I walk barefoot whenever possible. I 'need' a connection to the
   ground and don't like car or plane travel. I do it of course. I
   wear shoes.* I like shoes. But I'm never as happy as I am when
   my feet are touching the ground. It's like I can "feel"
   gravity.. and I'm always aware that the pauli exclusion
   principle is what's keeping me from reaching the center of the
   earth... so I'm grateful for it - that it keeps working.. and
   grateful for gravity (or centrifugal forces - whatever) to keep
   me from flying off into space. I try not to take things for
   granted.* It's good to be here.