This tale grew in the telling...
Sorry, that was the beginning of another story which also featured the occasional Orc. What I meant to say is that since writing this in 2007, I've altered it several times until my original post has more than quadrupled in length, each rewrite incorporating a few new situations and pitfalls which I've either seen occur or had drawn to my attention during my roughly ten years as a member of the NEST Dungeon Monitors.
We Monitors are a group of male and female NEST veterans who for the past decade or so have mingled with the guests, helping to keep things enjoyable, safe, secure and running smoothly for them as the popularity of and attendance at this Gathering (the world's largest TK Fest!) doubled and redoubled. During that time a few situations have cropped up that I felt needed a quiet mention for future reference. A QUIET mention, I hasten to add, because the overwhelming majority of attendees are fantastic, and NEST is one of the few events I've helped monitor which always seems to attract genuinely pleasant and friendly people.
However, since the Single Male, no matter how well-intentioned, is sometimes regarded as a bit of a loose cannon especially if he's a younger guy or if this is the first time he's attended an 'Event' anything like this, a few words from an older guy who's also made one or two (I wish!!) mistakes over a long and pleasantly sordid career might be helpful. Obviously not all of the points discussed will apply to every single newbie who reads this, but have a look, "Know thyself" as Socrates said (yes, I know, also Alexander Pope plus a host of others...) and if the shoe fits...
When necessary I'll be cruel to be kind but that's only because I genuinely want you to enjoy yourselves. In fact, I sincerely hope each and every one of you looks back on the NEST weekend with fondness, a satisfied sigh, and an inbox full of new friends' and playpartners' email addresses to keep you busy 'til your return next year. The following will definitely help with that.
OK, here we go.
Upon your entering the hotel, you will be immediately surrounded by a gorgeous array of shapely women from late teens to mid 30s, seductively dressed in a gorgeous array of filmy negligees, tiny bikinis, abbreviated cheerleader outfits, and Victoria’s Secret lingerie, all with perfect pedicures, all recognising your utter irresistibility and all competing desperately with one another for their chance to play with you and you alone. Sound like fun, Casanova?
Slow down, tiger. NEST is a gathering of ordinary adults of all ages, shapes and sizes with one preference in common. Do all people who happen to like broccoli have a particular appearance? Of course not. So you’re best off, next time you are on a crowded bus or commuter train, having a look around and realizing that the over 18s travelling with you mimic the cross-section of men and women you’ll see at NEST. Older or younger, slim or heavy, attractive or plain, attached or unattached, white, black, asian- these are your fellow participants.
And how many women will be there, I hear you ask? Well, it’s usually about a 55%-45% split in favour of men. Last year that meant about sixty women attended. However, some of those women were partnered and completely monogamous, although some of the other ‘attached’ women did bestow their charms (to a degree) and attentions upon guys other than their significant others. About 15 women were single; most played with multiple random men in groups or one-on-one depending on what they themselves felt like doing and when. Now and again a woman will be attending just to test the water, and will identify herself as a non-participating observer.
As for your chances of interacting with some or all of those 'babes'- well, since men and women are for the most part biologically programmed to ‘mate’, substitute the word ‘sex’ for the word ‘tickling’. Then imagine yourself in any ordinary bar for an evening out. Sure, everyone's there in the hope of having a good time- but how many of the women there are you going to have sex with? It’s exactly the same at NEST. OK, admittedly, tickling can hardly be equated with full sex, so- how many of the women in that bar will allow you a nice long kiss?
Keeping this in mind, it's important to remember that simply because a woman happens to be attending NEST does not mean she has any obligation whatsoever to do anything with, for, or to you! She owes you nothing but politeness, and not even that if you are impolite to her or make her feel uncomfortable. By all means present yourself for her consideration, after first finding out if she's 'available' BY HA-VING A PLEA-SANT NON-SEX-U-AL CON-VER-SA-TION WITH HER (ever heard of that approach?), but whining 'Well, if you're not here to play, why are you here at all?" if she's not interested will not do you any good.
Or even worse, whining, 'You played with him, why won't you play with me?' Think about it- would you approach a woman after you've just seen her kissing (or heard about her kissing) some guy, and ask her the same question? Women do tend to chat with one another and compare notes, and if you're going to be the topic of conversation it's best if that conversation favours you.
