dentjusay

I highly recommend this show as well! It is based off a pc game, League of Legends, but viewers do not need to know a single thing about the game to watch the show. The animation and storytelling are truly refreshing. A must watch!

Can’t honestly say I ever thought about it til this moment…I guess that means it hasn’t bothered me.
What does bother me are the extremes: pictures that are clearly such poor quality I want to ask, “Why’d you bother?” and pictures that are so professional or photoshopped that when you meet in person it’s a disappointment.

RIP to any oscar nominations. 
I was torn whether or not to watch this movie, as my image of Nicolas Cage has been tainted by countless memes. However, I recently came across Obama's year-end list of favorite movies, which listed Pig, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I really enjoyed the pace and serene first chapter. But Rob's developing friendship with Amir felt a bit too unrealistic for me (like Amir had nothing to do this whole time driving Nic Cage around?) and some scenes felt like they were super dramatic for little reason. It is a slow paced thriller but goes into themes of coming to terms with reality and encouraging you to do what fulfills you in life over fame, attention, or money. I appreciated it's uniqueness, and Nicolas Cage's image is a little less tainted now. 7/10

RIP to any oscar nominations. 
I was torn whether or not to watch this movie, as my image of Nicolas Cage has been tainted by countless memes. However, I recently came across Obama's year-end list of favorite movies, which listed Pig, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I really enjoyed the pace and serene first chapter. But Rob's developing friendship with Amir felt a bit too unrealistic for me (like Amir had nothing to do this whole time driving Nic Cage around?) and some scenes felt like they were super dramatic for little reason. It is a slow paced thriller but goes into themes of coming to terms with reality and encouraging you to do what fulfills you in life over fame, attention, or money. I appreciated it's uniqueness, and Nicolas Cage's image is a little less tainted now. 7/10

Whenever I’m at a bar and someone is crying into their beer
that no one likes them, I usually observe several things…….
A) no one wants to be around someone who’s feeling sorry for themselves,
so the behavior is a self fulfilling prophecy. Buck-up butter cup. 
B) the pity party host, is usually fixated on the "perfect 10’s" in the room and 
ignoring the other 99% of the room. Look around with your eyes wide open.
There are usually several interested men sitting right next to you that
you’ve overlooked. 
C) alcohol never helps the situation. 
D) if you really think you’re that much of a shit show that no one wants to 
be around, (you’re not but let’s assume you honestly feel this way) then start
taking inventory and start changing the things about yourself that you can.
None of us is gonna get new genes or win the lottery, but we can all improve
our bodies and start being more responsible with our spending. Baby steps.
E) non-arrogant self confidence is sexy as fuck. Learn to project it. Personally, 
having a killer wardrobe helps me pull this one off. But find whatever gives you
confidence in being you, and use it to your advantage. 
F) escorts are a temporary fix but looking to them to solve this problem is delusional.
They're like crutches. There’s nothing wrong with crutches when you need them, 
but they’re never going to help you fly. 

