Poor, poor, poor little blog. I'm almost too embarrassed to start posting again simply because it's been so long. I suppose that's how life goes though isn't it?
So... about this going to work barefoot business I was having trouble with.
In case you don't remember, I got a new job and one of the first rules they read me was "shoes required at all times." I've learned an important lesson since then- Not all rules apply to all shifts.
Night shift is very laid back and while I'm not able to walk into work barefoot (yet?) I do get to sit at my desk barefoot, and often wonder over to the printer, trash can, or file bins (we don't get to wonder a lot answering phones) without my shoes. To be fair though I may not have gotten the guts to start doing this without first seeing my co-workers happily wondering around in slippers and socks.
Since my last post of happily getting a new job I've gotten my own apartment. I'm moving in on the 20th of this month (a few short days away). My neighborhood seems to have slowly gotten use to the crazy barefoot woman that lives down the road, but now it seems I have to start from scratch all over again.
Moving is very much a task of starting all those difficult tasks over from the start in my opinion as well. You have to box up your life considering what items are important and which aren't. That perfect room organization you finally got down? Forget it you have a new room to set up and it'll have to be done in a new way. Gotten your neighbors use to seeing you walk barefoot in the dead of winter? Now you have new neighbors and will likely get to go through the same old questions all over again.
And if a new job, and new home aren't enough? Recently a new pet was added to the mix, Ratchet the rat has joined the house hold making for a grand total of 5 pets (Sora and Twilight the ferrets, and Aleu the Australian Shepherd)
If I didn't have enough people think I was crazy for walking barefoot, and walking two ferrets... Now I have a "horrible pest" that likes riding on my shoulder to boot.
Being stereotyped as the crazy or weird person down the road just an't easy.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
New job
Updates are going to be sporadic for now. I'm working a 7pm to 3:30am shift and this is going to require some adjustment for me (I'm usually asleep around 2am, and I can defiantly feel that while at work).
I've got to say I am very disappointed... my new job is at a call center and I expected some barefoot freedom with this. There is a rule in the books that says "shoes must be worn at all times" (even if only flip flops) with the claim being someone may step on a staple or some other silly such thing.
I'm going to have to consider what I'm going to do regarding this (sadly I can't rock the boat too hard because, frankly, I need this job).
I've got to say I am very disappointed... my new job is at a call center and I expected some barefoot freedom with this. There is a rule in the books that says "shoes must be worn at all times" (even if only flip flops) with the claim being someone may step on a staple or some other silly such thing.
I'm going to have to consider what I'm going to do regarding this (sadly I can't rock the boat too hard because, frankly, I need this job).
Friday, November 12, 2010
Barefoot Speech
If you look back a few posts you may recall I mentioned something about a speech on going barefoot, well that was just given on Tuesday.
I'm in a public speaking class at college and was told to write a persuasive speech on anything I wanted and thus I chose to persuade people why they should remove their shoes more often (sorry guys but I think telling everyone to burn their shoes and go barefoot everywhere would be a bit too much for many).
As I doubt anyone here wants to red a 4 page outline the basics of what I went over were the following:
1. I talked about the natural gate of a human being thrown off by shoes (There is a wonderful article on that subject here).
Mostly I explained the heel-strike, push off, and stance phases and how shoes interrupt each of them. There is also a wonderful picture explaining this in The Barefoot Book which I did use to help me illustrate the point.
2. Foot arches- I showed a short clip to explain to my audience how the arch expanses and collapses, explained the main jobs of the arch (shock absorber, spring, weight distribution, and uneven terrain accommodation), and explained how shoes force the arch into a position where it is unable to do any of those job.
3. Some physical deformities caused by shoes and how shoes cause them: Hallux valgus, hammertoe, bunions, and knee arthritis.
4. Fungal infections and how shoes are a nice dark, damp, and warm environment for bacteria to grow in.
5. Broke down some of the myths including the fact there is no rule with the Health Department, or the Department of Agriculture (and thank you Society for Barefoot Living for having both letters for my state for me to print out as mine still have no made it). That bare feet are no more dirty than the bottom of a shoe (and likely less so as we wash our feet more often),that glass is not on ever street corner and that it doesn't much effect a seasoned barefooter, and that germs are everywhere not only on the ground (we don't wear gloves all day, why shoes?).
