Category: Friday footnote

Holiday Travel!

Driving clothes free!

Thursday of next week, November 23, 2023, is the USA holiday of Thanksgiving. This is known as one of the busiest holiday travel events here. Many families will spend the Thanksgiving holiday with one set of family relatives and follow that with the Winter Holiday (next month) with the other set of family relations. The result is a boost for the airline business and a chronic disaster for a majority depending on the airlines to deliver them safely from one destination to another.

For those who lived a comfortable distance from their family home, an auto trip was a convenient alternative to dealing with the airport masses and disgruntled tempers. However, for an innumerable amount of years, the USA Thanksgiving holiday has held the notoriety of being the absolute worst day for travelling – period! Not just for transport by air, the distinction is applicable for highway driving situations as well. Traffic congestion on the roadways is equally frustrating and unsafe (vehicle accidents).

From kitchen into the sitting room, at home!

“Are there any other transportation options available?” my spouse, Aaron, and I frequently ask ourselves. Suggested alternative: perhaps extra consideration is necessary here. The best form of transportation during this “worst predicted travel time” designation period is maybe walking inside our own apartment/house from the abode’s kitchen to the sitting room after a trip to retrieve a can of Dr. Pepper soda from the refrigerator!

Personally, this option is the most appealing to me. As long as the ability to be clothes free is available, it works best for me. This completely eliminates the task of putting on clothing in order to simply walk outside the front door!

Using the underground (subway) automated stairs!

My spouse, Aaron, and I live in a condominium in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area (specifically, Arlington, Virginia). Another option available to us is the local subway/underground public transportation system. At this moment, it is convenient, congestion-free and relatively safe. The only problem is that in our area, the wearing of clothing is a legal requirement when in public. My spouse and I both agree that a bare escalator ride to access the underground transport system would be a most welcome improvement!

Sitting on luggage in a crowded airport terminal!

Given the challenge of donning (wearing) a textile covering in order to go somewhere, Aaron and I are choosing a stay-at-home option for this year’s holiday travel season (the total period of time from the Thanksgiving holiday through the New Year holiday).

Relaxing at home!

As long as there is no threat of a family emergency in either one of our respective families, we’re both comfortable with our decision. This year has had a number of chaotic and hectic situations in the both of our families and so we’re both eagerly anticipating a relaxing option of being together in a calm atmosphere. Allow the airlines and the vehicle congestion experiences for others to endure!

Holiday guests!

My spouse’s older brother, Paul, and his partner, Sudhir, plan to be our Thanksgiving visitors and stay with us through the weekend. Their travel here shouldn’t be too traumatic as they’ve used the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) method before and are doing so again.

Alex, my identical twin brother and his boyfriend, Dante, are planning to come here just prior to the Christmas holiday and are staying three/four nights.

Ideal for visitors during the winter holiday season, the Smithsonian Museums offer a decorative and interesting series of exhibits and holiday decorations. Conveniently located on the metropolitan underground/subway system, a terrific option for all visiting this area and a solution to the frustrations of traffic congestion!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 20, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “A Re-Visiting!”

Unlearn It!

Pride in his nakedness!

Introduction:

Official definition: “In human psychology, the term “learned behaviour” refers to any manner of conduct that a person performs as a result of experience. People learn behaviour from their parents, siblings and other authoritative environmental entities.”

A learned behaviour is a distinct practice that isn’t part of our natural (human) experience or nature. It is by no means universal (shared by everyone). More than likely, it is a behaviour or belief that is taught to us when we are young so that we do not acquire or begin a particular behaviour, habit or practice that is actually more conducive, intuitive or natural to an overwhelming majority of us. A perfect example of a learned behaviour is the wearing of clothes. The lesson taught to us is that bare, naked, nude is wrong and that clothes must be worn at all times!

Clothing is an instrument/tool that is divinely delivered to us in order to remove and/or restrict our body and clothes freedom. A freedom that we are all born with!

Ironically, the exact learned behaviour that we are taught is a complete and total lie (fabrication, falsehood). This untruth (falsehood) is practically always taught to us by the same person/teacher who also instruct us to always be honest and tell the truth. After all, lying is a sin (wrong) that is offensive not only to the divine but to all humans as well. Two lies (fabrications/falsehoods) do not equal to a truth!

So much for the un-natural and very un-truthful lesson that garments are divinely inspired! Quick! Someone should alert the divine!