Speaking of conversation, it's a wonderful thing when you can discuss your primary obsession with a female for a change, and even have visual evidence she IS female because she's standing right there in front of you. And some women are chatty and happy to talk in great detail about their kinky likes and dislikes. However, just because she confides that she's always fantasized about being dragged to a hotel room by the hair and then tied up and wallpapered by a man who is singing 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' in Russian while he dances the rumba in swim fins DOES NOT mean it's time to dash off to Home Depot, Latin Dancing Class, Modells, and the Slavic Division of the Berlitz Language School before grabbing handfuls of her tresses and making like you're hauling a canal barge. She may be innocently volunteering all of this info without meaning it as an invitation, so don't jump to conclusions even if your Other Brain (the one located below the beltline) is screaming that it's a dead cert.
Finally meeting that goddess (the one to whom you’ve been chatting endlessly online) in R/L does not mean she’ll bring your fantasies of her to fruition. While everyone understandably wants to meet THE ONE at NEST, make sure the object of your desires feels the same way about you. Internet personas often differ from what people are really like. That applies to her perception of you, as well as yours of her. Sometimes one or both participants are disappointed in a R/L meeting. Be gracious if this occurs.
"Cut your coat according to your cloth" is a British expression meaning not only should action suit circumstances, but also and more importantly means know the quality of your own cloth. Be realistic about what you have to offer; how many aces are in your hand at the Erotic Poker Table?
That brings us very nicely to the very delicate question of how sexual harassment is perceived, and how that perception applies at NEST. "Sexual Harassment" is simply unwanted courtship/wooing/etc. Brad Pitt is incapable of Sexual Harassment. Johnny Depp is incapable of Sexual Harassment. Robert Pattinson is incapable of Sexual Harassment. Even the odious Justin Bieber is incapable of Sexual Harassment.
But I am DEFINITELY capable of Sexual Harassment, and undoubtedly you are too because unlike the lucky bastards mentioned above, the overwhelming majority of women find us very resistible indeed. Regrettably an average day for you or me does not include countless laydeez clutching fan magazines with our pictures on the cover throwing themselves at us on the street begging for an autograph and no-strings 'involvement'.
So ease back on the ol' 'enthusiasm' at NEST because not every female there will think you're hot. A welcoming hug or friendly pat from one of our fair NESTettes is not necessarily an invitation to start grabbing at her then and there, or even to give her what you consider to be a subtle poke in the ribs. Only a boorish idiot thinks 'Getting away with it' is in any way laudable, and this type of behaviour is akin to the pathetic mentality of some geek who 'accidentally' bumps into a girl in a high school corridor and scuttles away giggling inanely because he hasn't the character or courage to speak to her, but somehow still thinks he's done something clever. Instead, just be pleasant, approachable and don't take things for granted- it really is a lot less trouble and a lot more effective.
So if in doubt, always err on the side of caution. When a woman says, 'Maybe later', or 'Some other time', or 'Sounds good, but I'd like to think about that first', it generally means 'NO'. And if you find this sort of 'coded indirect interaction' infuriating and wish she'd just have the virtual balls to tell you outright what she means, please remember it's her absence of actual balls that provides the soft skin, cute walk, higher voice, smaller feet, abundant hair on head, lack thereof elsewhere and interesting fore-and-aft topography. You have to take the bad with the good, and involuntarily/subconsciously testing your ability to understand indirect speech is undoubtedly a mechanism the female of the species developed over countless millennia to help determine whether you are an Insensitive Beast or not. (As opposed to being a Hairy Chested Brute, which is something quite different and outside the scope of this basic little homily.)
In any case I hope to God that this practice is not an orchestrated global campaign originated by paleolithic cavewomen and perpetuated by each successive generation of females simply to baffle us but even if so it doesn't matter- that's simply The Way They Are.
Grin and bear it.
And don't stand too close.
On the other hand, when offered a non-verbal 'maybe', respond to it decently rather than by exploiting it. For example, if a lady basically unknown to you shyly- or generously- accepts your offer of a footrub in a public place (say the hotel foyer or atrium), don't casually try to manoeuver said foot into your (very obviously "interested") lap. She'll notice even if she seems oblivious, and the female grapevine will immediately and exponentially start to bear very bitter fruit for you. Additionally the Monitors, who are less inclined to let this sort of thing go, will regard you as a potential problem. Have a listen to this amusing but vital video (with catchy tune to sing along to forevermore!)
Most obvious, but also in dire need of a mention especially after an event I recently attended, which in fairness I should mention was NOT a Nest gathering... Hygiene.
