TallMuscl37

yes, well according the article: We should have an understanding that it’s probably more to do with them than it is with a particular person. Their insecurities which lead them to become an impulsive blocker. I don’t get fazed by it but, it’s the exact reason why I don’t meet anyone in person without a phone number. I scolded one of my friends about that last week. I don’t care how discreet they claim or horny you are for NSA: blocking is the best case scenario. Getting swindled, whatever that may be: is worse case scenario. Some guys be like: “why does it matter, why? I don’t need their number, I can just set it up on the platform.” Well: when you experience something like, a guy pulling an armed robbery on you after just sucking each other off less than an hour ago: And then having no way to trace them, I don’t like to take chances (true story, but wasn’t related to escort work). Well I’ll add: hookup apps in particular. Though there were other sites like A4A that: at least they let you know you were blocked. Some hookup apps: you go to check if someone responded, you see the conversation but then it glitches for a sec, and the WHOLE CONVERSATION disappears. Person and all. But I think some do that to destroy their picture exchanges. It’s silly. It would be hilarious if a site had an “approval” process to block members. And part of the approval process would be to write to the other member, a kind message stating why they feel the need to block or what could be done to avoid being blocked. And it can only be approved IF the other person gets a chance to respond back. Sort of like RentMasseur reviews 🤣

Re: what I said in the post above yours… I also never said I only travel to nearby cities. I was referencing one particular strategy, that would not involve having to fly somewhere. I’m in area 2 time zones away from where I normally reside…and I did not fly.

Getting flown out may be 1 strategy for going to one particular city: however it’s not going to be something to rely on when traveling all the time. Many cities are within 200-300 miles of each other. Not necessarily worth buying doing a plane ticket and going thru all the hassle mentioned. Plus I can’t imagine many will fly someone out for an hour or 2. It would be an overnight most likely or few hours. That’s why I say it would be better if with someone previously met. Not to mention, no secret that flights usually have to be booked weeks ahead for a good deal. Meaning if anyone or anything comes up between that time, you’re left scrambling to cancel it. I’ll say too: there’s no 1 way fits all when it comes down to touring. Someone can do the same strategy that worked for another, and it not work for them. Sometimes the season dictates success, or there’s stuff like election season that has people acting all kinds of weird vibes and shit. Sometimes just a whole city or state isn’t worth going to. Almost just have to take different strategies and build one that works for the individual.

One of my background music songs, there’s a remake of this song that’s used for “meditative chill out soundtracks” 🤭

Meh, even that isn’t any guarantee. In a perfect world yes, but flying out to meet a stranger in a new city can be A) beyond someone’s comfort zone and B) no guarantee you’ll find clients to pay the overnight or multi hour rate. Especially if you don’t know or never met the client: I would never suggest flying out or flying someone out. It could be a disaster, and then you’re stuck until the flight leaves. I also know a porn daddy producer and he told me, he used to fly guys out to do performances but now: he waits for guys planning to come to the area and then schedules shoots. Simply because sex work isn’t as niche as it once was: everybody and their brother is doing and watching porn/some form of sex work. So it’s not the same profit margins. What does work, as I’ve stated: plan visits strategically: make sure “inquiries” are putting forward money in the form of even a nominal deposit OR have a place of their own to host. It’s also great to “tour”, meaning hitting more than just 1 or 2 cities…so that way one can almost use the money made in one city, to fund the commute to the next city. And so on and so forth. And once I’m on the road, I’m less likely to cancel upcoming trips because the ball is already rolling. If I traveled from one state to another; it’s going to make it easier to get to the next one, if it’s only 4 hours away.

Thanks, I feel blushed ☺️ But otherwise: Key word, “we”. But when 1 person is open and the other is on the fence, that’s when it becomes an issue. However, I still feel that most every guy I meet that’s not an organic “meet at work/thru friends/kickball” is almost always looking for someone they can get it in with. I see the same thing with my friends. Every time they say, “I’m hanging out with a friend” and I’m not invited, I already know it’s someone they’re hooking up. I don’t necessarily encourage every Gay friendship be sex involved. Some people do operate like that, but it’s not condoned by me. However, I find many dudes from online and at the bars already have enough platonic friends: so when they put the effort to meet someone of the preferred gender, they’re trying to get some Dick or ass. Even if they go to dinner, or movie, or this and that: it still has the end game of “getting some”. As for why some block me: idk. Sometimes I think when they don’t read what they want to read, they block. If it’s anything that conflicts with their desires, they block. It’s petty, selfishness. And I’m not talking about someone harassing or plain no attraction causing blocking. I’m talking cases where mutual attraction was established, pics exchanged, maybe a suggestion to meet: and then block. They’re control freaks, trying to dismiss before being dismissed.

