Thursday, September 1, 2011

Questions from a Newbie SD

Recently a newbie SD posed several questions in the SA Blog.  His questions and concerns were fairly common for newbie SD's so I thought I'd address them here.

I know that this is not a sex for pay situation but keep running into that.

There are all sorts of people looking for all kinds of things in the sugar world.  The key is to find those who share similar ideas in terms of what a sugar relationship is and how it should work.  Recent media coverage has shown that "pay for play" may be prevalent so it's no surprise that's what you've run into.

I can only commit to provide a certain allowance, about a thousand a month, but it seems that everyone is looking for much more. Am I being reasonable or am I barking up the wrong tree?

What's reasonable can depend on several factors, mainly location and your expectations. If the SB is in a high cost of living area and you expect to spend a lot of time with her and traveling is involved, then 1k/mo could be barking up the wrong tree.  Keep in mind not all arrangements include an allowance, some SD's provide gifts/travel. Also, the allowance is only the starting point for a SD's total spending related to the SB.  It takes money to have fun, travel, and enjoy the finer things in life so you need to take all that into account.  Realistically, at 1k/month and given your location, your options are probably limited.

I know that no sugar baby worth having has sex immediately but what is a reasonable time to be expected to wait?

That really depends on how comfortable you are with each other and how long it takes to agree on an arrangement.  Keep in mind that a sugar relationship should be mutually beneficial and once you have an arrangement in place then both sides should be ready to do what they've agreed to do.

I understand that it is the custom to meet and greet at least the first time with no expectation of having sex or receiving money except for actual expenses. Is this correct?

Yes that's correct.  Generally speaking it’s best to keep a first meet simple and low key as I’ve discussed before.  A first meet mainly serves 3 purposes:

1. Will he/she show up as planned
2. Will he/she be as advertised in the profile
3. Will there be compatibility and chemistry to take things further.

Anything else that happens is a bonus. Meeting for drinks/coffee or a casual lunch/dinner should accomplish those goals. Save the more elaborate fancy stuff for the next meet if things go well. This is easy to do when both parties are local. If travel is involved by either party, then making a decision to meet would require more thought and planning. But the underlying purpose should remain the same.

The ladies I have talked to seem to all be desperate and broke and need money right away to cover some never ending emergency. I know that I probably sound crass for focusing on the sex and money parts but feel that I could easily be taken advantage of by not knowing the expectations.

Some SB's are eager to treat you like an ATM.  The key is to screen relentlessly and don't put yourself in a situation to be taken advantage of.  If the desperate and broke ones are not your type then there is no need to waste your time on them.  I've talked about the "White Knight" syndrome and some of the lessons learned. Also see the "Sex, Money, and Sugar" series in my blog.

I have read several blogs here and have just got more confused by the conflicting and possibly biased information.

People in the blog have diverse backgrounds with a wide range of experiences and opinions.  Therefore it's not unusual to see conflicting and biased information.  There is usually no right or wrong, it just depends on your perspective.  So take it all in and decide for yourself what's useful in your particular situation.

Are these relationships ever long term? lasting several years?

Yes and yes.  My longest lasted 2 years and I had several that were between 6 months to a year. I know other SD's who had even longer sugar relationships. However, one study has shown that on average sugar relationships only last 3-4 months. So long term is possible, but it's by no means the norm.

I know that it is not permanent but would like to get comfortable with a woman with the expectation that it is not time limited. Or is that the crux of the matter in that you set the mutual expectations early and honestly?

Being honest with each other about expectations from the beginning is one of the things that sets sugar dating apart from regular dating. Sugar relationships are NSA in nature so it will last as long as the two people involved want it to last. 
 

I am living in a smaller town and the number of ladies on the site from within a hundred miles is rather small. Is it usual for one or both to have to travel? or is that dependent on the area also?

Given your location it is likely some traveling will be involved.  But even those in major metro areas may consider a long distance sugar relationship for various reasons.  I think most SD/SB's would prefer local, but it's not unusual for one or both to travel.

