LaffingBear

the authorities now say they won't bring arson charges, no probable evidence

It now is the worst in LA history. And in the top 5 most devastating California fires.

I don't know how long ago I posted that I shopped Big Lots. I shopped there less and less after Covid, the place really went downhill. And then, mid-2024, all of the Big Lots in my region closed. I couldn't return if I wanted.

I think so too. I see them out and about. Shopping, dining, jogging, airport, etc, etc. I've encountered a few in my business life, but I wasn't in a position to give them any preferential treatment... and I'm smart enough not to shit where I eat. In 45 years of adult life, I think I've had two, maybe three, repair men, delivery men, contractors, etc, who showed up at my home and made me think, "hmmmm, wish I had the guts to proposition him." Never once did a bellman, maintenance man, room service deliverer in a hotel knock on my room door and pique my interest. Not a cab or limo driver. Or masseur in a mainstream spa. My life would not be a good source of script ideas for porn.

I don't believe that I've ever given someone a better deal, paid more, tolerated more problems, etc, because they were attractive by my standards. But, I think that's largely due to not really recalling encountering anyone I found attractive when I was in a position to give them any kind of advantage. Maybe I'm too picky. Maybe I simply don't notice. I recall thinking that I rarely meet someone and thought, "wow!" I've not only never had a gay fiction-worthy encounter with an employee, delivery man, contractor, neighbor, etc... I've hardly ever met someone who gave me such thoughts. The closest I've come was working with a realtor because he was gay, lived in my target area, took me home for a drink with his partner, and implied a likelihood of more easily establishing a social circle in a new community.

I owe nothing. I havent carried credit card debt since my 20s and in my first job, setting up household. I paid the balance in full every month. I bought my car at lease-end. I paid off my mortgage.

Too old is situational. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of hires who enjoy the company of 60 year olds. I decided I was too old at age 62 or so. But that was about me. I'd look, consider ads, etc. And come up with reasons not to hire. Recognized I was never following through. But it wasn't ever really about the escorts... or if it was, it was things I was projecting or assuming. And, I was seeing guys at age 59-62. I guess I just burnt out after covid. When the thought "I'd rather read a good book" is the outcome of considering hiring, that's about me, not the guys or the industry. I guess my point is, you might be too old and have reached a point that hiring no longer satisfies... but not necessarily to old for the marketplace.

Anchor? None. Regular members of a group? A few. Tony Dicoppola is attractive imo. I do recall a much younger NBC feature reporter Peter Alexander looking great in a wet suit when he did a piece swimming with SeaWorld Orcas ive noticed many roving reporters in recent years, usually on-site after some disaster or in war-zone, so wearing jeans or cargos, polo shirts, etc., compared to a more polished, expected look. Can't recall any names.

Erotic, as in hiring a masseur from an M2M site or service? Eight, five different guys. Legit therapeutic, no thought whatsoever of more: six or eight

I don't really have anything approaching horrific. I went through a few years of visiting Vegas often. Monthly . I'd check-in mid-Strip. Eventually, this guy would say hello. Always a new profile and name, but same pics, wants, etc. Just wanted to meet, but eventually wanted money. A real pest. I really don't believe he recognized me or was targeting me. I think I was just his type, as in older, and he went after anyone older. He was a real pest. Blocking didn't work long term, as he was back with new profiles next trip. The behavior was a significant factor in my decision to stop using Grindr and the other apps altogether.

Agree. He had a pretty convincing reason. He was already on his way to my neighborhood, Midway 5-hour drive. Very polite. I'll acknowledge that I'm very skeptical, a real caveat emptor hirer. Frankly, I probably declined 75% or more of the hiring contacts I initiated over the years because I felt I was being scammed. And had more than my share of showing up to guys who didn't remotely match their pics. Or guys who simply never showed. If he'd have been in SF requiring me to drive, I'd have canceled. If I was in a hotel while traveling, I would have canceled. But a 5-minute walk to a local coffee place... I figured "what the hell, little to lose"

The only record I have was a retrospective list. I think I decided to create it due this site or its predecessor. I was estimating in any post here, or even discussion with others, as to how many guys I'd hired over the years. So I created a list. It's only purpose was to achieve an accurate count.