So going back to that: I know there’s a general understanding that a provider shouldn’t stay too long in a visiting area, which can be true: however, my experience has shown some cities are okay for quick ins and outs, whereas others it takes staying there days, even weeks and months to get people to notice or initiate. It can take practically moving there. St. Louis was an example: I used to try to stop thru there years ago and never seen anyone each time. Once I started visiting for longer and never imagined moving there, I began meeting more locals, crossing paths with others from elsewhere, (then it went back to sucking this year) etc. San Francisco, New Orleans on the other hand: have been okay for quickie visits. Maybe the touristy nature. Washington DC has also shown me I’ve had to hang around for days also, to book stuff. Of course not always in the form of booking hotels, as it would be a waste of money quickly. I’d catch friends there for conventions and then after 3-4 days get the ball going. Florida: my home state can suck to tour also, but living there over 2 years I began to meet more people. Traveling Orlando and Miami it can take awhile to find the right people. Many clients in Florida are terrified of being scammed, or even scammers themselves. I no longer tour there EVER unless I have good reason to do so: which hasn’t been since 2021. I think it’s just the reality, not all clients are looking or available during the specific times we arrive. I actually believe 2-4 days just isn’t enough time anywhere anymore FOR ME particularly. Even though, I will only spend a day or 2 just to save money. But I wish I could stay longer. I beat myself up staying in Minneapolis for only 3 nights last month. But I couldn’t afford to stay longer unless I wanted to burn my earnings. And then 3 people inquiring to book on my last day, didn’t. So I was like Fuck it, I’m leaving.. at 9 p.m. at night 😤 when I really didn’t want to. That’s why I try to go places where I can sideline until I get the bookings going. Or prebook before going. But not encouraged I can go back to booking rooms 2-3 days straight, only to freak out by day 2 if anyone doesn’t show up. Too risky. Clients might not like but, oh well. Write to the politicians or board of hoteliers about it. A room shouldn’t cost $150-$200 for one person. Charge the 1 person less. Let the dual income guests, pay full price 🤷🏾‍♂️

I think what you’re referring to, is like working in a registered massage/spa/health club setting open to the general public. If that were the case, there would be a whole lot of rules to follow, licensed/certified or not. No nudity, no thong with the string running down your ass crack even, probably no serving alcohol, “muscle relaxers/VHS cleaning solution” 🤣 or working hours pass a certain time. Like @Jamie21 stated, “therapy” may be an umbrella term applied to massages: but again, RentMasseur isn’t a massage studio. Its no more liable than the yellow pages 📖 would be for allowing advertisements.