I have had inquiries from long distances but so far most of them have appeared to be request for advance payments.


Ask yourself how can such a situation be mutually beneficial and how much risk are you willing to take.  Most SD's probably aren't willing to take such risks, but maybe some are.

I have not seen many ladies over the age of forty on the site so far. I have found that I have little in common with many of the twenty somethings. Are there many ladies available with a few more years of life experience around or is this a younger ladies thing?


On sugar dating sites most SB's are under 30 because apparently that's what most SD's seek.  And again this is perpetuated by recent media coverage which creates a stereotype in most people's mind.  The fact is that SB's can come in all age, size, and color with a wide range of life experiences.  Also, some SB's over 40 purposely put their age as 30's in their profile to attract more SD's.  It may seem like you're trying to find a needle in a haystack, but be patient and persistent, screen relentlessly, and you'll eventually find what you're looking for.  Good luck!

By the way, answering your questions reminded me that once upon a time I wrote an article called "A Practical Guide for SD's in the Sugar World".  I'll post it in my blog when I have time.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Review of Huffington Post Article on Seeking Arrangement and Student Loans

Recently Huffington Post had an article titled "Seeking Arrangement: College Students Using 'Sugar Daddies' To Pay Off Loan Debt."  Since I'm always interested in how the sugar world is portrayed by the media, here's my take on the article.

This article, like most media coverage about the sugar world, seems to revolve around 3 topics:

1. Is sugar relationship for companionship only or is sex involved?

I think it should surprise no one that most sugar relationships involve sex, just like most adult dating relationships.  However, there seem to be some SB's who want to perpetuate the impression that most SD's only want companionship, and it would be beneath them to have sex with older men for money.  While platonic sugar relationships certainly exist, it's clearly a small niche so let's not delude ourselves to think that most SD's don't want sex.

2. If sugar relationship involve money and sex, then isn't it prostitution?  

As I mentioned in one of my blog posts, the issues of SB's vs Escorts is a popular topic but it's been debated ad nauseum.  The bottom line is some people like myself clearly see the difference and there are those who don't, and that's ok.  According to Jennifer in the article: "My situation is different in a number of different ways. First of all, I don't engage with a high volume of people, instead choosing one or two men I actually like spending time with and have decided to develop a friendship with them. And while sex is involved, the focus is on providing friendship. It's not only about getting paid."

3. How much money is involved in a sugar arrangement and how long does it last?

Most SB's would tell you that they want a long term arrangement based on monthly allowance which is the type of ideal situation often discussed in the SA Blog.  While there is no doubt that some SB's have received a steady monthly allowance plus all the extras (gifts, travel, fine dining, etc), the article portrays a reality that p4p is prevalent and cited a study that showed arrangements last only three to four months on average.

Here are some more observations about the article:

- According to SA, the ratio of SB to SD is about 10 to 1, and 40% of SD's are married.  This is fairly consistent with my understanding. 

- 35% of SB's on SA are college students as identified by their .edu email addy. However, this measure does not include students from vocational schools and those who don't use .edu addy, so the actual percentage who are students is likely to be higher.

- SA gives free premium membership to SB's who use their .edu addy and certify them as "college sugar baby"! Is this one of the best kept secrets or am I slow to the party? :)

- The article opened with Taylor, a 22yo from Harlem who goes to meet her much older SD for the first time in Greenwich.  She meets him at his house with no prior agreement as to what would happen and end up having sex with him for $350.  She failed to do the 3 simple things a newbie SB should do as I mentioned in this post.  The article didn't mention whether she'll see him again.

- Jack, a 70yo SD in NYC who prefers SB's under 25, provides 500/night plus fine dining and shopping.  Apparently he has no shortage of SB's to choose from with what he offers.  And I thought SB's in NYC drive a hard bargain based on everything I've seen in SB's blogs! :)

- Suzanne, a 25yo in NYC sees her 39yo SD in NJ for dinner and sex at 400-500 per meet. They've had 3 dates and the article stated: "While the men typically pay per meeting, Suzanne is hoping to set up an ongoing hookup."

