VedaSloan

The "I'm in school" thing isn't really an excuse, considering I'm also funding my education and I still managed to put an ad up on EC. And as other ladies have stated, we all have other lives and costs. Perhaps if you didn't come off sounding so entitled and arrogant, someone might have helped you out. There was no need to jump down everyone's throat because they suggested you support the site, the one which, btw, allows you to get the clients which finance your tuition. Not to mention the fact that that isn't the only way to get access.

Where do you get this stuff? It's brilliant. And too funny.

It's always the way. ALWAYS.

Haha, well, it's more like I *hope* there will be sex. Lately I've been getting a lot of oral lovin' and wrestlers. I don't think I've actually been penetrated (by an actual penis anyway) in at least a month.

Well, I'm waiting. ;)

I worded that poorly. It just seems that to me, when clients refer to it as a "date" rather than an appointment or a call, they're trying to convince themselves they're not really paying. And one doesn't have to have a plan to become romantic outside of work to have it happen anyway. But you are right, it isn't always about the sex.

My issue is with the word "date" being used in place of "paid sex" in order to blur the lines as to what is going on. Though, I do not want to put words in his mouth, SA has commented in this thread and others, using the word date in the context of something you might have in your personal life, and not the actual dictionary definition of the word, which does include appointments. Used in this context it is misleading.

This troubles me. It's NOT a date. A date is between two adults and can be any number of activities (paid or free) and does not necessarily result in sex. When you hire an escort, the implication is that sex is involved. Whether or not you actually take advantage of the sex factor is up to you, but I go to a call expecting to fuck a guy.

When you try to convince yourself that you are not paying for sex, that you are simply "seeing guests in your home" or "on a date," you are blurring client/provider boundaries, and many of us work hard to keep our work and personal lives separate. We provide a service, a fantasy service even, but that is all it is. "Berlin" is simply the fantasy that I portray. Trying to befriend an escort is like trying to befriend an actor based on a character they played--that's not who they are.

Eh, I just go with rate/fee. I don't know why we have to dance around everything all the time (that's not directed at you Nicki, just a general observation!). I know we are in the business of fantasy, but let's not kid ourselves.

The emphasis on this being actual work is, because, first off, it is work, but secondly, under the Canadian Charter of Human Rights, citizens have the right to choose their profession--and since exchanging sex for money is NOT illegal, we have the right to choose this work as our profession. Additionally, as Megan stated, just because it is referred to as work doesn't mean we don't enjoy our jobs. Most of us chose this line of work over OTHER options. Part of the reason I emphasize that it is work is because, as many have pointed out, clients want the illusion...but some of them want it all the time. Those people need to realize that we have a personal/private life like anyone else. And as for the use of the word "donation," I dislike it, for the sole reason that it implies choice. That is, that the donation is optional. And we all know it's not optional or negotiable.

Nothing to be guilty about there. Heart is awesome. Ann and Nancy are seriously underrated if you ask me.

Thanks, I figured out how to get rid of the skype highlighting, but now i'm dealing with why the site link doesn't work. I was using a free template, so you just add stuff in and publish, you don't actually have to use much of your own HTML code. Additional Comments: Ok, when I click the site link in my signature, it works fine. Just want to make sure it works for everyone.

So I have Skype and it highlights any phone number on a webpage. So, on my website where my phone number is listed, for some reason, it keeps showing the HTML code for the Skype highlighting and I don't know how to get rid of it. I don't see the HTML code, just the phone number. I've tried erasing the number and putting it in with periods instead of dashes, but that just yields this: 613-294-4927 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 613.294.4927 ARGH. Any help would be appreciated!

You are putting a lot of pressure on me, but here goes: There once was a 'ho named Berlin, the sight of your dick sent me hurlin', but you reeled me back in with your mouth full of sin, and now you've got my toes a-curlin'. Ok, that was terrible. Hahaha. I also forgot to mention CERB. Goddamnit. I just can't compete with Seymour and Cato and WIT. You guys are too good with words. A member is called a CERB-ite, many are much tastier than marmite, from handsome to plain, we'll play again and again, until our endeavours seem trite.

Those last two were quite amazing.

As always, you've made a wonderfully logical, articulate and persuasive argument. I advertised on CL when I first started and didn't know any better. I've considered returning to CL because business has been slow, but I decided instead to support CERB and bought paid advertising on EC. So far, it's been worth it for me, mainly because I'm not one to sit around reposting ads on CL to make sure that I'm visible amongst all the agencies and other independents. With EC, my ad is up there, it's visible, and I don't have to worry about competition flagging my ad or having to repost. Plus, my mom used to own her own video store and we had to compete with Blockbuster--so I understand the plight of independent business owners.

It's okay, that last one brought me back :)

People are going to use whatever tools are at their disposal in order to make a living. CL is free and gets a lot of traffic. End of story. And really, the biggest competition to SP's are all the women giving it away for free. ;)

Admirable. I wonder what you might come up with given a longer time limit :)

I'm a fickle creature, now I must say I think I love YOU Old Dog. That was fabulous! Honestly, I almost spewed iced tea everywhere.

Haha, WIT, I think I love you.

I still have one of their tapes. I won't lie, I sometimes break it out for nostalgic purposes. NO. *cough* Ok, yes. Maybe you're not looking in the right places :) Don't get me wrong though, I love love love me some 80's music: Siouxsie, The Cure, Depeche Mode, etc.

Oh man, I am SO EXCITED to go back to school. And for back to school shopping. Possibly one of my favourite things to do. Paper, file folders, pencils, ink refills, organizational supplies! *sigh* I can't get enough. Also, I'm really looking forward to my courses this year: mostly feminist theory, but a few electives like Women in Early Christianity and Women, Human Rights and Globalization. Nothing makes me happier than being around other feminists and people who don't look at me like I'm crazy when I say things like the American prison system is really a form of institutionalized racism. God, I love academia. AND AND, I got asked to speak at a grad seminar on sex work at Queen's. Woot.