Right…one of those their, there, they’re words that only come out properly when speaking 🙃 Lord, tell me about it. I just had a deep conversation tonight with a gay friend of mine here in SoCal. I had to let him know: bruh, it was cute to talk about your sexual escapades and fantasies when you were 24/25: but above 35 going on 40? Keep that shit to yourself or the person you’re fucking…or channel it to an online forum unlike here, where other people are okay discussing that. I’m not the gay friend who wants to listen to someone talk about “my bussy is hungry”, but then want to act like they can’t have a friend’s with occasional benefits situation. I told him it’s not relevant to know when was the last dick he sucked or how big the last guy he fucked is. I have my own sex life to mull over. And as it relates to blocking people, I’ve also told him many men in the gay lifestyle aren’t “just” looking for friends. They want some action. If they feel sex isn’t going to happen, they’re going to eventually block out of their life. I’ve seen it many times in dating situations myself. But there’s a segment of gay guys out there who feel they can be a tease “friend” to another gay guy, and they’re okay with it. Even if someone does hang out platonically with many other gay guys, 9/10 if it’s a “new” man in their life not connected to their circle, they’re meeting for the potential of getting some. And even though it sounds like it implies gays only want sex: it makes sense in ways because many guys especially older men: don’t want to waste time hanging with a dude they don’t know too well: who isn’t putting out at least sometimes. Not in my experience. Straight men are pretty much the same way around women and vice versa. Unless it’s a co-worker, long time friend with history, mutual friends etc. Sometimes it takes growing and experience to understand those things. But it’s also why I prefer client friendships at various times because, they understand *** is available when needed, and there’s non of that juvenile “friend zone” games to contend with. Hell, I know dudes who 95% of their friend circle is composed of guys they Fuck or have fucked around with. Not that I condone it for everyone, as it breeds drama, but it’s just the reality. I was not wanting to say but since you asked, I’ll try to say: I find that certain “ethnic” (not Black) guys are the ones who seem to block the most on the “free” platforms. I had one, we were chatting back and forth thru the day trying to arrange a meet, he was from South America or something I think. Sounded like he was using translation, Blocked me. Had 2 guys in San Diego, think one was Middle Eastern recently trying to arrange a time: blocked me. Again, these weren’t clients: but just free time meetups. Many of them hit me up first, versus other way around. I don’t always like to initiate on the hookup platforms because I already know I’m not necessarily what the “majority” are looking for, but it’s more likely I get blocked at some point by reaching out to them first. But circling back to how it relates to the hiring world: I have found some RentMen users pulling similar stunts here and there. “User is inaccessible” after discussing booking details or trying to confirm a visit.

I'm addicted to blocking guys online... What does it mean about me? - Queerty WWW.QUEERTY.COM Hi Jake, I’m 35 and haven’t had the best luck with dating, or hooking up for that matter. I grew up bullied a lot... This is a follow up to another thread: Which I felt ran its course…but I randomly been experiencing the same thing myself on the GoodWill app (aka Grindr 🚮). Of course I’ve also had it happen on my RM advertisements as well from clients. I don’t get phased by it but, it is perplexing and annoying for sure. Thats why I often try to move things away from online as soon as possible. You can spend days chatting here and there, and wind up blocked. I find it especially common it seems from “certain type” (I won’t say who because it may be portrayed as race card-ish, and it isn’t just ONE that’s doing it) guys to do shit like that. To me it’s so immature. For adults to be on online platforms looking for pleasure, being unable to have the courtesy to speak their mind or say yes or no to something is just not good. So yeah, anyone who feels blocking guys left and right, regardless of the platform or who’s side it’s coming from: should probably check themselves…into counseling 🤣 If someone can send me ass and dick pics or trade ass and dick pics and still block: that’s someone not being serious at all and is probably messy and grimy in how they go about their “fun” anyway.

No surprise 🤷🏾‍♂️ Abercrombie has always exemplified the privilege of White, wealthy, and what defines attraction. I know they tried to clean that up awhile back, but it still goes on today…it’s even how the gay America 🌎 revolves (in many cities except maybe Atlanta and Miami proper where minorities are the majority) . It was ingrained in adolescents during the most crucial times of their lives: middle and high school. Even though one person doesn’t speak for an entire brand, what they promote still encourages a “mentality” among others, to make some feel inferior and others superior (convenient huh) in some way.

