'Tis the Season

[Will]

The thread that became a riff on the Lucky-HooBoy exchange has given me cause to think about the time I've spent checking in here almost every day, and sometimes more than once a day. I don't remember how I discovered this site, but I do remember that it was about this time of year in 1999. In those three years, M4M has become the major connection I maintain with the world of gay men and their concerns.

 

In that time, I've learned a few things, and for whatever peace of mind they may bring to others, I pass them on here.

 

First, every now and then there's a melt-down. Out of the blue, it seems, people start yelling and screaming and throwing things for no apparent reason. It just happens. I've learned not to get as upset about it as I used to do.

 

Second, let's remember that we gather here around the campfire of illicit sex, and it's gay sex-for-pay at that. So one can only expect a few nightcrawlers and other ghouls to wriggle in out of the darkness. There have been some truly scary people on this board, a couple who seemed to me to be seriously, pathologically anti-social. At the moment, there's no one like that; so if you think this is bad, hold on.

 

Third, some regular contributors here have been among the most intelligent, sensitive, and articulate gay men I have ever encountered, anywhere and any time. I'm willing to put up with almost any amount of nonsense if every now and then I get an absolute gem of wisdom or compassion from some of those guys. But some of them have also drifted away.

 

Fourth, people do drift away for personal reasons. We're all anonymous here and there's no reason why Traveller, for example, should explain his absence. We miss him, yes; but it's his business whether he posts or not. At all events, someone's absence doesn't necessarily reflect on this board at all.

 

Fifth, thanks to M4M I have enjoyed making some genuine friends, and perhaps even more than that.

 

Sixth, despite the dross, I have yet to find another place -- in any format, whether print or on-line -- where gay men routinely exchange their thoughts and experiences about the kinds of things that really concern me. For example, when is the last time you saw an extended and heartfelt discussion of being an aging gay man that could rival the quality as well as quantity of material shared here just last week?

 

Seventh and finally, when reviews are late, they are late. We are here as HooBoy's guests. We are entitled to absolutely nothing. He can shut the whole thing down tomorrow and none of us would have a legitimate complaint. Yes, it's true that Hoo can get a little histrionic on occasion, but I think that's precisely because he doesn't perceive himself as the authority figure that some people seem to want to make him out to be.

 

I love this site. It has enhanced my life more than any other gay venue of any kind I have ever encountered. Particularly at this time of year, it's good for me to think of M4M as pure gift, for that's what it is, and to remember to thank HooBoy for his generosity and imagination.

[Candyman]

Bravo!!!:-)

[+ Charlie]

Will, I second every word of your very articulate statement.

[Guest LOVEHANDLE27]

Just have to respond!

 

<First, every now and then there's a melt-down. Out of the blue, it seems, people start yelling and screaming and throwing things for no apparent reason> Is this not the reason why gays are called QUEENS?

 

<Second, let's remember that we gather here around the campfire of illicit sex, and it's gay sex-for-pay at that. So one can only expect a few nightcrawlers and other ghouls to wriggle in out of the darkness. There have been some truly scary people on this board, a couple who seemed to me to be seriously, pathologically anti-social> Aren't we gays branded as such, so live with it!

 

<Third, some regular contributors here have been among the most intelligent, sensitive, and articulate gay men I have ever encountered, anywhere and any time. I'm willing to put up with almost any amount of nonsense if every now and then I get an absolute gem of wisdom or compassion from some of those guys. But some of them have also drifted away> Sorry, but I need to say, girl, you need to get out and get laid more often. There's only handful of our population represented here, where are you right now? Mars? Listen there is more to gay life than what you find in this site!

 

<I love this site. It has enhanced my life more than any other gay venue of any kind I have ever encountered. Particularly at this time of year, it's good for me to think of M4M as pure gift, for that's what it is, and to remember to thank HooBoy for his generosity and imagination> Now you are scaring me. If this is a big influence in your life right now, then you should speak to someone quick about this. There is a big Earth out there where gays and gay lovers abound. This is just a fraction of a big gay lifestyle, a FRACTION. We are more than this site! And we are more colorful than what you have in mind!

 

Just putting my two cents in!