- Dayanara, a 23yo exotic mix, had a 5k/month arrangement with an investment bank exec in NYC.  The article didn't say how long it lasted.  Now she has 3 SD's and she said she could get 2500 for a night of dinner and sex.  She also works as a topless masseuse...  but why work at all (especially as a topless masseuse) if she has 3 SD's giving her good money? Something doesn't sound right.

Jennifer, 23yo from NYC, flew to visit a 30 something banker in FL for the first time.  She end up spending the night at a hotel with him and had sex for 1k. Apparently it worked out well for her, but the SB blogs are full of horror stories about SB's who traveled for their first meet.

I think stories like these are closer to reality than some of the more sensationalized portrayal full of stereotypes we've seen in the past.  I found two of the points made in the article very interesting, here's the first one: 

"Six of the eight women interviewed for this article mentioned the longer-term psychological toll of pretending to be someone else. Double lives and dual identities are common for both the women and men involved in sugar relationships."

Most people thought women in the sugar world could be psychologically damaged by having sex with older men they just met or haven't known for very long.  It's interesting to see that may not be as big of an issue as the stress caused by living a double life.  And here's the second:

Weitzer also sees a potential danger for young women getting sucked into making large sums of money and later finding it difficult to abandon such a lifestyle. "The more you make, the harder it becomes to transition away from,"..."For someone who's been doing it for a while, it can be difficult to stop doing it and suddenly transition into a normal job or date men without as many resources."

This is why I have often talked about the "end game" or "exit strategy" in the sugar world.  For SB's who have a generous arrangement and living way beyond their means, what happens when it ends??  All sugar relationships eventually come to an end except in rare cases it could turn into an IRL relationship, and it usually ends sooner than expected. 

After the article was published, KABC radio interviewed two SB's about the article and you can listen to the podcast here.  Both SB's insisted that their arrangement is for companionship only, and it includes thousands in allowance plus extras, and they will get out of the sugar world after their loans are paid off.  The talk show hosts were understandably skeptical since what the SB's described was in stark contrast to what was in the article. 

As I said, I thought the article realistically portrayed what's actually happening in the sugar world unlike some of the more sensationalized stereotype of the past.  This may burst some people's bubbles and some may find it depressing and discouraging, but it's better to know what's out there so you can be prepared to deal with it and find what you're looking for.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Questions From a Newbie SB

Hi, I found your blog through google and I have to say that I LOVE it...anyways, I have some questions that I'm hoping you can answer for me....I am completely new to the SB world and I'm going on my first date.  I am absolutely terrified.  How do I bring up the allowance/what we expect from each other in public?  After we finish lunch, am I expected to go back with him? Should I be prepared for judging people/the looks when I sit down to eat with a man who is clearly much older than I?  Is sex expected? What if the man is an undercover cop, can't I get in trouble? I'm also very concerned about my safety.  What should I do to keep myself as safe as possible before and after we meet? Please help! 

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Thanks for reading my blog!  These questions are very common among newbies, so just relax and be yourself.  Use common sense at all times and don't do anything you're not comfortable with.  Now let's take your questions one by one...

- After we finish lunch, am I expected to go back with him?

The key to a successful first meet is to communicate clearly about expectations of the meeting BEFORE you meet.  Typically the first meeting is at a public place for you to get to know each other and see if there is chemistry and common interests to meet again and take things further.  So the answer is no, you shouldn't be expected to go back with him after lunch.  But if that's what he expects then he should have clearly communicated that to you.  Then it's up to you to use common sense and decide whether it's something you're comfortable with.

- Should I be prepared for judging people/the looks when I sit down to eat with a man who is clearly much older than I?

Yes, if he looks much older than you then you should be prepared for unwanted attention when you're out in public with him.  Ask yourself how much this bothers you and whether it's something you can handle or not.  If you don't think you can handle it then be honest with him and let him know.  And in the future you should take this into consideration when you talk to pot SD's.

- Is sex expected? What if the man is an undercover cop, can't I get in trouble?