I wanted to add also: I understand the general gist of this however, I think some of the things mentioned aren’t the escort’s issue. A client losing “interest” because a provider is in an area too long, seems unreasonable considering: it’s an online ad. The client is free to look or not look however they choose. A client who gets bored that an escort is visiting a town for 2 weeks, or decides to do an extended stay in an area: is someone who needs to find other hobbies other than cruising escort ads hoping a guy “goes away” after a few days. People should feel comfortable they can advertise in a town however long they feel. I know for me, sometimes I have to stay in a town a bit longer than just a 2-3 day or week due to things I’m aspiring to do outside of the biz. I also wouldn’t particularly recommend ALL PEOPLE to visit a city without sure clients in the chamber. I agree GOING to a city is the only real way to know what is possible, but I’ve been burned before (words clients often use themselves) going to cities with half assed responses and “inquiries” only to arrive and only 1 or 2 guys follow thru. This is why I’ve had to stick to deposits in my dealings. Taking people’s “word” or going somewhere that I had lots of inquiries: has lost me money and time unnecessarily. I’ll never forget the “Great Indianapolis blunder” and the “Las Vegas bomb”: in my earlier days. I did 1st trips to both cities, after advertising a few days ahead and getting a handful of inquiries. Instead, I arrived and nobody showed up in either. Since then, I’ve had better trips in both locations, but I’ll never go to either again, without clients pre-booked. The trip I’m currently on: It hasn’t been fully bombs and blunders, but it’s been a obscene number of clients who I communicated with before planning this trip: who either flaked or lied about booking me, or maybe had organic reasons to not be able to meet. I was expecting better but, I guess the economy and politics really are shit. Plus like I said earlier, there’s far too many guys on the sites in some of these bigger cities. I’m overwhelmed myself looking thru the listings. I’m going to have to get outta California soon because it’s far too inundated with other sex workers. Even a regular client I know in a medium sized Midwest city has told me on 2-3 occasions, “I went on RentMen the other day and couldn’t BELIEVE how many ads in town there were. I couldn’t believe it”. And re: canvassing cities, that’s why I feel deposits benefit BOTH client and provider because once a legitimate provider has the money in hand, they’re more confident to go forward with the trip. If however, all a person hears is some half ass text about “when are you in (insert city)” followed by “maybe, I’ll possibly let you know”: that provider is probably more likely to cancel the trip. And it’s not just escorts and masseurs either: couple years I did a calendar shoot for a company. There was 12 models involved. We had 3 events in different states to attend to. Each event: only like 3-4 guys of the 12 showed up. The company covered parts of the accommodations, but getting there was our responsibility. The other guys weren’t willing to spend their money upfront to travel to the other cities.

Bravo, bravo…good points made. I’ll also add: before anyone reads this and automatically thinks car travel is best, just be sure to have your mind and other shit in the right place and be aware of the risks. Also, be wary of speeding and overzealous cops: Certain state’s license plates are NOTORIOUS for being suspect and pulled over in new states. If you have anything “suspect”, don’t bring it on the road trip. I had a friend gave me a souvenir of “enhancement products”. As I started to walk out the door, I said: “actually: I won’t be able take it. I can’t risk getting stopped”. Add to: there can be some shitty drivers out there and each state has their “style”. I’m an experienced and schooled driver myself, but I still find myself caving into speeding and “spirited” driving every so often. Add to the fact some of these “potential” clients can push your buttons when you’re trying to travel: for example, I told a client who waited 5 DAYS to return my last text asking if he wanted to schedule while I’m in town: I NEED YOU TO CONFIRM WITHIN 30 MINUTES BEFORE I PASS THE NEXT EXIT (after that, I would have been on my way to the next destination) What does he do? Drags his feet, bullshits, keeps asking stupid questions, not following the directions I’m giving him, etc. He finally 4 hours later says: “okay I’m ready to send the deposit now, where are you?” I’d already left town. I told him what to do within the period of time I needed it. Now he’s been added to the shit list for being unnecessarily difficult🤦🏾‍♂️ I mainly drive because I naturally love to drive anyway. I’ve done trips using flight and in comparison, flying still feels like the least convenient option. Too expensive, too much interactions with people and security, anxiety from missing flights and baggage loss. Not great when your biz requires bringing a lot of things and being on the road a long time. But if someone doesn’t have the patience and know how, driving can be more hassle than it’s worth.

Y’all did what you had to do, in that situation. Doesn’t matter what anyone else would have done. There also isn’t an indication of how long “it” lasted before “shit” happened. Was it 5 minutes, or an hour? In the case of the latter: there’s not much to do but finish off. Now: Were both of these guys aware what they were doing prior to arriving? If not maybe one wasn’t prepared (and I’m not sure whether you meant you booked them at the same or different times). Or if the person says “I just want etc etc and then turns out he actually wants to do XXX at the last minute, then maybe too it wasn’t being properly planned out. In this case, if the bottom decides to not want to continue…it’s not much more to do. But in a situation where time wasn’t a factor: I think there’s the chance to clean up and start back over after some time passes.