Bare is wrong!

Body shame:

Body shame is defined/explained as: “the mock or stigmatize (someone) by making critical comments or gestures about the appearance, shape or size of their body.”/We are taught throughout our developmental (growing-up) years to shame ourselves and to especially to be ashamed of our bare (naked, nude) bodies. Additional instructions include that the desire and urge (want) for body and clothes freedom is both despicable, shameful and wrong! Nakedness (absence of garments) is the epitome of disgrace and it is evil.

Nakedness is also inhuman – that’s why prisoners are incarcerated nude or with a minimal covering. It is also un-natural – that’s why aboriginal persons are also classified/labelled as “backwards” or as “uncivilized.” Some are also referenced as “primitive.”

Nakedness is therefore undignified. It is also unrefined. Nakedness is deplorable. It lessens our humanity. It makes us savage. Ironically, the same may be applied to all of those who deliberately and intentionally and with malice direct and with intent inflict body shame on others. Body shaming is the process by which one attempts to address degradation, humiliation and ridicule upon the body of another with emphasis on perceived differences, discrepancies and flaws.

We are taught to conceal or cover (hide) our nakedness if we are ever in the company of others. Communal nakedness is both disgraceful and deviant. It is to be avoided at all times. It is indecent to be seen in our nakedness when around others. Communal nakedness is considered a perversion.

Pointing his finger!

The body shaming of others is a direct result of the insecurities felt by those criticizing of their own personal physical stature. They ridicule and taunt others in a feeble attempt to deflect attention from themselves.

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I’m not perfect and I don’t have to be! Before you start pointing fingers, make certain your hands are clean.” ~ Bob Marley ~ Jamaican reggae legend

Searching!

Refutation:

Yet, we were all born only in our complete, full and total nakedness. No matter our parentage or social class. In nakedness we begin our life and we enter into this world. In the countless numbers of thousands of years, humanity continues to create itself through birth in nakedness.

Multiple millennia of teaching all of our offspring of the artificial concealing and covering of their natural body with textiles (clothing) yet the instructions must still continue even into this day and age. Clothing remains a learned behaviour, that none of us are born with. It does not automatically pass from one generation to the next.

All joining together!

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” ~ Jason Collins ~ first openly gay NBA professional, Brooklyn Nets

“For all of us, as same gender loving and bare men, we must remember that as members of a distinct minority community and culture, it is incumbent on us to recognize that our pride in ourselves is based on our own self-acceptance and our own self-confidence of both what and who we essentially are. Guilt and shame have no place in our lives. We need to let them go and move forward in patience and tolerance for all. Love nd respect are the keys we need. Hate and ignorance are not.” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ June 16, 2023

One important thought to hold onto is that not everyone who taught us about nakedness was in harmony with the lesson. Many were merely complying with their perceptions of what was expected from them.

Suggestions For Unlearning:

The actual unlearning of a learned behaviour is easier for some of us than it is for others. One important factor to remember is that we all learn differently and the process of unlearning is equally diverse. There is not one standard formula/prototype that is applicable for all of us. Ponder the recommendations offered below and proceed with what is comfortable for you.

  1. Remove all clothing and relax. Read a book or a magazine. Watch a film or television. Paint a canvass and/or draw/sketch.
  2. Invite one or several friends over and encourage them to become naked with you. Play cards or a board game. Do something bare together. Interact.
  3. Repeat the above or variations thereof in order to increase the nude comfort level of everyone. Undertake similar activities. Invite others to join the experience.
  4. Progress from nakedness (alone) to an atmosphere of social nudity (acquaintances/friends engaging together).
  5. To increase the bare comfort level of all, organize a social event (such as a cocktail party of a meal) where the ones naked can intermingle with those who are wearing clothes. It is advisable to let all the guests know of the social make-up of the gathering in advance. This is done to avoid any awkward or uncomfortable “scenes.”

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 6, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Leaves!”

October’s Bright Blue Weather!”

Bright Blue: Ocean and Sky!

Notation: I’m certain there are some beaches on our planet where it’s conducive to skinny-dip during the month of October!

