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I've always loved being barefoot; for no other reason than just the feeling of it. When I first StumbledUpon the Vibram FiveFingers, I ordered a pair on the spot. The Vibrams allowed me the barefoot sensation (close enough) while traversing questionable terrain such as urban sidewalks or enter a deli without being tossed out. That withstanding, the FiveFingers have not broken through to our culture as "socially acceptable" attire. This comes into play in offices and certain business situations. Enter Terra Plana.

Terra Plana designs a series of casual footwear called Vivo Barefoot with thin soles that allow barefoot enthusiasts to maximize sensation yet maintain the look of a traditional shoe. I had searched high and low for such a shoe and settled on Terra Plana for really a lack of other options. Though they originally billed themselves more as a environmentally friendly shoe company, they are a pioneer in casual minimalist footwear and are poised well to grow with the barefoot movement and the publicity of the book, "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen," by Christopher McDougall, which examines practical and scientific aspects of running that highlights the benefits of being shoeless.

Photo by GoXunoReviews (flickr)

I've been intrigued with the Kindle from the standpoint of being able to pack a lot of reading material into one small device - perfect for travel.  But I've also been hesitant to buy one to experiment with because of the $260 price tag.  That issue was conveniently resolved when I received one as a gift (very nice gift, thanks CSCI).  I've since been playing with it and am so pleased with it and excited to give it a run on the next road trip (where I'm usually weighted down with several books).

You can get all of the features here on Amazon's site so I'm just going to give you the quick pro's and con's as I see it.  First, it is lightweight and easy to use.  Setup your account on Amazon and it is super simple to browse, read samples, and purchase books on the fly.  There are no monthly fees and your device is connected online with 3G coverage so if you are getting a cell signal, you have access to over 300,000 books.  The screen is easy on the eyes and not like an LCD or CRT display.  Difficult to describe in words so you'll have to look for yourself (but it's much like reading real pages).  It turns pages fast, which I like, and has a built-in dictionary so if you stumble upon a word you don't know, place the cursor by it and the definition magically appears below.  I'm a note taker and the Kindle allows you to enter notes on pages by just start typing.  It has a simple web browser and will also play Audible books or MP3's.  You may also upload PDF's and store them in personal docs which is handy.

Have you ever wished that you had a small, un-obtrusive, waterproof, tough, video camera that could capture your larger-than-life travel adventures or hobbies?  The Go Pro Hero Cam may just be the end to your search.  This camera is housed in a tough, clear plastic shell that seals the electronics safely even when submerged in water to a depth of 100 feet.  The camera is easily removed fr

Vibram Five Fingers
This is the first time I have done any significant hiking in my Vibram Five Finger footwear. I have done some running and milling around the yard in them and for that have been a fan. Hiking wise, I am still a fan. I lugged a backup pair hiking shoes up the mountain with me just in case but didn't need them.

The Vibram Five Fingers fit over your feet like a glove and give you the sensation of being barefoot except there is a protective layer of Vibram rubber (the same quality rubber you will find on rock climbing shoes) between your feet and the ground. They are extremely light and your feet will be sensitive to the terrain beneath them. I felt as agile as a deer in the shoes while navigating this trail. The trade-off for agility though is protection. Reckless bumbling through rough terrain could cause easier toe injury if you are not being completely mindful of every step. My mind wondered a few times and I snagged each small toe on a root and rock that hurt like an SOB but otherwise uninjured. After that, I was really focused about what I was doing and actually made my journey in the “now” more vivid.

As I write this, I am lounging in the sun and acutely aware of the soreness in my calf that I probably would not have otherwise experienced. If I had worn the Five Fingers more diligently prior, I would most likely have the foot strength already in place. But it is a good sore and really provides a sense of how unnatural conventional shoes allow us to walk. Spend a day in the Five Fingers and walk the way humans were designed to.

I love this product and recommend it to everybody. I look forward to the day that it is socially acceptable to see people going into their offices with these type foot gear.