Sex should not be expected during the first meeting unless the two of you have already discussed and agreed to it.  You can get into trouble with law enforcement only if you explicitly agree to a sex for money transaction.

- How do I bring up the allowance/what we expect from each other in public? 


Most newbies get stressed out about this subject and agonize over it when there is really no reason to.  See my blog post about "Questions Newbie SB's Should Ask".  If he's an experienced SD then he should be expecting the discussion about allowance to come up at some point, if he doesn't bring it up first.  I'd suggest that you describe your allowance expectations in terms of a goal or target you're trying to achieve.  Such as, paying down credit card debt or student loan, or to help with living expenses.  Or, if an allowance is not the most important thing to you and you're more interested in living a better lifestyle (shopping, fine dining, travel, etc), then clearly communicate that to him as well.

- I'm also very concerned about my safety.  What should I do to keep myself as safe as possible before and after we meet?

Always meet at a public place for the first meeting, clearly communicate the expectations of the meeting, and let a friend know where you are at all times.  You'll be surprised at how many newbie SB's fail to take these 3 simple steps.


Enjoy your meeting and good luck!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Review of MTV's True Life: I'm a Sugar Baby

I watched the show on my laptop by the pool and it was pretty entertaining. These quotes tell you everything you need to know about each SB character:

“I’m so money hungry, but I’m so lazy” – Olivia
“I need a sugar mama ASAP” – Steve
“I need a SD to pay for my lifestyle” – GG

What else do these 20 something SB’s have in common? They all live in high rent districts and can’t afford their lifestyle on their own. Some have pointed out the show doesn’t resemble how a sugar relationship should work as we understand it on the SA Blog. But in reality it’s a fairly accurate portrayal of what actually happens in the sugar world. Here are some observations and comments about the characters.

- GG and Olivia both met their pot SD’s for the first time at his house. Really?
- Steve came across as an immature doofus. I have no idea what any of the cougars see in him.
- Sean (Olivia’s ex bf) came across as a douche bag for pimping her out to get what he wants.
- Olivia’s SD appeared possessive and drama prone for wanting her tattoo removed.

GG has the typical gold digger mentality, it’s all about how much more she can get while giving as little in return as possible. There is nothing wrong with a platonic sugar relationship as long as that’s what both sides want. But she deliberately stringed him along just to see what she can get. I may not have agreed with some of her SD’s approach to get laid. But to his credit he cut his losses after paying for her $500 dress. A less experienced SD or a white knight probably would have put up with her longer and throw more money at her just to end up with the same result.

As for Olivia, her looks resemble one of my former SB’s, except my SB was a bit slimmer and bustier. She has typical emotional baggage and unsure of what she really wants, thus her emotional struggle with her ex bf and her SD. But in the end she finally learned that “this lifestyle is not for me right now”.
 
At the end GG learned from her record producer that “everything comes with a price” and she finally realized “if I quit being a SB, I’m going to have to learn how to be financially independent, it’s not going to be easy.” Amen and welcome to the real world!

As for Steve, it was ironic that he had to pay for the dinner with his would be mama who lost her job.

None of the SB characters are SB material, so it’s no surprise GG and Olivia end up leaving the sugar lifestyle, and Steve was still trying but had no luck. But what bothered me the most was GG’s mom expecting her daughter to continue with sugar just to support her lifestyle. What kind of parent is that??

After the show MTV followed up with the three characters in this article. Also, look at the comments under the episode, it’s pretty interesting.

Lastly, a TV show about the sugar lifestyle and no one had sex?? Say it ain’t so!! :mrgreen:

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Help... My SB is a Dominatrix! Part 1

Part 1 - Her Ad

This is what happened with my first "long term" SB who lasted over a year.  Please note the usual disclaimers apply.

The following was her ad.

No, I didn't know she'd become a dominatrix when I started the sugar relationship.

No, BDSM was not part of our relationship.  In fact she was somewhat submissive as a SB. Go figure.

Why have a SD and also get paid to dominate other men??  I wish I knew.


