The thank you post!

This gorgeous Kink.com submissive gave me three hours of her time for my birthday.

I had an incredible birthday. I ignored everyone who wanted work from me in any capacity (it’s been years since I’ve had time off or a vacation, so this is the closest I could get), and I just did whatever I felt like. A very sexy and sweet boy (dotBen) woke me with a vegan cupcake, smiles and candles (and a card and gifts!) Every time I went online, more happy birthday wishes poured in from every source. And a pretty girl (not a girlfriend, but a casual acquaintance) spent three playful and relaxing hours with me.

It meant a lot. Last year, pretty much everyone forgot. The person I was dating didn’t bother, and didn’t even have an excuse or apology. It was lonely. This year, everything is different — and it has everything to do with the love of friends and people who know me, even if from the other side of the monitor. Thank you. Thank you! I pretend like birthdays don’t matter. But it’s just me here. Very recently I spoke to a local community homeless forum about being a homeless adolescent; some people took out their hate for homeless people on me and the two others who were up there to speak about what it’s like (one former homeless man and one young girl who is currently homeless). Telling strangers about what I went through, and facing their self-entitled, righteous anger only cemented how alone I felt about my human anniversary. And with all the hate I face online, plus the strength it takes to be optimistic and lovingly compassionate about sexuality in media (combined with the intense, often thankless crisis hotline shift almost every week) — it’s hard to do this alone. But: I’m not alone. Thank you, again.

This was posted to Flickr with ‘happy birthday vb’ on it, and I think we’re going to do a shoot together soon (!):

Alexi

Extended thank you’s are after the jump; I’m sure I forgot someone… But I really needed to thank as many people as I could — it was so wonderful, and overwhelming!

From my inbox:

Thank you Scott Beale, Mary Roach, Cleis Press, April Flores, Mark Growden, Paul, Chris, Alison Tyler, Laust, Fek, Jamais Cascio, Praemedia, Gala Darling, Jake, DharmaBum, Craig, Thomas Roche, JimmyJane, Sam Coniglio, Phil Bronstein, Eve (SF Appeal), tShane, Monochrom, Margaret Cho, Jonno, Linecook 415 (NOPA).

From Twitter:

Thank you crusherjoe, addycat, edrabbit, netik, viss, Rubin, Viviane, msnaughty, Mark Growden, LeatherYenta, HoneyHarrie, LoveHoney UK, 42gigawatt, Schlomo, vinow, sigkate, NightPRStar, Maggie Mayhem, Alicia!, maxlagos, sixsixty, emphaface (Epicenter Cafe), Antiuse, Zhaira, Chanta Rose, Natalia Envy, Marty Whitmore (Tasty Flesh), GonzoBoBonzo (Thrillpeddlers), CineKink, Charlie Glickman, Jiz Lee, Sexy Ninja Monkey, Hot Movies 4 Her (yay girl porn!), nthmost, BabelandBlog, PhinLiBookings, furrygirl, Syd Blakovich, Captain The Cat, Midori, Juno (Moxie and Mayhem), I Shot Myself, Gracia23, bastardsan, LokNaar, PussyKyttyn (more Thrillpeddlers!), noladoc, mathieuramage, ENMagnifico, Irina Slutsky…

From Facebook:

Thank you Cindy Asrir, Bob Hooker, Sommer Marsden, Adrienne Allen, Mookey GoH, Kevin M F’in Kåsch, Faruk Ateş, Laura Gluhanich, Ray Misra, Makiya Destiny Berge, La Bibi, Leigh Sanders, Dan Summers, Chrystal Bougon, Mike Dahn, Kidder Kaper, Mike Stabile, Alana Noel Voth, Jennifer Smith, Paul Kirchubel, Scott Williams, Eddie (5733!), Allison Fradkin, Jesse Proebstel, Allan Stein (Thrillhammer), Jeremy Fortes, Anneke (!), Ramzi, Lynda, Ario, Hercules, Keith Spillane, Suzanne Ashe, Donna Merlino, Jessica Rabbit, Stephen Baxter, Darrell M, Rick Freeman, Heather Fowler, Brett (Nokia), Jill Hagara, Britni Peel, Scott Murray, Cassandra Porter, Phillip K, Jamie Joy Gatto, Michael S, Tony Pärson, Sister Mable Syrup (Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence), GX, Benjamin C, Ray F, Metis Black (Tantus Inc.), Judy C, Brian Z, Arthur C, Steve Barr, Damian Sargent, Robert C, Madeline Moore, Maria Ortega, Chris H, Bix Warden, JP, Larry Baker, Ken Thomas, Steve Jaspar, Heidi Champa, Daniel B, Mateo C, Michael Grose, Cecilia Chung, Emrah, Lawrence Schimel, Elizabeth M, Michael Lister, James F, Mat Ricardo, Gianni, Rhett H, Shawn H, Sid S, Melissa Styra, Ronny P, Gary M, Su F, Aru G, Jason C, Laura Iriate, Pava R, Vinnie E, Stephen Coombs, Lisa W, Kim W, Jaan L, Michael B, Howard T. Palmer (so nice to see you), Justin K, Kenny L (o hai!), Fachrully, Jeff L, Blowfish Rose, Trixxie Jenkins, Yanie M…

And thank you Tiny Nibbles commenters! What an awesome surprise to see you giving me bday props here, in my home :)