[Guest LOVEHANDLE27]

Deleted message

 

No message

[bigguyinpasadena]

Will,I am horrified that someone has hijacked you LOVELY post to try and stir up shit.

Posters who feel it necessecery to cut and paste huge chunks of another post insult our intelegence and BORE us as well.There is a site called Datalounge,they have a section called flames and freaks-go live there,we will not miss you,as you are adding nothing to the purpose of this site.

I will not get into a pissing battle with such posters-you get one reprimand and then you will be ignored.

Now back to Wills wonderful post.

[Traveler North]

Will, you are one of those gems of intelligence and clear thinking. Your message is great. I second it wholeheartedly.

[jackhammer91406]

Will,

you took the words right out of my mouth. Now leave my candy and hot cross buns alone. Great post!

jack

[btmstudnyc]

Will,

 

First, Merry Christmas

Second, Happy New Year

Third, I know your serious when you number

Fourth, When are you cumming to NY

Fifth, When do we MEAT

Sixth, Thank YOU.

Seven, I just had to go to seven for good luck.

 

 

JIM

:+

[duke37]

It's my absolute pleasure to agree with Will about his feelings for this site. It is a gift. A sometimes annoying, sometimes uncomfortable but undeniably accepting and welcoming and special place. So first and foremost I want to thank HooBoy for making it possible. Even though he doesn't post here often I have to believe this place in its better moments is a least a little bit like him.

 

I want to continue my lovefest by recognizing the moderators of this board. Sometimes clumsily, but far more often deftly they keep this place on track and make it possible for some really good exchanges to happen.

 

Most importantly I hope people join me in recognizing how special are the people who post here. Ultimately any community (online or otherwise) is a reflection of the people it comprises.

 

I believe most of the men who read ( and post) here are smart funny sexy secure guys who come here to talk about our favorite subject and go on about their happy lives. However I think there is a smaller group who like me are insecure, or closeted, or inexperienced, or live a life that doesn't have the positive contact with other gay men. For me this place is invaluable.

 

In the year and a half since I started coming here I have become sexually active with men. I have come out of the closet to my friends and family. And instead of my gay life being a furtive trip to a bar or a strip club out-of-town I'm becoming active in my town's gay and lesbian organization. I met and have fallen in love with the most amazing man. Would this have happened without this site? I hope so. But I do know the kinds of things Will values here made it a whole lot easier.

 

Sure there is a whole wider world out there. But there are a lot of good things happening here as well.

 

Jeff

[KY_TOP]

Will,

Thanks for the great comments and insight. I couldn't agree with you more!

Happy Holidays

 

KY

[Guest Jocoluver]

Thank you so much Will for your eloquent and focused posting!!!

 

Hooboy deserves sainthood for establishing and maintaining this site. It is invaluable!! In important events in gay history, I hope he gets a spot near Stonewall for his contribution for gays.

 

I am a senior and recognized that I am gay in the hellish 50's & 60's. I carried my homophobia and self-hatred deep in me for decades. Finally in 80's & 90's I came out of the closet.

 

I think it is wonderful to have a website like this for gays to facilitate coming out (or even help while still in closet). Soooo much of value to new and old gay men here!!

 

Thanks again Will for saying what I feel but lack the skill to say it.

 

Oh, and thank you, Hooboy!

[liubit]

I have been a lurker, then a reviewer and finally a poster on this site almost from its very beginning. In it I have found priceless information, a few true friends, lots of insight, love and even hatred. It has become part of my life. Thank you, HooBoy, thank you!

[Guest fukamarine]

>Will,I am horrified that someone has hijacked you LOVELY post

>to try and stir up shit.

 

I disagree. Lovehandle27 did NOT hijack the Will's post. He simply expressed a different view than Will's - which is his perogative.

Hijacking occurs when someone takes a topic and leads it off into a completly differnt direction. This he did not do!

 

>Posters who feel it necessecery to cut and paste huge chunks

>of another post insult our intelegence and BORE us as

>well.

 

This is usually necessary, otherwise the reader will not know specifically what he is commenting on or replying to.

 

The rules say that all opinions are tolerated here. Lovehandle27 simply did not agree with Will's view of things and he said so. That is not flaming.