Nomadland
Luca
The Mitchells vs the Machines

I agree with @maninsoma.  There's no reason to regret what you did.  There is reason, I'd say, to feel good that you learned things about yourself and don't feel a need to do something that doesn't work anymore.   I read what you wrote as a sort of declaration of independence.  If I am reading it correctly, congratulations.
That's the short version.  The longer version will be a few stories about what it feels like from the other side of the looking glass.  Which basically revolves around not feeling regret about doing what you did in order to grow.  Or even just to have fun.
There was a client who hired me for a handful of overnights who was an enigma.  Handsome, nice body, great sex, I'm guessing in his 30's, smart as a whip, beautiful house, professional career he loved.  He was driving me to an airport after our first "date" and I told him I had a great time.  But I was curious why he hired me.  Meaning why hire any escort? Whatever he said was brief and may have been "I don't know."  A few days later I got a long email pouring his heart out.  I don't remember the content but I remember the feelings.  Something about judgmental parents.  Something about shame.  Something about low self esteem about his body before he came out and set about to being a Gay gym rat.
Maybe six months later he was dating some guy who looked gorgeous in a photo he showed me.  A few years later, long after he'd stopped hiring me or anyone, he sent me a wedding photo of him and his hubby.  As happy endings go, it was a good one.  I'm not a psychologist.  But I know he did what he did in order to grow.  And he grew.  And you are correct @Andie40 that sticking to your gym routine helps.  It worked for him.
Based on my own relationships it works both ways.  I think most if not all escorts feel some version of regret.  Often in terms of trade offs that were made. 
This past week I had a really fun walk with a friend in town who I was very close to in my 30's.  Both from organizing work together, before I turned to escorting, and very bad Greek dancing on weekends.  I would have dated her and maybe fallen in love if she wasn't one of the first people I came out to.  So we spent hours exchanging this cascade of stories. 
My friend's version of your first paragraph is she felt enormous frustration after being in the center of maybe 10 years of organizing on same sex marriage, rather than 10 years of escorts.  I remember the California version of that as one of her volunteers.  We lost badly.  Again and again.  That kind of rejection sucks, too.  But who knew?  Fucking up is how you learn.  To make a very long story short, the happy ending is that after fuck up after fuck up after fuck up, she and others like her figured out how to do better.  When I regret not being some alternative version of myself, it's not the sex - good or bad.  It's that I would have spent my escort career running around the US like she did organizing for same sex marriage.  And beating my head against the wall.  Which turns out to be less satisfying than beating off.  I'm okay with just being able to thank her for what she did instead.
From reading the OP's comment and reactions about photos and Grindr, I think it largely works the same way on both sides of the looking glass.  From my perspective, the allure was almost irresistible - being an escort, or hiring one.  Why not touch bright shiny objects?  Or get hired because someone sees you as one?  And is it a shocker things are never quite as shiny or dazzling as you thought they might be?  When you feel that way, you move on.
I have a simple and happy and Gay go-to place on the subject of regret.  Another aging escort buddy and I love watching Dancing With The Stars together.  One week several years ago Cher was a guest judge.  She was asked if she could turn back time, where would she go?  She said hands down back to her 40's.  She said she had so much fun.  Almost too much fun.  I thought, "OMG.  I'm like Cher."  My 40's were a Gay romp.  
Ok.  But let's get real.  In order to get there Cher had to go through dumping one husband who she met when she was 16.  And then what seemed like a train wreck of a second marriage to Greg Allman.  If an escort you hired did not shoot up heroin on your first date, arguably you had better luck than Cher.  What's worse?  A bad 10 hour overnight or a bad 10 day marriage?  You get my point.  Cher did what she needed to do in order to grow.  Hell, she even won an Oscar for it.
My advice, @Andie40,  is don't regret what you did in order to get where you are today.  You're not in your 40's yet.  I hope you enjoy your next decade as much as Cher did.  You earned it. If you find a man you want to marry, now you can.  That is because a lot of people like my friend fucked things up for a long time, and learned from it.
Here's to being willing to learn and grow by fucking up.
 
 
 
 
 

You have to do what's right for you.  And only you know what that is...  live your life as makes sense and the rest will work out.  

I started hiring in my twenties, but I didn't hire very often back then not only because I had much less money and it was pre-internet but also because I got more of my needs met by dating which was much easier for me in my twenties and thirties (and even into my forties) than into my fifties and now sixties. To be honest, even when guys do match their descriptions that's no guarantee that the session will feel "worth it" since that's entirely objective.  Sounds like you've figured out that, at least at this point in your life, hiring isn't for you.  Don't get hung up on regretting your past choices; just most forward.

Before I begin, I want to say that these are my opinions based on personal experiences. After 10 years of hiring men, I can say that I’m totally giving up on it. I’m in my 30’s, so I guess I’m a little pickier, but of the 100+ men I’ve hired over the years, I can honestly only think of 3-4 that were actually worth it. Most of the time, the guy does not look nearly as good as his pictures ( not as muscular, older than advertised, different body pics used, etc.). Most of these guys I could likely meet for free. Somewhere down the line, hiring men became an addiction because I’ve suffered from low self esteem most of my life and any sort of rejection would put me in a funk.   I’m realizing now that spending so much money just to avoid my fears is not helping me in the long run.
 
I feel so ashamed to have spent so much money over the years for companionship I basically could have received for free had I stuck to a workout routine. 
I will say that the worst escorts are usually the Eastern European/Russian ones or the South American ones. They’re usually the rudest and more likely to have misleading pictures/ show disinterest.
I don’t mean to offend anyone with my post. They’re my experiences and options.
 
 

Yes to Nomadland~👍😎 Good pick Dentjusay~ Thx~!

Second the opinion on Nomadland
 
Gotta see the others based on your endorsement

Nomadland
Luca
The Mitchells vs the Machines

Nomadland
Luca
The Mitchells vs the Machines

If you haven't already, check out Arcane on Netflix. It's received high critical and audience acclaim for its storytelling, animation (up there with Into the Spider-verse), cinematography, voice acting, and how well it was adapted from its video game source.
It's a dark, emotionally compelling story about two sisters trying to survive in a beautiful, but often brutal world around them.

Per annual tradition:

Revenue increased 39% from 2020.

46% of 2021 revenue came from the year’s top three clients, up from 39% in 2020.

Kevin Slater

Flakes gonna flake 🙄. Sorry that this happened to you, but it will likely not be the last time. I'm not an escort, but I'm sure you might develop a sixth sense to potential flakes based on how they text / talk to you. Subtle clues or patterns might link potential flakes / time wasters. From escorts I've met, they didn't have any way to really verify my location or know if I was truly arriving, but maybe try having a backup plan ready just in case this happens again so it's not a complete waste. Get some work done, chores, workout, etc. Good luck man.

