BtmBearDad

I’m sure you are, @thedanNYC - but does this mean you’re betting on surviving me, and so I would then have to watch my back ?

Why on earth would you say that? Retiring early has very little to do with liking or not liking your job. It’s usually about finances. If you are in a financial position to retire early, you’d be foolish not to. None of us are guaranteed any set time on this earth, and we’ve all probably known someone who worked right till retirement only to drop dead soon thereafter. Sorry, that’s not for me. I hope to be done and dusted around 55. While I enjoy what I do, there are many other things I enjoy more. Retire as soon as you’re able, enjoy your life, and don’t disparage those who do just because their pastures are a bit greener than yours.

Agreed, he could have, and others gents may have too. I just have noticed thru the years that some post these aggressive travel schedules, hoping for business, then just go where the appointments are more plentiful. I won’t say it’s a good business model, but it’s the one they employ. Which only leaves those of us disappointed to move on, and seek out some other gents.

That’s disappointing - maybe he’s one of those gents who lists cities as traveling dates, hoping to gin up interest, but if there’s not enough appointments to make the trip worth his while, he cancels it ??‍♂️

My father worked in academia for the last 30 years of his working life. Prior to that, much to the chagrin of his family, he was a Union organiser. My mother returned to work when I, the youngest, was in school full time. She retired about 25 years later as a commodities trader. My father received a low six figure lump sum in lieu of pension from his Union days, and monthly checks from TIAA-CREF, which survived him, and were then paid to my mother. My mother received a small pension from the first company she worked for (just about $600 a month), plus her 401K, which when she passed had just about a $55K RMD. Both received social security. They had a comfortable retirement, traveled to Europe every year for a few months visiting family, stayed out East every September, spent money fixing up/redecorating their homes, etc.. Unfortunately, they did not have long retirements. I encouraged them both, and especially my mother after my father passed, to spend the money and enjoy life. I like to think they did, but it does sadden me a bit when I think of what they didn’t get to do. As for me, I have no pension from any company I’ve ever worked for. I have a healthy 401K, an IRA, plus my own investments and savings. Like I said in a previous post, I don’t care what’s left when I’m gathered to my forebears, as long as there’s enough to tip the gravediggers. My family knows not to expect anything as I fully intend to enjoy every minute I have on this earth - but whatever may be left is earmarked for my godchildren, a few friends if they survive me, and a few charities.

Marco is a 5 star gent. I had a few memorable encounters with him in the preCovid days of yore. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t advertising then - I was referred by another hobbyist. Regardless, upon reaching out, he recalled our encounters in the Gulf, and I was able to book an overnight during his NYC sojourn. I have no hesitation in recommending Marco. However, I cannot speak to any bottoming skills he may have, beyond enjoying being rimmed.

Nice find @big-n-tall ?? He looks like he’s added on a bit of muscle from what I recall on gayhoopla. Heading to FL in the Fall, so he may be an option. Oh! I’d also be interested in his IG name if you wouldn’t mind sharing via PM. Thanks! BBD

I can’t speak for @cany10011, but I do the same, and the reason why is growing up it was taught that speaking about money, (yours or others), was just impolite. It’s a form of bragging, and no one likes a braggadocio.

“Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure, there your heart; where your heart, there your happiness.” St. Augustine

I received similar advice from an “elder gay” when I was in my 20’s - max out your 401K, open an IRA, buy something as soon as you can, pay a little extra on your mortgage every month, etc.. While he was a hobbyist, his rationale was more about that as gay men, we have no one to look after us in old age as many of us do/did for our parents. He said money is freedom and can guarantee you independence. You may not consider yourself “rich”, but there may very well be others - friends, colleagues, etc. - that envy the position you’re in. It’s all subjective. As it is, sounds like you know what you’re doing, so I’m sure you’ll be hitting your number soon enough!

Nice find, @alexslaveboy ! At 6’5” and “proportional” I’d be interested in any intel too.

