My Personal Independence Day!

[whipped guy]

My Personal Independence Day!

 

Sharing Some Reflections on a Happy Occasion!

 

Recently I experienced my own personal Independence Day in that I retired at the beginning of the month. Since I have a strong bond with this community I feel the need to share this news. A number of orthopedic issues (hand, shoulder, lower back, sciatica) associated with my profession precipitated my decision. While they are not overly serious, they are aggravating and harrowing enough to have forced me to come to the decision to call it quits. I want to be able to enjoy the things that I consider hobbies such as playing the piano, being a frustrated musicologist, working out, and doing more traveling before my right hand gets totally numb and my left shoulder falls off. Not to mention that the shoulder problem has hampered my attempts at Florentine flogging, which is a two handed technique that involves coordination of specific movements and timing. Unfortunately if the shoulder issue does not resolve I might need surgery to correct the problem. I am going to try to avoid that at all costs.

 

In any event, I also would like to take this opportunity to share a few anecdotes regarding my retirement that relate to escorting and this community as there are not many individuals with whom I can openly discuss such thoughts and especially any escort connection.

 

I am not sure how many posters are aware of what I did for a living, but let's just say that being a general dentist for 39 years I had a job that was both literally and figuratively like pulling teeth. For those posters who knew, some of my comments in various threads regarding dental issues probably made a bit more sense and often in a droll sort of way. I know that at least one escort here was driven to his Webster's Dictionary when many years ago I first mentioned the potential delights of an edentulous blow job. It may also shed some new light regarding my comments on dental issues that have surfaced on some more recent threads here.

 

Indeed, and this is quite ironic, I first hired an escort in conjunction with one of the the annual meetings of the Academy of General Dentistry. One of the courses that I took during that event discussed how to be successful when treating and dealing with patients... patients who for the most part have no great desire to be in a dental office in the first place. The lecturer advised... and this is a direct quote... "Run your office like an escort service". Well not literally, but do everything in the metaphorical sense that an escort would do to make and keep a client happy. Actually I had been doing that very thing for many years as my philosophy had always been to treat patients better than they would expect to be treated. However, since I had never previously hired an escort I never really thought of it in those terms. In any event, I most likely was at least somewhat successful in that regard as in this day of the Internet and online postings, one of the things that was anonymously posted about the office was, "They made me feel as if I were their only patient." Based on that comment I probably did succeed in replicating the ideal escort experience, albeit in a not so parallel universe. Accordingly, I certainly cherished the personal relationships that I cultivated with each and every one of my patients, and in that regard I think the escort analogy would apply as well. Heck, when patients invite you and your staff to weddings and significant birthday parties you know that you are most likely doing something above and beyond the call of duty.

 

My formal degrees were a BA and an DMD. That made me a bad MD, about which I often did jokingly reference. Since I mentioned the Academy of General Dentistry, I was a Fellow in that association... acronym FAGD. It was often mockingly alluded to by the profession as getting your "fag" or getting "faged". Often times if a colleague knew that you were a member he would ask if you were a "fag". Hearing it referenced thusly was a bittersweet experience. On the one hand I was proud of the achievement, and on the other hand I was saddened by the sardonic reference. Still, I often made light of the situation by saying that I was a bad MD who was also a fag.

 

Given the fact that my practice began to blossom in the nascent years of the AIDS epidemic, I like many others in the field were forced deeper into the closet given the hysteria that often associated dental care with HIV. Under such circumstances any thought of being honest regarding who I was certainly was out of the question. Then I discovered the world of escorts... a world where I could let my wildest dreams and fantasies come true, and I did have some wild fantasies! May the gods bless all the the working men who helped me keep my sanity. I emphatically know that I would not have survived intact to reach this day if it had not been for quite a number of talented gentlemen with whom I was privileged to connect. Many have long since retired. However, to those who might monitor this board I wish to express my sincere gratitude.