Are you aware that the average woman's sense of smell is far more highly developed than yours is? This is not merely my opinion, but a verifiable, scientific fact. Gentlemen, with luck you will be actually touching women, and they will be touching you. Perhaps even when you are *gasp* bereft of shirt and/or shoes.
So for God's sake remember that Miss Shower is your friend, Miss Soap wants to get up close and personal, Miss Deodorant seeks an LTR, Miss Toothbrush and Miss Mouthwash want a threesome with you, and Mr. Washing Machine just loves demonstrating his efficiency vis-à-vis your clothing. Of course pheromones are important, but if yours only seem to render polecats, weasels and skunks amorous a change is in order. The temperature in Philadelphia, even in early May, can easily hit the mid to high 80s, and a potential play partner won't be impressed if you make the hairs drop out of her nostrils merely by introducing yourself.
NEST is simply a microcosm of your own life. If you have reasonable social skills, and genuinely enjoy interacting with people OFFLINE, you’ll have a greater chance of making a connection IRL. Even more specifically, how well you will do with the women at NEST depends on what the women are like back home, assuming you’re not from Saudi Arabia or have a job as a live-in handyman at a convent for geriatric nuns. If they’re pleasant, talkative ladies who are basically friendly and on average happy to at least chat to you once you’ve broken the ice and established a few points in common, you will do very well at NEST.
If, however, all the women where you come from are snobbish, standoffish and won’t give you the time of day, I'm afraid that’s exactly what you’ll find at NEST. Women are women, and to complain that they’re ‘difficult’ is as useful as a sailor complaining that the waves make him seasick, or a boxer who is annoyed that he gets punched. In other words, if you’ve always had problems with girls, it ain’t them- it’s you. Not a lack of money or looks or height or fitness or too much weight or any other excuse you can come up with- it's you as a person. If you don't change your attitude or approach you'll be stuck with the same old response. Work on yourself and you'll have more success.
Please go to all the pre-main event meetings and workshops which have been organised for your benefit, and be sociable. Being non-participatory will only leave you bereft of, or at least rusty in, some essential practical skills. More importantly, being shy and hermit-like will curtail your opportunities to meet, converse with, and interact on an undemanding, purely social level with potential friends and -dare I say it- play partners. There's no need to be a brilliant conversationalist- just be pleasant, make a real effort to acquaint yourself with as many people as possible, and keep it casual. For once, you don't even have to try to explain yourself, since the entire congregation shares most of your vile proclivities already to varying degrees. After all, everyone's there for the same reason, both men and women.
But at the same time be realistic. Remember that (apart from A-list celebrities) only men who pay for it have instant 'encounters' with total strangers. So mingle, chat, keep your mad desires warm on the back burner, and only turn up the heat when the time is right. People will understand if you're a bit nervous- they may well be a bit shy themselves, BUT...
MODERATE YOUR DRINKING! The subtle difference between being 'a bit more relaxed and convivial' and 'paralytic, interspersed with episodes of projectile vomiting' is easily apparent to the discerning eye, and that eye may well be female. While a slightly tipsy, giggly woman might be cute, there's no such thing as an attractive male drunk, and playing with someone if you're not in full and complete control of your faculties is a recipe for disaster. At very worst, this can lead to "An Unfortunate Series of Events" which will culminate in your being involuntarily positioned at a 90° angle in front of but still far too close to your new cellmate, Mr. "Burly" Bates (AKA The Baltimore Bunghole Buggerer) whose grasp of the concept of Safewords is shaky in the extreme.
Admittedly all of this is a worst-case scenario framed as a cautionary tale, so just be sensible and all will be well. The potential to have a great time is in your hands (or "at your fingertips", nudge, nudge, f'nar f'nar) but a great time comes in many forms. I didn’t play at all for my first few NESTs, because for one reason or another opportunities didn’t happen to materialise. So I just socialised, did some sight-seeing, watched some play, and made some great friends who I’m delighted to see every year. I never considered it a waste that I wasn’t playing all the time.
But over the years I have seen many single guys have some happy group or one-on-one experiences. The one thing they all seemed to have in common was that they were all personable, friendly fellows with no preconceptions or expectations who were decent guys first, ticklers second.
And that’s the key to their success- it will, with a bit of luck thrown in, also be the key to yours.
Sincere best wishes to all of you, and keeping the above post in mind, have fun at NEST!