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Under My influence, you will forget yourself and your vanilla worries, becoming no more than a toy for your all-powerful Goddess. The act of a sensual ritual and a dramatic structure of the fantasy are just as important as the physical sensations; it is an exchange of power and energy unlike anything you have ever experienced. The beautiful, complex dichotomy of pain and pleasure will over power you and leave you begging for more…

I am the beautiful, demanding, spoiled, and classy Goddess you are seeking; you will be enslaved by your desire for Me.

A session with Me is devastatingly erotic. Worthy slaves will experience the harsh line between pleasure and pain, reveling in My elegant and powerful presence. I am highly intuitive and imaginative. I provide a perfect forum for you to embrace your darkest fantasies. I will captivate you with My wicked sense of humor, but MAKE NO MISTAKE, displease Me at your peril!

I will own you! Be aware....I enjoy pushing limits and creating new ones. I will own your mind and manipulate your thoughts.  I am your Goddess!!

I am a highly skilled, genuine, engaged and intuitive Goddess who privileges quality over quantity relations that allow for the building of trust and an exploration of the most personal and secret realms. I expect My submissives to have knowledge of their needs and expectations as well as the capacity to communicate in an honest and intelligent manner. I enjoy confident, accomplished, respectful and adventurous individuals who seek self-discovery and allow their limits to be challenged and pushed.

I am very selective with My slaves….. I will not simply welcome anyone into slavery. Only the most promising subs will be given the gift of serving Me. Are you worthy?

I enjoy submissive males, females, switch’s and couples for D/s relations. ~Bondage, Predicament Bondage, Humiliation, Prolonged Tease & Denial, Sissy Slut Training, Maid Training, Cross-dressing/Feminization, Sensory Deprivation, Chastity Training, CBT, Severe Corporal Punishment, OTK, Trampling, Wrestling, Role Play Scenarios and Fetishes, Pony Play, Body Worship, Sensory Deprivation, Hot Wax, and more…

you will serve Me at My discreet private residence, fully equipped with a custom-made spanking bench, an array of floggers, collars, whips, paddles, nipple clamps, ropes, crops, canes, restraints, spreader bars, plugs, CBT equipment, blindfolds, and more. I welcome polite slaves for safe, sane, consensual, legal play. My sessions are one hour long starting with a tribute of $xxx. I am NOT however an “escort with a whip”. If this is what you are looking for there are many out there for you to choose from. Don’t you dare ask Me about sex!

Please do not offend Me by asking about My rates. If you are searching for a discount, you should consider someone better suited to your finances. Travel and extended meetings are possible. To assure an encounter of the highest quality, I require impeccable hygiene, fresh breath, and pre-screening. I also require at least twenty-four hours notice, sometimes more.

Blocked calls will not be answered.

you will at all times display a high level of respect and impeccable manners and in return will receive the discipline and training you so deeply desire!

My hours vary… I prefer My slaves to visit Me between the hours of 10am and 9pm~ Monday through Friday. Weekend sessions with slaves are a possibility. All sessions require a deposit. NO EXCEPTIONS!I am fortunate to know a beautiful and highly experienced Pro-Domme. She and I are available for the seriously dedicated and brave slaves who desire TWO Pro-Dommes - during one session.

~HARD LIMITS~

Financial Domination, Blackmail, Blood, Scat Showers, Animals, Children, Incestuous Fantasies, and Diaper Play
------------------------------

Coming up, Part 2 - How it all started

Saturday, February 19, 2011

What is NSA? - Part 3

Part 3 - Level of Commitment

Does NSA mean no commitment??  Well, that depends on what type and what level of commitment we're talking about.  In any relationship the type of commitment can generally be categorized as Time, Emotional, Financial, and Legal.  And the level of commitment in each category can define what type of relationship it is.  For example, in a casual dating relationship there is usually not a lot of time and emotional commitment, and certainly no financial and legal commitment.  On the other end of the spectrum, a marriage requires a high level of time, emotional, financial, and ultimately legal commitment.