 

Interestingly, while I never officially had any escorts for patients, I did offer advice to quite a few over the years. The difference being that after the advice was provided I would put a somewhat different type of tool in their mouths. All kidding aside, I know that I was able to steer at least a couple of working guys in the right direction regarding their dental issues.

 

Furthermore, I even wrote a review where I mentioned that a now long retired certain escort could be a poster boy for the American Dental Association. This was due to the fact that his website did not show him smiling and as such no teeth were evident. Neither did it show his "equipment". The joke around here at the time was that perhaps he did not have any "equipment" to show. I took it one step further and implied that perhaps he did not have any teeth to show either. However, meeting him in person not only revealed that he had teeth, but that the smile was of star quality too boot. Oh, and yes, he indeed had some nice "equipment" to go along with rest of the package as well!

 

Now I can't mention dentistry and not touch on the thoughts of S&M associated with the profession. I did have the usual "Painless Dentist" sign hanging in the office. However, it was on the door as the patients left. I promised nothing on the way in! Speaking of which, if I had a penny for every time a patient jokingly referenced the dental operatory as the "torture chamber" I would have been able to retire several years earlier. Of course when such references were made I would always think to myself, "If you only knew the rest of the story!" I might add that I did offer to barter with a couple of working guys by offering them freebie root canals. For some strange reason they did not take me up on the offer. It probably had something to do with the unfortunate S&M connotations invoked by the mere mention of the procedure even though over ninety percent are totally painless. Well, at least that is what we tell the patients!

 

In any event, as I look back in time, it was certainly quite an adventure that occupied my life for so many years.

 

Schopenhauer is noted for the following remark:

 

"The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom."

 

With the obvious exception of the former in a BDSM situation, with any luck I will be able to avoid both (or at least keep such things down to the bare minimum) as I begin this new chapter in my life.

 

No matter what, I can assure you that the escort connection will continue as I celebrate my newly found freedom. In fact I hope to see a very special gentleman this very week to initiate the festivities. Furthermore, this forum like everything else in life is not perfect. However, I am grateful for its existence. (Incidentally, I did lurk for five years before officially joining.) It certainly has helped me to maintain my sanity over the years. Due to the stressful nature of the profession, dentists are noted for having an extremely high rate of mental and psychological issues. Of course while some might say that probably explains my proclivities, in reality I really had such inclinations way before I even thought of entering the profession. In any event, kudos to all the guys (and gals) in this community for helping me get through some tough times over the years.

 

In conclusion. I thank you for allowing me to express my appreciation not only for all those hard working escorts out there, but for this very special community as well. In all sincerity I would never have made it to this point without either of you!

 

As is my wont I'll end on an operatic note, actually two!

 

As one chapter in my life is over there's the final line of Leoncavalo's I Pagliacci:

 

"La commedia è finita!"

(The comedy is over!)

 

And at times it was indeed quite a comedy, and a Divine Comedy too boot!

 

Then to celebrate my new beginning with an optimistic outlook the final line of Rossini's William Tell:

 

"Et que ton règne recommence,

Liberté! Liberté, redescends des cieux!"

(And let your reign begin anew.

Liberty, come down again from the skies!)

Sung in Italian translation, but you'll get the idea!

 

[+ Funguy]

Torquemada has retired!

[bigvalboy]

Brilliant post WG, and you and I, regardless of my endless issues with scheduling/timing/ and my imagined or real mental barrier of "The Alley" will one day meet on a coast not far from our homes, and what a day it will be. Until such time, we will always be here in Cyberspace. God bless you WG in your retirement. I hope that it is all that you had ever hoped or dreamed or imagined it to be, and I pray that your best years still lay ahead....

[+ dutchmuch]

"Retire from work, but not from life."

M.K. Soni

[+ Funguy]

I must say, WG, your post was a terrific entrance to the wonderful world of retirement (only from some things).

As some may know, I retired many years ago because of injuries/surgeries/non-healing, etc. However, I was 1 day shy of my 50th birthday and that was 17 years ago. I sent a letter to my patients (literally thousands of active patients) along the same lines as your post and it was the best thing I had ever done. I constantly ran into now former patients all over town begging me to come back to work, even if it was only part time.

