The new year

So here we are – it’s 2025! And I find myself having Chinese food for dinner in Narrandera in Southern NSW, where I’m staying overnight before picking up a tractor that I have just bought, and I’ve gotten to thinking about the year ahead…

Now the world may not have the certainty that we would like, but this year, like every year, will be what we make of it. I’m not one for “new years resolution” as such, but I do like to think about priorities and goals for the new year.

So the things that I have in mind this year…

I definitely want to do more photography. I have some travel with clients coming up this year, so I’m looking forward to more wildlife and northern lights photos. But I’d also like to take more photos here in Australia, be that self portraits (building on this!). Birds and other wildlife – I’d really like to take more photos of our native animals and birds especially. That will fit in well with my next point below as well as landscape images. Photography has been and is a big part of my life and my identity and I haven’t been making enough time for it, which I plan to change this year.

Touring within Australia. While I love overseas travel there is so, SO much to see here in Australia. Back in February 2020 I spent five days at Lake Mungo in south west New South Wales. It was an amazing experience and one that I really want to repeat (both there and other places). 

When I drove back from Victoria after Christmas I took a more inland route (via Narrandera). It was a fantastic drive – no pressure to be anywhere and an opportunity to see a part of the country that I haven’t seen before. I would have liked to take more time to explore the Murray and Murrumbigee Rivers. 

My car is currently having “work done”, but once I have it back I will be able to travel in more remote and rough places more easily, as well as camping rather than having to stay in motels. So that will give me more opportunities to do photography which I really look forward to. 

Film making. This one is harder, as film making – especially the erotic kind – is difficult to do on your own (although I do have at least one idea in that regard!). I am going to keep thinking about it though and hopefully opportunities may present themselves this year.

Scuba diving. I haven’t been in the water diving in over a year. I had a couple of incidents with claustrophobia the last time I went diving (at Lord Howe Island) that put me off it a bit, but I think that it’s time for me to get back in the water and put that behind me. It’s very much a matter of mindfulness and relaxation, not letting the situation overpower me. I know that I can do it and more practice will help with that. I also really want to see cool underwater stuff! I have a friend who wants to get his diving certificate, so I might have a talk with him about it and see if we can do some diving together. Having a good diving buddy makes it a lot easier and safer.

Diving is also a chance for both photography and film making and I would really like to do more of that. Underwater photography is a very challenging form of the art that I would like to work on and improve my skills in.

So there are a few things that will be on my list this year! I hope you have fun and productive things on your list too – who knows, you might even decide to include me on your list! And if you do I promise to do my very best to make it a fantastic experience.

John

A Christmas visit to Melbourne – WARNING – NSFW images ahead!

Post covid I haven’t been travelling as much and Christmas especially. I find flying at Christmas uniquely unpleasant (as I’m sure many people do). This year however I decided to make the trip to see family in Victoria. I drove down from Sydney though to avoid the aforementioned air travel pain!

The drive there was uneventful (the best possible outcome when travelling the Hume Highway) and Christmas with family was fun.

I also had the pleasure of a booking in Melbourne before I headed home to Sydney.

Southbank Melbourne at sunset. It’s not Venice, but Melbourne on the Yarra has its own charm
Entrance to the Museum of Desire in Collingwood

Now one thing I had thought would be fun to see was The Museum Of Desire in Collingwood (which I talked about previously). It turned out to be a fun, lighthearted look at sex and sexuality and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an hour or two of quirky entertainment in inner Melbourne.

I rather liked the “interactive” nature of many of the exhibits – from a giant “couch thing” that told erotic stories, to the game that required you to match faces to genitals to cars and hand bags! Not to mention the phallic ring toss, and the butt-putt mini-golf…

There was also static art, film, and an interactive sound scape installation. It was fun and worth the investment of a little time.

Faces, genitals, hand bags, and cars – which belongs to whom?
Choose a camera, strike a pose (more or less clothed!), and take the photo – it will then be displayed along with many others on the screens outside the booth
This photocopier has clearly seen some things!
Break the laser beams with your hand to interact with the sound scape!

So thank you Museum of Desire, you provided a fun and lighthearted diversion on a muggy Melbourne afternoon!

John

A nice way to spice up a salad

I’ve been following a keto diet now for over a year (with intermittent fasting), so I tend to eat a lot of salad. One of the tenets of a keto diet is that you should be eating more protein (and fat). I was given this product a while back and had never gotten around to trying it until recently (BTW – I have no interest in “paleo” diets and “superfoods”, I’m not endorsing this brand or ideas, I just enjoy this thing). It’s a mix of seeds, so it adds fats and protein to my salad. It also adds a nice gentle crunch texture, which I really enjoy.

My dieting has so far resulted in nine kilograms of weight loss (despite waffles in Norway), which I’m quite please with!

John

The Museum of Desire

Thank you S for sharing this with me!

https://secretmelbourne.com/museum-of-desire/

Are you ready to indulge your curiosity? The Museum Of Desire is making its global debut in Melbourne this year, and we can guarantee it’s unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. Imagine stepping into a space where the sex is artart is sexy, and curiosity is always encouraged. This isn’t just an exhibit—it’s a fully immersive, boundary-breaking experience where every shadow whispers, every space invites, and every art piece flirts back. Intrigued? Well, it’s time to get your tickets, because the Museum of Desire is about to become the hottest event in town.

And I have to say that I’m intrigued! If you’re in Melbourne and are looking for some unconventional fun then I think this might be just the thing!

Oh – if you have been to the Museum of Desire then I’d love to hear about it – drop a comment below!

John

Reflections on 2024

This has been a funny sort of a year. Many ups and downs, some wonderful travel, and now it’s coming to a close. Through it all I have had the immense pleasure of seeing you my clients.

I have worked in this industry for over fourteen years as it continues to evolve and grow. I am proud to be a part of it and to have the opportunity to provide my services.

One of my clients with a disability messaged me just yesterday to remind me that I have been working with her now for thirteen years!

People sometimes ask me when I am going to retire because “you can’t do this forever…”. My answer is always “I’ll keep working as a male escort for as long as my clients want to see me.”

Why? Because this is the best job in the world and one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done in my life. I get to meet so many wonderful people. Help them to enjoy their sexuality, sometimes help them grow as people, explore things that they might never have had an opportunity to otherwise. 

Sometimes I’m there to help them get through a difficult period in their life. Be it a life-changing illness, divorce, or personal loss.

Whatever the situation, it is a privilege that I am trusted to share that journey.

So thank you to everyone I have met, or who has continued to see me this year. Your support is greatly appreciated.

I will be taking a few days off over the Christmas period, but please feel free to drop me a line any time if you would like to make a booking.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe break.

John