My email address

Feel free to contact me at any time at providencebarefooter@gmail.com

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Little Catch-Up

Lots of walking on the beach and some advertising

More ads. The videos wouldn't transfer so they'll be up later. They are on twitter I believe.

Walking on a rocky seashore below a gun position in Jamestown  I found an "Ancient footprint."

Very cool!

Similar size

Arch, toes and heel. More of a shoe print but still very curious haha!

In other barefoot news I went to the lovely Prime Time Cafe in Westerly and my feet are now known there. We had a conversation with our server about my feet and the total legality of barefooting and how I always carry a paper. Also went to Newport Creamery in Newport and had no problems which was nice. I really feel like a few of the other servers might have noticed, but ours did not.

As always my friends,

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Confronted by an off duty employee

While leaving my favorite burger place un noticed. I headed out the door of the building the burger place shares with Starbucks. While going through the door a kid in a Starbucks uniform said I was crazy. I asked him why and he said that technically they cant serve me. We had a quick discussion about barefooting and why I do it and I have every right to be barefoot. I showed him the paper and he told me that he grew up on a farm and no one wore shoes. So that was a fun conversation, I will post exactly what was said soon.

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Nearly 7000 Views!

Well world, my little blog has been viewed nearly 7000 times and I couldn't be more excited. The purpose of this blog was to help bring more public view to barefooting and I would say that it definitely is getting out to people. While I am extremely pleased with the traffic on this site, I wonder if it could be even higher? If anyone has suggestions on how to get the site to more people or would like to tell a friend about the site please feel free! I appreciate it. Thanks for checking out the site!

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Nightmare for barefooters.

This was my dream last night.

I was in what would be a bookstore but it was in the layout of a retail store. I stepped behind the desk where two women cashiers were helping me. I asked if they carry Daniel Howells Barefoot Book. They somewhat irritably said they did not and I said oh alright and I had a foot up knee bent resting on a shelf behind me and she saw that I had no shoes on. She got angry amd said I have to leave. I told her that there's no sign on the door an JWU has no policy against it. I told her it says culinary and hospitality employees need standard issue JWU black shoes but it makes no reference to me. She called security and a woman police officer came to question me. I am still standing at the front desk at this point. I explained how I was in the right here and then some local politicians showed up with a larger male police officer. I told them no state has a no barefoot Health Code and I mentioned the dozen or so town ordinances against being barefoot. They explained to me that they knew that it wasn't a law and they had noticed the influx barefooters getting into places with the loophole. They mentioned they call it "Code black." They told me that they didn't care about barefooters using the Health Code because it was going to be updated in a few days closing the loophole. The details of the dream here start to fade out but it really startled me. Imagine being told that by a politician. That's awful!


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Day in the Woods

Some shots from two hours of snowfooting in the woods.

 Around here the snow was much icier and didn't conform to my feet like the powder did.

 

Every time my feet penetrated the ice layer my foot sank into the powder but the ice was sharp on the tops of my feet.

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Sorry about the lack of posts, Heres why.

While on my Ripstik caster board, the back wheel skipped out on a small patch of ice and I went flying knee first into the ground which was made of slabs of slate and granite. Contrary to most peoples beliefs, the incident had absolutely nothing to do with my bare feet. The wheels slipped, I fell, my knee hit the stone, my feet were not involved. An earlier post mentions specifics on that. Anyway I really haven't had all that much to report because for most of last and this week I have been taking it easy to heal up. Yesterday I made the journey out to Fort Mansfield and back an approximately three mile walk. Pictures for that Ill post later today.

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Met a teacher who saw my card.

While discussing the news about Egypt with a professor as we walked down the hallway he called over another professor to tell him the news. A few minutes into the conversation, he looked down and said you're the guy without shoes! He said that he saw my card in one of the rooms and I told him yeah that was probably one of mine. Anyway, yet another professor that seems ok with my lifestyle and he is also someone I will have to study under during my education. It's good to know he approves.

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If you own Sperry Top Siders...