 

I am a workaholic and I also just couldn't allow my many years of training to go to waste, so when I finally got bored after only 2 years (your Schopenhauer quote fits the bill) I wound up doing a huge amount of work pro bono and I decided I might as well get paid. Within several months I was working anywhere from 4-5 days a week on a per diem basis and then I branched out to other medical specialties. Out of the blue my former partner asked me to work Fridays permanently so he could enjoy long weekends and now all of a sudden I am at 5-6 days a month. BUT, I can always say no, work only the days I want, and really enjoy work without burning out. And, lo and behold, I am seeing my old patients again and ever their kids. People remember letters like that.

 

So, BAD MD FAG-D, enjoy your new found freedom, LET FREEDOM RING….

 

Always,

Funguy

[+ quoththeraven]

What a great post! Although I deplore the injuries that caused it, I applaud your personal declaration of independence. I went through something similar, although less well-planned (see my bank balance). I imagine it will feel good not to have to hide your true self as much.

 

I wish you many years of retired bliss, wherever that takes you. I am sure you'll keep yourself busy. If nothing else, there's all those operas to listen to (and maybe see) and guys to flog and torture. Take the time to smell the roses and enjoy your hobbies, including this one.

[Guest Starbuck]

Ah, WG, I remember the first dental advice you gave me. It was some months after I started hiring. I had already joined a gym and lost weight in the interest of looking ... well ... less worse than the men I was meeting. Then I decided to get my teeth whitened. And you, concerned that I maintain a necessary level of discretion, cautioned that tooth whitening, on top of weight loss and a new gym membership, amounted to an all-out announcement that sex was happening.

 

And so it was. I am always thankful for your good advice (because it would be foolish to disregard a man with a drill in one hand and a whip in the other), and for the pleasure of your humor and intelligence. I wish you a long and excellent retirement, herewith a couple of quotes to launch you into it:

 

He knew now that it was his own will to happiness which must make the next move. But if he was to do so, he realized that he must come to terms with time, that to have time was at once the most magnificent and the most dangerous of experiments. –Albert Camus

 

Given involuntarily, in an atmosphere of distrust, pain is torture. Given consensually, between equals, pain can be a most incredible form of love. –Geoff Mains, Urban Aboriginals

[AdamSmith]

http://www.webreakingthechains15.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Breaking-the-Chains.jpg

[bigvalboy]

http://www.webreakingthechains15.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Breaking-the-Chains.jpg

 

"double like".

[+ Charlie]

Welcome to the Retiree Chapter of the Message Board! You will now be able to consult the MB whenever you feel like it, and devote considerable time to crafting long posts (like the above) reminiscing about your life and experiences, without being encumbered by things like work schedules and other professional responsibilities. Luckily, you are young enough to still have the energy and (I hope) financial wherewithal to continue to have new experiences worth reminiscing about, as well. Many of my friends and colleagues expressed surprise that I decided to retire at 59, but like you, I wanted to quit while I could still try new things as well as do more of what I already loved, and I have never regretted it.

 

So from the vantage point of greater age and experience, let me suggest two things.

 

1) You have undoubtedly developed knowledge and skills from years of practicing your profession, which it would be a shame to waste. Find some way to use them, that keeps you connected in some way to that profession. Although I am retired from my fulltime career, I have never been totally unemployed for more than a few months at a time; I don't make much money, but it feels good to make use of what I worked so hard to learn, even if I work only twenty days per year. If you can't make money, volunteer. The most unhappy retirees I know have nothing to do and no responsibilities. Being completely free 24/7/365 gets old fast.

 

2) In addition to random reminiscences here, write an autobiography or memoir. It is not only fun, but the discipline will help train your memory processes, so useful as we age. It is also a kind of self-psychotherapy. If necessary, keep it locked in a drawer, with instructions that no one read it until you are dead (my undergraduate college has agreed to archive mine in their library, as a result of a significant life insurance bequest from me; only those to whom I give permission, for academic research, can access it in my lifetime).