A lot of the discussion of wealth, especially on anonymous forums such as this, can usually boil down to “one man’s rich, is another man’s middle class” - it’s all so subjective. I have friends who are very wealthy - mid eight figure net worth - and I have friends who live paycheck to paycheck. It’s in the in between that I think the majority of us live. I have no illusions about myself - I grew up comfortably, twelve years of private education (16 if you count uni), summers split between the different grandparents homes out East, and vacations overseas, but at the time, it was all somewhat normal - it was how our cousins, our friends lived too. As an adult, I recognise I do have a privileged life - and I make no apologies for it. I own my own apartment which is probably far bigger than one man needs ( but it was such a bargain 20 years ago), I like going out to nice restaurants, having suits made, traveling, adding to my art collection (bronze sculptures), and this hobby. As others have pointed out themselves, I’ve no need to pass anything on, so why not spend it on what I enjoy. Will this always be the case? Possibly not. I know since I turned 50 last year, I have thought about possibly downsizing if for no other reason than to save on my monthlies. Just the monthly maintenance fee at NYC co-ops can be ridiculous, and while I’m not in a top tier building, it’s still mid four figures a month. The only future I worry about is my own - as long as there is enough left to tip the gravedigger, I’ll continue to enjoy what I enjoy. As my great aunt used to say, “Life is too hard, and too short to not enjoy it.” This is what I keep in mind as I live mine.

Not a provider, but a hobbyist. I’ve been to Dubai a number of times on business, and while my observations are purely anecdotal, I can also say I’ve never seen/encountered any problems, thankfully. Dubai, indeed the whole of the UAE, is a very different place than I would say the majority are used to. Yes, there are some aspects of Sharia law but by and large, if you’re modest, circumspect, and respectful no one is going to bother you. People are cautious - both ex-pats and locals - when discussing anything homosexual. There’s almost a throwback to the secret code gays used decades ago in the West to suss out who was, who wasn’t. I was fortunate enough prior to my first trip to have a friend there who kind of guided me, introduced me to other gay men, and other hobbyists. This most certainly helped me navigate engaging in this hobby. In terms of providers, as said above, what can’t be normally found there tends to be most popular. Also, throughout the whole Gulf region, bodybuilding is huge, so big, thick muscular bodybuilder types tend to do well too. Those guys on IG aren’t traveling to Dubai for the shawarma. I’ll even go one further, I’ve also been to Riyadh - where things are much different, and far stricter than the UAE. Yet, even there, there’s an underground of sorts - no providers, but just gay ex-pats and locals getting together. I’d wager the whole plan the Saudis have for Neom on the Red Sea will develop into something like Dubai or Sharm el-Sheikh or a hybrid of the two.

Right - but are they for sexual health/function? Always interested in finding out about products that help downstairs - or combinations that do the same. I’ve actually used alldaychemist in the past, and based on friends’ experiences, I thought I’d try forhims, but then came the rona, so no need - and while I suppose I should know, I’ve no idea how long viagra or cialis stay good for so it may have been a waste signing up, and winding up with 12 months of unused meds ??‍♂️

Well, you learn something every day...here I’ve been, just living my life, all along thinking “rosebud” referred to the shape of one’s bumhole. A “rosebud” to me would refer to those bumholes that are clearly round vs a “coin slot” where the bumhole presents more long, and narrow. ??‍♂️ My opinion on “rosebuds” as defined, and discussed in this thread is a huge ?

Breadcrumbs

I know and take/took the first 3 - but not familiar with the other two you mention. Are they for “sexual health” as well? Also, I’m sure it’s been discussed at some point, but are the any differences in terms of effectiveness between Viagra and Cialis - or is it just a personal preference based on side effects, etc? I’ve heard good things about this site for ED meds: https://www.forhims.com/?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=6643127923&utm_term=115790941899--kwd-377780917580&utm_content=516006032829&mt=e&utm_platform=m&utm_product=brand_brand&gclid=CjwKCAjwmv-DBhAMEiwA7xYrdxzVHRIWW4nfE6reflGsh-w-XhbEuKuEoGaisKomOJccgFOSLE3bexoCKSIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Quite a profile is right! ? I actually read the whole profile, and have to say I am intrigued. But he is Loughborough - which isn’t exactly near anywhere I’d be likely to be, but one never knows if I’ll find myself in the Midlands.