I had some great experiences, etc. Sessions that afterwards I thought "that was fantastic!"... and desired repeats. But the single biggest wow was a guy from RM based in SoCal. I arranged a meeting when I was down there on a worktrip and then I had to cancel. I was surprised to see his ad in NorCal, reached out. He was fairly open, said he was coming up to help his sister move, just hoped to offset trip expenses. I arranged for him to come to my home, something I very rarely did, particularly first visit. Agreed to meet at a coffee place nearby. He was driving. I was so eager while he was en route, I looked again at his ad, tried to find more info. And a reverse image search revealed the pictures were some model that was then in Europe. I was frustrated, contacted him, started canceling. He called, said he'd had horrible experience using his own pics, asked that I please meet him at the coffee shop, if i didn't like what I saw, he'd walk away, no hassles. I agreed, thinking worst case, I'd only waste 5-10 minutes. When I saw the guy walking down the sidewalk at the coffee place, I had a wow moment. Like, stunned, weak-kneed. Better looking, imo, than the pics he was using. Dressed to perfection to show off a jacked body, without some obvious cliché tank top or compression shirt. Maybe the wow reaction was due to having lowered my expectations after discovering the fake pics. I'm a conservative guy, very reserved... but I think he could have gotten me to start the session in the adjacent parking lot. I hired him several times after that, including overnights.

Interesting topic. And I'm gratified to read that the consensus is that it's disrespectful and even predatory. I live near a day laborer congregating point... and it's not a big box hardware store. I drive by often - it was the route to my office pre-retirement. I'll confess, the eye candy has caught my attention from time to time. I never thought to solicit. But I do recall thinking once that someone could visit the spot and recruit for a Day laborer beefcake calendar.

Just tell them. Perhaps try to choose someone who seems a little more experienced. Chances are, they've heard it all: if prior clients wanted to dress up like a girl scout and be tickled with cookies, or wear a collar and leash and do it on the doggy bed, your escort isn't going to be phased by your situation.

Interesting topic. I never initiated with an offer in my years of hiring. And I never negotiated a stated rate for an hour or overnight, etc. A provider sets their rate, I'm either willing to pay it, or not. And, I'll admit it - I had an attitude if affordability came up during discussions. If a fee was quoted and I declined, if the provider followed up with anything like "well, if you can't afford it...." my reply was "I didn't say I can't afford it. I said I'm not willing to pay that."

I did it occasionally when I was hiring. Never shared names or ID info. I'd recommend extreme discretion and caution. I can remember two guys who, while it wasn't even remotely related to my thoughts, inferred that I was making comparisons to someone who i felt provided better service. And get pissy very fast! There's also the potential to trigger the speculation that you're discussing them with others.

I think this is an important message. My work had me interacting with our local county health services department. I asked the director what the most difficult challenge facing them was, expecting the response "drugs" or maybe STDs. I was shocked when he replied, "isolation. You can't imagine how many people are entirely alone, with no support." That was all people, not just gays. And, 20+ years ago.

If it's summer, that's the best time to hit the pool... before the pool deck becomes a frying pan. Weather permitting, agree with the Hoover Dam, valley of fire, etc. posted above. In town, walk the Strip. Bellagio Conservatory. Enjoy a quieter Fremont street. The Mob Museum opens at 9. Get a massage or enjoy a spa.

I have no contemporary experience with those. I can tell you that, from my 30s through my 50s, almost every effort I made to meet gays online for platonic friendship.... not long after we met, they sheepishly admitted it was their method to meet for a relationship. Some hoped for FWB, the platonic element often because they had a relationship. Some hoped it would become a relationship: friends first. It was sorta depressing, like gay men were incapable of thinking past their crotch when online. Maybe things are better now. I'm certainly not opposed to gay travel companions. I had a blast with a gay group on a cruise. Met other solos when I stayed in gay resorts, key west or Wilton Manors. But I'm at a point that I don't care what their sexual preference is... as long as it doesn't involve children or animals.