I should mention too: even though I commute myself mostly, Amtrak can be a fun way to get between close knit cities. I was able to do to STL to Chicago once on business class for decent price. Plus, Amtrak is much more baggage friendly. No weighing bags, squeezing into cupboards, and the aisles are bigger. I’ll say though: I may be retiring the travel circuit and just finding a decent city that’s close to a couple good areas. Like I’ve mentioned in earlier post: it’s just so many escorts in cities where it didn’t used to. The cities you mentioned, I’ve been to or lived in all. They used to only have a handful, now there’s dozens in the big cities and a dozen in the smaller towns. Many of these cities don’t have enough gay paying clientele to support all at once. I’ve seen places like Nashville, Denver, Phoenix, Tulsa, Washington DC: All places I used to do so well in: Only producing 1 or 2 clients per visit. Sometimes non when you subtract regulars. I’ve been on tour since late September. I’ve been thru 7 cities: but only 4 of those were places that I was able to get booked. Meaning 3 cities, tanked. Not great. We need a revival for certain. Everybody did not grow up on onlyfans or have the savvy to grow subscribers. Good old fashioned in person meets used to bring in a lot of coin. Now: it’s wishy washy.

Hey, former Tampa resident here myself 👋🏽 Also I’m a seasoned traveler who’s been doing it since when it was more lucrative than it is now: however RentMen/Masseur have made it easier by not having to constantly pay extra for travel ads like the old school RentBoy, Craigslist, and Backpage ads used to do I know the first thing you said was airfare: I try to eliminate any dealings with airports/flying when I’m traveling for bookings. #1 it’s too expensive and #2 you have to book too far in advance, to find the good deals. I also never liked the idea of being forced to go to a city that I may need to cancel if biz isn’t ready by the time the flight is booked. I will say it’s become harder to turn profit simply because hotels are higher and there’s more guys than ever on the sites. But what I try to do, and have had guys agree as well: I try to only book a couple days room at a time. If things are going great I’ll add to it, but 3-4 days in a city is usually enough Also: I’ve traveled so much that I now have friends/clients in various cities and states that I post up with in between bookings. So I can base with them, and then switch to hotels when I need to host. It’s not always convenient though and I do require deposits since people can flake out and leave you stuck with a hotel bill for the day. I would HIGHLY suggest doing deposits if you want to protect your time and schedule. You forgot the 4th: guys who simply don’t want to be tied to one city, especially the city they live: which may be economically disadvantageous, racist, or homophobic, or unfriendly towards gay escorts. For me, I’m not in any of the 3 brackets you mentioned: but I travel because there’s opportunity on the road, new guys to meet, new scenery and even better weather, better shopping (can’t always find the same clothes in Florida, that you would find in Denver, etc). Also: not keeping existing clients isn’t always indicative of someone being a scammer. There are some cities where it’s just hard to keep regulars. A lot of cities are over saturated with providers, and there’s only a handful of clients who are serious about paying for one, and paying the RIGHT rates (someone today offered me $60 to meet up). It’s not like Grindr where having lots of options is okay. The more options clients have, the harder it is to hang on and keep them. Many clients just naturally want to wander about and try new guys. Not a bad thing for a traveling escort, but can be a counterproductive thing for a local escort depending on regular business.

Yes, when I lived in South Orlando: the neighborhood my folks lived didn’t have floods as there was a lot of drainage creeks around. Idk how it fared in the hurricane though. Those creeks would occasionally get close to the road but I never seen them flood over. Also, when they build the homes: they layer up like a ton of sand before the foundation is laid. So the house sits higher than the actual ground level. Idk, winter is still bad. I’ve felt my normally solid heavy vehicle, feel like a feather on icy roads. The number of accidents especially in places where people have no idea how to drive in the snow: can be insane. The salt water flooding that is happening to coastal homes, happens every winter in the Midwest: in the form of de-icing. It’s hard on vehicles and roads. Especially Minneapolis, Detroit, Buffalo, etc. with wet snow. Not as much an issue in Denver and other cities with dry snow. Frost bite or falling on ice is also no joke either. I don’t think one is better than the other, it’s more of: which is the one most willing to tolerate? Of course, it’s easier to prepare and work around winter, than a sudden hurricane or tornado: by just staying home in the day it snows and the first 2 days after. But even when it melts, black ice still poses a hazard for days on end, as I’ve seen many times. I think it’s the weather and the fraud that follows. I think eventually they’re going to have to figure out a different insurance strategy all together. Probably will be something sinister like adding a tax into groceries, gas and clothing, along with vehicle registration, and calling it “Florida insurance tax”. But I doubt the state can survive by dropping policies or raising prices to astronomical levels.