October’s Bright Blue Weather

by: Helen Hunt Jackson

O suns and skies and clouds of June,

and flowers of June together,

Ye cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

When loud the bumble-bee makes haste,

Belated, thriftless, vagrant,

And golden-rod is dying fast,

And lanes with grapes are fragrant;

When gentians roll their fringes tight

to save them for the morning,

And chestnuts fall from satin burrs

Without a sound of warning;

When on the ground red apples lie

In piles like jewels shining,

And redder still on old stone walls

Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When all the lovely wayside things

Their white-winged seeds are sowing,

And in the fields, still green and fair,

Late aftermaths are growing;

When springs run low, and on the brooks,

In idle golden freighting,

Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush

Of woods, for winter waiting;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,

By twos and twos together,

And counts like misers, hour by hour,

October’s bright blue weather.

O suns and skies and flowers of June,

Count all your boasts together,

Love loveth best of all the year

October’s bright blue weather.

End

********************

While my identical twin brother, Alex, and I were students at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind residential school, we had several teachers who had us memorize poetry and then recite the poems using American Sign Language (ASL) in front of our class. Fine. Memorizing wasn’t impossible but the order of the grammar the poets used and the sense it did not make was confusing. Delightful students that we were, we simply committed the poems to our memory and put comprehension to the wayside. After all, our task was simple: complete the job and move on to the next level.

Our teachers always explained to us students and to our parents that this lesson of us reciting poetry helped us to develop comprehension of English as a language, as opposed to ASL. That may have appeared as a valid reasoning for a few but we students understood it for exactly what it was intended to be: busy work! Keep us occupied!

October foliage!

Our teacher who required us to commit this poem, “October’s Bright Blue Weather” was one of my personal favourites of my primary school years. This happened to be the very first of nine poems she assigned us. Even today, I am still able to recall the first opening lines of the poem, without hesitation.

Enjoy “October’s Bright Blue Weather!”

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 30, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “The Boys In The Band!”

Yesteryear Gallery!

Compatibility!

The majority of the photographs featured in this particular gallery were made during the era of segregation (a legal separation of the races) here in the USA. Not only are the subjects to be admired because of their violation of the segregation statutes, but the photographers and producers as well. Especially in the southern states, disregard for segregation laws contained severe fines and penalties. Worse consequences existed for African-American offenders.

Strength!

Judging from the hairstyles on the subjects in the above two pictures, the timing of the photography is from the early to mid-1960’s. Although the courts were by then overturning segregation laws, the practice remained prevalent.

Celebrate ourselves, our community and our culture!

Let’s all enjoy ourselves while observing our windows of opportunity viewing our past!

An interracial kiss!

Especially bold and courageous were the photographs that represented any type of physical attraction between persons of two distinctly different races. Judging from the hairstyles of the two men in the above image, the probable timeline was the late 1960s. As this was more or less around the time of the Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), it was well before the ideals of same gender love entered into the agenda for public acceptance and tolerance. Therefore, the two men featured here are equally commended for their audacity and courage as Illinois was the only state in the USA that had decriminalized “homosexuality” while it was still ostracized by the general society!

J.C. Carter (right) and his lover!

The African-American community was often hostile to images depicting two of their own comfortable with sharing not only their nakedness but also any suggestive sexual attraction. Openly gay actor J.C. Carter (above, right) posed above with his lover. The year was 1971, shortly after the SIR. This was prior to “J.C.” starting to completely shaving all of his body and head hair.

Socially nude!

Judging from the hairstyles in the above picture, these men posed for this shot in the mid-to-late 1950s. This capture was made in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and the segregation (separation) of the races was still prevalent.

Boating “skinny-dippers!”

The above photo was dated from 1976 and aside from the buttocks of the man second from the right wasn’t anatomically suggestive.

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 9, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “National Coming Out Day!”

My Apology!

So very sorry!

I humbly apologize for the unannounced delay in posting entries here for a full week. I was given an “extra” assignment for my job that was both unannounced and completely unexpected. I have fulfilled the duty and am now prepared to resume my regular posts here on ReNude Pride. I hope that I haven’t disappointed everyone! More details later.

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Saturday, September 30, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! September, 2023”

Photo-Essay: Heat Relief!

Cooling: iced beverage

It may be the next to the very last day of Summer, 2023, for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, but as we all know, the seasons may officially change but that doesn’t guarantee the weather to follow suit. The heat and humidity remain factors in our daily lives for days – perhaps weeks to come! This advanced in the season, many have endured all they can withstand of the summer temperatures! Their need for relief is immediate!

