My current thoughts on "the hobby" and related issues. I have been reading the boards a little this week and what in the world is going on out there? My how things have changed over the past few years! Providers and hobbyist are people too and it seems how most people have forgotten that. Where has the respect gone? All of the name calling and lots of BS now days, why? Providers-We provide a service to fullfill something that is missing out of normal everyday life. We all jumped into this world for different reasons and take different things from our experiences. I enjoy companionship and getting to know people, travel, and have made some great friends over the years! During the process over the years, I've had the great opportunity to learn more about myself and what it is I want from a man when I decide to have a partner in life. I have gained tremendous confidence over the years and am truely happy with who I am. At the end of the day: I am still ME, a human being who has a life and deserves respect. Hobbyist-Not only do you provide a way for survival, you also add to my life in many ways. You are the perception of men that gets left in my mind. Would you rather me think all men are ***holes or know that there are really nice men in this world? I know there are great men in this world and the ones I have had the opportunity to spend time with have left a wonderful perception in my mind. Thank you! I appreciate the kindness and generousity I have been gratefull to recieve.

All the BS on the boards needs to stop! It is all about respect, which we all should have for one another! Even if you don't like your co-worker, you wouldn't behave this way at your job. The same should apply!

Now STFU and go make me a sandwich. Fetch me a beer while you're up. And my boys need to go for a walk. While you're at it, go check the mail and don't break your wrist writing checks out to the gas and electric people.

Sorry, lady. Feeling silly!

I've also been around for a few years, and appreciate your perspective.  Although I am a hobbyist, my experiences have also enriched my life.  Back when I first joined TER, I was a man jaded by too many years hanging out at strip clubs, and burned several times by failed civvie relationships that had me questioning a lot of things.  My main objective was ending a four year drought that was causing me to lose my sanity.  It took all of three weeks here to get past that...

Since then, over the years, I have made many friends, enjoyed the company of more wonderful ladies than I ever could have hoped for, traveled to places and met many people I never would have otherwise had it not been for this Game, and gained a perspective on life that's difficult to describe.  Although society disapproves of our sub-culture, indeed tries to throw us in jail for it, for those of us with our heads on straight, it's a net positive.  I've also found hobbying to be empowering...I control my my sexual destiny, which is central to me.  The fact that I have to throw $'s at it means little...
civvie life costs far more, and the BS and drama you have deal with is exponentially greater.  

I could rant about the deterioration of the boards over the years, and the lack of effective moderation and the rise of abusive and destructive alias nonsense, but that's like swimming against the tide...you will be pulled under if you don't swim with the tide.    

Just my three pennies late on a Sunday night, enjoying a most excellent red Bordeaux, vintage 2009...      

and I am equally as positive that I agreed with every word.

At least you didn't tell her to go hang herself. lmao

Maybe we no longer have good mod and bad mod? Maybe we just have bad mod, and worse mod? lol

Scoed may just run down to Met Art and fuck one of those young ladies. lol

Of course if it were me, I would "walk" over there and fuck them all. lmao

Sex is the most primal thing there is, so, on both sides of the transaction all kinds of weird hangups come out to play.  On the one hand, we've got ROBs and catty psychos.  On the other we have stalkers, mysogynists, theives and the "I've fallen for a provider and I can't get up" crowd.  Sorry to sound cynical, but it ain't gonna change.
As for the tone of the boards, none of the above explains it completely, because all the above was true a few years ago as well.  I don't like all the angry idiots either.  I just try to ignore them, as there are lots of good people around, too.

If I did posted it, it likely would not have been as well received. I fully agree. There is far to much animosity on the boards.

Now to keep the whiners at bay here is a photo from Met-Art.com. It is of Alura A.

I need to complain about Alura.  I got up this morning and looked everywhere but she's not here!

It's okay to be negative sometimes... Esp. if you can't find somebody special...

It's even good to disagree, share our opinions and to joke around!!  

I just feel there is a more mature way to disagree than to personally attack a person, call names and such and I am only 26.  I also think it's crazy that some people are so negative all the time.  (not you Little Phil just in general )  After all of the things I have been through and am going through, I feel like if I can remain positive then anybody can.  Life is very short and we should all enjoy it!!

This sugar coated exterior is just a front.

That wasn't negative.  That was an example of my candy coated exterior.  The negative would be the private conversation I had last week with a lovely lady when I mentioned that meeting a certain unnamed person in that city could result in him being set afire.  She got quiet for a minute and then after a long pause simply said "Oh".  Since you know her, and can guess at his identity, you can probably figure out why.  It's not really a great example of negative as much as vigilante justice, but it's early and I'm in a good mood (aside from STILL not finding any of the girls scoed was supposed to be sending).  Maybe I'll run down to Mickey D's and buy him a McRib, and then eat it.

I wasn't thinking clearly there.