A new low

[irishguybos]

RE: MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

 

WAW WAW WAW

[Luv2play]

Your explanantion notwithstanding, I still maintain that BN may have fully intended to say "former high-profile escort couple". I am aware of several couples that fit this description who no longer escort as a couple but do continue to escort and get reviews on this site. So why is my interpretation, the literal one, wrong? Yours, which is somewhat tortured, is not necessarily right.

 

I have also noticed that a subsequent poster on this thread is now quoting "formerly high-profile escort couple" as if those were BN's words and not yours. Talk about distorting the truth!

 

It might help if BN clarified his comment since he probably is following this thread. That appears unlikely though, given the vitriol expressed towards him by many such as you.

[Rick Munroe]

Hi everyone, this is "former high-profile" Rick Munroe giving his official reply to something that really doesn't deserve it at all. We just got back yesterday from a really fun vacation in Canada (as I noted on my blog last week), and I see that someone has been busy trying to smear his fellow escorts. What a sad thing to come home to.

 

By the way, I have to laugh that anyone would think that that gossipy blog was referring to Derek and me. We are not a former couple, and while I've never thought of us as "high-profile," I suppose others do, so I'm not sure why anyone would think "former high-profile escort couple" would mean us. But whether it was referring to us or to Siegfried and Roy or anyone else, posting this type of purposefully harmful trash is equally egregious and not funny at all. The title of this thread, "A new low," is quite appropriate.

 

Now, this whole affair is ridiculously repugnant on so many levels; where do I begin? First of all, I want to stress that I in no way want, in what I am about to say, to imply that I disdain people who have HIV or that I do not respect them as people or that I do not have an enormous amount of compassion and sympathy for them, because that is just not the case.

 

Now, here's a little back-story for those who haven't heard it before. Derek was my high school sweetheart (he was already a freshman in college and I was a senior) and we were each other's first sexual partners, first lovers, first everything. We basically grew up together...grew from boys to men together. Along the way, we were completely monogamous -- partially because we were so deeply in love and totally fulfilled each other's desires, and partially because we were afraid of getting HIV and dying, as we saw happen to our best friend from college (for those of you who have been to our place, he did the painting of us that hangs in the living room).

 

A few years ago, we decided to open up our relationship and experience other guys, and soon after that we began escorting. But we did so very cautiously. At first, we were only sucking with condoms, but then we gradually got more relaxed about that after talking to our doctor (repeatedly; he got a little sick of us, I think) and doing a lot of research and making sure we always have healthy gums, etc. We never let anyone cum in our mouths, we NEVER EVER bareback, and we never do anything that would put ourselves and our sex partners at risk. If we enter a dimly lit hotel room, one of us always turns some lights up at first so we can "check out the goods," so to speak. I don't let anyone finger my ass without a finger cot. I mean, we give it our all and get quite passionate, but we are also always aware of what is going on and making sure everything stays safe as can be because, frankly, we are still neurotic about staying HIV negative and STD-free.

 

I mentioned barebacking and I want to address that, as I have in the past. I do not look down upon people who bareback; that is their choice. However, I not only have no desire to participate in it -- the thought of it actually turns me off big-time. I guess part of that comes from the memory of our college friend, and how he "slipped up" that one time, and now he's gone. I associate barebacking with death, and I cannot look at, say, barebacking videos and get turned on (although I admit that I do, on occasion, get off on straight videos where the gals take loads...maybe because I'm not a woman? Hmm...I'll have to give that some thought).

 

Derek and I also avoid going to places, such as sex parties or bathhouses, where, for example, you don't know where someone's dick has recently been and you have less control. That's also why we turn down offers for group sex (that is, groups larger than Derek, myself and a third guy), because there is less control over the situation. Like I said, we like to give of ourselves 100% but we also like to have a degree of comfort that comes from knowing that we are not putting ourselves at risk. If you read my blog, you may recall that on our last trip to SF, Derek and I had some free time and debated going to a gloryhole sex club (Blow Buddies) but eventually decided against it because the fear of getting an STD was too great. Now, I know Benjamin Nicholas has written about his various bathhouse exploits, "watching" guys barebacking, etc., and that is his choice and I in no way mean this to be taken as a critique toward him or toward anyone else who partakes in that kind of higher-risk activity. It just isn't anything Derek and I want to be involved in.

