Dick Pics

Just an opinion.

I recently read an article where an individual in his twenties who is seemingly still navigating his way within the LGBTQ community while attempting to take the lead, discussed the topic of consent while referring to receiving unsolicited dick pics when on hookup apps.

In other words, he lacks social skills, which in turn may be the real answer to why he feels uncomfortable, so now he is trying to make a thing out of random dick pics.

After my initial eye roll, my thoughts were - you are using a hookup app, more so than a dating app and you don’t expect that the odd dick pic might happen to get sent your way? And yet he also claims to be sex-positive?

To me, it seemed to be more of that overly sensitive, easily offended, cancel culture shit, which is just really attention-seeking for an individual. Forget live and let live.

The writer acknowledges that he has encountered this type of activity while being on Grindr, and is demanding changes go his way by setting up an online petition. Good luck with that one, it will go nowhere.

Talk about pushing your own moral standards on others, at the ripe age of 23 years old. At least it’s good to know someone with idealistic life experiences can proudly speak for us all. *sarcasm*

If getting an unsolicited dick pic is going to ruin your world, to the point you have to set up an online petition, you probably have bigger things issues to take care of, or perhaps you need something more viable going on in your life.

Hell, stay off any social media or anything LGBTQ-related but my instincts tell me this might be a genuine concern for him but editors may perceive it as click bait, and from what I’ve seen online, it’s worked, including on me.

For myself, I don’t ask for or see the big deal in dick pics, if someone sends one, whatever. I prefer the element of surprise and wish to discover that part of the person for myself, when and if I decide to meet up with and possibly have sex with that individual, but this is only my preference and I don’t even make a note of it in my profile.

And I don’t send out dick pics unless I know the person and they ask for one and it’s part of our fun, but typically it’s not what I do. If nothing moves further without my dick pic, so be it, and really, everyone uses Grindr differently.

And consent, believe me, I get it. There are laws about it to varying degrees in every country and I’m all for it where due but in this case, it's not like air-dropping photos to someone while on an airplane.

With Grindr or any hookup app, it just goes without saying, you log into a sex app - expect explicit material written in a message, on a profile, or by the occasional dick pic coming your way. You are not being forced to use the app, and again, it’s about choice.

In the past, I managed bathhouses for over a decade, which means I’ve seen thousands of dicks in real life (personality or otherwise) and I’m still here to talk about it. 

Just looking at a man now can give me a pretty good indication of what he might be packing. At least I like to think so from time to time, out of amusement.

 
Usually, if someone sends me a dick pic, I never feel violated as it’s part of the Grindr game. My first thoughts are usually how they might have photoshopped the pic in some form or another in order to make it look bigger. And I leave it at that, as rarely for me has it been part of the conversation and a pic has never enticed me or expected of me to possibly meet up.

To me, in the social media, thirst-driven world we all live in, at this point, a dick pic is just another photo, part of a polluted market of sorts and more mainstream.

The dick pic has contributed to the common social dynamics of today, for better or worse, as a part of a culture, and no matter your sexuality, it’s unlikely that will change anytime soon.

If what appears to be a small number of people are offended by such a photo, will this now mean hookup apps will soon require even more agreements to click through while they already try to upsell the individual for additional services? Probably not.

Or should more people discover the block button on the app itself? Or better still, avoid hookup apps altogether! If you are looking for someone that is 100% compatible with your ideals on an app, sorry to say, it likely will not happen there or in real life. But you might find someone pretty damn close that will be a more suitable companion for you.

Although I don’t know the individual personally who wrote the article, oddly I have some concern about how grounded in reality people like him are, because if this is an issue, how do they manage going through life day-to-day? I would think in the scheme of things, an unsolicited dick pic would be the last of my worries.

I can’t imagine what it is like to try and live in such a non-offending world as life is about rough edges, it keeps you on your toes, challenges you, forms character, and helps you grow as an individual from experiences that help define the paths you take.