So where does NSA sugar relationships fit in?  Generally speaking, the level of time and emotional commitment is similar to casual dating, but there is a certain amount of financial commitment depending on the arrangement.  It is somewhere between casual dating and committed relationship as the following table illustrates.


                                           Casual         NSA Sugar          Committed           
                                           Dating         Relationship        Relationship         Marriage


Time commitment               Low            Low-Medium         Medium-High             High

Emotional commitment       Low                  Low                Medium-High            High

Financial commitment        None           Depend on the       Low-Medium            High
                                                               Arrangement
Legal commitment              None                 None                    None                 YES

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

What is NSA? - Part 2

Part 2 - The NSA Paradox

How many young attractive SB's have said that most SD's fall in love with her quickly and want to have a serious relationship instead??  As a result, it usually caused the sugar relationship/arrangement to end sooner than expected.

How do most men typically deal with very attractive women?  They become possessive and want to keep her for himself because he’s afraid that she might find someone better.  Being possessive leads to jealousy, insecurity, and being clingy and controlling, which is unattractive and will eventually drive her away.

NSA means not being possessive, it means letting go and not stay awake at night and wonder who she’s with and what she’s doing without you.  By setting her free, it shows the confidence you have in yourself, and she may become more attracted to you as a result.

Thus the NSA paradox – setting someone free without strings may actually make the sugar relationship last longer. 

Act like you’ve dated very attractive woman before.  You appreciate her beauty and personality but you're not overwhelmed or intimidated by it.  She is with you because she wants to be with you, not because you want to keep her to yourself and not only because of the arrangement.

Every time I hear a SB tells me that most men fall for her right away, I reply with: "don’t worry, PYT, as a married family man falling in love with you is a luxury I don’t have."  The same goes for SB's who don't want to consider married SD's because they're afraid to be a home wrecker or break up a marriage.  My response would be "what makes you think that will be the case?"

Young attractive women could date guys her age, and maybe even wealthy ones, and end up with what?  A possessive, jealous, and controlling boyfriend?  Wouldn't she be better off with someone more mature, more established, and someone who knows what NSA is and can set her free...

Coming up - Part 3, Level of Commitment

Thursday, February 3, 2011

What is NSA? - Part 1

No Strings Attached... or is it No Sex Allowed?? :)

This is one of my favorite topics in the sugar world and I’m sure everyone has an opinion about it. As I have said in the past, no strings doesn’t mean no feelings. When you spend enough time with someone then naturally some feelings are going to develop. The key is how you keep those feelings and emotions under control to make sure the relationship remains NSA. It takes experience and maturity to make it work and it’s not for everyone, and some are not able to handle NSA despite their best intentions.

Let’s compare NSA to regular dating and see what some of the differences are. For example, is there “love” and “commitment” that can lead to a future of happily ever after?? No, not in the traditional sense. By “commitment” I’m referring to the longevity and exclusivity of a relationship. Do you meet each other’s friends and families and talk to them about the relationship? For the most part, no. Do you go through the usual courting rituals before having sex? No, not necessarily.

NSA could mean different things to different people as there are many shades of grays, and some people may consider certain aspects of NSA more important than others.  What NSA should be… when you’re together you enjoy each other’s company to the fullest, and when you’re apart you have your own busy lives. There are feelings when you’re together and you can certainly care for each other. But there shouldn’t be symptoms of emotional attachment when you're apart, such as being insecure, clingy, possessive, etc that can lead to all sorts of drama.

How easy it is to end a NSA relationship can depend on how long you’ve been together. Obviously it can be more difficult to end a relationship after a year or more compared to one that lasted only a few months.  Some have mentioned the three month “curse”, and as I’ve said in the past, in general I don’t consider anything less than 3 months as an “arrangement”. It’s more like an experiment that didn’t work out. I’d consider six months and longer as “long term”. It also depends on whether it’s local or long distance. Long distance one’s usually don’t last as long due to the time, distance, and logistics involved.