... And that was my 11 minute speech in a nut shell. However Thursday (the class following this speech) brought about some interesting things:
Firstly there were questions, quite a few surprisingly. People asked what I do in the winter, if I go into public restrooms still, about confrontations I've had, and what troubles I had with it in general.It was actually a pretty nice question and answer session with no one saying anything negative, though a few people laughed when I said I do indeed keep the health department letter in my purse.
There were also comments that eased my paranoia. Despite having been going to class ever day barefoot for months now... The vast majority of the class never noticed! Even the teacher who I had previously thought had noticed claimed never to have seen it, and that I did have many people in the class lean over and down to look (considering I've given all my speeches barefoot as well this surprised me- Of all the times I would think standing in the front of a room would give you away).
The most interesting thing though was finding that there apparently is another student that goes barefoot! I have no idea who, why, or if our paths will cross but it's nice knowing there's someone else so close by going barefoot. I hope to run across him at some point and have the guts to go up and speak with him.
I'm in a public speaking class at college and was told to write a persuasive speech on anything I wanted and thus I chose to persuade people why they should remove their shoes more often (sorry guys but I think telling everyone to burn their shoes and go barefoot everywhere would be a bit too much for many).
As I doubt anyone here wants to red a 4 page outline the basics of what I went over were the following:
1. I talked about the natural gate of a human being thrown off by shoes (There is a wonderful article on that subject here).
Mostly I explained the heel-strike, push off, and stance phases and how shoes interrupt each of them. There is also a wonderful picture explaining this in The Barefoot Book which I did use to help me illustrate the point.
2. Foot arches- I showed a short clip to explain to my audience how the arch expanses and collapses, explained the main jobs of the arch (shock absorber, spring, weight distribution, and uneven terrain accommodation), and explained how shoes force the arch into a position where it is unable to do any of those job.
3. Some physical deformities caused by shoes and how shoes cause them: Hallux valgus, hammertoe, bunions, and knee arthritis.
4. Fungal infections and how shoes are a nice dark, damp, and warm environment for bacteria to grow in.
5. Broke down some of the myths including the fact there is no rule with the Health Department, or the Department of Agriculture (and thank you Society for Barefoot Living for having both letters for my state for me to print out as mine still have no made it). That bare feet are no more dirty than the bottom of a shoe (and likely less so as we wash our feet more often),that glass is not on ever street corner and that it doesn't much effect a seasoned barefooter, and that germs are everywhere not only on the ground (we don't wear gloves all day, why shoes?).
... And that was my 11 minute speech in a nut shell. However Thursday (the class following this speech) brought about some interesting things:
Firstly there were questions, quite a few surprisingly. People asked what I do in the winter, if I go into public restrooms still, about confrontations I've had, and what troubles I had with it in general.It was actually a pretty nice question and answer session with no one saying anything negative, though a few people laughed when I said I do indeed keep the health department letter in my purse.
There were also comments that eased my paranoia. Despite having been going to class ever day barefoot for months now... The vast majority of the class never noticed! Even the teacher who I had previously thought had noticed claimed never to have seen it, and that I did have many people in the class lean over and down to look (considering I've given all my speeches barefoot as well this surprised me- Of all the times I would think standing in the front of a room would give you away).
The most interesting thing though was finding that there apparently is another student that goes barefoot! I have no idea who, why, or if our paths will cross but it's nice knowing there's someone else so close by going barefoot. I hope to run across him at some point and have the guts to go up and speak with him.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Beginners Guide to Going to College Barefoot
I notice quite a few people finding my blog by googling "going barefoot to class" so to help out the students having trouble I've wrote a short step by step guide.
Step one: Remove shoes.
Step two: Take normal transit to school without shoes. Drive barefoot, walk, hop on the bus, have someone drive you... What ever floats your boat. Just don't bring the shoes with you! (hard to back out when you have no alternative).
Step three: Breath.
Step four: Walk to class with your head up. Don't shrink down, don't avoid people, you're in the right and doing absolutely nothing wrong.
Some other newbie tips:
- Barefoot sandals may help you to gain some confidence as less people tend to notice you're barefoot.