Does having all the freedoms we are now given by the longstanding, dedicated LGBTQ community at large, due to countless, unimaginable sacrifices, including the lives of others, for real causes, now mean that we can micro-manage ourselves to the point of dick pics on hookup apps by stating what someone can and cannot see?

Sounds a bit like censorship and that is what we as a community have been fighting against so that we can be our true selves.

We have to be careful, as our ideas on what might be pushing us forward for the cause can easily put us all back in the closet.

There is a myriad of apps out there to discover, so find the one that works for you, but don’t try to ‘dick’tate what everyone else should do or expect because all of a sudden you are solely offended.

I wonder what happens if the writer uses a communal shower at a gym, do they have to set up specific rules based on his request there? One thing is for certain, he should definitely avoid a bathhouse.

French Riviera LGBTQ Real Estate Options Two

 

When one thinks of Cannes, one of the first things that come to mind is the world-famous Cannes Film Festival, which although more than fabulous, this seaside city also has so much more to offer.

There is the miles of sandy beaches, the clear, blue Mediterranean Sea, and of course, the luxury shopping but most of all, the local French culture and the people are what make Cannes such a wonderful place to invest in real estate.

Cannes is a year-round travel destination, offering a multitude of liveable options practically at your doorstep. 

 

This is also why Cannes has beyond the Film Festival, a large number of conferences where people gather throughout the year from around the world based in every business imaginable such as the tech industry, yachting, media, and real estate to name a few.

This means, that investing in a property as a revenue rental investment can offer one a lot of rewards not just during the high season in the summer but throughout the year.

With that in mind, I have gathered a few options for you to consider.

 

To start, there is this newly renovated property in the most prime location ever in Cannes, across from the Palais des Festival.

Offering an area of 99m2, this 4-room, 3-bedroom apartment is located on one of the most prestigious streets in Cannes.

Found on the famous Cannes Croisette, with excellent and easy access to the beach, Palais des Festivals, and the port, this luxury home has magnificent views of the old port and the Esterel Hills.

This superb apartment is newly renovated to a luxurious standard, finished with high-end appliances and home comforts, and sits on the top floor of a luxury residence with an elevator.

Bright and spacious, there is an abundance of natural daylight which floods the home all day. The layout Includes an entrance hall, double living room, open kitchen, and master suite with office space and bathroom. 

These rooms all open onto a spacious 15m2 terrace with beautiful views of the port and old town. In addition, there are a further two other en-suite bedrooms at the back of the home, each with a bathroom or shower room and a balcony. These bedrooms have charming views over the city centre, Californie district, and the mountains.

An added value is the seasonal rental is guaranteed and is finished with a closed garage.

This is a rare find and a top revenue rental opportunity.

Price: 2,600,000 EUR 

Next up, is a beautiful property situated right on the famous Croisette.

A sublime home located in the dazzling heart of Cannes.

This 4-room apartment has an epic sea view and is located close to the Martinez hotel — within one of the chicest and most secure residences on the Croisette.

This ground-floor apartment is 130m2 in size with an impressive 135m2 terrace offering a beautiful open view of the sea and the Croisette. Bright and recently renovated, the apartment is finished with luxury home comforts. It includes a spacious double living room with an open plan kitchen – opening onto the terrace. In addition, there is an en-suite master bedroom with a dressing room, shower room, and toilet opening onto this same terrace.

Two additional en-suite bedrooms have their own private shower rooms.

This property also has a cellar and private parking included. The residence has a beautiful garden with private access for vehicles in front of the residence, opposite the beaches and restaurants.

An ideal opportunity as a luxury seasonal rental investment.

Price: 2,800,000 EUR

Finally, a most memorable panoramic sea view villa.

During congresses but especially the Cannes Film Festival, there is always a big demand for luxury villas that can be rented out by a celebrity or for any number of events, and this property would be perfect for both. 

 

In the heart of a private and secure domain, within walking distance of the beaches, you’ll discover this magnificent contemporary villa with beautiful lines mixing sophistication, design, and the latest technologies in one great package.