My #1 rule for NSA arrangement is “don’t get emotionally attached”, and #2 rule is “keep the relationship simple”. If you find it difficult to end a relationship then chances are there may be some emotional attachment and the relationship is no longer simple. But NSA is still NSA, you can mutually agree to end it and you both move on. That’s how it’s supposed to work but I know it’s easier said than done. As I mentioned before, during my first 3 years in the sugar world I had plenty of drama filled relationships that ended in train wrecks and explosive break ups. But since then I’ve learned my lessons and had much more enjoyable sugar relationships that lasted longer and still kept them NSA.

When you apply NSA to regular dating then it’s basically casual dating, and I think we all know what that is as we’ve probably all done it before. What makes it different in the sugar world is of course the sugar, or the arrangement aspect. The arrangement in a sugar relationship helps to keep it NSA by establishing clear boundaries and expectations that you normally wouldn’t have in regular dating. That’s why sugar and NSA usually go hand in hand together. Without the sugar you’ll likely slip down that slippery slope into… gasp… the drama of regular dating!! :)

Coming up, Part 2 - The NSA Paradox

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

"Name Your Destination" Contest - The Winning Entry

Here's the winning entry from LASB.


1. Your current situation, your experience with sugar relationships, and why you’re looking for a SD.

I have very little experience with sugar relationships. I have met some nice guys from SA, but the sugar stars have not aligned just yet. An SD relationship appeals to me because I like the idea of not having to go dutch on everything, I enjoy men who are chivalrous, and I want something that is not so serious, allowing me to still have my own life.

2. Why you have chosen the destination and what do you plan to do when you get there.


If I could go anywhere, I would go to Japan. My family was already living in the States by World War II. Upon receiving the notice to leave the West Coast for internment camp, they destroyed all records, artifacts, and heirlooms, fearing that they would be labeled as spies or traitors if they had anything that suggested they were not fully American. They stopped speaking Japanese and became as American as anyone could while still having "slant eyes" and black hair. When I was a child, my family members would tell me that camp was ok because they got to travel. They never expressed resentment, but also never told me any details. They also never spoke of Japan.

The family would say that it was their choice to lose its connections to their ancestry. They said that what happened in the past is not important. My parents and their siblings were brought up not to ask questions, and I am the only one in my generation who has shown curiosity. But by then, no one could or would provide any answers. Or at least that was what I believed up until a few years ago.

Having heard about my curiosity in family matters, Great Grandfather invited me to have dinner with him. We didn't live in the same city and I didn't know him very well, so this came as a surprise to me. I was elated and traveled to his city. When I arrived at the restaurant, there was a woman sitting next to him that wasn't my great grandmother. I stopped myself from blurting out the obvious question that was on my mind, and acted as expressionless as possible. Great Grandfather introduced this woman as his friend, but as the conversation progressed, their relationship became very obvious. She was about 20 years younger than him, making her around 70. And from what I gather, she had been his mistress over many decades.

I'm sure he invited her because she had an excellent memory and he knew that I was seeking more information that he would remember. As he was quite old at the time of this dinner, his memory wasn't great, but he seemed pleased that I was interested. Perhaps he trusted me not to judge him and not to reveal his secret to the family, or maybe he felt that passing along this information was worth the risk, but interestingly he never addressed the elephant in the room and they just proceeded to answer questions about my family's past.

She told me off a trip they took to Japan in which Great Grandfather showed her the house where his father lived. She told me stories of our family, revealing to me our Samurai heritage. This was a surprise to me, as I had always assumed we were peasant farmers, since that's what we were in California. Shockingly, the person who held the most information for me was a woman whose name I had never heard, someone who hadn't been to any family functions, basically a stranger to me. I'm sure her interest in my Great Grandfather, her lover, is why she knew so much about his history. They shared an intimacy that allowed her to probe deeper than blood relatives could.