Sorry, that was the beginning of another story which also featured the occasional Orc. What I meant to say is that since writing this in 2007, I've altered it several times until my original post has more than quadrupled in length, each rewrite incorporating a few new situations and pitfalls which I've either seen occur or had drawn to my attention during my roughly ten years as a member of the NEST Dungeon Monitors.
We Monitors are a group of male and female NEST veterans who for the past decade or so have mingled with the guests, helping to keep things enjoyable, safe, secure and running smoothly for them as the popularity of and attendance at this Gathering (the world's largest TK Fest!) doubled and redoubled. During that time a few situations have cropped up that I felt needed a quiet mention for future reference. A QUIET mention, I hasten to add, because the overwhelming majority of attendees are fantastic, and NEST is one of the few events I've helped monitor which always seems to attract genuinely pleasant and friendly people.
However, since the Single Male, no matter how well-intentioned, is sometimes regarded as a bit of a loose cannon especially if he's a younger guy or if this is the first time he's attended an 'Event' anything like this, a few words from an older guy who's also made one or two (I wish!!) mistakes over a long and pleasantly sordid career might be helpful. Obviously not all of the points discussed will apply to every single newbie who reads this, but have a look, "Know thyself" as Socrates said (yes, I know, also Alexander Pope plus a host of others...) and if the shoe fits...
When necessary I'll be cruel to be kind but that's only because I genuinely want you to enjoy yourselves. In fact, I sincerely hope each and every one of you looks back on the NEST weekend with fondness, a satisfied sigh, and an inbox full of new friends' and playpartners' email addresses to keep you busy 'til your return next year. The following will definitely help with that.
OK, here we go.
Upon your entering the hotel, you will be immediately surrounded by a gorgeous array of shapely women from late teens to mid 30s, seductively dressed in a gorgeous array of filmy negligees, tiny bikinis, abbreviated cheerleader outfits, and Victoria’s Secret lingerie, all with perfect pedicures, all recognising your utter irresistibility and all competing desperately with one another for their chance to play with you and you alone. Sound like fun, Casanova?
Slow down, tiger. NEST is a gathering of ordinary adults of all ages, shapes and sizes with one preference in common. Do all people who happen to like broccoli have a particular appearance? Of course not. So you’re best off, next time you are on a crowded bus or commuter train, having a look around and realizing that the over 18s travelling with you mimic the cross-section of men and women you’ll see at NEST. Older or younger, slim or heavy, attractive or plain, attached or unattached, white, black, asian- these are your fellow participants.
And how many women will be there, I hear you ask? Well, it’s usually about a 55%-45% split in favour of men. Last year that meant about sixty women attended. However, some of those women were partnered and completely monogamous, although some of the other ‘attached’ women did bestow their charms (to a degree) and attentions upon guys other than their significant others. About 15 women were single; most played with multiple random men in groups or one-on-one depending on what they themselves felt like doing and when. Now and again a woman will be attending just to test the water, and will identify herself as a non-participating observer.
As for your chances of interacting with some or all of those 'babes'- well, since men and women are for the most part biologically programmed to ‘mate’, substitute the word ‘sex’ for the word ‘tickling’. Then imagine yourself in any ordinary bar for an evening out. Sure, everyone's there in the hope of having a good time- but how many of the women there are you going to have sex with? It’s exactly the same at NEST. OK, admittedly, tickling can hardly be equated with full sex, so- how many of the women in that bar will allow you a nice long kiss?
Keeping this in mind, it's important to remember that simply because a woman happens to be attending NEST does not mean she has any obligation whatsoever to do anything with, for, or to you! She owes you nothing but politeness, and not even that if you are impolite to her or make her feel uncomfortable. By all means present yourself for her consideration, after first finding out if she's 'available' BY HA-VING A PLEA-SANT NON-SEX-U-AL CON-VER-SA-TION WITH HER (ever heard of that approach?), but whining 'Well, if you're not here to play, why are you here at all?" if she's not interested will not do you any good.
Or even worse, whining, 'You played with him, why won't you play with me?' Think about it- would you approach a woman after you've just seen her kissing (or heard about her kissing) some guy, and ask her the same question? Women do tend to chat with one another and compare notes, and if you're going to be the topic of conversation it's best if that conversation favours you.