 

Designed and built by a famous Italian architect and designer, this architectural masterpiece of approximately 550 m² is built on a flat landscaped plot of 2245 m² with a mirror effect pool. 

 

There are private gates at the rear leading to the entrance of the villa with garage access for 4 cars.

 

The entrance boasts a triple reception room of over 120 m² with a living room, lounge, and dining area, followed by a fully equipped kitchen, all opening onto a huge terrace and the pool. On this level you will also find two en-suite bedrooms, each with its own shower room and dressing room, opening onto the terrace and garden. 

 

The first floor offers a spacious master bedroom of approximately 70 m² with a full bathroom with shower, toilet, and dressing room opening onto a large and private terrace of over 60 m². It comes furnished with an outdoor lounge and a Jacuzzi surrounding a Japanese garden.

 

Up another level and you will find another two en-suite bedrooms, each with a private shower room, and dressing room, opening onto a large terrace.

 

Back down to the lowest level and you will find a fantastic open space with a TV lounge overlooking the pool floor through a glass window, a fitness and massage room, a laundry room, and annexes.

 

The villa has an elevator, underfloor heating, air conditioning, and to top it all….panoramic sea views.

 

Price: 11,400,000 EUR 

 

For more property options in the region, be sure to follow: https://www.instagram.com/experiencethefrenchriviera

 

Contact: Info@experiencethefrenchriviera.com

Coming soon! France’s latest high-speed train from Paris to the Riviera!

 

Faster, more spacious trains are coming to the French TGV network.

Known worldwide for having one of the best high-speed rail systems in France. Many of those living in France and visitors alike will no doubt be familiar with the expansive network of TGVs already in service offering a relaxing and quick way to get from one end of the country to the other at their leisure.

But now, France’s current TGVs are about to get a stronger edition, with the new ‘TGV-M’ trains set to launch in 2024. Which, according to the French national rail operator SNCF, these particular trains will be substantially greener in energy use, faster, and more spacious. 

TGV-Ms will be able to reach a top speed of 220 miles per hour – which is about ten percent faster than current models, and even faster than Japan’s current generation of bullet trains. For us passengers, this means much shorter journey times. For instance, trips from Paris to Saint Raphaël on the Cote d’Azur would currently take about five hours. These new trains will cut that down to four-and-a-half.

And TGV-Ms isn’t just faster than current TGVs: they’re also more energy efficient, promising a 32 percent reduction in CO2 emissions. And there is 20 percent more onboard space, with capacity increasing from 634 passengers to 740.

The new trains will also be more luxurious. Manufacturer Alstom states they will have superfast onboard Wi-Fi and real-time journey updates, as well as bigger windows – all the better to take in the varying countryside landscapes of France.

Apparently, SNCF has ordered 115 of these new, sleek trains, with 100 designated for domestic use and 15 for international routes to neighboring Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The new trains have cost SNCF €2.7 billion ($2.7 billion).

With these new trains set to launch in 2024, this should make your travel experience in France that much more convenient, faster, and certainly memorable.

Falling Into Autumn

Like a breath of fresh air, September and October bring almost a sense of renewal as we move into the Autumn season.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t still come and enjoy the region and here are just a few reasons why:

The sun is still constantly shining upon us, the beaches are less crowded leaving more room for you to spread out and enjoy yourself while taking occasional dips into the clear, blue Mediterranean Sea.

You no longer have to wait in line for your choice of the best restaurants and cafes to enjoy a wide variety of delicious food from the region, along with being able to find the perfect spot for all the people watching.

The nightclubs, as ever, continue to offer some of the best nights out, but how memorable it will be is totally up to you.

It’s not too hot to go on adventurous hikes around the region, taking in the panoramic sea views from the top of most any location while still being surrounded by lush greenery year-round.

And, what typically signals the end of yet another glorious summer season, the Monaco Yacht Show takes place from September 28th until October 1st, 2022.

The upcoming Autumn season is definitely one of the best times to come discover the French Riviera and Monaco.