 

I have occasionally mentioned that I rarely get fucked, and people find that hard to believe because my ass pic is so (in)famous, but it is the truth, as most of my clients will attest. The reason is NOT because I don't like it, because I do (although, my hole is quite tight now from lack of use). No, the main reason is that condoms can break, and I do not want to take the chance that one will break when I'm the bottom. That's just the basic truth. I know this stuff is not very sexy to talk about. People would much rather hear that I am a total slut and a #### and that I love to do everything with everyone, and I understand that. Hot talk is just that: hot talk. But I never make any promises I don't intend to keep, and I have done my best to make sure my sexual partners are happy.

 

I think I've spent enough time "defending" myself and Derek. I probably didn't have to, but (a) I always love talking about us anyway and (b) this gossip/smear or whatever you want to call it, even though it was "nameless," is just the most outrageous thing anyone could ever say about us (and again, I truly mean no disrespect to anyone who has HIV/AIDS). I mean, someone could write that Derek got angry at me for buying an expensive Cher doll and that he tossed it out the window, and while it wouldn't be true, it would be believable because people know that I collect dolls (in a macho way, of course) and that Derek is a beast }( . But a rumor that we have somehow converted to HIV positive is just the most ridiculous, outrageous, heinous thing imaginable on so many levels. I don't know what's more insanely unbelievable: that two people who are EXTREMELY careful about staying negative would suddenly, mysteriously become positive, or the "fact" that we would then continue to escort while confiding in Benjamin Nicholas of all people (someone we neither know nor particularly like). Let me put it this way, and it is something Derek and I have said before: if for some reason, we ever did get HIV or any other serious illness or STD, you would hear about it from US immediately, in our official retirement notice.

 

One last thing: I was not a close friend of HooBoy's, but we did speak on the phone occasionally, and I found it quite amusing because the wine often made him talk and talk and talk (I once told him that his stories were like a conveyor belt that just kept going and going endlessly). Anyway, I will always remember one time that he got to talking about his protege, Benjamin, and what he said was basically that Benjamin was a great marketer who had the gift to make "a whole lot of something out of nothing."

 

I guess I'll let HooBoy have the last word here.

[RockHard]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

As always, Rick, interesting read. I guess I'm the only one who doesn't have a male companion this Friday evening.

 

"I have to laugh that anyone would think that that gossipy blog was referring to Derek and me."

 

It never occurred to me that you and Derek could be the couple in question. The thought never once crossed my mind. But I must confess, I didn't really care much who they were. Like someone else said on this board, I assume all sex-workers are HIV+ unless they tell you otherwise and you have the ability to trust their word.

 

I do think it was smart of you, given the presumptuous climate here, to write this response and protect your business interests and reputation.

 

"A former high-profile escort couple, now coupled with the frightening fact that they are HIV+ was the terrible news that hit my inbox yesterday. While i wish them only the best in this really tough time, i will say that letting their clients know ahead of time is the professional and sane thing to do." © Benjamin Nicholas

 

I'm ready to get slammed (over and over again) but I fail to see the repugnancy the way this paragraph is written. In fact, I find the paragraph restrained and somewhat sensitive. I don't see or read evil malcontent but I realize the revelation, given its context and the owner of the blog, is highly controversial.

 

Look, for me, as an objective observer, it's as simple as this: I want to know who's HIV+. I want to know if the man I'm playing with is HIV+ (I always ask). I want to know if my friends or their lovers get diagnosed. I want to know if my favorite porn star is HIV+. (I grieved for Joey Stefano.) I want to know where a popular escort stands with HIV. I know it's none of my business and I have no right to this information but I still want to know. And not all "wanting to know" is malicious, seedy, reprehensible, repugnant, or intended to be ugly in any way. If someone you care about gets sick, you want to know. And you want to know if they're taking care of themselves.