Speaking of conversation, it's a wonderful thing when you can discuss your primary obsession with a female for a change, and even have visual evidence she IS female because she's standing right there in front of you. And some women are chatty and happy to talk in great detail about their kinky likes and dislikes. However, just because she confides that she's always fantasized about being dragged to a hotel room by the hair and then tied up and wallpapered by a man who is singing 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' in Russian while he dances the rumba in swim fins DOES NOT mean it's time to dash off to Home Depot, Latin Dancing Class, Modells, and the Slavic Division of the Berlitz Language School before grabbing handfuls of her tresses and making like you're hauling a canal barge. She may be innocently volunteering all of this info without meaning it as an invitation, so don't jump to conclusions even if your Other Brain (the one located below the beltline) is screaming that it's a dead cert.
Finally meeting that goddess (the one to whom you’ve been chatting endlessly online) in R/L does not mean she’ll bring your fantasies of her to fruition. While everyone understandably wants to meet THE ONE at NEST, make sure the object of your desires feels the same way about you. Internet personas often differ from what people are really like. That applies to her perception of you, as well as yours of her. Sometimes one or both participants are disappointed in a R/L meeting. Be gracious if this occurs.
"Cut your coat according to your cloth" is a British expression meaning not only should action suit circumstances, but also and more importantly means know the quality of your own cloth. Be realistic about what you have to offer; how many aces are in your hand at the Erotic Poker Table?
That brings us very nicely to the very delicate question of how sexual harassment is perceived, and how that perception applies at NEST. "Sexual Harassment" is simply unwanted courtship/wooing/etc. Brad Pitt is incapable of Sexual Harassment. Johnny Depp is incapable of Sexual Harassment. Robert Pattinson is incapable of Sexual Harassment. Even the odious Justin Bieber is incapable of Sexual Harassment.
But I am DEFINITELY capable of Sexual Harassment, and undoubtedly you are too because unlike the lucky bastards mentioned above, the overwhelming majority of women find us very resistible indeed. Regrettably an average day for you or me does not include countless laydeez clutching fan magazines with our pictures on the cover throwing themselves at us on the street begging for an autograph and no-strings 'involvement'.
So ease back on the ol' 'enthusiasm' at NEST because not every female there will think you're hot. A welcoming hug or friendly pat from one of our fair NESTettes is not necessarily an invitation to start grabbing at her then and there, or even to give her what you consider to be a subtle poke in the ribs. Only a boorish idiot thinks 'Getting away with it' is in any way laudable, and this type of behaviour is akin to the pathetic mentality of some geek who 'accidentally' bumps into a girl in a high school corridor and scuttles away giggling inanely because he hasn't the character or courage to speak to her, but somehow still thinks he's done something clever. Instead, just be pleasant, approachable and don't take things for granted- it really is a lot less trouble and a lot more effective.
The most important rule at NEST is 'No uninvited touching'.
So if in doubt, always err on the side of caution. When a woman says, 'Maybe later', or 'Some other time', or 'Sounds good, but I'd like to think about that first', it generally means 'NO'. And if you find this sort of 'coded indirect interaction' infuriating and wish she'd just have the virtual balls to tell you outright what she means, please remember it's her absence of actual balls that provides the soft skin, cute walk, higher voice, smaller feet, abundant hair on head, lack thereof elsewhere and interesting fore-and-aft topography. You have to take the bad with the good, and involuntarily/subconsciously testing your ability to understand indirect speech is undoubtedly a mechanism the female of the species developed over countless millennia to help determine whether you are an Insensitive Beast or not. (As opposed to being a Hairy Chested Brute, which is something quite different and outside the scope of this basic little homily.)
In any case I hope to God that this practice is not an orchestrated global campaign originated by paleolithic cavewomen and perpetuated by each successive generation of females simply to baffle us but even if so it doesn't matter- that's simply The Way They Are.
Grin and bear it.
And don't stand too close.
On the other hand, when offered a non-verbal 'maybe', respond to it decently rather than by exploiting it. For example, if a lady basically unknown to you shyly- or generously- accepts your offer of a footrub in a public place (say the hotel foyer or atrium), don't casually try to manoeuver said foot into your (very obviously "interested") lap. She'll notice even if she seems oblivious, and the female grapevine will immediately and exponentially start to bear very bitter fruit for you. Additionally the Monitors, who are less inclined to let this sort of thing go, will regard you as a potential problem. Have a listen to this amusing but vital video (with catchy tune to sing along to forevermore!)
Most obvious, but also in dire need of a mention especially after an event I recently attended, which in fairness I should mention was NOT a Nest gathering... Hygiene.