 

fukamarine

[Guest Willy]

Nice post, Will. Now to all: Make a donation to HooBoy, would you? Today. I just sent some money. It's easy to do it. It's Christmas time and HooBoy could undoubtedly use not only a few bucks but the good strokes, too.

[gulliver]

will,

I too log into this site daily and read it for a year berfore i became a reviewer and lately a poster. I enjoy reading it and I'm a busy guy and like the conection.

My South American soujourn(s) are an interest which sprang from reading this site and have given me much pleasure.

I recently had lunch with another poster in NY and will be having dinner with another one or two in Rio. This is about conecting with people as well as rentboys.

thanks, for the advice re a donation - for all i have gotten, i need to send something. Fair is fair. the criticism of will is a bit too srident and methinks if I were having lunch with someone - I'd choose will's pleasant atitude over his critics any day - despite the fact that his criic has a right to his viewpoint.

[gulliver]

will,

I too log into this site daily and read it for a year berfore i became a reviewer and lately a poster. I enjoy reading it and I'm a busy guy and like the conection.

My South American soujourn(s) are an interest which sprang from reading this site and have given me much pleasure.

I recently had lunch with another poster in NY and will be having dinner with another one or two in Rio. This is about conecting with people as well as rentboys.

thanks, for the advice re a donation - for all i have gotten, i need to send something. Fair is fair. the criticism of will is a bit too srident and methinks if I were having lunch with someone - I'd choose will's pleasant atitude over his critics any day - despite the fact that his criic has a right to his viewpoint.

[Guest ncm2169]

Sainthood for Hooboy? ;-)

 

Let's make him Ambassador to the Vatican first. }(

 

If he does that stint, he might qualify. :o

[Guest ncm2169]

Sainthood for Hooboy? ;-)

 

Let's make him Ambassador to the Vatican first. }(

 

If he does that stint, he might qualify. :o

[BigD]

Redundant though it may be, I too want to express my gratitude

for the site, and to Will for expressing it so eloquently.

May the Season bring out the best in us all.

[BigD]

Redundant though it may be, I too want to express my gratitude

for the site, and to Will for expressing it so eloquently.

May the Season bring out the best in us all.

[Guest LOVEHANDLE27]

Now, now ladies, let's not get carried away here. Hooboy for sainthood? No c'mon. There is an obvious false sense of pride permeating somewhere in this site. This is a site promoting gays and gay lifestyle, now will see what the Pope will say when he visits this site before Hoo's canonization. Let's get real here. And fuckamarine, thanks, oftentimes I just put my two cents in and walk away, but for will, I just felt the need to respond. There is nothing wrong to thank and appreciate someone's work, and to give credit where credit is due. Everything else here is for entertainment, and that is all there is to it. Read whatever you want to read and then walk away. I do not intend to let this site rule over my lifestyle, (in the same token that I drive the car and not the other way around...got the point)? No doubt this site has information you can use, but not to the point that this will lead you to the path of gay righteousness, c'mon. Ladies, we are being entertained here, and Hoo is enjoying this as much as we are. If you truly appreciate him, then donate to the site! Dammit!

[Guest LOVEHANDLE27]

Now, now ladies, let's not get carried away here. Hooboy for sainthood? No c'mon. There is an obvious false sense of pride permeating somewhere in this site. This is a site promoting gays and gay lifestyle, now will see what the Pope will say when he visits this site before Hoo's canonization. Let's get real here. And fuckamarine, thanks, oftentimes I just put my two cents in and walk away, but for will, I just felt the need to respond. There is nothing wrong to thank and appreciate someone's work, and to give credit where credit is due. Everything else here is for entertainment, and that is all there is to it. Read whatever you want to read and then walk away. I do not intend to let this site rule over my lifestyle, (in the same token that I drive the car and not the other way around...got the point)? No doubt this site has information you can use, but not to the point that this will lead you to the path of gay righteousness, c'mon. Ladies, we are being entertained here, and Hoo is enjoying this as much as we are. If you truly appreciate him, then donate to the site! Dammit!

[Rick Munroe]

I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for Hooboy & this website...but in spite of that :+ , I am eternally grateful for the chance he's given me to express myself here & for helping to make the whole hiring process safer for both escorts & clients. Great post, Will.