 

"I do not look down upon people who bareback; that is their choice. However, I not only have no desire to participate in it -- the thought of it actually turns me off big-time."

 

I think promiscuous gay men who bareback have a death wish, even if both men are positive. New strains of HIV are becoming more and more drug resistant and these new strains cannot be controlled when gay men continually throw caution to the wind for yet another 30 second orgasm. But like abortion, I think people should be free to make these choices. The problem with HIV and one-night-lovers and sex-workers: many of these guys are sex addicts and addicts are in denial and a serious byproduct of denial is lying. I want to know if a lover/sex worker is lying about his HIV status.

 

"Derek and I also avoid going to places, such as sex parties or bathhouses, where, for example, you don't know where someone's dick has recently been and you have less control."

 

I've never been to a sex party but I love a great bathhouse, and I've been to many all over the world. I enjoy working out and watching a lot of men walk by me wearing only a towel, if that. I'm HIV- and just as paranoid as you about STD's and every other funky thing. I have a son to love, nurture, and take care of. I find in a bathhouse you can have as much control as you wish to have.

 

I read BN's piece on the bathhouse/bareback incident and it brought up memories. I used to own property on Lake Shore Drive and every time I visited Chicago, I went to WaterWorks. There's just no place like it anywhere and the Chicago boys do know how to carry on, as if they lived in another time. It's fascinating, titillating, very sexy and downright scary, all at the same time.

 

Once I found myself invited into a room with two very hot young men. One was already fucking the other and they were sweaty in a room that smelled of sweet funk. I stroked my cock and watched. The top dismounted and told me to fuck his friend. It was then I noticed that the top had no condom and I quietly freaked. The bottom's ass was a sight to behold but there was just no way I was going in there. I said to the guys I prefer to watch only and with that the top re-entered the bottom and fucked away.

 

I have no idea what their relationship was and I didn't care. I hadn't seen or experienced no-condom sex "live" since I was in my 20's. It was fascinating to watch and I was mesmerized. I understood what BN was talking about in that blog.

 

"this gossip/smear or whatever you want to call it, even though it was "nameless," is just the most outrageous thing anyone could ever say about us"

 

I thought I read every post on this thread and I don't recall anyone pointing a finger at you and Derek. Did I miss something? Your post is very defensive and I don't see why you need to be. You seem to have a ton of credibility. Saying something once should suffice. (Ooops, I forgot where we are.)

 

"if for some reason, we ever did get HIV or any other serious illness or STD, you would hear about it from US immediately, in our official retirement notice."

 

I like the sound of that.

 

I also enjoyed the HooBoy story. I know nothing about him and had no clue of his friendship with BN. Thanks for sharing that.

 

And finally, because I can't resist:

 

"...he (HooBoy) said...that Benjamin was a great marketer who had the gift to make "a whole lot of something out of nothing."

 

I remember several critics who basically said the same thing about Madonna.

[Rick Munroe]

RE: Dear RockHard

 

>I assume all sex-workers

>are HIV+ unless they tell you otherwise and you have the

>ability to trust their word.

 

It works both ways; I assume all clients are HIV positive. If someone can lie to their wife, they can lie to their regular escort. That's not being jaded or cynical; it's being smart.

 

>Look, for me, as an objective observer, it's as simple as

>this: I want to know who's HIV+.

 

True; I want to know, too (unfortunately, on the rare occasion when a client tells me he is positive, I decline the job because it would just be too much of a mental block for me). However, in this case, Rock, you didn't learn anything because no names were mentioned. What was the value in the "information" you learned, other than titillation ("Who could it be??").

 

>And not all "wanting

>to know" is malicious, seedy, reprehensible, repugnant, or

>intended to be ugly in any way.