Before becoming a barefooter I never wore sneakers. I always hated shoes but the shoe I could wear with decent comfort was the Sperry topsider. After not wearing shoes I started to realize how uncomfortable they were. Earlier in my barefoot days, I didn't have the confidence to be barefoot in restaurants or other public places, still being under the myth of the health codes and laws against barefooting. What I did was cut off the rubber soles of the shoes so only a thin layer of leather was in-between me and the pavement. It was a pretty good solution to it. I do sometimes wear them when I am going to walk in snow for great distances or in places my bare feet aren't tough enough to go. One of the things I noticed that really surprised me. While on the beach with some friends in freezing temperatures and winds gusting up to 50 I noticed my footprints. Every step I took left a perfect barefoot print in the sand. I thought holy crap this is amazing. These shoes hardly interfere with my natural gait at all. 

That turned out to be a really cool discovery but the thing is that my feet now are tough enough to go just about anywhere. That may have been a nice thing to know when I was still transitioning out of shoes. Oh well. I figured I would tell you all this story and to any Sperry topsider owners, cut the rubber bottoms off and make your shoes infinitely more comfortable. It is a great way to transition out of shoes without having to buy expensive transitional footwear like Vibram Five Fingers.

So yeah world cut the soles off of your shoes and reap the benefits of a more sensible shoe. Though there are those who say there is no such thing. So perhaps enjoy the benefits of a less senseless shoe.

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Impact of compensation and experience in the medical system.

"Well on the 7th I was on a Ripstik and hit a patch of ice. I landed knee first on the slate part of the quad at my university. I have been having extreme difficulty walking and I had to walk with one leg totally strait and immobile to move without pain. Within hours I developed soreness all over as well as being pretty much unable to get around my room. It really made me realize how much compensating for an irregularity can really mess up everything else. Funny to think that our bodies also have to compensate for a certain irregularity under most of our feet. Think about it people thats probably the worst place for something to be out of whack. Everything is above them. Anyway so on the morning of the 8th I woke up in extreme pain and missed class. My mother picked me up at my school (we live about 45 min away) to take me to the infirmary to get checked out. The nurses took a look at me and commented on my lack of footwear.

Here is a transcript from the recording of what they said.

Nurse 1 "Can I help you?"
Me "Uh yeah I am here for a leg injury."
Nurse 1 "For what?"
Me "Is there anything you guys can do for a leg injury?"
Nurse 1 "Come on in what kind of leg injury?"
Me "Uh well I-"
Nurse 1 "Where's your shoes?"
Me "Oh, I don't wear shoes."
Nurse 1 "You don't wear shoes?"
Me "Y-Yep that doesn't have anything to do with it though."
Nurse 1 "Ok."
Me "I was on a skateboard and slipped on some ice and hit my knee on-at Gaebe."
Nurse 1 "Yup."
Me "Yeah that was yesterday."
Nurse 1 "Okay."
Me "So it didn't hurt at first but the swelling has got much worse and it hurts do do any kind of walking."
Nurse 1 "Awwww I think you're going to have to get an X-ray is this part of the injury here?"
Me "Um that little one right there is [pointing to scrape] these are old scars."
Nurse 1 "You never wear shoes?"
Me "Nope."
Nurse 1 "Oh."
Nurse 2 "Oh maybe thats why you slipped."
Nurse 1&2 "Hahahahahaha
Me "No, no I was on a skateboard."
Nurse 1 "What year did you start here?"
Me "This year."
Nurse 1 "Ok whats your name?"
Me "[First]"
Nurse 1 "[First]? is that the first name or last name?"
Me "First."
Nurse 1 "What's the last name?"
Me "[Last]"
Nurse 1 "Lemme pull your chart."
Me "Yep."
Nurse 1 "[spells out first three letters]"
Me "[spells out rest]"
Nurse 1 "Gotchya, come in lets take a look."
Me "Alright."
Nurse 1 "Let's see what'd you injure?"
[fall]
Nurse 1 "Careful!"
Me "Ow...um...that. It's right in the back here and at the top of this bone here."
Nurse 1 "Ok we are going to need to send you over to get X-rayed."
Me "Ok."
Nurse 1 "Do you have classes right now?"
Me "Uh I did but I wont be going to those classes for obvious reasons."
Nurse 1 "Ok do you have transportation or do you need me to call the van to bring you over?"
Me "I do have transportation."
Nurse 1 "Ok."
Me "My mother is actually trying to get in here without an ID right now."
Nurse 1 "Oh really?"
Me "Yeah she dropped me off and said she would find a place to park."
Nurse 1 "Oh ok yeah."
Me "It wasn't until I got in here that I said oh wait to get in here she's going to need an ID."
Nurse 1 "Yeah, I wantchya-youre gonna need an X-ray just to rule out anything skeletal."
Me "Ok."
Nurse 1 "This is the closest one, but its up to you guys [gestures to information sheet]."
Me "Ok."
Nurse 1 "Ok?"
Nurse 1 "Let us know how you make out because-"
Me "Alright."
Nurse 1 "You definitely need to be X-rayed just to rule anything out."
Me "Alright."
Nurse 1 "Ok?"
Me "Thanks a lot!"
Nurse 1 "Alright be careful huh?"
Me "Yup have a nice day."
Nurse 1 "You're going to be going over there today [Name]?"
Me "Yeah probably right after this."
Nurse 1 "Ok ok."
Me "Yeah I mean- I did it yesterday at like 12:00 and went up to my room and took a nap I woke up I couldn't move."
Nurse 1 "Eh yeah go get checked out. See ya later."
Me "Bye."