Serious cooling: ice on the knee!

The lower tolerance level for the weather extremes force many to seek comfort and solace in ways that the majority of us disdain. Some resort to the basic formula of ice and water to relieve themselves of the effects of heat and high humidity. That may quench the thirst but may not solve the temperature dilemma! However, as we all know, not all of us respond well to the same remedy. Sometimes, creativity is necessary to accomplish the desired goal. Different solutions apply differently to some better than others.

Lounging in the home away from the direct temperatures outside provides some with relief but then the challenge becomes what to do while being comfortable. One possible answer is to pose for pictures while relaxing. The results can be both creative and inspiring as well as a resource for the contents of a new photograph album! Air conditioning does have benefits!

For some of us, posing inside with air conditioning may eliminate the heat and humidity factor but may introduce a “too cooling” situation. Our bodies may be too conditioned to the higher outside weather and chill too easily inside. This causes one physical discomfort to replace another which may be just as uncomfortable and unpleasant! Again, what suffices for one person may not be applicable for another!

Of course, there are among us some individuals who just calmly manage to make themselves happy and relaxed no matter what the situation entails. Two cans of a cold soda and wandering from room to room inside may be all they need to survive another day of heat and humidity. Whatever works best for them is their only concern. The popular adage is the solution they recall: Whatever works best works for me!

According to my spouse, Aaron, this predicament reminds us of yet another familiar adage from tradition: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!

Do we all bark now or later?

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Saturday, September 23, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Autumnal Equinox!”

Bare in September!

September bonus #1

Background:

When Aaron was reorganizing his desk a few months ago, he found a portable disk where he had saved some images he wanted to share here on ReNude Pride. He evidently began the disk project but soon transferred his collection to a different device. He labelled these pictures “September bonus.” Since he recovered them, we have spent some time trying to figure what that particular title entailed.

An alternate title that we both agreed on is:

Possible Reasoning For Genital Modesty!

The model is unknown to us both and is evidently very comfortable posing while bare. Definitely not an exhibitionist as he is quite modest in his poses – or, at least, his modesty is in the pictures Aaron saved here. Which possibly is a reason for keeping them.

********************

Whenever I’ve encountered images such as these, I often asked myself: why? What is the benefit of posing clothes free modestly? It rarely, if ever, encourages nakedness. If anything, it represents either guilt, shame or both while trying to appear to others as naked. Particularly, when used as illustrating a publication (blog) such as ReNude Pride (here) or any article advocating or enlightening public (social) nudity.

September bonus #2!

Possibly, as many naturist/nudist critics often equate nudity with exhibitionism, these images captured Aaron’s attention as they were discrete and exposed no gender anatomical features. They absolutely defy the myth that bare practitioners want to shock the rest of the world by exposing themselves in public. This particular model is very certain and proud of his fitness and physique but also respectful of others who may be offended by his display of his genitalia.

Perhaps our model is honestly trying to remain courteous and considerate of all persons? He’s confident of his naturist affiliation while being sensitive to the feelings of those who prefer modesty. An admirable trait but one difficult to balance objectively!

“Bare is a true gauge of equality. The significant discrepancy being some have more body hair than others.” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~

Photographs such as these of this model also represent a subtle message of shameful to sincere bare practitioners (nude enthusiasts) such as Aaron and myself. What good is body freedom if one is ashamed of showing his free body? Bare yourself but do not expose yourself? Whatever happened to the theme of nude pride?

A confident theme!

Another possible reason for Aaron’s preserving these pictures is to have them in case they’re needed to illustrate a posting where complete nakedness isn’t allowed/tolerated. I was once a member of a nude gay group in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that published a monthly newsletter. I can’t remember the exact name but it included “fig leaf-less” as part of it. Surprisingly, it didn’t permit any full-frontal nudity of men photographs in the monthly publication. I was astonished at this policy of a group that espoused same gender body and clothes freedom! Needless to add – I never renewed my membership after my first year!

Obviously, I wasn’t the only person confused/disappointed in the group and the absurd policy. It was only in existence for just about three years and then it completely disappeared. Perhaps, they all donned clothing?

September bonus #3!

Perhaps he (the model) is relatively new to the world of naturism/nudity and isn’t yet ready to completely pose at the mercy of the photographer. He obviously isn’t the only bare practitioner who has similar feelings. There are many others who need some time to reach a certain level of comfort with being body and clothes freedom models before they publicly share themselves. Not everyone who embraces a natural appearance is at the same level of pride at every opportunity. Every individual is different.

