APPLE1

First things first, I have no doubt that there are countries, cultures, private collectors, etc who have absconded with antiquities of others unscrupulously. But, I am not convinced ALL antiquities have been gathered unscrupulously or need to be returned. After visiting Greece and Turkey and getting a local perspective, I was left with many questions about "antiquies theft." The locals voiced frustration over construction. Claiming that 'with a civilization this old, any time you dig, you inevitably find old crap. Then you have to contact the gov't, wait months or years for someone to show up, look at the stuff, and decide if it's important, or you can keep/throw away the stuff on your land.' I think it's important to recognize that 'familiarity breeds contempt' is a significant concept that transcends all socioeconomic boundaries. I am not convinced that if it was excess crap to me, and I threw it away, gave it away, or sold it, years later some ancestor is simply entitled to decide it's not crap to them and reclaim it. In some countries, outside of human remains, you basically own, and are free to do with what you please, anything you find on your land. I am not only left with questions about when the controlling authority changed philosophy or law within a nation, but also "who" was "in charge" of their release. In earlier eras, when record keeping and public awareness was less, were there landowners selling/giving away antiquities? Government officials acting outside their authority and granting approval? Taking of bribes? Someone just too lazy to create a proper official record of the transfer?

When I realized the barista was more likely to know and start my order than the bartender was.

I have always felt that if normal use would prohibit me from using it, I truly can't afford it. I apply the thought to a watch I couldn't replace easily if stolen, as well a truck I couldn't drive down a gravel road for fear of paint chipping.

If we define "violence" as subjective, along the same logic we can define "lair" and "scammer" as subjective terms. I hire a provider, make him get naked and step on the scale when we meet, and he weighs 151, or 149. His profile said "150" and he didn't correct that in our chats. I am now free to come here and label him a scammer and a liar. Really???

Fall Prides and night parades are my favorite! Cooler temp - lends itself to more elaborate costuming/displays. Evening/darkness comes earlier (allows for better/longer light displays, sometimes even nice bonfires).

No. Violence is an objectively applied word. My crazy suburban helicopter parent sister would likely describe that video as 'out of control drunks violently fighting.' She'd likely even think about joining some committee of fragile snowflakes like herself aimed at making changes for safety. I'd describe it as "a few intoxicated people exchanging a few bitch slaps." I'd then think to myself, 'I hope the bartender waters down their next drink a little bit.'

This is an objective observation, not a statement of subjective facts. In order to be subjective, "wild" and "violent" would have to have predefined parameters and mean the same thing to each and every person.

That's why I have the Mailman Rule: If you know what time the mailman comes every day, and you know he was 20 min late last Tue, you definitely have time to watch all the neighbors, and I will avoid you like the plague!!

I don't care for them. That style reminds me of quick, haphazard sketches as opposed to finished product. It then makes me question if the writing is a quality finished product. I am not saying this to be mean. I am saying this because, I'm sure you know that art/cover art influences book sales, and I think it's a perspective you may want to consider going forward. EDIT: I did go to your website via another post on here. The style of the first pic there, I think dated "April 29, 2021" within the pic, would have made me more interested in pursuing your writing.

Since we are talking about potential bias, I think it's very important to point out @rvwnsd use of the word "usually" is very accurate. I have certainly seen occasions where a non-member provider joined to refute things in a member's negative review, and it worked out well. The provider supplied an account of the session that seemed much more logical and believable to me, and other members, than the info from the original reviewer. I even recall one instance where addressesing a miscommunication via this forum led to a free repeat session. The client ended up pleased, wrote a new review, and the provider maintained a good reputation.

On 6/12/2024 at 7:02 PM, APPLE1 said: If you start a topic and you loose the argument, or are embarrassed about things you wrote, etc, as the creator of the topic you have the option to "hide" or "delete" the topic and then no one can even read it anymore.

Beyond just how many providers responded, it aligns with the general concept about asking "those who have hired" about their experiences. Much like if I want a house cleaner, I am not going to call some cleaners up and simply accept their answers. I'm certainly also going to ask friends and neighbors about their experiences hiring a cleaner.