Anyway long story short we decided instead of waiting hours for an X-ray in a dirty city hospital, we decided to drive home to have local urgent care look at me. I got passed the front desk, the lady in-between that talks to you while you wait for the doctor, and the doctor, NONE even mentioned my feet. It was like they were only concerned with the problem at hand and not the unconventional lifestyle I lead. Westerly Urgent Care, I applaud your professionalism and maturity. If only the rest of the world were that progressive!

Next stop was the X-ray place. Sat in the lobby with no issues, a very elderly old woman in a wheelchair looked at my feet we exchanged smiles and she winked at me. The technician who the signs claim is actually called a technologist (but I refuse to use that word) led me into the X-ray room. She asked me where my shoes were. I told her that I don't wear them anymore and that it fixed my back pain. She stared for a minute and said "Whatever." She told me it was a bad idea to do that and I told her the streets of Providence are much more hazardous than floor of a medical facility cleaned daily. She also said that its a public building and I couldn't be in here without shoes (which we know is actually the opposite of the truth, public = public) and that I would end up injured and sue the place. I told her there was nothing to worry about and she did the X-rays and I went on my way. She clearly disapproved but at the same time respected my lifestyle and for that I thank you.

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Snowfooting Joy

     I rolled out of bed to my father's voice. I got ready grabbed a pair of snow boots, walked barefoot through the snow and over the ice as my brother and father slipped around in their Cabelas boots. I threw the boots on the car floor and we discussed where we would go for brunch. We decided to go to Friendly's, a restaurant that claims to have a footwear policy but there are no signs on the door and I have had no problems. Anyway I got in no problems ate my food and left my card.

     We went up to the flea market and I was noticed by some of the outdoor vendors (the main place is in an old textile mill). They started talking about people from Peru who never wear shoes and my father and him started talking about Tibetan Snow Walkers who apparently walk in the Himalayas. Anyway they all seemed to approve and be very impressed. We meandered around the outdoor stands for about ten or fifteen minutes I could quickly tell they salted parts of the lot.

     We got inside and the family was standing in one of the aisles and a woman was glaring at me. I just resumed talking to my family and she came over and looked me right in the eye. Apparently she mistook me for a grandson of hers. He was at the flea market a few weeks ago with no shoes.

