When I run, I walk to and from the park barefoot. Gripes? Not really. Bewilderment and disbelief.

Today I was meeting my girlfriend, after my run, at the Staples which is across the street from where I live. She and I noticed quite a few people obviously staring at me. I guess the bright red and low cut Hind shorts didn't help much...

Walking around barefoot this summer in the Bronx, in regular attire, I get strange stares frequently. My dentist was worried about me catching the mother of all pneumonias from walking barefoot on cold pavement in the evening. The concrete is actually quite warm in the early evening, as it is giving off the heat absorbed durng the day. Quite a nice feeling.

Did I mention that I got my teeth cleaned barefoot? Her Spanish dental assistants loved it!

The Jamaicans and Cubans in the park have given me very positive comments as I have run by them. My super (who is Cuban) told me that athletes train barefoot in Cuba.

I thought my fellow liberal New Yorkers would be more understading, but that whole *liberal* label thingy people around these parts like to affix to themselves is just one grand fantansy.