9-20-26 Various Reflections on Living the Dream in New York City!

Hi Gang:

Slow, slower and slowest week! I love the "J" holidays (feel the sarcasm herein): even if you're not J it feels like a forced celebration and a tremendous slow down in guys getting rubbed. Of course: it's another damn religious series of holidays!!!!! No time for giving yourself the most human of gifts--massage...this too shall pass.

9/11 was rough this year: 25 years. Is it just me or do things in general seem to be speeding up? 

One of my core DBT philosophies through the years has been radical acceptance. It got me through so much from being Gay bashed back in '93, to 9/11, to Sandy, to CO-VID, etc. Now I find myself trying and trying to radically accept that everyone is engulfed in their phones to the point where real conversation itself (and actually looking at people in the eyes) has become almost a kind of weird "deviation" most people feel this weird antipathy towards) and I get angry. My therapist said radically accept my anger. Oye. Serenity Prayer here...

On another courtesy note: please gentlemen: if you book and then cancel on the same day I will automatically block you. Prepping for a massage session takes time, work and energy. If you book, I'm set in motion to work, and work mode is very different from just livin' mode. Please have empathy, kindness, compassion, etc. and don't book unless you are completely committed to showing up.

I am doing a reading of poetry and short stories (about 30 min worth) LIVE (YES LIVE) in the 11BC Serenity Garden as part of the LUNGS Festival: this coming Tues@ 7. See you there Godwilling. I hope hot, young Ben comes (who was reading a book by the gate yesterday. Ben: I need you to help ME feel secure : ).

The movie HOPE was good until it turned into a weird kind of AVATAR with the giant aliens talking to each other about their future. I got lost there. Also it was way too long. Seeing Resident Evil next week, what fun! Also the upcoming MIND OF A SERIAL KILLER is now taking reservations in NYC. Sounds enticing!

I will be volunteering as a security person in the Urban Bear Festival today at 4. Guess I better get off this damn computer!

Also this week I will be in final interview for a possible move to FLATBUSH. Goodbye East Village. I can hardly believe it. I hope Flatbush isn't homophobic. I will miss the convenience and creativity of the East Village if this move happens but I sure as shit won't miss the screaming 20 something parties that go on every damn weekend here. Jesus, too old for that shit.

Thank you neighbor Tim for loaning me all these great broadcast quality mics. The AKG 420 won. So onward Steve--do your audiobooks.

Finally I will hopefully try to crack the code this week (if I'm not moving that is) of posting my massage ads on META (FB, Instagram). I was already burned by Google when I tried to post Licensed Massage for Men about a decade ago and was promptly accused of being a prostitute by some lackey from England. Go figure. It's ugly how homophobic the online world is when it comes to advertising M4M massage. I wonder if all you queens out there are aware of this? Do you care?

For myself I would LOVE to terminate my advertising relationship with Masseurfinder and Rent Masseur, hell if I move to Flatbush I might even cease my practice. With cheaper rent I wouldn't need to offer M4M massage. I might miss it. Gee, I might even become "normal" (like a more average person again) We'll see. One breath at a time...

With appreciation

love and gracias

Steve O