     We stopped at another stand as one of the women (a mother) questioned me and I started telling her all about what I do. She was much more curious and a little concerned than condescending which was nice. My father came over and began talking to her and the husband while my brother began to shuffle in his boots. He quickly said "screw these my feet hurt." So barefoot my brother and I wandered in an old textile mill perusing all the vendors inventory. Eventually we got to a fisherman's stand and naturally my brother being the writer of kidflyfisherman.blogspot.com, had to stop. During his transaction the vendor asked us if we liked going barefoot. We said always and he told us to look up VFFs. We told him we own several pairs and wear them when we have to.

     As we were about to leave dad told harrison to rub his feet off on the rug and put his boots back on. I told him not to worry about it the snow and salt would clean our feet off perfectly. Both our feet were completely black on the bottom from the dirt and particles built up in there over the years. After only a hundred or so feet through the snow and ice we pulled our feet into the car, completely spotless. Harrison was marveling at how his feet had never been so clean. Dad was accepting of it but still not happy I dragged his other sun through the snow barefoot.

     We then went for a walk in the woods. I had never walked in the woods barefoot and I hadn't thought to try today. I donned my snow boots and the discomfort quickly set in. About thirty minutes in Harrison went off the trail along a stream and all of our boots got filled with snow as the snow was 3 feet deep. After a few hundred feet we decided to turn back for safety's sake. My feet were freezing. We started walking back and when we were within a few hundred feet of the car I took my shoes off and then for a photo op threw them into the air. I was absolutely shocked to feel how warm the snow was and how my feet instantly became so much more comfortable. It really makes a difference walking in unsalted natural unpolluted snow. The 

feeling was fantastic.

Off with the shoes

It felt so liberating and wonderful. 

Healthy footprint? Anyone who knows footprints does it look right? Or for a year of barefooting?

I would be standing in snow if it weren't knee deep so in order to see my feet I stood on a rock.

In one of the shallower spots. 

I am probably the first person if not ever in then in a long time to stand on this pillar barefoot.

     This is the restaurant that had the sign. I left one of my cards there after having a wonderful BAREFOOT meal there. They must be unaware that the sign is a total lie. Not only that I am pretty sure it is very illegal to lie about laws. I will give them a call to tell them that because they are a good place so they shouldn't have to be in trouble for something they probably don't know isn't true. 

     Heading up to school tomorrow and will be stopping at Shaws to grab some groceries. I have never had any problems at Shaws especially considering I am there all the time. I was actually here tonight to drop off a redbox movie. So I've had no problems so far. Wish me luck folks!

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Five Guys Letter

I sent this comment to FIVE GUYS I eagerly await their response

I was extremely pleased with my visit to FIVE GUYS this and every time. For health, more specifically medical reasons I am what the media calls a "Barefooter" Wearing shoes causes me extreme discomfort so I live my life without any sort of footwear. I frequent this particular location because of its close proximity to my home. Every time I enter and am able to get my meal without anyone feeling the need to discriminate against me for my way of life. This is one of the friendliest places to eat for barefooters. On my visit on the 22nd an employee approached me and told me I couldn't be in here without shoes. I told him that there are no signs on the door stating that I can't be barefoot. He responded saying that it was a health code. I informed him that was in fact a myth and presented him with the health department document confirming my claim. He was very polite, asked if he could make a copy, I happily allowed him, placed my order, he quickly returned the original and I was allowed to eat my meal free of the needless discrimination I receive at other establishments. FIVE GUYS is truly a place where anyone can get a fantastic burger. They did not deny me service and instead respected me as a person and I can't express how much I appreciate that. Thank you so much FIVE GUYS Mystic.
Incase you're curious, no state health department has a health code saying people must wear shoes in any establishment. Here is a link to the page. http://www.barefooters.org/health-dept/

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Compiling a list

I am going through a process of compiling lists and policies of every company I can think of. I think that this could be a comparable list to the SBL Health Code list. I am going to make a list of every company I can find's policies on footwear. Then if given a hard time at a local store we can then reference our database on this matter. We already know that Health Codes do not prohibit barefooting, now we will also have a list of businesses policies against it.

I am starting of the list with AMTRAK:

AMTRAK

Disclaimer of Liability

Amtrak's fares, time schedules, equipment, routing, services and information (hereinafter "Amtrak services") are not guaranteed and are provided "as is" without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, and Amtrak disclaims all warranties, express or implied. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusions may not apply to you.

