No one has mentioned this, but this board has led to a number of real friendships.  I have made friends with a few people who had medical problems and I was able either to encourage or explain what was happening or to give advice on how to improve communication with their physicians. (I never five direct specific medical advice, of course) I am following one man with a life threatening chronic disease.  He seems to be winning, but above all he is facing it with great courage. I have also personally met a number of posters as friends.  I have traveled to meet some for dinner, have met a few together, and am enjoying keeping in touch.

One lady wrote to me about her visit here.  I couldn't make it because of a scheduling problem, but she and a few others have made me feel that when I meet for the first time I will be meeting a friend.

I have written magazine articles and a regular newspaper column. I have an agent who wants me to write a book about medical care, but I am getting really tempted to tell (anonymously and with permission) the stories of some of the men and women here.  If I ever do, I will make a deal to share royalties with those whose information I use.  It is just that I have been so enchanted by the range of men and women  here and the respect I have developed for them (hope that is not too estrogenic.)

This has opened a who new world of exceptional people for me.

Thank you for mentioning this.  I have made some great friends through these boards.  

    I was married for 18 years, the president of my mother's group at my church for 7 years, team mom for every sport my children played and an extreme version of Betty Crocker.  Hense the name I chose!  lol  I also like Betty Boop so I really had to go with Betty for my working name.  Everyone has a story.  I find it very interesting when I get to know other ladies and gents in this business and am fortunate enough to find out more about their personal lives.

   If you ever decide to write a book, I would buy a copy.

   Enjoy your day...Betty xoxo

and the new friends I have met here.  Just to know them in this persona has added a new demention to my life and if meeting face to face never comes it doesn't change a thing.  

Being able to openly talk about what ails you in this lifestyle and find others who feel the same or maybe have a different outlook has brought me a closer understanding of myself and the others I have met here.

What a great book you would write Dr. Joe.  An author who didn't just gather his information but lived it first hand gives it more creditability. I think you have led a very exciteing and colorful life yoursef so that will be spread throughout.

I'm so glad I have had a chance to get to know you here and do hope you will be around for some time to come.

Kisses Haley

...I've only recently began to be more involved in the various boards.  While I haven't met any other gents and made friends as a result of the postings, I believe there is a great group of guys and gals in this community.

DC, below, referred to us as semi-anonymous deviants, and I suppose he's right (in fact, in my case, I know he's right).  But I also suspect that many of us deviate from the norm in more ways than one might imagine and you, Doc, are a good example of this.

The "general public" would probably conclude that a group such as that posting here is living in self-interest with a perpetual peepshow to keep themselves aroused, and that we might never give consideration to those outside our little lives.

But your example of friendship and guidance is certainly more than tens of thousands of others in your position might offer.  In that regard, thanks for your deviation.

we do a repeat on the dinner.  

That, and our ongoing chats, have been an unexpected dividend of my TER experience.

Kudos on the great post, Joe.

If I am one of the friends you have mentioned here, and I believe I am, I am deeply pleased and honored by this post.  There also others who I feel close to and am  greatful to have had their advice.  THis is a great community and I am happy to have found it.  May you have happy hobbying for a long time to come, Dr. Joe!

I for one like the fact that there are profesional people here that offer sound advise. I enjoy reading what Dr. joe has to say on the boards and will look forward to reading his book.

Good morning DR!! All i want to know is...where were you when i was working in the medical industry!! I can concur with your thoughts, when i first found TER i was incredibley impressed with the character (for the most part) and friendliness of the folks here. WE are just nice normal people, with a high sex drive LOL!! Well said Dr.Joe, well said. Looking forward to the book, no royalties needed my dear, have a beautiful day, Belle.

but after meeting with Doc and H8t recently and also being pen pals with a few other guys from this board, I'm starting to get the swing of it.

Thanks so much Doc and H8t for our recent rendezvous and thanks to you Doc for such a nice post.  I agree completely.

Whoever gets that book written first will get much interest. However, it will be the end of TER which is already getting a bit too big...please, keep it a 'secret' a bit longer!?

I think we would all be amazed by the range of people and personalities that partake in the hobby and these boards.  There is definitely a book opportunity, especially with the Spitzer noteriety but no need to ruin it for or bring attention to the well mannered, well meaning, mutual satisfying companionship.

I wasn't thinking of even mentioning TER.  I have years of experience as a friend and physician to many providers (mainly a group who were dommes) and then met TER and made friends here.  I am not sure how I would do it, but i wanted to write about providers and clients anonymously that showed their personalities and characters and basic decency and humanity.  I would never mention anything specific like TGER.  It would ruin everything

It's nearly my five year anniversary here, and the lady I met initially became and has remained my ATF.  There have been a few others that I enjoy being friends with as well...I saw, or will see, three of them this week.  

I would also add that attending M&G's has provided many memorable experiences and friendships that are ongoing, some of which are on the other of the country.  And to think it all started back in the hotel room on business when I decided that I had had enough with strip-clubs, and googled "escorts", found TER..the rest is history...

Yes...but, it would not take long to put 2 and 2 together and get TER. You got a (great) reputation here and someone would point out that you are Dr Joe. Too many details from your own posts on this board. But, if anyone 'outs us', it may as well be you. My fear is that if TER goes too public, we will lose the cohesiveness of the TER community and it will balkanize into many smaller and less complete resources. For now, TER is the Google of the Escort world.