PhileasFogg

Something seems unhealthy

See, it comes out of your pores like that and, I’m guessing, that why it affects your business. There is not a single statement you made above that did not originate with use of a harsh tone and with words of aggression. Your “rules” of booking imply the same harshness, just in more polite ways…that is, approach you on your terms or don’t approach you at all. You can’t push that reality away with a promise of a big smile and a firm handshake. Put my thinking cap on? Why don’t you take your blinders off and your ear plugs out? Sticking my nose in matters that don’t concern me? It’s YOUR post is a PUBLIC forum. If you only want words of affirmation and validation, please put that disclaimer out there so we will all know to not waste our time. PLEASE don’t be bragging about your experience in life when all your posts are about your bad experiences and how it’s always everyone else’s fault. Seriously?

When demand for your services is so high that you are fully booked, then you have freedom to be as restrictive as you want. But until then, you don’t have leverage on either pricing or terms of engagement. This is why you’re frustrated # you want to set terms of engagement with people who choose not to have rules imposed on them. And telling someone to GTFO because you don’t like what you’re saying is part of the problem. It’s good that you have this place to vent, but you really should listen if your objective is to make more money with less effort and frustration.

I’m beginning to wonder what exactly the feared “new circumstance” is when I see, nothwithstanding a couple of silly choices, the number of women, and even a married gay man, are being put up for influential roles. I’m not espousing a position since if one of us has something to fear, then we all do. But I’m wondering if some of these hyped high profile departures doth protest too much.

In my view, that speaks to "motivation." But I'm referring to the difference between an immigrant and an expat. My father came here - legally - at age 15 with the intent of never returning to Italy. That's an immigrant. It took nine years and the entire family "immigrated" If he'd come on a study visa or a professional engagement, I'd suggest he was an expat.

Isn’t the primary distinguishing factor permanence?

And there’s then the question of materiality. I just don’t see it happening. If so, it would have happened eight years ago (as promised by some nonresponsive blowhards back then). I will admit having considered it and have done some early stage research into Belize and Costa Rica. But my motivation isn’t politics. However, I doubt I will ever do it as long as my grandchildren are young.

If you missed the market's 10 best days over the past 30 years, your returns would have been cut in half. And missing the best 30 days would have reduced your returns by an astonishing 83%. This is a quote from Hartford Funds. I’ve validated it in the past, but not recently. You’re right. Timing simply doesn’t work. One can’t win a game sitting on the bench

Yes, Ellen and Portia are heading to England. Can’t wait for Whoopi, Joy, and Sunny to follow. Beyond that, nada.

This was billed as the new "Pretty Woman".... nope. It had some cute moments but took a very dark and depressing twist in the last 20 minutes (it's 2 hr and 20 mins long) The end was so abrupt and depressing that I verbally exclaimed "oh $h!t" in a silent theatre.

What is toxic to the veins becomes toxic to the lungs

No, you’re not prevented from doing anything - legal or not legal, right or wrong. i know you’re referencing a hypothetical, but while I avoid judging, if you waived cash in front of a poorer person, flaunting it and taunting or mocking them to have sex with you to make that cash theirs, I’d probably make an unfavorable judgement of both you and your behavior.

Thank you for schooling us in advance on how to process (or not) your grievance. As a side note, if it were true, it would never be bad form to share it. But, I don’t fish and victimhood was not the first thing that came to mind this time. But what did come to mind: my personal trainer has this issue the woman who cuts my hair has this issue my chiropractor has this issue and so on They also have overhead in different ways that they need to cover with their time. But yes, there are differences. They aren’t dealing with an activity that might be done on the DL They don’t travel long distances to do their chosen trade they are in established physical locations where deposits carry lower risk to the customer I completely understand your angst. I just see it as part of the business risk for your chosen business - and that seems to be a continuing theme as I process your posts about these challenges. FTR, I’m fairly new to this hobby and I’ve given a deposit once and only one and it was a unique situation that worked out fine. But, I would definitely not make a habit of it unless I was asking the provider to modify their plan to accommodate me.

Yes. He offered a vague explanation that RM can’t provide a good reason. I can attest that his photos were his own. This is someone I’ve considered travel with Trust is important to me and I’m trying to connect the dots So far, none of these explanations are connecting the dots

What could get a guy banned from RM? Someone I met once through RM is banned now and I’m curious what could conceivably lead to that on a platform I understand to be pretty loose in enforcement

The pictures in the ad are either old or of a younger brother. Similar but not the same. At my visit, he was very hairy and very tattooed with big tribals. He’s a bit of a narcissist and was anything but smooth with attempted upsells. Despite all this, he was a nice guy, but the surprises really killed the mood.

I’m still processing recent events, but I’m not long term bullish At least not yet. we know to expect bias toward lower taxes in coming months. If that doesn’t come with spending cuts, then it’s inflationary - and inflation isn’t good for financial assets. If we swallow austerity and make spending cuts, that’s recessionary because GDP=C+I+G+(x-m) and G is Government. A big reduction in G would need to be offset by outsized growth in C (Consumer) or I (Investment). I doubt net Exports (x-m) will do much. So, I’m going to take my time making projections until I see out things shake out in Washington.

I’m not anxious, I’ve spent my life adjusting my sails to recognize reality rather than deny it. I hope the winner unites us and doesn’t divide us. Political remarks redacted. Either way, I believe this is THE greatest country in the world!

Update: Oral surgeon reviewed photos and wants a biopsy

I didn’t know E. coli survived the salt

God Bless America!

His life outside of the White House ranks among the greatest humanitarian impacts of modern times.

Low 60’s

You already know me soooo well 😂