Amtrak reserves the right to change its policies without notice.

Amtrak further specifically disclaims liability for any inconvenience, expense, or damages, incidental, consequential, punitive, lost profits, loss business or otherwise, resulting from errors in its timetable, shortages of equipment, or due to delayed trains, except when such delay causes a passenger to miss an Amtrak train guaranteed connection. When a guaranteed Amtrak train connection is missed, Amtrak will provide passenger with alternate transportation on Amtrak, another carrier, or provide overnight hotel accommodations, at Amtrak's sole discretion, but only when such circumstances resulted from the actions of Amtrak and this shall constitute Amtrak's sole liability and passenger's sole and exclusive remedy. Some states may not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

Amtrak also disclaims any liability for the products and/or services of Amtrak's advertisers, business partners, sponsors, suppliers, licensors and agents to the extent permissible under the law and Amtrak shall only be responsible for the rail transportation services that it provides.

Therefore it is not responsible for any injuries involving my bare feet, they are only responsible for the transportation services that it provides.

Carriage of Passengers

A ticket shall be valid for carriage or refund one year after date of issue, unless otherwise provided.

Reservations must be made when required, and tickets are not transferable. In order to ensure the quality of travel and safety and security of its passengers,

Amtrak may refuse to carry passengers:

1. Who have not paid the applicable fare;
2. Whose conduct is objectionable (such as, but not limited to, being under the influence of alcohol or narcotics);
3. Whose personal hygiene makes them offensive;
4. Who pose a health, safety or security hazard to other passengers or employees;
5. Who refuse to comply with safety or security rules or with instructions of Amtrak personnel;
6. Who would require Amtrak personnel to provide personal care services or otherwise do not meet the essential requirements for the receipt of Amtrak services; or
7. Who refuse to consent to Amtrak security inspections of persons and/or baggage onboard Amtrak trains and/or at designated areas, such as train platforms and passenger boarding or waiting areas.

Amtrak employees or other authorized carrier representatives may remove such a passenger from the train at any inhabited place, as necessary under the circumstances, for any of the above reasons.

I am in no way violating any of these by being barefoot. 

Seating

Amtrak will monitor seating of passengers to ensure compliance with the following policies:

1. Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available.
2. Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded.
3. Unless specific seats are assigned, seating is on a first come - first served basis. On unreserved trains there are no guaranteed seats.
4. Seating arrangements will be made without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin.
5. Amtrak reserves the right, whenever operating conditions require, to transfer passengers from one car or train to another en route.

Number 4 protects me as a barefooter. 

Governing Law

All travel on, and transactions with, Amtrak is governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, United States of America, without regards to its principles of conflicts of law. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Federal court located in the District of Columbia, United States of America, and waive any jurisdictional, venue or inconvenient forum objections to such courts.

Check out DC laws to ensure that I am ok to be a barefooter there too

Obtained from: AMTRAK Policies

I am going to start work on a website/database to house all of this information. I strongly encourage all of you to do some research into this. Make phone calls, search sites, and send emails. 

Wish me luck folks and feel free to comment on my project.

Barefooting is easy

Barefooting is good for you
Barefooting is NOT illegal
Join the revolution
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Advertizements

Here They are folks!

Business Cards: 250

Holiday Card: 10

Holiday Card: 10

Holiday Card: 10

Postcard: 100

 

Postcards: 100

Postcards: 100

Magnets: 25

Magnets: 25

Magnets: 25

Flyers: 25

There are some more that I need to find photograph then post. If any of you want to spread this site, feel free to print out the picture, crop it and spread the word. No one needs to print any of these out to spread the word though. Just tell the people you know about this site and the benefits of barefooting.

As always folks comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Barefooting is easy

Barefooting is good for you
Barefooting is NOT illegal
Join the revolution
GO BAREFOOT

Please comment!

Advertizements

The photo uploading thing is being temperamental. I will post all the ads asap. Sorry friends!