commonchange.org

Hi all. If anyone is still following this blog, please change the bookmark to this link:
http://commonchange.org/

I switched to my own url. Please keep following! Thanks.

Kate

Vibram Synchronicity

I have been on a barefoot kick for the past year. I am convinced that shoes can be linked back to the many foot and gait problems many have developed. No matter how you try and rationalize it, it does not make sense to walk or run with 2 inches of foam under us. Our bodies are natural shock absorbers if used correctly. No other species seem to need arch support and shock absorption, it does make me wonder... Don't just trust my rant, take a look at what others are saying. There is much more info out there too if you do a search under barefoot running. And somehow Nike is on-board with the idea...ah the irony.

Dealing with my own physical issues has led me to try barefoot running and walking to help promote a strong foot and healthy gait. It is however not socially acceptable nor always feasible (winter) to be barefoot. This is how I was first introduced to the Vibram Five Fingers shoe. It is as paired down a shoe as it comes. Basically an anti-shoe, shoe. Essentially you are wearing a thin piece of rubber to protect you from obstacles while allowing your natural arch to support you. I bought these shoes last summer and have been wearing them on and off since. Recently I started wearing them more. I am getting used to the funny stares I get from people as I walk down Beacon street sporting my 'toe shoes'.

On May 17th I begin my documentary road trip and I will talk about that in more detail later. I decided I would try to wear my Five Fingers quite a bit during this trip. This led me to the idea this afternoon that I would call the Vibram US headquarters located in Concord, MA and explain to them that I was shooting a documentary and would be wearing their shoes. Perhaps they would like to give me some free shoes to add to my wardrobe since I cannot afford to buy a whole slew of them now but would like to sport a few other pairs during my trip. I get free shoes, they get free marketing the perfect plan.

I was at Andover Newton again, right near the spot of my MacBook Syncronous moment when I called the Vibram office to see if I could talk to someone about my perfect plan. As the phone rang and I was about to leave a message I saw my friend Catherine walking towards me. I hung up before I got through to anyone and said hello to Cat. I would call Vibram back later. Cat and I talked for a while, then I headed out to meet my friend Sarah for dinner. Sarah and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Diva in Davis Square. The weather was lovely and we sat near a large open window literally inches from the sidewalk. Dinner was excellent.

"Nice shoes." I hear as our check is brought to the table. I turn and a man passing by on the sidewalk had noticed my Five Fingers. They are pretty hard to miss actually. "Thanks" I say and notice his shoes are also Vibrams. "Nice shoes" I reply and we began chatting. I notice he is quite passionate about the shoes. "Do you work for Vibram by chance?" I suddenly say. In that moment I already knew his answer, "Yes" he replied, synchronously.

We chatted and I told him of my perfect plan. He thought it sounded good and handed me his business card. It all happened so fast and when I sat down to sign the bill I was literally in a state of shock. I am going to send him an email tomorrow. I will keep this blog posted as to whether or not I get some sweet new shoes out of this sweet synchronous moment.