Miami used to have a rep for where many of the hurricanes would go near. That’s why rarely see trees in people’s yards, and many of the first level hotels and apartments have tile. Lately most have ended up on the gulf side instead. As for overhyped media coverage: what they’re showing is very accurate however, they are generally going to the areas worst hit. Which could be a relatively small area with tons of damage. However, in some ways they also don’t show the full picture and it could be lesser damage that’s more widespread than what’s shown. There’s lot of towns and cities in Florida far from the beach. But the news reporters are often filming right near the coast, where the winds are strongest. Of course people likely see it and think “oh no, everybody’s home in Florida is destroyed 😨 So it can be a bit misleading. I’m currently an evacuee myself; but I’m escaping from the storm of oppression lol. Being in a place where you’re trying to do business but there’s not enough people reliable to book, and nothing but flakes and game players…yet places require $1,000s upfront to move in: that can feel like a disaster. That’s why I left my area and went elsewhere.

Well I was going to mention the western droughts and intense heat, may be a caveat to moving out west. Also, some of those places I mentioned aren’t places I would necessarily move to lol. Notice I mentioned “retire”. For example Branson Missouri area. Don’t get me wrong, it is nice and almost has a key west vibe to it. Lots of boating/fishing, daytime attractions and entertainment similar to Orlando/Las Vegas has, but without the hurricanes or drought. However it’s not particularly gay populated, and it’s in the epitome of the Bible Belt. However, the issue with Florida is: it’s become a target, and there’s not enough being done to cover everybody. And insurance companies don’t play fair: Someone may just be in suburban Miami or Tampa, 20 miles from the beach: and still get a rate increase just because: there was 2 hurricanes IN THE AREA this year. I remember my first car insurance bill in Miami was like $350 down, for basic liability. In Texas, it was less than $100 down to start. So it’s not just the storms, it’s the politics around it. Houston and New Orleans are also places that are vulnerable. But they aren’t peninsulas and hurricanes don’t generally cross the state, so insurance companies there seem to be more forgiving.

$11,000 a month for insurance? Or is that his mortgage and taxes included. Might need to fact check that lol. Thing is: even if the hurricane doesn’t make a direct hit, the insurance companies view it the same. Florida address? Hurricane rates by default. And of course, areas around the storm can still cause damage. All it takes is one old oak tree, or a palm tree (usually Queen Palm, which aren’t hurricane hardy but native Florida/carribean palms are) to fall on a house. Or a road to puddle too deep and hydrolock an engine. Even when there isn’t a hurricane: Tampa and Miami can get so much rain from a regular storm in a short amount of time. Seeing Tropicana stadium ripped off is definitely a sign of a strong wave. But I agree, up north winters are no joke either. But that’s why I suggested some of those other areas as Florida alternatives. They still get winters, but are relatively mild in comparison to Chicago, Detroit and New York: where many transients in Florida come from.