[+ Funguy]

Charlie hit the nail right on the head!

As I have told you, I got bored very quickly and wound up pulled right back in to the working world but this time ON MY TERMS.

 

Aprops of #2 - I happen to have a large library of certain PM's and E-mails that may be used in such an endeavor. They will give the unsuspecting reader a glimpse of characters beyond redemption! OMG - what fun!

[+ purplekow]

i am testing my memory now but was the escort without the smile, the ever lovely and still lurking Sean Knight? He did have a great smile, just was part of the package that was to be opened by clients only, like the other package.

[+ quoththeraven]

Welcome to the Retiree Chapter of the Message Board! You will now be able to consult the MB whenever you feel like it, and devote considerable time to crafting long posts (like the above) reminiscing about your life and experiences, without being encumbered by things like work schedules and other professional responsibilities.

 

Isn't that pretty much the entire Message Board? Not that I'm one to talk...

[rvwnsd]

Isn't that pretty much the entire Message Board? Not that I'm one to talk...

I work a full-time job, but thanks to an iPhone 6+ and a commitment to "me" time, I check the forums all the time. Oh, the private office helps, too.

 

Nonetheless, congratulations on your retirement, WG.

[+ FreshFluff]

What a wonderful day, WG! You sound like a devoted and caring dentist, and I'll bet your patients will miss you. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your adventures in travel, music, and leather, not necessarily in that order.

[mike carey]

What a wonderful post, WG. I hope that you enjoy the increased freedom that retirement brings

Torquemada has retired!

You're not trying to torquemada retiring are you?

Isn't that pretty much the entire Message Board? Not that I'm one to talk...

Is it really that obvious QTR?

[AdamSmith]

Isn't that pretty much the entire Message Board? Not that I'm one to talk...

 

I daresay many of us use these forums to take little moments of virtual retirement throughout the day.

[Diverdan]

What a wonderful post, and thanks for sharing. I hope your retirement brings you everything you have hoped for and more !!

DD

[+ WilliamM]

. The most unhappy retirees I know have nothing to do and no responsibilities. Being completely free 24/7/365 gets old fast.

 

I have been retired for 10 years. And Charlie's comment about having too much free time is true. I would go crazy if I did not have a schedule of some sort. Otherwise, I am sure there are any obvious and absolute rules. Enjoy your retirement, WG. I look forward to many more excellent opera reviews, both live and recorded performances; they are essential reading!

[jawjateck]

Congrats WG! Welcome to the freedom club! I semi-retired 2 years ago; only kept 2 clients, ya know, the low maintenance, easy money ones.

 

I have enjoyed the flexibility to do what I want, and pursue some personal interests and charitable activities. I feel quite good letting others work their asses off and pay taxes for awhile. HAHA!

[Decatur Guy]

Congratulations on your retirement. How I long to join you in the club!

[Racketjock]

Enlightening and warmly expressed post. Congrats on your retirement and many more great years making memories!

[whipped guy]

I'm am posting the this in the two retirement threads for greater visibility as I want to acknowledge all the wishes from the many individuals who were kind enough to respond not only to both threads but via PM as well.

Many thanks for all your good wishes and sage advice!

 

I really did not intend for this to mushroom into a larger than life event. I simply wanted to share some thoughts in a somewhat jovial manner and at the same time express my sincere appreciation for not only the many fine gentlemen with whom I have connected, but also for this very forum itself.

 

However, a certain guy with the initials TB had some other ideas. Plus, he is not one to take "no way" for an answer. Still, I guess it was appropriate for him to do so because he certainly exemplifies the best that the world of escorting has to offer. Still, there are so many fine gentlemen out there for whom we all should be quite thankful. Escorting many be the oldest profession, but it certainly is not the easiest. In fact it probably is as much like pulling teeth in degree of difficulty as any other profession out there. So sincere kudos to all those talented working guys!

 

Again many thanks for all your kindness and advice.. It is deeply and sincerely appreciated.