Njguy2

American Born Chinese.
~Boomer~

Etiquette around blowing the Masseur
Avoid teeth.
Kevin Slater

Over the past two weeks, members of this community have participated in helping to pick a new permanent name for the site.  In fact ... nearly 450 of you voted!  I wanted to get Ryan Seacrest here to help present the results, but sadly he was unavailable.  

So that means you are stuck with me!
I've reviewed each of the votes and did not find any cases of fraud or find cause for any vote to be disqualified.  As a result, below is the final tally...  

Congratulations to @JEC for submitting the winning site name...
The Company of Men
As previously noted, he will receive $100 for nominating the winning name.  @Tygerscent, @jeezifonly, and @Cooper were our runner ups who will each receive $25. Because @Tygerscent had two names make it to the final vote, he'll receive $50.  
As a reminder, we also had some folks who did not have their names make it to the final member vote... but the moderators loved as well.  Congratulations to our honorable mentions:

Menopedia @JoeMendoza Don't Tell Momma @latbear4blk Cockpit @keefer DearJohn@Benjamin_Nicholas These individuals will receive some sort of custom logo gear once the new logo is actually designed.  
THANK YOU to everyone who participated!  
So what's next?  Now that we have a name, I'll begin working on some concepts for a logo and basic color scheme.  That process will take several weeks.  While that is happening, the search for a domain name will begin.  I don't plan to do a formal vote/contest like we did last time, but I am interested in your feedback on potential names.  If you have any suggestions, tell me about it in the following thread:
 

The Amex Platinum will also cover the fees for the airport CLEAR system.
 

As Wordsworth wrote (I'll paraphrase)
"Nothing can bring back
The splendor in the grass
The glory in the flower
But we can find strength
In what remains behind"
 
 
 
 

Holy shit, I'm sorry to say it, but since no one else is...  What a depressing post. 
The takeaway is that no matter what you do, time marches forward and we cannot live in our past.  It's unhealthy.  Progress or die clinging onto a life that no longer exists. 
As Curious said above me, you can always appreciate what came before, but you can't let reverence turn into gridlock.
A lot of what the OP mentioned is the disappearance of the gay bubble and all the trimmings that came with it.  Ultimately, longterm, the community wanted more and got it.  I think I'd much prefer the legal protections we now have as opposed to more gay bars, mecca cities and adult bookstores.

To me, this doesn’t seem realistic at all. Instead it sounds like a rather romantic notion. (As an aside, does your chosen screen-name reflect that you are indeed lonely?)
So how many times have you met? More than 50? More than 100? And are these only occasions of ‘dinner, bed & breakfast’? Or have you been on trips with him and spent 1-2 weeks in each other’s company?
I don’t see the age-difference as a barrier to romance (I myself have a much younger partner and we’ve been together for several years). But you have a number of significant obstacles to surmount. For instance, 
1. do you speak his mother-tongue very well?
2. are his educational attainments sufficient for him to have a decent career in your home-city?
3. do you have plenty of money to support him while he is getting established? (I’m not talking about the extra costs of feeding and housing him but rather his monthly allowance (say $1000 in a big city), his phone and gym bills, possibly a car etc)
4. is your home large enough? (Possibly his hobbies and interests may differ from yours, say he goes to bed much later than you, or plays loud music etc)
If you are serious about this @lonely_john, I urge you to take a trip with him and spend an entire month together. If you can’t enjoy that amount of time with him, consider how a couple of years will seem…

Such valuable commentary... 🙄 It's almost as if you are rooting for them to fail. How charming!

No, I don't know why they were shut down. Do you know or are you just making assumptions and stirring the pot? Do you also remember when Hero Spa on W 50th was closed ("busted" as you like to say)? Did other spas get shut down then too? I don't believe so. I'd say you were being a "Debbie Downer" but at least she was funny. There's no need for the doom and gloom. 

If you don't know, please don't stoke the fires of panic by making guesses about "who's next". It doesn't do anyone any good. 

@NYCMascMan2, A few years ago I was at Hero when it was raided by undercover cops. At the time I was getting my massage. There was a knock on the door  and in walks a man who identified himself as a cop. The masseur was asked to go outside and I was told to get dressed and leave. While dressing a cop remained with me. I asked what was going on and he said they were “checking licenses”. The Spa was closed but less than a week later  it reopened. When I returned  one of the masseurs told me they were fined and once paid they could reopen. It had nothing to do with the services they offered. 
There was no domino effect and no one was arrested. 

Moderator's Reminder:  Given the posts in this thread about potential police action against spas, it is approrpriate to remind members it is not appropriate to discuss activities beyond massage (or other spa services such as waxing, pedicures, etc.) which can have the potential to provide law enforcement to look into these activities.  
Discussions of extras is not appropriate.  Please be careful so as to not compromise the spas' licenses.  

And you're shocked this puppy lacks manners in other areas too ?

I have a slightly different take on this. A no show gives you the precious gift of time….and leaves money in your pocket for a better event. 

Riverside: California School for the Deaf football team falls short of state championship after inspiring undefeated season - ABC7 Los Angeles
Damn, anyways runner up is a great accomplishment! 

There's an old saying that rings true for this topic.
It's not what you say, but how you say it.
Of course an escort makes choices in his clientele.  Everyone has preferences, limits and lines.  However, it's HOW you say 'no, thank you' that separates a great escort from just another five-and-dime hooker.  You never go out of your way to make someone feel less-than.  You spare people's feelings, always. 
We're in the business of making people feel great and it defeats the purpose if we act like we're cruising Grindr.

While I don’t send pictures, I will painful describe myself if asked. 
In fact, I most likely "undersell" the product just like I do in real 
life hook ups. I’m always happier when the other person opens 
the door and they’re relieved by what they see versus disappointed. 
If we’re not a match, for whatever reason (racism, bigotry, 
homophobia, body nazism, etc.) I’d rather know before I plan my
evening and open my wallet. Guys who get butt hurt about this
always amuse me. Wait?….you want to spend time with a dude who 
is repulsed by you and is willing to chew his arm off to get
away from you? Come on!
Too many fish kids. Move on and find the right one. 

Deaf Football Team From Riverside is One Win Away From Division Championship Game – NBC Los Angeles
OP note: from underdog to kicking asses...

I think like any other relationship that is private....when you see them out...you smile politely and wait for them to respond.
If they look away...you walk away.
Learn some body language for God's sake. We're all adults here.

I’ve the same problem, if I see the cashiers at Good Will out in public. I live in fear that they’ll out me as someone that likes to buy second hand stuff.  😥

Sent you a PM.
 

FYI...  we've had several new people register and reply to some really old topics most likely not catching the fact they're 5-20 years old.  
As a result, we have disabled the ability to reply to posts that have not had replies for two years.  This should not effect 99% of you, but just documenting the change.  

James is one of my regulars.  He is consistently good and offers a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable massage.  His style is not for those seeking a hard pressure rigorous massage.  Although I don't know him for 20 years, I'd say that he has aged well.  His pictures are current and he is a kind, intelligent man for whom I have great admiration.  I fully endorse James. 

If you search the spas forum for “James AND 1099” you will find numerous mentions mostly from me… all positive. Haven’t seen him in years but he holds a special spot in my being as he was the very first masseur I ever went to. That was in Fort Green, Brooklyn 20 years ago! I can only hope I’ve aged as well as he has.