Phaedrus

Hope you had a fantastic day, Maraena!

Ah, crap. Sorry to hear that, and I hope everything turns out well with the treatment! Well, if you want my advice... play it safe. Have the four-or five-some beforehand, just in case. And if it goes well... have another to celebrate :)

Oh, dear. Marriott and wifi... http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/27/technology/fcc-wifi-hotel/ Goodbye not just to free wifi, but being able to use any alternative...

Yeah... it's heartbreaking. For anyone who feels like reading, here's a very good series of blogposts on the subject. They're well worth your time.

My understanding from the thread on this was that we took a hit when the bill became law, but that people - both clients and ladies - are slowly coming back. A short-term hit was probably inevitable; if the current lack of enforcement continues then I'd expect the long-term effect on board participation to be zero. Also: that's just this board. I have no clue about any others.

What could possibly go wrong? :)

I have to say, the stories of reluctance to test surprise me. I know some are more complex than others, but HIV can be done with a take-home kit these days (although there has been some debate about whether or not that's a good idea...)

Happy Birthday, Meg! Have an awesome day!

Hope you're having an awesome day, OD! Look! Cake!

I couldn't disagree more. It might be entirely unnecessary hyperbole, but as such it simply weakens the argument being made by whoever's doing it at the time. By contrast, censorship strengthens a weak argument and makes it appear far more powerful and influential than might otherwise be the case. If people offend you, block them so you don't have to be troubled by their posts any more. But please don't presume to make that judgement for the rest of us. Love it or loathe it, it happens on a regular basis these days. Ask Brendan Eich or Justine Sacco, to give a couple of recent examples (there are many others). The Internet means you can talk to the whole world... even - and perhaps especially - when in retrospect you'd rather not.

But you still haven't shaved your legs...

Lee, I have to say, I don't think you've done your research very well. If you had, you'd have found the vid... However, since Lee is posting embarrassing pictures of me, I think I'm now allowed to post one of him. Here he is, all dressed up for his most recent appointment... I can't remember whether that was a special costume request or not. And I'm not sure which would be worse. Also, for those of you who don't know: we have a new location for entertaining our visitors!

Probably http://www.lyla.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=55219 IIRC, she used to be at CMJ... no idea where she is now, though.

Not really. All that means is that someone complained to the police... and when that happens, they *have* to investigate unless the complaint is obviously bogus or can be dismissed for some other reason. In this case, given the highly public nature of it, it'd be very foolish for the police to fail to investigate to some extent.

I know you were asking other ladies.. but I'm going to chip in anyway :) What I'd really want to know from these people is: *why* do they think it's unacceptable, or wrong, or degrading? And don't let them waffle or handwave or brush the question off: make them justify their point of view. If they think it's immoral, then ask why they should get to impose their morality on others. If they're concerned about STIs, ask how what you do is worse than having an affair or a drunken hook-up at closing time. If they think it harms society, ask how. If they're concerned about trafficking, ask if they're equally concerned about the construction, agriculture and domestic services industries (and if not, why not). My suspicion is that these attitudes are mostly rooted in either ignorance about what sex workers do, who they do it with, and how, or moral strictures which you can't really justify imposing on others, or just good old-fashioned hang-ups about sex.

Happiest. Hobbit. Ever. Bonus: this guy is better at parallel parking than you:

So, now that she's there.... congratulations, Katherine! Here's to many more!

Excellent! Now go and write her a reco, if you feel so inclined :)

One nit to pick on an otherwise excellent post... Many ladies will only use their own. That gives them the confidence that they're using a condom that's within its expiry date, has been properly stored, and hasn't been sabotaged by a nut-job with a pin (yes, they exist). If you want a particular kind, ask in advance - I think most ladies will be happy to ensure that there are some on hand when you arrive.

Actually, it was me. Sorry about that, guys - I hit the wrong button on the Economic God app on my phone. I'll make it up to you just as soon as I figure out how it works, okay? Seriously, Vlad... nothing personal. Honest.

Research continues. Does anyone know of a good source of funding? I find my applications are consistently rejected, for some reason... :) True... but this also comes under marketing. Some people are prepared to put the time and effort in; some aren't. I have no problem with those that are being rewarded for doing so. Yes. And really, stuff like that isn't supposed to be in a reco - after all, if you'd pass on someone, then you're not exactly recommending them, are you? Posts like this really ought to be drawn to Mod's attention so that they can be removed.

Awesome. http://shipyourenemiesglitter.com

I think I had to give them a name and address when I bought my pay-as-you-go phone... so I gave them a name and address. I have no clue what they were though. Paid for with cash, as were all the refills (and I get the big ones that last a year, since that's less hassle and I never use them up anyway).

Hope you had an awesome birthday, Claire!