 

I wasn't referring to the "wanting to know." I was referring to the need to create a "buzz" by posting blind gossip items. Big difference.

 

>I want to know if a lover/sex

>worker is lying about his HIV status.

 

Well, you're not going to find out by reading Benjamin Nicholas's blog.

 

>I thought I read every post on this thread and I don't recall

>anyone pointing a finger at you and Derek. Did I miss

>something?

 

Yes, a few people made reference to us without using our names. And I'm sure nobody (or very few) thought it was us, but I was put in the unfortunate position of having to reply, as zipperzone noted above.

 

>Your post is very defensive and I don't see

>why you need to be.

 

If someone made untrue assertions about your HIV status in an attempt to hurt your business, you'd understand.

 

>...Benjamin was a

>great marketer who had the gift to make "a whole lot of

>something out of nothing."[/i][/font]

>

>I remember several critics who basically said the same thing

>about Madonna.

 

Hmm...I don't recall Madonna making blind but false accusations about Cyndi Lauper and Laura Branigan.

[Guest zipperzone]

RE: Another Stupid Braggart - What Else is New?

 

>Seriously - can you even imagine the level of desperation and

>shame required to come to an Internet Board, start writing

>anonyous posts, and when doing so, need to insert sentence

>after sentence which has no purpose other than to insist -

>LOUDLY AND NEEDILY - that others should view you as being rich

>and successful? Rock Hard began doing this right from the

>beginning in the most transparently desperate and cheap manner

>("I knew Andy Warhol"; I have rich and famous entertainment

>celebrities as clients; this is how I achieved such fabulous

>success and wealth).

 

You neglected to mention his funniest comment - the one about a real high was the one that came with having a 6 figure bank account.

 

Another Paris Hilton wannabe.

[Guest zipperzone]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

>I read BN's piece on the bathhouse/bareback incident and it

>brought up memories. I used to own property on Lake Shore

>Drive and every time I visited Chicago, I went to WaterWorks.

 

There you go again, sounding like a pompus ass. You just had to say "I used to own property on Lake Shore Drive" didn't you?

 

What the fuck does you owning property on one of the most expensive stretchs of real estate in Chicago have to do with going to WaterWorks?

 

I pity those that have to listen to your shit on a daily basis.

[Guest zipperzone]

RE: Another Stupid Braggart - What Else is New?

 

>Gee zipperzone, just one z away from boring everyone into

>passing out from total boredom ala "zzz"?

 

Well you should know, seeing as you wrote the book on boring.

 

>Pathetic, as just why do you need a comment from FFF? Unless,

>you think it would support your point, but then again, do you

>even have a point???? How about going outside of your very

>own personal box, and posting something half as clever as what

>you beg FFF to provide?????

 

FFF doesn't have to support my point (or my non-point for that matter) to be funny. He is natural born wit not to be confused with yourself, who is a natural born witless.

 

>Perhaps, because they don't feel the NEED to reply or respond,

>either as a couple, or as individuals who are a part of a

>couple, to the DEMANDS of trolls to be fed?

 

OK - gee that was really deep!

 

>>If I were them and knew I was HIV negative, I sure as hell

>>would want to go on record as stating it was not me (us)

>that

>>BN was alluding to.

 

>But, you're not them! And btw, no one gives a shit, about

>what you would do if "you were them" as you are not them,

>never could come close to being them, and we all hope that

>they don't respond to your pathetic trolling of the waters for

>a response!

 

Did you flunk English comp in high school?

[Guest zipperzone]

RE: Dear RockHard

 

>Yes, a few people made reference to us without using our

>names. And I'm sure nobody (or very few) thought it was us,

>but I was put in the unfortunate position of having to reply,

>as zipperzone noted above.

 

Rick: I was very glad to see that you stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and clearly stated for everyone to read that the couple BN was referring to was NOT you and big D.