Native Floridian here (who left in 2018/2019 and haven’t been back since except during November 2021 for a nude calendar event)… Here’s the thing: hurricanes have been a thing of Florida since who knows how long. It’s a college football team (Miami hurricanes), a delicious alcohol beverage (Hurricane), and just part of life in Florida. However, the big problem is the population and insurance rates, as has been mentioned. Not just home but vehicle also. Florida has long been a place for the rich and famous to party, but in reality: Florida is shaped like a dead fish 🐟 because it’s a weather prone place ecologically lol. Hurricanes have carved out the shape of the state. Why do people want to populate a place that is surrounded by deep ocean on both sides, and is a known hurricane commute zone? I was in high school in 2004 when there was 4 hurricanes that hit at once. That was when the insurance companies started pulling out: 4 hurricanes in 6 weeks? It happened to one state in 2004. WWW.NOAA.GOV Lessons learned then are valuable reminders today That said: sometimes it’s not always as bad as the media describes. THE NEWS DOES OVERHYPE THESE THINGS. If you live away from the coast, and don’t have big trees covering your yard: a hurricane is very survivable. My grandmother and relatives lived in Miami since the 1950s. Went thru Andrew, and a dozen other storms over the decades. Even when a whole hurricane crosses a state, most of the damage is within the few miles of the eye wall. Most homes can stand up to 100 mph winds: these come in 20-30 minute bands throughout the time the storm is passing. But wind whipping 100 mph is enough to cause damage in a few minutes. It’s just a come and go event. I also grew up in Tampa: every hurricane season a storm would threaten, the church pastors would pray them away 😆, and they always just skirted the area: but it was fun getting 3 days off school and seeing the force of the winds. Hurricanes can actually be fun to experience: but the ones that have been happening are WAY bigger than what it used to be. They used to be little things with 80 mph winds that breezed thru quickly and weakened before even hitting land. Now they’re huge and landing inland as cat 3 hurricanes. MY ADVICE: do not move to Florida unless you have a solid concrete home inland. I wouldn’t advise anyone to move there until they figure out how to fix their insurance problem. Every hurricane that hits, becomes a reason for insurance companies to leave or hike rates…my home state has become a place of no return. It’s too expensive to live, and it’s going to happen every year. Only the rich and famous can afford to comfortably live there. I’m currently in Arizona, yesterday was 107 degrees, and even though no area of the country is immune to natures wrath lately (heat, hail and snow storms have been crazy as well): I would suggest someone seeking a green or warm climate to retire, to consider places like Missouri/Branson, New Mexico, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego/Oceanside (though more expensive than Florida), Northwest Arkansas (headquarters of Walmart lol), and even the northern Texas area. And the good thing is: those areas also sell palm trees, Home Depot and Lowe’s. I buy some every year and they do great outside in the summer, just have to bring them in for the winter.

Funnily enough, I've actually re-considered DFW area as a potential relocation, and have put out some feelers in the meantime. I wasn't a huge fan of Texas when I lived there (I had just moved from Florida, and hadn't really been to as many places then as I have now). I like that DFW has an extended warm season, but I just wasn't a fan of the winters. However, I realize winter is the same in pretty much every state except Florida, New Mex, Arizona, and California/Vegas. But beyond the weather, living in Missouri versus living in Texas: I definitely see the difference in how living in a "smaller" market can be. Patrick Mahomes has gotten Whataburger to make its way to the Kansas City and even surrounding burbs. Saltgrass has a location. But that's the thing: It's a great town for foodie/restaurants. But when it comes to high end fashion and freelance: there just isn't the market like some of the bigger cities have. I know that sounds cliche. But think about the most recent "natural" disaster. Miss "TS" Helene. Lots of people are displaced thru no fault of their own. Some don't even have flood insurance. Do you think those people can rely on some gay guy off Grindr or RentMen for a place to stay for 6-12 months while they get their lives together? No: because that gay guy on Grindr either has 2-3 roommates or lives alone and doesn't want to share any of his space for longer than a few days. If at all. And I've at times, been where things were going great renting somewhere: But then a website goes out of business, or some temporary economic change slows business down: and the greedy landlord/property management owners doesn't want to wait more than a couple weeks for rent. So rather than go thru the proper court proceedings, or be patient and wait: they resort to daily harassment until they get their rent. And not to call bluff but, people booking don’t always do us justice either. I've had situations where clients have bailed just days before rent is due. Earlier this week, a client cancelled (albeit with a deposit and a day in advance notice so...it didn't mess me up necessarily) an overnight session we planned. I had anticipated to combine that towards a place I hoped I was going to get. He had to postpone understandably due to illness, and the place fell thru too so: didn't matter either way. But if it did: I may have been short of what I was going to use towards getting the place. At the same time: I been out of town now for 2 weeks: I been doing better financially than I would be if I was at home, even with hotel overheads that I been able to keep low thru being resourceful. But I can only do it when I'm getting booked throughout the week. I don't even need to see multiple clients a day, just a steady stream (no pun intended) throughout the week. But when I'm home, I'm going 1-2 weeks without bookings. And it makes it hard to get ahead.

