So I have succeeded really. In my efforts to retire I mean. Despite the literature which argues time and again that it takes most sex workers multiple attempts before they can actually do it. Despite the literature which argues that most sex workers need help to leave the industry. I’m still racking my brain on what that could possibly mean. Help with preparing a C.V.? Job interview tips? Don’t most young job seekers need that support?

Now I know there a few of you out there who are reading this and remembering that night we spent together recently…and yes it is true. I have taken the odd booking since I have been here. If they sound fun (what is it about me and needing to be entertained??)

“I haven’t had a booking in ten days, that makes me practically a virgin in whore time".

My new favourite line, from season two of Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Season two is when Belle tries to go straight. I love that series, although I do wonder what its like watching it if you haven’t been in the industry. Do you still get the jokes? Do you still hate Alex for his patronising attitude and lack of empathy? That storyline was painful to watch. Belle, giving up work for Alex (I had a boyfriend that tried to do that-I left him). Belle, usually my heroine for her relentless courage and unapologetic approach to sex work. When she breaks down and says she will do anything to get him to love her, after he was so rude…well, let’s just say I experienced a range of emotions. Part of me felt a sort of empathy for her however another part of me wanted to remind her that she knew better. Giving up what she loved? That’s an extraordinary ask.

My big news is that I’m leaving the country for a couple of months. Mainly because I get bored very easily and, well, let’s admit it-Auckland’s not exactly New York. So I’m off in search of some serious fun and although at this stage I have bought a one-way ticket, I am planning to return. First stop Melbourne! Last night I had a wonderful dream that I was at a wedding in Los Angeles (not my own thank god-that would have made it a nightmare). I woke up with a taste in mouth however I’m deciding against it.

One of my friend’s just spent two weeks in Croatia-now that sounds like fun!

I have been very quiet recently! Yes that’s right, I have been home and workward bound, which leaves little time for clients and forums-my apologies to those I have neglected.

My eyes and soul are bleak from marking essays! Poor sierra7 came in on Monday and I threw him around like a rag doll-I was bolted to my office desk all weekend and I let it all out on him. I was careful not to tear his clothes though I am currently reeking of sexual frustration.

My big news is that I am moving to Auckland. I have been offered a tremendous opportunity to do something very, very exciting. Unfortunately I will be very busy and unlikely to be accessible to a lot of clients however, I will be seeing those extra special ones. My email address is amberfunhouse@yahoo.co.nz so please email me there rather than on EF because I will not likely be on the forum much any longer-I have so much to do!

I will be in Wellington for the next couple of months so get in quick and be some of the last few to get a taste of me me me.

This time January I will be setting up shop in AK so watch out!!

I have been re-reading the Prostituition Law Review Committee’s November report. The Law Review Committee was set up following de-criminalisation in order to analyse the impact on the health and safety of workers post-decriminalisation. I was involved with the research in both the Auckland and Wellington Prostitutes Collective as a participant.

Some interesting results about Wellington include:

Wellington has the smallest number of sex workers comparative to population (one of the reasons I love working in Wellington-there is very little competition).

Wellington participants were more likely to have had tertiary level education and were also less likely to have children than participants in the other geographical locations (those being Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson and Napier).

Wellington participants were overall more likely than participants in other geographical locations to be involved in activities outside of sex work, either in paid part-time work, volunteer work, training courses or paid full time-work.

P.s. I’m about to go and do a bi-double with Cate-wohoo!

It’s been a busy few weeks for me. I have been busy researching various different government reports in order to be well prepared for the job interview I have coming up.
I stopped by the Prostitutes Collective last week and caught up with Katherine Healy. As always I am in awe of her and those who were involved with the movement which resulted in the decriminalisation of the sex industry (or parts of it anyway).
I love Katherine’s sense of humour. She told me that National Radio and other media have been contacting her asking in hushed voices “tell us about what impact the recession has had Katherine, are the numbers of sex workers increasing?”
“The recession?” she tells them, “yes, it has had an impact. They’re all dreading having to go back to policy analyst work and other dead boring careers".
I love it. It never ceases to amaze me how arrogant so much of the straight world is. Why would they think we would rather be doing anything but sex work? Why do they think we want to be ’saved’? That what we are doing is not a choice, that we wouldn’t want it any other way?

