I have worked with other engineers in the Bay area, and they are some of the hardest working engineers I know.  Most put in 50-70 hours a week. This is a lot like me now, except add 15 yrs to 1997, and still looking for the perfect gf part.  I don't plan on making appointment much longer.  Fun beginning to wear off.

it will most certainly involve some aspect of sex work. The sociological implications of the "hobby" fascinate me, on both sides! I've always worried it would be rude to ask how a hobbyist came to it, some have been kind enough to divulge without my asking and I always find it interesting. Really with it was decriminalized and that we could dispel the stigma surrounding it so conversation were easier. Sigh...maybe some day. Thank you for sharing the article.

Particularly the part of how foolish it is for P4P between consenting adults to be illegal.

There are less negative connotations attached to the softer terminology that has been given to us these days.   After reading the article, I would like to add my perspective, after all...there are two sides to this story, are there not?

I stumbled upon this profession while living next door to a girl in Austin, TX.  I was 19 years old at the time, working as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant (which still exists, only in a new location).  One evening, "Carmin" and I were sharing a glass of wine before she went to work (she claimed that she was also a waitress at a Pub on Guadeloupe St, a popular place for upscale diners-I knew of the place and had been there).  

Well, down walks Carmin, dressed in skin tight skinny jeans, heels and a black lacy top that showed her DD cups, bounding with each downward step she took!  I asked her if she was going to work dressed like THAT?  A sly, sideways little smile brushed over her face before explaining that she really didn't work at Old English Pub-she worked at a massage parlor called Body Works Massage.  After listening in silent wonder to her explanation of what she actually does at the massage parlor (it didn't take me long to recover from the mild shock of her revelation.  After all, coming from a small town in Northern MN, with a breaking out attitude of "go for it, why not"?),  news such as hers didn't phase me much.  I was up for the excitement.  

So, I guess if I had to list the initial reason that I chose to work in this profession, it would have to be for the excitement.  

This post is becoming way too lengthy to be a reply to the first one.  I'll list the reasons why, and start a new thread at a later time, as I'm sure you all have other things to do like I do, and more will be revealed later.  

1.  Excitement
2.  Prosperity  
3.  Opportunities (travel, meeting people)
4.  Flexibility in schedule, allowing time to explore hobbies and interests
5.  Something different to try

Granted, these are the reasons why I initially chose to do this line of work.  My reasons for being in it at the present time have changed over the years, and I'll list those in the continuing segment.  

For now, thank you for reading my thoughts....

Storm