The fact that you do not have a sweating issue when relaxing at home could suggest an anxiety issue.  Sometimes these exist without other noticeable symptoms - almost like our bodies are working hard to deal with the stress/anxiety so that we can function normally otherwise.  It may be wise to check into this with your doctor, because if you do have an undiagnosed anxiety issue it could also be affecting other things in the long term, like concentration, blood pressure, etc.   I'm not a doctor, so please take my words for whatever they may be worth.

If you haven't tried it already, you might give SweatBlock a go. You can also purchase pads (individual or built into undershirts) that will catch the sweat. 

Dr-Reisfeld-Marisha-1.mp4

I had a bad sweating problem as well. I did one round of the miradry treatment, and it worked. I virtually have no armpit sweat, and don’t stain my shirts anymore. I still wear deodorant now just for the scent.

Steep, unless it is Henry Cavill and he will be showing up with both the Superman and Witcher kit.  

Dear Daniel, 
I'm SO sorry you had to experience this. You deserve better. Escorts provide a beautiful service. They bring excitement, intimacy & healing to a broken world. I mean that.
FWIW, I'm a physician & now concentrate solely on outpatient care.  And on my schedule I have no-shows all the time. Its frustrating.  And it harms my other patients who we declined offering an appointment to cuz we were full but we could have helped in the end.  This happens to every outpatient physician.  Any doctor who says differently is being dishonest.
Ok, my 2 cents worth given I'm a "provider", too (of different sorts):
1) Focus on those you did serve, especially those you really served well.  You cant always hit it out of the ballpark with everyone, so when you know you did well, congratulate yourself & be happy. And you seem to already be doing this as evidenced by your statement: 
Keep remembering those clients.  They will keep you sane.
Ok, specific suggestions:
1) My staff do NOT give an appointment to patients less than an hour away (but doc, I'm only 5 min away from your office!) from the scheduling appt time. If they are 5 min away they will invariably do some errand like stop at Starbucks and THEN be late. Nope. Maybe dont do the "now" appointments?
2) Keep a log of encounter inquires that result in a booked appointment.  Briefly log how they found you (which means you gotta ask them), their tone (they were lewd & sexual from the get go or... seemingly professional... or shy ...or...). Log a "gut reaction" you get from these inquiries (I think this is gonna go well to hhhmm,  I think he sounded sketchy....). Note times/dates of inquiries.  Note how many bank & forth volleys of texts/phone calls till the booking was made. Add more criteria as you seem appropriate.  
       THEN start looking for a trend. For example,  80% of inquires with a booking between 1000 pm & 500 am (the scheduling process time, not the actual meet up time) lead to no-shows but only 20% for other times. With that data, you can start implementing interventions to manage/diminish these time-wasters. For ex: if the above example is true, turn OFF your phone during those times & have an auto text-message go out saying something like you are "out" till the am but you are "VERY interested" in their "inquiry" but this "text will not go thru" so "please repeat your inquiry again tomorrow".  Time-wasters may lose interest & walk away. 
3. For bookings made in advance, try confirming the day before.  For example,  if they make a booking 5 days in advance, inform them during the initial booking process that the day before the appointment you will need a definite confirmation text (email or phone call or whatever you choose) to guarantee the next day appointment. No communication= cancelled appt. Many doctors offices do something similar. Might work for you?
4. My office has a 3 strike rule: 3 no-shows & the patient is discharged from my practice.  No exceptions.  And patients are informed of this. For you: one no-show & never book again. Block their number, too. 
5 While booking, ask their specific goals of the session. Make them articulate their needs. You might be able to see patterns of time-wasters & then decline to book. Maybe time-wasters arent as articulate & you can sense it? Dont book those.
6 If you arent already, consider all confirmed bookings to require a 2-3 min phone conversation to confirm everyone's intentions.  Maybe people are less likely to flake out if they spoke with you in a real, live human being voice versus 100% of the booking process done via text?
7. If talking with a prospective client you sense hesitation/potential flakiness,  dont hesitate to speak to your concern.  "I sense you are a bit unsure of your goals. Let's put off scheduling a definite appointment till we are both on the same page & I know I can give you a rocking-awesome time".
8. Like attracts like. You should strive to be the consummate professional.  Never flake on a client. Its bad charmma & you risk getting a reputation for flakiness & geting like-minded clients.  
Physicians have been honing strategies to decrease no-shows for years, and we are still fine-tuning the strategies, cuz we arent as successful as a group as we want.  Dont get discouraged & keep at it. I'm rooting for you. And come back & let us know how its going!
Hugs.
Josh
 

I guess it depends on when you are planning to meet (within a few hours, days, weeks, or months). If you are looking for someone within the next couple hours, then it should be understandable that you've "moved on" to look for other providers given that they haven't responded. If you're planning a session months in advance, they might feel less inclined to respond quickly versus someone looking to meet within the week, but that's just my opinion.
I've usually booked sessions about a week in advance, and most providers generally respond within two hours of my initial inquiry.

Lagavulin to the moon