Becket

Remember that ole Western movie "Shane?"  The last scene, the kid yelling, "Shane! Shane! Come back Shane!" 
That's me, except instead of Shane one can insert, "Swinging Richards." Damn I miss that place. SIGH!!!

Gorgeous. Taken in the all too familiar bed area of a local Hyatt Place.

The subtle touches. The brushes of the hand. The aching I feel when the guy just works on my back and seems to be avoiding my butt. All that is what makes a sensual massage so much fun. Wish there were guys in my area that really interested me. Too damn picky, I suppose. 

I just don't know........
...what the hell Paris Hilton was doing prancing and strutting with a ball on the middle of the field.
...when Turkey became Turkiye.
...how it is that German goalie Manuel Neuer seems to be getting better looking with age.
...how Team USA suddenly became so formidable. 
...how England, with a very good team, manages to choke every world cup.....EXCUSE ME!   FIFA World Cup.
...why the German National Anthem is the same tune as a hymn we sometimes sing at church.
...why I'm NOT one of those who thinks that Erling Haaland of Norway; who is a blond, blue-eyed, tall and fit star, is a drop dead gorgeous creation.
...if there is a more clever chant than the one sung out by Australian fans:
        Aussie lads are on a bender, (you know who's) a sex offender.  (Sorry I can't say the name. Against COM rules.)
 
...if I can watch anymore soccer this week. I'm maxed out.

@Becket the first time I heard that chant I thought it was an AI construct. Maybe it is ....
Or maybe not.

....until the guy goes "goo glub goo glub....you're choking me!!!"

If you have escorted before you probably know most of this stuff:
 
Guys who make that sort of money work their tails off. Lots of things that successful guys have to do on a regular basis may seem mundane, tedious, and unnecessary to the provider. These things often do not immediately pay off, and they take up a lot of your time. Some of these might be:
1. Polite and timely communication with a client or potential client. Do you respond to texts or emails in a timely manner, and with courtesy and friendliness, regardless of how the client may be communicating with you?
2. Being the highest priced guy in your market. Every time I see an ad with the phrase (and similar) "Upscale clients only," it makes me cringe.
3. Advertise. A lot. Get your name, FACE, and best characteristics on as many platforms you can find.
3.  Get used to the fact that you are going to be criticized; often times unjustly. You are providing a fantasy experience. No matter how hard you try, there will be some who will take potshots against you because the experience did not meet the clients expectation of the fantasy. 
4.  Clients will cancel on you. A lot. Clients will schedule a time and then back out. There are a hundred reasons why a client might cancel. Ran out of money; got too nervous to go through with the appointment; something came up; client decided he really wasn't up for a session at the last minute. And on and  on.
Much of this you probably already know. In answer to your actual question, "what might a reasonably successful independent provider realistically expect to net per year in the current environment? If you work all the time and dedicate yourself to (within reason) the old saying "The customer is always right," an income of high five figures or low six figure income is not totally out of the question. Unfortunately:
1.  The economy is a mess right now. Many clients are hiring less frequently  than they used to. Which for many of us creates fewer discretionary dollars.
2.  You are older now than you used to be. Experience is a great thing to have. I bet you're heavenly in bed. But many guys prefer than young dude, who, in my experience, often disappoints in the sack due to the lack of said experience. 
3.  If you will travel for work your expenses wiil eat you alive. Hard to believe how expensive everything is now.
4. Broadly and generally speaking, people are pissed off these days. Lots of reasons why; we all know them. I think it's harder now than it was ten years ago to create the fantasy potential clients are looking for. 
Anyway these are the things which popped into my brain then out onto this page at the beginning of another lovely day in Dallas. I'm sure other clients, wiser and more experienced than am I, can give you better feedback. But the subject was interesting. Thanks for posing the question and Good Luck.

Well, to state the obvious here: We all know what happens when you ASSuME.
But no, I don't think his orgasm is required. It's fine. It's nice. But that's not his job, unless you specifically tell him in advance what is required in the session. Then he can decide whether or not he is able, or willing, to comply. 
Don't ever assume anything. You end up making.......well, you know.

When I travel with my regular we have two beds in the room. I don''t easily fall asleep and we both sleep better separately. Besides, it's always fun and sexy to slip into his bed for a cuddle any time I want. I used to be a one bed only guy, but sleep is sleep. 

I have always been perfectly fine when the appointment ends earlier than the scheduled time period due to my "finishing up." Don't feel any need to make the provider hang around when both of us are done. It's fine for me, in fact usually I'd rather just leave when we're done.
If it's an overnight of course, that's different. I would have scheduled an overnight with one of the goals being to get to know the provider, and I appreciate the extra time cuddling, or having breakfast in bed, or taking a shower together. That stuff is fun for me. 
But, to each his own. 

I would need to be very much in to the guy and sure about his history. It's a real intimate moment indeed but better be damn sure of his overall health. It's not just that one particular virus that can be passed from person to person. And I know thinking about all this stuff is a real turn off. Damn I wish all of this were easier. SIGH!!!!

Remember that ole Western movie "Shane?"  The last scene, the kid yelling, "Shane! Shane! Come back Shane!" 
That's me, except instead of Shane one can insert, "Swinging Richards." Damn I miss that place. SIGH!!!

Well, to state the obvious here: We all know what happens when you ASSuME.
But no, I don't think his orgasm is required. It's fine. It's nice. But that's not his job, unless you specifically tell him in advance what is required in the session. Then he can decide whether or not he is able, or willing, to comply. 
Don't ever assume anything. You end up making.......well, you know.

Only if you swallow it.

It's easy to do. Part of what many of us are seeking is the emotional connection. And sometimes the provider is just so dam nice to us. It's easy to swoon. One fellow I really fell for once told me that "that sort of thing happens to him all the time." It reminded me that the thing that I fantasize about- a loving long term relationship, is not gonna happen with my favorite provider. Once in a blue moon you hear about a client/provider relationship turning into something more long term. But these usually develop if there is a great deal of money involved. And that's fine. A couple of times I have developed a bit of a friendship with a provider. And I am grateful for the friendship. But that's as far as it would ever go. Enjoy your provider as a friend if you wish. Anything more is exceedingly rare.

Struck down in his prime!
 

Remember that ole Western movie "Shane?"  The last scene, the kid yelling, "Shane! Shane! Come back Shane!" 
That's me, except instead of Shane one can insert, "Swinging Richards." Damn I miss that place. SIGH!!!

I would need to be very much in to the guy and sure about his history. It's a real intimate moment indeed but better be damn sure of his overall health. It's not just that one particular virus that can be passed from person to person. And I know thinking about all this stuff is a real turn off. Damn I wish all of this were easier. SIGH!!!!

I do not mean to veer off-topic. You couldn’t possibly know this, but I needed to read that today. I’m not a provider but it applies to my current situation. And what you write is very true. My situation may or may not correct itself, but for what it’s worth, thank you. 

Probably busy doing his homework.

Just think of it as a first date. Where would you usually go? More importantly, where would you go where you feel completely comfortable. A fancy place might make you behave differently than your friendly chain sponsored bar and grill. Don't go to a very noisy place though, where you can't hear one another speak. It's most important that YOU are comfortable and can be just who you are. Be yourself!

Remember that ole Western movie "Shane?"  The last scene, the kid yelling, "Shane! Shane! Come back Shane!" 
That's me, except instead of Shane one can insert, "Swinging Richards." Damn I miss that place. SIGH!!!

I think it's a remake, isn't it?      
LOL