Are you aware that the average woman's sense of smell is far more highly developed than yours is? This is not merely my opinion, but a verifiable, scientific fact. Gentlemen, with luck you will be actually touching women, and they will be touching you. Perhaps even when you are *gasp* bereft of shirt and/or shoes.
So for God's sake remember that Miss Shower is your friend, Miss Soap wants to get up close and personal, Miss Deodorant seeks an LTR, Miss Toothbrush and Miss Mouthwash want a threesome with you, and Mr. Washing Machine just loves demonstrating his efficiency vis-à-vis your clothing. Of course pheromones are important, but if yours only seem to render polecats, weasels and skunks amorous a change is in order. The temperature in Philadelphia, even in early May, can easily hit the mid to high 80s, and a potential play partner won't be impressed if you make the hairs drop out of her nostrils merely by introducing yourself.
NEST is simply a microcosm of your own life. If you have reasonable social skills, and genuinely enjoy interacting with people OFFLINE, you’ll have a greater chance of making a connection IRL. Even more specifically, how well you will do with the women at NEST depends on what the women are like back home, assuming you’re not from Saudi Arabia or have a job as a live-in handyman at a convent for geriatric nuns. If they’re pleasant, talkative ladies who are basically friendly and on average happy to at least chat to you once you’ve broken the ice and established a few points in common, you will do very well at NEST.
If, however, all the women where you come from are snobbish, standoffish and won’t give you the time of day, I'm afraid that’s exactly what you’ll find at NEST. Women are women, and to complain that they’re ‘difficult’ is as useful as a sailor complaining that the waves make him seasick, or a boxer who is annoyed that he gets punched. In other words, if you’ve always had problems with girls, it ain’t them- it’s you. Not a lack of money or looks or height or fitness or too much weight or any other excuse you can come up with- it's you as a person. If you don't change your attitude or approach you'll be stuck with the same old response. Work on yourself and you'll have more success.
Please go to all the pre-main event meetings and workshops which have been organised for your benefit, and be sociable. Being non-participatory will only leave you bereft of, or at least rusty in, some essential practical skills. More importantly, being shy and hermit-like will curtail your opportunities to meet, converse with, and interact on an undemanding, purely social level with potential friends and -dare I say it- play partners. There's no need to be a brilliant conversationalist- just be pleasant, make a real effort to acquaint yourself with as many people as possible, and keep it casual. For once, you don't even have to try to explain yourself, since the entire congregation shares most of your vile proclivities already to varying degrees. After all, everyone's there for the same reason, both men and women.
But at the same time be realistic. Remember that (apart from A-list celebrities) only men who pay for it have instant 'encounters' with total strangers. So mingle, chat, keep your mad desires warm on the back burner, and only turn up the heat when the time is right. People will understand if you're a bit nervous- they may well be a bit shy themselves, BUT...
MODERATE YOUR DRINKING! The subtle difference between being 'a bit more relaxed and convivial' and 'paralytic, interspersed with episodes of projectile vomiting' is easily apparent to the discerning eye, and that eye may well be female. While a slightly tipsy, giggly woman might be cute, there's no such thing as an attractive male drunk, and playing with someone if you're not in full and complete control of your faculties is a recipe for disaster. At very worst, this can lead to "An Unfortunate Series of Events" which will culminate in your being involuntarily positioned at a 90° angle in front of but still far too close to your new cellmate, Mr. "Burly" Bates (AKA The Baltimore Bunghole Buggerer) whose grasp of the concept of Safewords is shaky in the extreme.
Admittedly all of this is a worst-case scenario framed as a cautionary tale, so just be sensible and all will be well. The potential to have a great time is in your hands (or "at your fingertips", nudge, nudge, f'nar f'nar) but a great time comes in many forms. I didn’t play at all for my first few NESTs, because for one reason or another opportunities didn’t happen to materialise. So I just socialised, did some sight-seeing, watched some play, and made some great friends who I’m delighted to see every year. I never considered it a waste that I wasn’t playing all the time.
But over the years I have seen many single guys have some happy group or one-on-one experiences. The one thing they all seemed to have in common was that they were all personable, friendly fellows with no preconceptions or expectations who were decent guys first, ticklers second.
And that’s the key to their success- it will, with a bit of luck thrown in, also be the key to yours.
Sincere best wishes to all of you, and keeping the above post in mind, have fun at NEST!
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