Then, there are also some who are totally comfortable while clothes free yet remain extremely conscientious about being photographed – regardless of their clothes status. Their anxiety is derived from being the subject of the picture and not their nakedness. They are fine and very “normal” but if someone begins making pictures they become very erratic and nervous. Again, every individual is different.

As the month of September generally starts a new scholastic season, maybe this was the thought that clouded my spouse’s brain. For many of us, September represents a “return of routine” and sometimes this is a time for nude social organizations to conduct membership recruitment activities. Maybe that was the rationale of the “fig leaf-less” club I addressed above: encouraging naked without offering any offense.

These photos may have been made to be used as an “innocent” (non-controversial) tool to invite both the curious and the inquisitive to explore nudity. A method of inspiration that is both appealing and less provocative than an image showing someone’s genitals.

No matter the reason, the model himself represents an interesting subject for today’s post. Best wishes for a delightful weekend to everyone! Take care and stay bare!

Of course, we all recognize the fact that any buttocks exposed are not viewed as provocative or suggestive of any one particular gender. After all, buttocks are just buttocks, right? Aren’t we all equal in this part of our anatomy?

The Shoneye Twins: shy?

Author’s Reminder:

This post entry today is not based on any actual research data or solicitation (polling) tool. It is a summary of concepts/exchanges/and ideas that Aaron and I discussed together regarding the three (3) posed photographs of the same anonymous model featured herein. We have no information on the identity of this individual aside from the fact that he posed discreetly and confidently for these images. As implied above, he is an excellent example of masculine and muscular fitness. In the three pictures, he proudly affords glimpses of both his armpit and pubic hairs and the both of us are grateful that he’s obviously a man who has little, if any, desire to represent anyone other than his natural (unshaved) self.

This publication reflects spontaneous reasoning as to why Aaron stored these pictures for sharing. They are brief comments and insights into our speculation. This article does not represent an accumulation of all the possibilities of the man’s posing, nor do they refer to his participation in this session or series. The purpose of this supplement is to remind us all that reasons for discretion are as numerous and as valid as are the the total of individuals who pose for them. Also, the editor and photographer also have a determining factor as to the final selection.

********************

Remember to have an enjoyable weekend!

Naked hugs!

Aaron and Roger/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, September 4, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Labour Day!”

Summer Chuckles!

Undress code!

Entrance requirements!

Funny cartoon!

Freedom!

Camera shy?

Dressed for success!

Tree unity!

Tree huggers!

Snoopy at night!

Snoopy’s Dilemma!

Charles Schultz’s canine character, Snoopy, thinks about his wardrobe for the next day! We need to remind him to take care and to stay bare!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, August 31, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2023” My return-to-work is scheduled for Monday, August 28, and I am taking a one-day break to prepare for the occasion.

Anxious in August!

Anxiety?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had fond memories of not only the summer season of every year but especially of the month of August. The summers have appealed not only to me personally to me but also to my identical twin brother, Alex. As identical siblings, one reason for this pleasure from the season is the fact that we are both practicing and proponents of our nakedness and of the preference we both have with the camaraderie and fellowship among those who enjoy social nudity (body acceptance and clothes freedom in the company of others).

We’ve both engaged in being nude together and with others for as long as we can recall. According to our older siblings (all brothers), Alex and I have been this way our entire lives – even before we were aware that some judged nudity as “not nice!” One of the realities of our double (twin) special lifestyle is the fact that as our parents were trying to teach us how to put on our clothes, we were both busy and focused on how to remove them!

We both enjoyed being comfortable! Our particular comfort level was best determined by our freedom, our liberation, from the confines of clothing! This enabled the both of us to truly be ourselves and – at least, conceptually, in control of our independence from the restrictions of having to conceal – our bodies!

Literary twins!

Our nakedness was, primarily, respected within our family and household. At home, Alex and I, as the twins, shared a bedroom. When within our shared space, we were allowed to be completely bare. Our parents and our six brothers (no sisters) understood this and there was no condemnation or judgment when they entered our bedroom and found us nude. When at home and outside of our four walls, Alex and I knew the policy was that we had to wear clothes. A family compromise that granted all of us some minimal degree of content and happiness.