Re: Margaret - while she was regarded as a “rebel princess”, she was also one who demanded her royal prerogatives, was fiercely loyal to her duties, as well as being deeply religious. So take away her father being crowned, which would result in never meeting Townsend, would she still have developed her rebellious characteristics? Or would she developed into a dutiful, yet spoiled daughter of a royal Duke, happy to be indulged by a wealthy husband? Like I said, it’s one of the fun “what if’s” to game out. A good indicator would be EVIII’s own words in an interview after the war where he is quoted saying “of course if I had been king, there never would have been a war”, and expanded offering that Germany should have been given a free hand to crush communism. Not surprisingly, he never touched upon Germany’s conquest of most of Europe before invading Russia, and not a whisper about concentration camps or the Holocaust.

GVI was always a smoker, but every account details how once the whole abdication crisis began, he wasn’t just a heavy smoker, he chewed them up for the rest of his life. Both his mother, and EVIII were heavy smokers who died from lung cancer, yet at far more advanced ages. So, if the stressors of the abdication, succeeding to the throne, stabilizing the monarchy, fighting the war, dealing with his exiled brother’s questionable dealings were all not on his shoulders, could he have remained a smoker/heavy smoker, and had a lifespan more in line with his mother and brother? Who knows! But one of those fun “what if’s” to game out. In terms of dashing good looks, the Duke definitely couldn’t have held a candle to Capt. Townsend. But, the “what if” that comes into play is that Margaret only met him as he was equerry to the king. So no GVI would mean no equerry role for Capt Townsend. Without that role, it’s doubtful they would have ever met. The Duke on the other hand was someone she knew all her life, and was part of the circle of aristos she maintained friendships with her whole life. Oh, and the Duke was one of the wealthiest peers in the country - which would have been a consideration for a daughter of a royal Duke vs the daughter of a king. Without the whole Townsend romance, would Margaret still have become the “poor Margaret” of the tabloids, or would such a marriage, and children resulted in a happier life? Again, who knows ??‍♂️ But another fun “what if” to game out!

Thank you for the info! Supplying a face pic prior to meeting is something I really don’t mind - better than saying “I’ll be in the hotel bar with a red carnation in my lapel”. Having said that, when it’s the first thing asked for in reply to an initial inquiry, it is suspect, and normally a pass. Makes me think the gent is deciding what they’d do, how much they’ll charge based on pic.

Yes, the line of succession would have been -> EVIII -> Duke of York (GVI) -> Princess Elizabeth of York (EII). But, there would have been all sorts of variables, historical “what if’s?” to consider. Some fun ones to consider: • would the stress of the war had the same effect on EVIII’s health as it did on GVI’s? • without the stress of being king, would GVI have survived EVIII? • not becoming king, would have meant no Capt. Townsend as equerry - would Margaret have ever met him otherwise? If no, would she have wound up with her first suitor, the Duke of Buccluech? If she did meet Townsend would sparks still fly, would marriage be allowed? • as EII was not the direct heiress to the throne, would Mountbatten have pushed Philip to meet her in 1939? Would EII still have married Philip, or a country aristocrat as she wanted as a child, or a foreign prince like Charles of Luxembourg as her grandmother wanted? Would no marriage to Philip have a negative impact on Mountbatten’s career? • who would be EII’s heir? Her children? With no Charles, there would be no Diana, or William, or Harry, or Camilla, etc.. Some fun historical what if’s to consider. Personally, I enjoy these what if’s, and historical counter-factual fiction. I have a friend who is an author of historical fiction, and I’ve encouraged her to pen one based on the premise Charles did die in the 1988 avalanche at Klosters - perhaps I should put a word in her ear about EVIII not abdicating.

Thanks for replying. Hopefully someone will post about any experience or interaction with him ??

Do you happen recall any previous names or if there was any chatter about him in here? Thanks!

Philip, like most royals, didn’t have a last name as such - they’re members of “a House” but go by their title. Philip was born into the House of Glucksburg, and until he renounced his titles, was known as “Philip of Greece”. Technically, his mother was never a “Mountbatten” since she married as a Princess of Battenburg over a decade before GV renounced all the German titles for himself, and his family. Whether Philip was pressured by his uncle Lord Louis to take the name Mountbatten is up for debate, but it was probably the case. Lord Louis was known to have held a grudge over his family’s loss of princely rank and royal status, and took the opportunity to attach his family name to the royal family - tho that didn’t work out quite as he planned.