 

You are without a doubt the higest profile escorting couple posting on this site, and whether other members will admit it or not, I'm sure your names sprang to mind when the contents of BN blog became known. That's not to say that they believed it, but if you had not refuted it there would always be some who wondered.

 

And this is how rumours get started - sort of like, "Here's a rumour, pass it on", and two months later, all that is rememberd is the accusation which by that time is presumed to be fact.

 

When ever there is an attack on someone that could be construed as pointing at you, it is imperative that it be nipped in the bud. Good on you for taking that inititive.

 

My personal take on the whole matter is that there was NO e-mail from this fictional couple and that BN just invented it to make his blog more titilating that week. And if he wanted extra air space, he sure attained his goal.

 

Glad to read you had a good time in Montreal - fun city n'est pas?

[RockHard]

RE: to zipperzone

 

"What the fuck does you owning property on one of the most expensive stretchs of real estate in Chicago have to do with going to WaterWorks?"

 

Well, apart from presently learning that stretches is spelled with an "es," it tells readers I have an intimate and loving relationship with Chicago. It suggests I've spent quite a bit of time in Chicago and I know their gay scene well. It means I could probably offer some great restaurant tips to fellow foodies. It suggests I know the value of a dollar.

 

I guess it also says I've paid a lot of money in taxes. Maybe suggests I enjoy purchasing real estate in places that are near and dear to me. And it could also hint that maybe one day, long ago, I lived there.

 

The simple point, zipper, is communication is more engaging and interesting when someone is willing to share information about him/herself. I realize that some gay men live in a steel-belted closet and keep things within. I don't. My life is pretty much an open book and I don't mind sharing my history and experience with anyone.

 

Finally, that stretch of expensive land in Chicago is nothing compared to the square feet in NYC. The cost of things are relative.

 

I'm sorry you feel I'm gloating or bragging, as some here have boldly insisted. My having money to spend on real estate and/or other things, and my willingness to share this information here really seems to rub you (and others) the wrong way. Yet, I read plenty of support for $400 an hour escorts here.

 

My life is my life and I'm not ashamed of it. In fact, I love it and I love myself and the things I've accomplished. If you can't handle the facts of my life and wish to start or imply some kind of class war with me, free speech gives you that right. But I refuse to withhold any information about me because it makes you, or anybody else feel uncomfortable, whatever the reasons.

 

ps I don't need your approval, either.

 

pps If you're going to be classless enough to call a perfect stranger a "pompous ass," it has more impact if you spell that correctly, too.

[RockHard]

RE: Dear Rick 2

 

>I assume all sex-workers

>are HIV+ unless they tell you otherwise and you have the

>ability to trust their word.

 

"It works both ways; I assume all clients are HIV positive."

 

I agree that it's smart. But this is easy for me because I have nothing to hide and no reason to keep things secret. I have a history of HIV tests that date back to their inception.

 

"However, in this case, Rock, you didn't learn anything because no names were mentioned. What was the value in the "information" you learned, other than titillation ("Who could it be??").

 

I think it's safe to say I don't read "15 Minutes" for information of value. I view it simply for what it is: a gossip blog authored by a working escort. Titillation is the name of the game in gossip writing. Like it or not, the author was effective.

 

All of my comments regarding "wanting to know" have to do with issues of personal concern, empathy, curiosity, and human nature. Of course, I wanted to know who BN was talking about but I don't look to BN for any such information.

 

I don't have a problem with gay men who gossip. So many do. They cluster in bathhouses just outside your door and wouldn't know discretion if it slammed up their ass with no lube. For goodness sakes, you can't walk 8th Avenue in Chelsea without hearing a chorus of bird chirpies. I don't love the behavior I see and hear but I understand and accept that it exists.

 

>Your post is very defensive and I don't see

>why you need to be.

 

If someone made untrue assertions about your HIV status in an attempt to hurt your business, you'd understand.