This situation at home was fine but for one aspect. The both of us were born Deaf. Once our education level reached beyond the primary grade levels, we attended residential schools offered for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. This entailed us living on a campus setting without the privacy of a room where our nudity would be permitted. The privacy factor was not an issue for either one of us. The clothing issue was the problem. Another negative aspect was that our school was at least a three-hour commute from our family home. Not very conducive for frequent visitations!

Naked shame!

Neither Alex nor myself experienced any feelings of guilt or shame concerning our nakedness and our preference for nudity. We were comfortable being ourselves no matter if those around us were clothed or not. As our oldest brother had commented numerous times: we had no modesty anywhere around us! More than likely, this was due to the fact that in our household, Alex and I were the only bare practitioners among all the “textiles” (clothes enthusiasts)! Our immediate family had accepted our nudity without comment or judgment.

Our residential school environment changed our living situation. As August was now the final full month of our summer break from school, we began to experience “August anxiety.” The time just prior to the start of a new academic year meant that we would have to adjust to the very likely probability of new classmates within our dormitory existence.

New classmates is the equivalent of new persons who had to accept the reality of our naked preference. It opened the door to the possibility of judgment and rejection, not only from our peers but also from older students. As we were now in the later years of our primary-level education, any undue and unnecessary attention from others was not a welcome experience. Hence, the anxious or discomfort feeling concerning our return to the campus of our school for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Thoughtful but anxious twins!

For Alex and I, this wasn’t a very carefree month. A life experience? Most definitely but not one of the most rewarding!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, August 14, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Aaron & Roger!”

Bare Practitioner Model?

Unobstructed view!

During today’s frantic and hectic lifestyle, I’m sometimes asked how do we bare practitioners promote (spread the word about) ourselves? A valid question that does require some form of acknowledgment if not a complete answer. Most of our “promotion” comes by way of face-to-face communication between one who is already a bare practitioner and one who is curious to learn more about what it is to become one. The prerequisite here being the inquiry, how did the person inquiring even know about them?

Familiarity induces curiosity which often leads to questions. Some examples being: How does one become one? What is the difference between gay social nudity and bare practitioner? How much does it cost to become a bare practitioner? The list can and often does become endless.

To my knowledge, there is no book published that offers a step-by-step approach to becoming a bare practitioner. Anyone reading here has an understanding of the concept and those who personally are acquainted with my spouse, our family and friends and few others have some knowledge on the subject and then it all returns to the face-to-face communication stage.

Buttocks and penis!

Which leads to todays post entry here. The guy modelling here probably has no earthly idea of what or who a bare practitioner indeed is. Given the label on the bottom corner of the images that picture him, he’s employed either directly or indirectly for an adult studio that produces same gender loving pornography. Aside from that reality, we really don’t know that much about him.

The exception being the plainly obvious fact that he does seem very content on modelling (demonstrating or showing off) his physical attributes. He has no hesitation nor inhibition in featuring himself and, of course, his body. He’s very comfortable and relaxed in sharing his nakedness to others and allowing them to admire his anatomy. He’s also confident of their approval of himself.

Is he a stereotypical bare practitioner? Are we, as a community, overly-assured of ourselves as examples or models of the lifestyle of living with body acceptance and clothes freedom? Do we represent the naturist/nudist philosophy in such a provocative manner? Is this “what” we’re all about?

Inhibited?

In reality and truth, the best response to the questions offered above is “no!” There exists not a single answer to all of the proposed inquiries. Like every other community or group within our human species, there are some of us who are more bold and brave in our lives just as there are some who are more humble and shy. There are then the rest of us who are compliant with the idea or notion letting each of us determine our own level of comfort in being ourselves, no matter the categories or classifications we individually decide we fall or fit into. We are our “own” judge and jury.

According to our respective background, belief, role-model and upbringing, we are a collection of what we’ve experienced and been taught. Few, if any, of us are absolutely identical. Similar, perhaps but there is no predetermined standard that applies to all of us. There are as many varieties among us as there are number of us.

Boldness and modesty!

And this diversity is a benefit for us all! It is one of the major factors that makes our lives as varied and as different as possible. It keeps us curious and as interested in precisely what and who we all are. It gives us the value of being ourselves in a very chaotic and complex world! It affords us the chance to be unique in our own special way!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, August 11, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Anxious in August!”