Just because it “comes with the territory” doesn’t mean I can’t bring it up. It’s not incessant ranting, it’s having a discussion about something. If that’s problematic for you, then I’m sorry YOU allowed yourself to feel that way. You’re welcome to excuse yourself. I do feel the $100/$200 expectation is a widely held “belief” out there. However, I’ve seen the biz over the years, and I’ve seen how things have changed. $200 was okay when there were several platforms to advertise on, and getting 4-5 clients a week in THE SAME CITY was attainable. However, with everything that’s happened with inflation and website restrictions, along with hookup apps being a primary go to: things aren’t as busy for everybody. That said, the particular situation I was referring to: the guy was a flake anyway. I recently met a client who happily paid our agreement and all was well. That’s close to what I’m asking. However it is interesting that a $100 difference on a $500 session would persuade you. Not saying you’re in the wrong, but I have seen situations where I may have needed to ask for an extra $100: whether that be longer travel or booking a room for a particular session. Many have been okay to cover it. I try to be reasonable rate wise, because I don’t like to have to double back on prices. But I’ve also structured by sessions to give people options. That’s why anytime someone asks, “what’s your rate?” I’m never going to give them 1 price ever. At least not anymore. 1 price for everything makes no sense to me, no matter how easy it SEEMS. Sure I could just say $250. Or $300. But for what? How am I supposed to name a price when I don’t even know what I’m getting into? That’s why I like to offer options. I also will ask for minimums for certain sessions. Like if I have to travel an hour to a particular area near where I’m staying: it’s a 90 minute or 2 hour minimum. Because I’m already spending two hours to get there and back. If I have to get a hotel to host, it may be an extra $100 to offset that.

I’m just asking myself this question, after spending the past 5 months searching for a place: only to end up empty handed. My criteria wasn’t super strict, but I was working with a budget in a few particular area. Either they had strict income criteria or have dozens of applicants all trying to get the same place. Whoever has the best criteria, and the money upfront; gets it. I’m just like, fuck this shit. This is fucking bullshit. It’s been a waste of my money and time searching for places, not realizing that there’s little chance of actually getting it unless you have pay stubs and hundreds/thousands upfront to pay for deposits. Not to mention the application fees/background/credit checks. I’ve come to realize the housing/rental industry is set up for failure. The biggest thing as it relates to this industry; many cities seem to slow down or change from being profitable. Especially lately with rise in COL and more guys advertising on the sites. These property management companies want prospects to come up with a slew of things to get in the door, which I’ve done before: only to then be there a year or 2 and business slows down. Then I’m forced to struggle to pay the rent or move. And many local clients don’t become regulars often enough. The particular city I been looking in is Kansas City area, but I feel stupid fighting to reside in a STATE that I really don’t care to be in because, business has been terrible for a couple years, it’s oversaturated with foreign traveling guys, and the clients are overall unreliable. I’m from Florida originally: there, it wasn’t just Miami and Orlando to meet clients. There were SEVERAL cities on both coasts to connect with clients. In Missouri: the only towns to get clients are Kansas City and St. Louis: both of which have become over saturated with providers, so there’s hardly any business in either one. All the other towns are racist/homophobic and have nothing to offer. I’m now thinking to just start doing something like, live in a city for a week or a month, and then move on to the next. Or just go home after that time. Which I been doing for the most part, but it’s just been mostly couple/few days in hotels. However it’s hard to not have a “home” base at all because: living on the go and/or with family is hard. I have to keep medical appointments, maintenance, sometimes I come down with seasonal illness and have to take a few days off. And I find traveling especially prone to getting sick because of staying between hotels and eating differently than usual sometimes. Regardless, I’m just thinking it’s not worth renting anymore. I just am not really thrilled with hotel/air bnb living either. However, it’s easier to just throw down a credit card for incidentals/deposit: than to search and wait months for a place, only to end up not liking the city after all. I wish I had enough to just buy a house outright. But that is another issue in itself. I find many gay guys are so uptight and selfish about their personal space. Everybody wants to live alone, or they already have 2-3 roommates. If they live alone, it’s because they WANT to live alone. Or they’re so jaded by past experiences and can’t trust anybody else. I’m just over it. I can say, there are some select clients who have offered staying arrangements: and those are the type of people I prefer to deal with. However, it’s not my “goal” to live with a client. I just want to have a regular place to host, that’s not going to be a money pit every month. And that’s what I feel most apartments have become: money pits. They want us to pay more, despite business being less than it was 10 years ago 🤷🏾‍♂️

Well, I picked one up and it worked. You might have used Mastercard gift card. But I mean the ones where you just get it at like Walmart/Dollar Tree, sign up and then they send you a permanent one in the mail. That said, Rent-Masseur has been down all day for me. This sucks considering I’m out of town visiting somewhere and my ad isn’t even getting shown.