- If you need a distraction use one. Put your nose in a book, call a friend while you're walking to class, walk and talk to a supportive friend, put some head phones in; people are less likely to confront you if you look busy and even if they try you're less likely to notice.
If you have questions or even further advice you're welcome to put them in the comments section.
Step one: Remove shoes.
Step two: Take normal transit to school without shoes. Drive barefoot, walk, hop on the bus, have someone drive you... What ever floats your boat. Just don't bring the shoes with you! (hard to back out when you have no alternative).
Step three: Breath.
Step four: Walk to class with your head up. Don't shrink down, don't avoid people, you're in the right and doing absolutely nothing wrong.
Some other newbie tips:
- Barefoot sandals may help you to gain some confidence as less people tend to notice you're barefoot.
- If you need a distraction use one. Put your nose in a book, call a friend while you're walking to class, walk and talk to a supportive friend, put some head phones in; people are less likely to confront you if you look busy and even if they try you're less likely to notice.
If you have questions or even further advice you're welcome to put them in the comments section.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Rob Zombie- Not as barefoot as I would have liked
Ugh. I'm sorry everyone, it's been very hectic lately with a new job (a call center which means I'm going to be looking into barefoot at the work place), classes to get done, and life throwing me curve balls left and right. I have a few posts I want to write up that can be expected in the next few days, but for now I'm just going to talk a little about attempting to go to a Rob Zombie concert barefoot.
Security did NOT like me. They took one look at my feet and told me it was a no go. I asked why, argued their points ("We have food inside!" "So?" "There's a health code!" "No there isn't") and their final argument came down to I'll get stepped on or slide in something spilled and they'll get in trouble. In short- If I wanted to get in they expected something. I came back with flip flops and through security they let me go.
There was security everywhere as to be expected at a concert of that size, but I slid my shoes off, hooked them to my purse, and not a word was ever said. The floor was padding placed over top of ice that slid slightly as people walked across, and there was the occasional damp spot and cigarette bud (way to follow laws there guys), but I ran across nothing that would be safer in flip flops.
Over all I stuck near the wall and had no worries about being trampled and could feel the vibrations of the speakers through my bare feet better than anyone with shoes could. Sadly though I don't find indoor environment that spectacular these days even while screaming along with a crowd for Alice Cooper (who played before Zombie who I sadly missed due to sickness).
Security did NOT like me. They took one look at my feet and told me it was a no go. I asked why, argued their points ("We have food inside!" "So?" "There's a health code!" "No there isn't") and their final argument came down to I'll get stepped on or slide in something spilled and they'll get in trouble. In short- If I wanted to get in they expected something. I came back with flip flops and through security they let me go.
There was security everywhere as to be expected at a concert of that size, but I slid my shoes off, hooked them to my purse, and not a word was ever said. The floor was padding placed over top of ice that slid slightly as people walked across, and there was the occasional damp spot and cigarette bud (way to follow laws there guys), but I ran across nothing that would be safer in flip flops.
Over all I stuck near the wall and had no worries about being trampled and could feel the vibrations of the speakers through my bare feet better than anyone with shoes could. Sadly though I don't find indoor environment that spectacular these days even while screaming along with a crowd for Alice Cooper (who played before Zombie who I sadly missed due to sickness).
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Things to come...
There are new barefoot activities on the way! Well ones that will defiantly have posts to go with them I mean.
A few posts back I mentioned a local Rob Zombie concert coming up and the grand debate to go barefoot or not. I've decided that this will be a barefoot event for me. If I fail to get in the door barefoot flip flops will be used to get inside but stashed into my purse at the first opportunity.
I also have not mentioned the fact that one of my college courses is a public speaking class. I have indeed given my first two of four speeches barefoot and have received no comments regarding it. My next project however is a persuasive speech and I've registered the subject of "persuading my audience to kick off their shoes more often." Sadly this is only a 6 to 8 minute speech so I am unable to go into too much detail but I do intend to speak of the health benefits of going barefoot, the health issues caused by shoes, and the legal parts of going barefoot (as many people believe there to be laws against it). I'm hoping to kill some myths through this speech, but if that will get it's own section or not has yet to be decided.
While this may not be a huge thing to many individuals I'm quite excited to get the word out to between 30 and 40 college students, and hopefully the truth will take another step in slowly spreading.