Thanks. I guess I have my own issues to get past. I've been online since the early days of AOL, Prodigy, etc. Early 90s. In all that time, I've almost never paid for anything. I tried an onlyfans once, and paid a dating site for a couple of months. Both were money wasted. I've never paid for an app. Despite being a gambler, I've never paid to gamble online. The likelihood that I'd spend $107 for a month of seeking is next-to-zero. Particularly given the responses I've gotten to my current profile/ad, which says I'm available for casual meets, dinners, etc.

I'm guessing I'm thinking about something that doesn't exist. Or, no longer exists. Old movies would have us believe that there was a time a woman could hire an escort who was simply that... an escort because it was inappropriate for a lady to go out alone. I've hired guys. I have no issue with that. I can afford it. I've simply become too old, skeptical, and burnt-out to be interested. When you look through hundreds of Rentmen profiles, and have a reason to judge every single one with some reason to be uninterested... the issue is you, not the available supply. I travel solo. I've become a frequent Vegas visitor. My experiences were mostly solo for several years., I'm comfortable dining alone, seeing a show solo, etc. However, more recently, I've been seeing and meeting other solo travelers; we coordinate our trips, dine together, etc. Unfortunately, none of those people are available, and for the first time in a year, I'll be alone for an entire trip in a few weeks. And I find the prospect of not having a companion at even one meal a bit depressing. I know we pay for time, but it doesn't match my values to pay someone $300-$500 to buy them dinner. I've thought of Seeking, I have a free profile, get some matches, but never one I'd be willing to pay $90/month to explore further . Are there platonic escorts? Someone who'd enjoy conversation and a nice dinner, reasonable compensation for their time? An early dinner wouldn’t prohibit earning potential during peak hours. Would that just trigger suspicions that the client undoubtedly wants more? Or is this all just wishful thinking?

Yes...kinda, sorta. Long long ago. One time was a guy who turned out to be a nut job. Wildest experience of all my encounters. All details would make for a multi-page post. After many hiccups in arrivals at my hotel (i was traveling) , turned out to be one of the best times ever. One hour hire. Spent 10-12 hours. Said I reminded him of a teenage crush. Declined his fee. Wanted to visit me at home. I drove him home on my way to the airport for departure. He started crying, eventually bolted from the car and ran off, never heard from again. But for maybe 4-6 hours, he'd gotten past all of my common sense defenses. The experience put me off-balance for a bit. The other was a young guy who somehow triggered my daddy feelings. The lust was there, and a sort of desire to provide for him. But, not anything in terms of warm & fuzzy affection. No cupids arrow. I got over it after a few more visits. They were good learning experiences.

Off topic, but I loved Daniel's response-by-gesture to the final question about Academy Awards. Interview has the show on my list to watch.

I was not an easy client for the screening and arranging process. I asked ALOT of questions. Screened for very specific things. I have no doubt that many, perhaps a majority, of rentguys decided that I wasn't worth the effort; it was worth it to me to not arrive and have a hassle. I may have missed out on some potentially excellent experiences. Examples: I informed guys that I was experienced. That if they didn't match their pictures, we wouldn't continue. And, I walked away from several sessions for a variety of reasons. I've written this before; I'm just wired to go to great lengths to not feel taken advantage of, duped, or cheated. And to not feel victimized. I'm still shocked when I read "I knew it was a problem when he arrived... but I continued. It was bad." All things considered, I'd say I was a pain in the ass during arrangements. However, I don't have many negative reviews of sessions that went the scheduled time; I can't think of anyone I spent 60 minutes or more with that was an unpleasant experience. And nowadays, I'd be even worse. I travel. Until 2023, I'd look, go through rent men. But one by one, I'd find reasons to eliminate one person after another. So the Ah hah moment is exactly as this thread is titled: It's me, I'm the problem. Or at least, I'm the issue - my head is simply not in the right place to be hiring, and I'm too old and experienced to let my crotch force a mistake.