My great grandfather passed away within a year of that dinner, but I believe I have enough information and the means to access our records, which is what I wish to do. Our town of origin has a microfiche catalog that I can access if I can prove my lineage. I need to present my birth certificate and those of my parents and grandparents. I will also try to bring documents from my aunts and uncles and any other relatives that may be curious or willing to help me. I hope to get names and dates of my relatives, to find out what they did, who they were, and where exactly they lived. I want to hunt down this supposed house as well. I understand that the task is ambitious, but Japanese people place value in family, and are very kind. I have a decent understanding of the culture and protocols, which is important when asking for help there. I will be relying both on the kindness of others as well as my own resourcefulness, two things in which I have great faith.

3. Why I should choose your entry.

I am not sure what you seek for the winning entry, but if you choose mine, it would likely be because it is well thought out and about something more than getting a tan, relaxing on the beach, or going on a shopping spree. I have nothing against those things and actually enjoy spending my time that way, but in my opinion, the type of journey I wish to take is quite unique. Additionally, my story behind my intended trip fits the theme of the SA blog, since this information came from an actual SB.

Monday, January 10, 2011

"Name Your Destination" Contest

In mid December I started a contest called "Name Your Destination" in the Seekingarrangement Blog.  The contest rules were as follows:

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When Yaz said “I wish someone would buy me a ticket to (name of destination) just because”… It got me thinking… why not?

So let’s call it the “Name Your Destination” contest, and here are the rules.

1. Female SB’s who are not currently in a sugar relationship are eligible to enter. (don’t want to step on any SD’s toes)
2. Destination should be served by a major airline. (Timbuktu Air doesn’t count)
3. Have a flexible travel schedule. (if you can only travel during major holidays then you might be out of luck)

The grand prize is one round trip airline ticket to the destination of the winner’s choice with the travel schedule to be mutually agreed, plus 500 cash. The second prize is 500 cash. The third prize is a monogrammed snuggie. Thanks to Arctic SD for providing the cash portion of the prizes.

How to enter:

Email me at the addy in my blog. Include a photo of yourself and describe the following:

1. Your current situation, your experience with sugar relationships, and why you’re looking for a SD.
2. Why you have chosen the destination and what do you plan to do when you get there.
3. Why I should choose your entry.

What’s required if you win the grand prize:

- I will post your entry in the blog (edited to remove any personal info)
- Write about your experience of the trip in the blog.
- As a bonus, there is a possibility to meet me for lunch at a place and date to be determined.

All entries must be submitted by December 31st, 2010 and winners will be selected by January 7th, 2011. After I receive your entry I may contact you by email for clarification or request more information. Entries will be evaluated based on how compelling your story is, how original and creative your idea is, and how well you articulate yourself. It is not based on need or how sad your story is. The purpose of the photo is for me to put a face to the story, so the photo is not part of the evaluation.

I hope there will be a good number of entries because it wouldn’t be much of a contest if only a handful of SB’s entered. Therefore I reserve the right to not select a winner if there are less than 10 entries. And no, this contest is not a joke. Email me or post here if you have any questions or comments. Good luck everyone!

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Then I announced the winners as planned on January 7th, 2011:

Here are the results of “Name Your Destination” Contest…

I have reviewed all 13 entries in detail, sent follow up questions to the contestants and received some responses. Some entries are creative and compelling while others are entertaining and humorous. And some even admitted that they entered primarily to help other sugar sisters win. The destinations include Japan, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, NYC, LA, Vegas, Chicago, Hawaii, Florida, and DC.

There were several well written and compelling entries and it was very difficult to narrow down to 3 finalists. After much deliberation I’m happy to announce the following winners:

Grand Prize – LASB. She will receive one round trip airline ticket to Japan and $500.

Second Prize – Arcadia. She will receive $500.

Third Prize – Beach Girl. She will receive $200 in lieu of a monogrammed snuggie.

I’d like to thank all contestants for making an effort to submit their entry. I wish I could send everyone to their destination of choice but even a Guru has his limits. I’d also like to thank Arctic SD for providing the cash prizes and Yaz for inspiring the contest.

LASB is in the process of editing her entry to remove personal info so that it can be posted in the blog. As soon as she’s ready I’ll post it here.

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Coming up, LASB's winning entry.