A few posts back I mentioned a local Rob Zombie concert coming up and the grand debate to go barefoot or not. I've decided that this will be a barefoot event for me. If I fail to get in the door barefoot flip flops will be used to get inside but stashed into my purse at the first opportunity.
I also have not mentioned the fact that one of my college courses is a public speaking class. I have indeed given my first two of four speeches barefoot and have received no comments regarding it. My next project however is a persuasive speech and I've registered the subject of "persuading my audience to kick off their shoes more often." Sadly this is only a 6 to 8 minute speech so I am unable to go into too much detail but I do intend to speak of the health benefits of going barefoot, the health issues caused by shoes, and the legal parts of going barefoot (as many people believe there to be laws against it). I'm hoping to kill some myths through this speech, but if that will get it's own section or not has yet to be decided.
While this may not be a huge thing to many individuals I'm quite excited to get the word out to between 30 and 40 college students, and hopefully the truth will take another step in slowly spreading.
Out for a Walk
Despite lack of their mention before I do indeed have pets. I have an Australian Shepherd names Aleu, and 2 ferrets named Twilight and Sora.
When I walk in general I walk barefoot and when walking the dog there is no exception. I live in a nice enough neighborhood (lower middle class, but one of the quieter areas as far as crime goes), and thankfully the only issue I tend to run into are the leavings of other dogs with owners not polite enough to pick it up (on the odd occasion I do step in it I simply rub it off on the ground to the best of my ability, and wash when I get home). I notice when walking my dog I don't get many, if any comments. I'm simply one of quite a few locals that walk their dog, and Aleu gets more of the attention than I do.
As the weather cools off though I find my ferrets enjoy going on the occasional outdoor outing as well, and while the ferrets don't tend to walk as far they seem to draw far more attention. Yet as odd as tit is to see ferrets out and about... Somehow that attention transfers over to my bare feet far more often than walking my dog.
I've asked a couple of people, and most of them seem to give me some variation of 'I've never seen ferrets before, and their so close to your feet!" This may be true as at least Twilight is shy of people and will try to get me to pick him up when presented with a new person, but I wonder if it's simply the fact that people tend to ignore the little things when they see what they're use to and the mind simply fills in the blanks. I wonder if people don't simply see someone walking a dog and move on, but are jolted by some other animal at the end of the leash and thus see the other oddities as well.
Just a theory, likely based on taking far too many psychology courses, but I wish there was some way to really test it.
As cold weather is soon coming in I await the "aren't your feet cold?" comments, and some of my class mates are taking bets as to when I'll put on shoes (never if I can help it, but I've considering investing in some soft soled moccasins though I honestly doubt I can due to the high price tags they tend to carry).
When I walk in general I walk barefoot and when walking the dog there is no exception. I live in a nice enough neighborhood (lower middle class, but one of the quieter areas as far as crime goes), and thankfully the only issue I tend to run into are the leavings of other dogs with owners not polite enough to pick it up (on the odd occasion I do step in it I simply rub it off on the ground to the best of my ability, and wash when I get home). I notice when walking my dog I don't get many, if any comments. I'm simply one of quite a few locals that walk their dog, and Aleu gets more of the attention than I do.
As the weather cools off though I find my ferrets enjoy going on the occasional outdoor outing as well, and while the ferrets don't tend to walk as far they seem to draw far more attention. Yet as odd as tit is to see ferrets out and about... Somehow that attention transfers over to my bare feet far more often than walking my dog.
I've asked a couple of people, and most of them seem to give me some variation of 'I've never seen ferrets before, and their so close to your feet!" This may be true as at least Twilight is shy of people and will try to get me to pick him up when presented with a new person, but I wonder if it's simply the fact that people tend to ignore the little things when they see what they're use to and the mind simply fills in the blanks. I wonder if people don't simply see someone walking a dog and move on, but are jolted by some other animal at the end of the leash and thus see the other oddities as well.
Just a theory, likely based on taking far too many psychology courses, but I wish there was some way to really test it.
As cold weather is soon coming in I await the "aren't your feet cold?" comments, and some of my class mates are taking bets as to when I'll put on shoes (never if I can help it, but I've considering investing in some soft soled moccasins though I honestly doubt I can due to the high price tags they tend to carry).
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