 

I do understand. You can't be successful in business without experiencing those who want to squash you, and the evil ones will resort to the lowest of blows. Look how easy it was for me to drum up haters here. You should see the sharks I've had to kill in real life. And most of this crap stems from jealousy and an inability to compete fairly. Life isn't fair and that's that.

 

Madonna...well, let me just say I admire her creative brilliance. Her singing voice reminds me of nails on a chalkboard. I wasn't literally comparing her to BN because that's just too damn funny.

 

Thanks again for the enjoyable read and discussion.

[Guest alanm]

Rick & Derek

 

I'm surprised that everyone went right back to arguing after Rick posted his first message last night. Rick and Derek apparently have a great relationship.

 

I've been reading Rick's messages for over five years. But last night's was one of the best because Rick's and Derek's love for one another is really touching, particularly because Rick talked about their long history together in such detail. (I should say that I am not a Rick & Derek groupie, never met or hired either guy.)

 

Okay, everyone can go back to arguing again.

[+ Lucky]

RE: DearPozGuy

 

"True; I want to know, too (unfortunately, on the rare occasion when a client tells me he is positive, I decline the job because it would just be too much of a mental block for me)"

 

So the honest guy loses out to the guy who would put you at risk with his deceit? You say that you act as if all your clients are positive, so what's the problem?

[Barry]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

>I used to own property on Lake Shore

>Drive and every time I visited Chicago, I went to WaterWorks.

 

WaterWorks? Do you mean Steamworks?

 

http://www.steamworksonline.com/chicago/chicago.html

 

Barry

[+ deej]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

Not that you'd know anything about the place, of course. :9

[Barry]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

>Not that you'd know anything about the place, of course. :9

 

Only what I've read about it in BN's blog. ;-)

[joel304]

Rick,

 

A very classy and well reasoned response to BN's latest revelation of immaturity. I'm no longer hiring, but I'd love to meet you guys for a drink or coffee in Chelsea sometime.

 

BN, you have indeed reached a new low, and I, for one, remain at a loss to understand why anyone would continue to hire your ass. I truly can't believe it. Your online personality, demeanor, and presence are gross. Karma baby.

 

Joel

[+ deej]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

>Only what I've read about it in BN's blog. ;-)

 

ROFL!

 

I guess they named the "Barry" room for someone else, huh? :+

[Yeswell]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

You would call it Steamworks, and so would I. Really successful people who own valuable real estate call it Waterworks.

[ErikMcAlister]

RE: Dear Rick Monroe...

 

>>Only what I've read about it in BN's blog. ;-)

>

>ROFL!

>

>I guess they named the "Barry" room for someone else, huh? :+

 

Manilow?

[ErikMcAlister]

>BN, you have indeed reached a new low, and I, for one, remain

>at a loss to understand why anyone would continue to hire your

>ass. I truly can't believe it. Your online personality,

>demeanor, and presence are gross. Karma baby.

>

>Joel

 

But you worship & defend that liar Se--err, Scott?

[RockHard]

RE: Dear Barry...

 

You're so right. I howled at the discovery. WaterWorks is in my kitchen and bath while Steamworks is in Chicago. When you're wet in both places, I guess it's difficult to them apart. Thanks for making me laugh and correcting my error. :-)

[VaHawk]

RE: Another Stupid Braggart - What Else is New?

 

As I stated, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Wake me up when you reach the Emerald City, in your scarecrow escstasy!

[Rick Munroe]

RE: Another Stupid Braggart - What Else is New?

 

>Perhaps, because they don't feel the NEED to reply or respond,

>either as a couple, or as individuals who are a part of a

>couple, to the DEMANDS of trolls to be fed?

 

I actually didn't mind responding, Hawk, for I am a servant of the people and when they command, I post.

[Rick Munroe]

RE: Dear Rick 2

 

>For

>goodness sakes, you can't walk 8th Avenue in Chelsea without

>hearing a chorus of bird chirpies.

 

And people wonder why I don't post a face pic in my ads! :+