OK, bear with me (or bare with me if you're a provider reading this naked...you know, like in my fantasies) as this is a bit of a stream of consciousness post on a rare lazy Saturday morning:

In the last 30 days there have been approx 6,000 posts and of those approx 3,000 have come from 10 posters....GaGambler leading the way and you have made it to #10. Congrats!

I am naked soaking in a tub of hot soapy water while replying.  True story.  

Not, not new my charitable stiffy friend. Sorry to interrupt the long string of fresh new topics with something that has been touched on before. I'm so embarassed, that's probably never happened before.

There are lots of "needs" other than sexual that this fulfills for me. The sense of romance being one. There's also the sense of adventure, of taking a bit of a risk. Then there's the jostling of power and control between the provider and me. And there's the thing of making some small effort to keep myself presentable between appointments and not letting myself go totally to seed. I find I drink less and spend less time on other distractions, bad habits, whatever. And I no longer need painkillers on a daily basis (my liver says Thank you, Ladies).

I was not asking if "feelings," for lack of a better word, happen. I was asking if shit ever goes to far and how do you deal. If nothing else maybe there are some great stories along these lines.

Since you asked so eloquently, and as a gentlemen... I have not yet had a GFE that has "gone too far" for my comfort level. I'm sure it happens as you noted, but they are the exception rather than the rule in my experience.  

but now all my brain blood seems to have gone somewhere else...nice pic!

You won't get the full potential unless you let yourself go beyond "safe" bounds.

And so, from time to time, my heart has been broken a bit; but so what?  Time heals and the highs I've experienced have been worth 10 times the hurt, at least.

One great thing I've learned about the relationships I've formed in the hobby:  They are too important to take seriously.  I reserve that for the mundane things, like work.

Sex, passion, and rock and roll should never have limits placed on them.

Good to now.

being touched back. Irrelevant that we are not in love, it's a basic human need to be touched that way.  I don't get it at home so I P4P.  I understand the contract and have some idea of what's behind the curtain, so it's never gotten too far for my comfort level.  I also suspect that providers, like other professional actresses, draw on their own human resources to provide a good show and through method acting may experience transitory feelings of their own.  So yeah, there's often some real bit of exchange going on.....for 90 minutes.  Bottom line:  I'm grateful for those providers who treat me compassionately.  And it sure feels great to get laid.

for the providers and all you guys, I wouldn't have anyone. Thanks to all! I LOVE YOU! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"... how often do you find yourself fulfilling other than sexual needs," I'll give you a perspective you may not have been looking for, but it happens--it happened to me, at least.  I've never had any provider "cross the line" as far as romantic involvement.  Which is a good thing, because I'd run as fast as I could from that kind of relationship with a provider--not at all what I'm looking for.  But I've established friendships with a couple of providers over the years, meaning we occasionally interact outside the hobby as regular people, not hobbyist & provider, and not in a sexual way--just friends.  They fulfill needs for me other than sexual--e.g. needs for friends with whom I can discuss my secret life in the hobby.  No other friends know about that life.  And they've filled other needs, also; e.g. they've helped me with good advice when I had some problems I couldn't bring to anyone else.  And I help them as much as I can, in various ways, so it's not one-way.  I try not to abuse these friendships, as both women have very busy, full lives, but I greatly value their friendship and hope it continues when they (or I) have retired from the hobby.

You need to write a book.  Seriously!

...but so far have kept the boundaries - and let this just remain as fun little two-hour flings and nothing else.  If I like a lady too much - meaning I think "wow, she seems like just my type" - especially personality-wise - "under different circumstances I'd..." then I usually back away.  Because people who I am really attracted to on a different level I want to find out so much more about, to get to know them.  That is not a good mix for this, and will leave one frustrated.  So I've backed-off a bit the couple times I met someone who I perhaps clicked with a little bit too well.  I want to keep this hobby as just for fun - and look for real relationships elsewhere (but damn if the fun and ease of this isn't preventing me from investing the time and effort to do the latter!).

I guess I'll have her ghost write it.

I still can never even figure out how to spell words that end in "le" or "el", and don't get me started on lie,lied, lay, laid, etc.

Maybe it's a good thing then that lay lady lay is already taken lol!   As tried and true as it may seem, I think The Wit and Wisdom of Mr. Fisher has a ring to it.    Philosophical yet mysterious at the same time.   People will be wondering out loud 'so who is this Mr. Fisher?'

That borders on profound...you should write a book, i before e rule be damned.

This is an electronic medium! Don't electrocute yourself!

sex is a small percentage of the needs I fulfil. If it's just sexual needs they want fulfilled, there are hundreds of younger, sexier, and less expensive ladies to fulfil them. When they come to me, it's a deeper connection- something more emotional and often spiritual. At the very least, it's a true companionship experience and meeting of the minds between more or less equals. (Being naked together is a great equalizer!) So with almost every encounter I have I am fulfilling "other than sexual needs", and this never gets uncomfortable for me. It's what I do, why I'm here. I'm fortunate and grateful that all who have come my way understand the value of the boundary created by the envelope. I don't foresee it ever changing. I'm good at enforcing boundaries.  

My best friend since childhood has cheated on each of his three wives, had numerous multiple "monogamous" LTRs simultaneously, etc.

And yet, he cannot abide my hobby stories.  Double standard, much?

It's great to have a real friendship with a provider.  With whom else can you really have a conversation about hobby topics, who really understands "the deal"?  And who will give you good advice, without judging you?  Maybe (some) shrinks--but hard to find someone in your "real life" who will not somehow look down on you for your "lifestyle choices.

Great post, nom!

...has been asked (by some of her friends, whom she often invites to our dates) questions like "So how did you meet?", or "You two seem like you've known each other forever.  How long have you been seeing each other?"

Her response usually:  "We're like an old married couple."

WTF does that even really mean?  I have no friggin' clue.  I've stopped trying to analyze "our relationship".  It is very intense, and we are "real-life" friends in addition to whatever else we are.  But I just can't let myself fall down that rabbit-hole.

If the venture ever was successful, I'd be hounded by the snoops until they learned my true ID, and I don't need that.  I value privacy very highly.

It would have to be a posthumous venture.

I have almost a hundred of them so far.

My favorite:  albeit.

Sarah, as always, I find myself torn between wishing there were more women like you, and on the other hand being truly glad that you're a one of a kind.    And to this day I feel very strongly both ways!   Talk about board crushes!!!

I agree with you whole-heartedly, mrisher.

I like atheism and heist