Yes, I am still alive. I've been reading all (almost all...) the posts, just haven't been posting myself.
As Boyd mentioned we had kind of a "situation" come up that occupied alot of my time there for a while, but now we're down to sitting and waiting to see what happens next.
I guess there's no real reason not to tell y'all what happened, just don't tell my family, okay? I really don't want to hear about it from them...
It seems that on two seperate occasions at least one attendant saw me drive through a bridge toll-booth naked. It was night, and I'd heard from a friend (who's wife used to be an attendant there) that the workers on the bridge saw naked people regularly, so my dumb butt didn't cover up like I should have.
Imagine my surprise when two state troopers show up on my door over two months later to inform me that whomever controls the bridge is pressing an indecent exposure charge against me. At least they're making it only one count.
That first visit was basically just to let me know what was happening, and now we're waiting for the return visit, where they'll actually want to talk to me about what happened. The one trooper who did all the talking did ask me why I would be driving naked, and I did explain to him that I was a nudist. Before it was all over he thanked me for being so honest about the whole thing. Guess he figured that I would try and deny it.
I've looked up the states defination of indecent exposure, and it requires "intentionally" making "an obscene display or exposure of his person, or his private parts...". If I can get them to understand that it wasn't intentional or obscene (which they define as having sexual purpose or appeal as the dominant theme) maybe the results will turn out to be not too bad. The maximum penalty is 12 months in jail and/or a $1000 (I think) fine. I praying for the whole thing to be dropped, but I'll have to wait and see.
The whole thing has been a bit of a wake-up call for me, though. That toll-booth was the one place that I did not take the proper precautions not to be seen, and that's what caused me all this trouble. At any other time, especially while driving, I always make an large effort to not be seen, but I didn't there. I knew the attendant who took my money couldn't see in my truck because it sits up so high, but I didn't consider anyone else who might be able to see me. Lack of insight can be costly.
I guess it just goes to show that what we've talked about here so many times is very true- when we are vigelant to try and not be offensive to others they can tell that, and will often not make a stink about it because they KNOW we weren't intentionally trying to show ourselves to them. In this situation the people who run the toll-booth have no idea that I wasn't intentionally trying to have them see me, that I wasn't doing it just to get a thrill. It was intentional that I was naked, granted, but for a very differant reason than they probably assume.
Ironically, I had already decided to not NOT cover up any longer when I was in any position where I might be seen. Too big of a risk. Seems I made that decision just a little too late...
Being naked is a wonderful sensation, and we can still enjoy it outside of exclusive locations like resorts and beaches, but as I've learned the hard way we need to be sure to try as much as we can to not have our intentions misread. Like the Bible says, even the impression of improperness is bad enough, and will get us in hot water. The trooper even gave me the impression that if I had just covered up a bit, that would have been enough. I got the feeling that he didn't think that driving naked was necessarily bad, especially after I explained that I was a nudist, just that I needed to cover up when in a situation where others could see me. I'll definately keep that in mind.
Welcome back to the board. Interesting story! I am glad you shared it because I appreciate your boldness, and I think we could learn from what you faced. I have always wanted to try driving nude, but I haven't because I am too afraid something might happen, especially something like what you described. My wife would kill me for sure, especially since she is so against it.
Anway, I just wanted to welcome you back and thank you for sharing with us. I hope and pray it works out for you. I leave you with Isaiah 50:7, "Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." PTL!!!
Glad you are back! And thanks for responding to my email, I was really getting worried!
Many of us have made mistakes like that, and personally, I don't think anything will come of it. Just make sure you are covered up in a tight situation like that. I have taken risks at drive through windows before (Dairy Queen), and had no problems, but again, they are risks. You just got to be prepared to take them.
I hope Myra is OK and won't "nag" you about it! I know it's tempting for some to do that. And like I told you in our phone conversation, you are not being punished by God. This is a physical world and things are just going to happen. Meteors are going to hit the earth. That doesn't mean God is striking vengance on anyone, in spite of what Pat Robertson says!
We all have to be reminded that your auto tag does imply you are a nudist.
Kevin, you are a great example to us and hope you continue to drive nude and of course, Live Nude and Prosper!
I feel for you. I tried the bold approach and got sawed down by both someone in our neighborhood association and by someone at church. So, I've taken to becoming more careful.
Think we should still act unashamed when "discovered" by anyone. Just don't flaunt ourselves at the mailbox where folks don't expect to see us. Postal ladies and delivery people who come up the driveway unannounced don't count unless they say they don't like it. So far, only cheery waves from them on my account.
"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."
Keep on keeping on Ralph and Kevin (and others), I would hate to see your neighbors give up a local freedom fighter over one "ass-ocation" member! (oops, did I spell association wrong?)
Even one church member isn't a crowd. Yes, be careful, but don't dim your light.
"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."
We just need to not jump when others see us, because they may be the ones who are supposed to benefit. And keep on even if others who will not benefit comes around because they may not see us (like driving down the road while we are out in the yard, they may not see us) Maybe their head will turn in another direction just when we step out and they missed us just by a moment. When others who will benefit may turn around and see us just when we think we got by! The prayer implies we are nude, not clothed when others see us.
"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."
It was too cold this morning while I changed the antifreeze and flushed the cooling system on our 23 year old Benz. This afternoon was glorious though! Went for my naked hike. Carried a clip-towel coverup. Almost never see anyone down there though.
Worked putting some block into my new asparagus patch surround this afternoon. Cut back some raspberries. Most of this activity is out of sight of almost anyone. However, then I rolled my Tacoma out and washed it while the yard man next door was running around the lawn doing something there. I know he's nudist friendly. Was sweeping my driveway once in the nude and he came over with a blower and helped me out. One of the girl's vehicles showed up while I was doing the block work. No problems there. The owner says there has never been a complaint against me, and he knows I'm a naturalist, as he calls me.
Garage door on the Tacoma side decided it didn't want to go all the way down. The cables had jumped off the rollers. Called the door company that installed it about 4 years ago. They're coming out Monday morning to fix it.
Thats great news! I'm glad you decided to keep on living your faith. You may want to "accidently" meet the garage repair folks nude as well!
I am hoping to push more this year. But I still have some details to work out.
Maybe I should just walk over to my neighbor next time he is out and just let him know of my lifestyle (I'm sure he has seen me on occasion) and see what he says! Hmmmmm, thats a novel idea!
I know it's tempting for some to do that. And like I told you in our phone conversation, you are not being punished by God. This is a physical world and things are just going to happen. Meteors are going to hit the earth. That doesn't mean God is striking vengance on anyone, in spite of what Pat Robertson says!