' (not worrying about customers I might 'miss' when I'm closed - they will come back). My advice to providers - 'Learn to shut the cell phone off and put it away, until you're back from your refresher time (whether it be a weekend, a Monday & Tuesday, a week's vacation, etc.). ' Don't worry about clients you might miss when you're 'closed for business'; they will come back.

What you've described is the experience of just about everyone who has been self-employed and servicing the public (I owned a retail store for 25 years - the stories I could share ! Especially the Christmas season, and what the customers expect from you.) Last night, I spent time with a friend of mine who owns her own hair salon. The salon is just her - she doesn't 'rent chairs' out, so it's just her and the client in a quaint, private studio. She's been hairdressing for 30+ years, and opened this salon in 1998 (she opened next door to my old retail space, so I'm familiar with the neighborhood and her clientele). She's been able to support herself by running a tight ship, but the past few years (since the pandemic) has been tough sailing - and giving her second thoughts about continuing once her lease is up next summer. Anyhow, she was saying this was the worst season she's had since 1998. Because of the holiday season (and holiday parties), she's extended the time she's there this past month (and will do it again this last week for New Year's Eve). She's been there from 7 am - 7 pm Tuesday - Saturday, trying to accommodate everyone - and this is what she has to put up with: The extraordinary amount of last-minute cancellations every day, the number of 'no shows', the number of last-minute calls demanding appointments by new and regulars, the number of new clients wasting time on the phone going over the 'price menu' and then telling her she's 'too expensive' (for the area she's in, and offering a private studio space - she's not), etc. As she said, if she knew her last three appointments would be no-shows and cancellations, she could've gone home early most days. If she knew most of her 7 am and 8 am appointments would be 'no shows' (they claim 'they forgot'), she could've slept in a little later. Aside from this, she said everyone was 'cheap' this year - no cash tips for Christmas (granted, she's an owner but she would always get 'cash tips' as a Holiday gift at this time of year), no gifts for Christmas. But with years of experience, she learned (just as I did, and you will to if you haven't already) this behavior goes with the territory - all year long, but especially during the Christmas season. Everyone thinks it's great to be in 'business for yourself' (and it was for me for 25 years), but it's not as easy as it appears and you are at the mercy of 'the public'. Good luck!

What was so notable about the sixth season was there was not a mention of Prince Andrew / Epstein (and his scandals in the early 2000s which led up to the past few years), Fergie, or Prince Edward and his family. They treated the series as though the Queen had only two children (Anne and Charles) and two grandchildren (William and Harry). WTF ?

They were fully clothed in ridiculous costumes and Christmas attire (like 'bulky ugly sweaters'). It wasn't like BB summers where they were shirtless or in bathing suits. So - no naked bodies for any of them the past two weeks (and that goes for Cody, Josh, and Xavier).

He's listing his age as 21 - even if you give a few more years on that (maybe he's more mid-20s) - he's a Zoomer. They don't make small talk, and they don't know how to socialize because they never learned how. Communicating is done via text messages. So coming face to face with a (older) stranger, what are they going to say ? They'd rather take off their clothes and get their money. As we keep hiring these new young studs entering the market, we better make allowances for this. Or - higher older escorts (40+).

Southern New England.

And 31 year old Nicole Franzel - the poster child for the 'anxiety-ridden / professional victim Millennial' - wins this year's game. Yes, the woman who speaks like Sara Palin won the $100,000 grand prize. The show was six episodes long, probably filmed in a 12 hour period (if that). As each guest left, the 'others' gave a big group hug and professed their collective love for the loser. "Love you ! Love you sooooooo much! Love you always!" they shouted. Really ? You've known each other less than a day and you're already in love with them and emotionally attached ? Once the player left the game with all that love surrounding them, the other players had to wipe their eyes - as though they were at a funeral. Frankie Grande* was the worst. *Can they ever cast a gay guy who doesn't blow all the whistles for every damn stereotype ? Any masculine looking / acting gay men they can cast for one season ?

It happened again. This morning, 2 new providers posted in my area (they would be in the area this coming week on different days). A few hours after, the ads are all gone. WTH ? They didn't even allow time to get some responses to book their week (and it didn't appear they were traveling together - not by their availability).

This Zoomer needs to be fired. Then he can post a video of him crying, asking how he's supposed to afford his cell phone bill. Maybe he can live off a 'Go Fund Me' page.