I have hired a few of the providers who participate fairly actively on here. The main reason I haven't reviewed them here is because they've already had very positive reviews overall, and I had nothing significant to add. The second reason I didn't review them was the DM's I get about reviews I have done. Some of the questions I get about providers are very specific already. Personally, I don't want to get into a deep back and forth with a member here, about another provider/member, i.e. how could you hire someone who says X, or treats clients like Y, or said Z to YOU, etc. The third reason is because I believe the ability to strongly disagree on 1 topic, and then move on fresh, is a rare skill. I don't want opposing views to potentially taint repeat meetings.

I read his book prior to hiring him. I guess I didn't find the grammatical errors so egregious that I didn't automatically insert the correct word or tense and still have a clear understanding of what he was communicating. I met with him a few times when our travel schedules coincided. Always a good experience for me. I will echo what was said above in that I always met with him in Midwestern cities. He expressed to me that he was resided in Atlanta, but didn't work in Atlanta. Only worked as a traveling provider.

Service providers, regardless if they are escorts, sex workers, or any other provider, get to decide the exact level of services they provide, where they provide them, and any fantasies they will indulge. I don't get to dictate that a provider must walk up the block introducing himself to the neighbors as my BF and then sit 1/2 naked on the porch with his tongue in my mouth. Likewise, I don't get to dictate that my lawn guy hand trim around 50 gnomes so he doesn't chip the paint. I am glad when any provider tells me what he doesn't do, or doesn't like to do. It allows me to find a provider who does, and it likely guarantees me a better experience with another. And I have said this before: quit explaining WHY you can't do something. It's unnecessary and an open invitation for others to criticize your life choices.

On 6/12/2024 at 7:02 PM, APPLE1 said: If you start a topic and you loose the argument, or are embarrassed about things you wrote, etc, as the creator of the topic you have the option to "hide" or "delete" the topic and then no one can even read it anymore.

I love that response! I have always found that DESIRE = relaxation, i.e., nature's poppers for every orifice!

No, I really wouldn't have inferred any other meaning. I am pretty pragmatic and direct. I would have taken the provider's statement at face value. I honestly would have seen only 2 possible paths for the meaning. Then, I would have asked questions to figure out if he wanted to be 1) fuck buddies, or 2) something "more." And, in the back of MY mind, I would have been planning for the polite rebuff if he wanted to go down path 2. I also say that coming from a place where, I have a good handle on which regulars I have just a business relationship, and which ones I have a business and friend level relationship with. While those relationships may have had a budding period as the friendship piece developed, I've never experienced radical ambiguity in defining those relationships at any stage along the way.

I typically pay doctors and lawyers with a card, but I have no doubt that if I paid my co-pay with a stack of $1's and $5's the receptionist would both count it and hand me a receipt for it.

If someone expressed to me, “I don’t think of you as a client anymore,” I don't think I would have believed them if it wasn't followed by "so I can't take your money anymore." I also try to remind myself that any relationship involves give and take. I shouldn't be the one always giving, or taking. If every activity we do socially is dependent on my means, it's not a good start for a relationship. It's not always easy to do when you are "established." However, for the value I place on a good relationship, eating baloney sandwiches from a paper bag after a walk through the park seems a small sacrifice if that's all the other one can afford on the dates they pay for.

I never use an envelope. I try to use large bills. I never leave the cash in a tight neat stack. I feel like leaving a few large bills, somewhat splayed on a dresser or table, allows the provider to eyeball it quickly and mentally confirm that the amount is correct. Alternatively, if they still choose to count it in front of me, I am not bothered in the least.

I can't be the only who doesn't remember his first hire, right??? I am not trying to diminishing anyone's experience, but it was long ago, and it just wasn't really that significant for me. PLEASE, someone tell me they are in the same boat! Reading first time stories, with none to really recall myself, is beginning to make me feel a little like cruel, heartless, old bastard.

I have never fallen for a provider. After reading stories here, I will be the first to say that I am lucky. One thing that I wonder about your provider experiences is, how long are you engaging with them? Overnights, weekend, or vacations with a provider aren't MY thing for a number of reasons. I have to believe though, that longer hires create a greater risk of falling for a provider. If you are hiring for longer periods, maybe hiring for shorter periods will allow you to still enjoy the hobby a bit, and not become quite so emotionally involved.

Verifying funds, given and recieved, is simply good business practice. It also heads off a lot potential proplems that can easily end a business relationship in the future.

Lysander (NYC) Chad Brock