A client recently commented that “I must see the worst side of men doing this job".

The worst side? We get the adoring compliments, the gifts, the sweet whispered nothings, the showered, clean, dressed up (dear I say pussy whipped) men without the dirty socks, laziness, complaints of nagging, jealously, farting, belching….need I go on? We get to see the best side of men! Certainly my clients are always on their best behaviour with me. Something I am certain men often relinquish after committing to one woman. I often go out and see young women giving it away for free and shake my head in amazement. WHY AREN’T THEY CHARGING?

Right now is one of those ‘thank god it’s Friday’ moments.

I’ve had such a busy two weeks! I apologise to all the clients who have been trying to get hold of me, I haven’t been able to get away from things in order to be able to take any bookings.

As of tomorrow, bring it on! I’m soo excited about Spring. The flowers are coming out and summer is on it’s way! It has been cold in Wellington the last few days (and very windy) however the sky is clear and the days are beautiful!
I had a major deadline this morning however everything has run smoothly and so life is sweet and stress free.

I’ve decided my theme for this season is ‘positivity’. I’m going to meet new people, dance, laugh and start to pick things up for summer.

I’ve picked my first summer holiday location. I’m booking tickets soon, can’t wait to do loads of fun holiday planning.

Back in the moment though
A wonderful friend of mine is coming to stay with me next week.
I’ve just bought a cool pair of cowgirl boots.
Yesterday I met the most amazing person

What I did today:

Got up much earlier than I would have liked. Unfortunately I had to be at work by 9 (do most people really have to do this every day??).

I grumbled about the meeting I was going to be having with my boss over coffee with my flatmate.

Couldn’t find anything to wear! (Added ’shopping’ to my ‘to do’ list).

Thought many times that I needed to go and buy a bottle of wine for Mary and just as often felt annoyed that it was Wednesday and I still hadn’t got around to getting one.

Arrived at work to a million gazillion emails and tried to think of excuses I could use to get away and be able to take a booking at Funhouse.

Turned my whore-phone on and decided to ignore it until I had a break.

Spent most of the morning at my computer ‘working’, looking forward to going to Auckland and reminding myself how easy I have it in Wellington.

I tried desperately to remember the name of the guy I’m seeing tomorrow , I hate forgetting! Last week he eluded to wanting to book a double some time. Here’s hopin’! *fingers crossed*

I kept needing to go to the toilet after drinking to much coffee.

I spent the afternoon scrolling through education journals. A lame attempt at a literature review I’m doing at work. I kept getting distracted thinking about what I was going to have for dessert tonight.

I missed my ride home (don’t ask) and ended up having to walk in the horrible, cold wind.

Now I’m in bed and warm! And dinner is being cooked for me…

Life is a bunch of roses

I found my old profiles from BonTon. Here is my first, which didn’t last long. And so it came to be that I needed to change my name (this is a blog in itself) and so my updated profile became Caralina, see here. Caralina never stuck. All my regulars knew me as Cleo, as did the people I worked with and those at the PC.

I was Cleo for a long time. Until I did my first trip to Australia where Cleo grew up and into Amber. I got bored with the service I was providing under Cleo and decided, with influence from my trips to Australia that Amber would be far more outrageous.

And I got away with it…I am getting away with it!

I recently celebrated my birthday. I turned 27- officially not in my early 20’s any longer! I now have the ardous task of tracking down all my ads and changing my age listing *sigh*

Perhaps I wont. Is it important? I don’t look any bit near 27. More like 16 or 17.