Devon Hunter

That’s the mantra for every excuse right now. Probably because it’s true. One piece of advice I’m not sure I’ve blogged about yet: Make sure that your adult entertainment career is either diversified, so that you don’t depend on tips alone (i.e. start a website for yourself that generates money , or some activity like that), or secure other forms of employment that are more stable in terms of pay.

I’ve had multiple jobs since 2002. Even when I was a school teacher and a college professor I always had at least one other job. I do this, because it takes a little of the power away from my boss and puts it in my pocket. “You do realize, don’t you, that this isn’t my only job?” That revelation has evened the field many times with mean, pushy, rude, aggressive, and overly demanding managers and bosses. The air comes right out of their sail when they can’t threaten your livelihood.

At any rate, the current economy is making even part-time work difficult to find. For the first time in nearly seven years I have only one source of income, and it’s the clubs. That doesn’t feel very good, I must admit. I already felt vulnerable enough having only the clubs and a part-time writing gig. Well, that writing option seems to have dried up, as they haven’t been paying me and they won’t answer my calls. I’m hoping to hear from them again during better days. I like them very much.

So, time to look for other options. An acquaintaince is hopfully going to be able to get me into his gym where I can teach gymnastics, which would relieve some of the burden off the club income as well as be fun as hell! However, I don’t want to wait on an answer from that. I’m thinking that I might look around in the businesses near my home, and see if I can’t find work at a GNC (where I could get a better price on the supplements I need in order to keep making tips) or Starbucks (where I’ve heard you can work part-time and still get insurance). I don’t need much from a part-time job, unless you count the value of psychological relief.

So, why am I blogging about this, when it may not seem to be directly connected to exotic dance or adult entertainment? I have a very specific reason: I let you all read about this, because it reinforces the fact that most of the people in this line of work have a highly developed sense of work ethic. We’re not lazy people. We’re not content to mooch off the public. We do want to be responsible for ourselves, and we do have all the same cares and worries as anyone else. I wish I could keep churning out the ass-scented money blog entries (because they really are alot of fun), but… well… it’s a bad economy.

Although my new year began on November 1 (the day after Samhain), I know that most people in Western cultures will recognize today as the last day of 2008. I hope it was a year of growth, and that 2009 will see you achive all your goals.

Here is an Irish toast that seems appropriate for the current state of the economy:

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship but never in want.

From me to you, have a Happy New Year.

I’ve said this before, but I want to remind myself and all my adult entertainment friends of something I was told by Carlos (he seems to be my exotic dance guru – and for good reason, too!): Remember that you are valuable beyond what your earn. Separate your self-worth from what you make. You are more than your money.

Working for tips is hard. You can’t plan. Some nights you’re on. Others, not so much. There’s only so much you can do to affect this: You can workout, be nice, and approach every person in the room and still not make good money. You can watch someone who isn’t very attractive, very nice, and/or impressive in some way or another sweep the bar. You simply cannot know.

The reason I’m saying this (and I’m surprised I haven’t blogged about it sooner) is because last night at the club was BAD. It was BAD BAD BAD. So many of my beautiful brothers were taking it personally. We all are vulnerable in this work, since our bodies and our egos are laid bare, but I’d like to remind all my friends that it is not them. It isn’t you, booboo! It’s a combination of factors that you cannot control! You are just as amazing on your off-nights as you are on your a-list nights.

Something you simply must remember is that there are times when you will do well and times when you won’t. Rather than looking at what you make each night, look at your longer goals and averages. Consider how everything tends to balance itself out in a week, or even a month. You have to let the cold water roll over your back. It’s easy to forget how amazing you are, but really: YOU ARE FUCKING FABULOUS.

I’m gay. The default political setting for that in this country is Democrat. Yes, there are gay Republicans walking through the world, which I am confouded about to be honest, but variety is the spice of life. Yes, I voted for the Obama/Biden ticket; however, it wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined it would be. I had a bit of a hissy fit at the polling booth…

Let me first say that I have never been registered with any particular party: I don’t want to be limited during the primaries. Today I voted a mixed bag of Democrats at the national level, Libertarians at the state level, and as best as I could for local “stuff.” I do not believe I am well-served by voting down a straight party line. So, I wanted to make it clear first and foremost that I am not simply a pre-programmed liberal voter. I’d have voted for Green candidates if there’d been any in my area running. I love the precepts of the Green platform. It’s really perfectly aligned to my personal philosophies. I wish it had more traction as a party.

Okay, this is where the anxious foot stomping comes in: I accidentally walked out without my notes… I couldn’t leave the polling station to go home and get them. The people there didn’t have any lists of any names or anything at all to help me remember my choices! I voted with true confidence at the national and state levels, but I’m really hoping I did okay for the local races. It was then that I had to flip back to the front and face the presidential bubbles.

When I went into this I had the following in mind: If Obama is that far ahead in my state, I will write in the names of the Candidates for the Green Party. If McCain is stomping Obama in my state, I’ll do the same. However, if there’s any possibility that Obama might actually need me to push the balance in North Carolina, then I’ll vote for him (bearing in mind that Obama was my FIFTH choice as a Democrat and that I didn’t rule McCain out completely until he selected The Abominable Snow Woman). Seems like a pretty good strategy.

Until I realized that I was really looking forward to voting Green but had walked out without my notes. Suddenly I was forced to vote Obama, because I drew a blank on the Green candidates’ names!! Nevermind that North Carolina may swing toward him and that I’d decided in that case I’d vote for him anyway… the point is that I’d taken away my own damn choice!!! I stood there for at least 15 or 20 minutes hemming and hawing… The octagenarians kept coming over to make sure I was okay, and one even patted my shoulders affectionately.

So. There it is. After nearly two years I finally placed my vote. I’ve been so ready for this election to hurry up and be over. Now it is. I’m completely underwhelmed.