Timothy Lowe

The question of anonymity came up and how nudists aren't anonymous. While I don't care what you call yourself, I have seen quite a few "handles". I have a bit of anonymity, but it doesn't take much detective work to guess where I live or at least what state in the US.
So, be real folks, some anonymity is acceptible, but the whole face blur deal has little to do with anonymity and everything to do with authenticity.
Anyone can steal someone's photo and claim it as their own, if the face is blurred, it makes it easier. There is also a currently posted photo of a yoing lady wearing a mask, and I saw no complains there because she is someone who has been posting ready, but sumbody with no profile and two dubious photos vs somebody with a profile and a masked photo is no comparison.
Apologies to anyone who read this when I first posted it. I was saving a thought as I rushed out for work.

Okay, for the record, I am a casual nakeddist. Not a nudist, naturist or whatever. I do not actively go out and recruit, I don't protest while naked, or nude or nekkid. I wear clothes at home with a few times a week of buff dishwashing. I watch movies clothes free quite a bit, or used to until they kicked me out of the theatre, jk. And now I get to the point, why it doesn't matter if I'm a casual or life long, strip when I hit the door nudist? Answer, well, it shouldn't but some how, my credibility is possibly up for question. I keep reading comments about how this or that is better nude. Cooking isn't,unless you are immune to the occasional hot grease or hot marinara on your privates. Gardening, yeah, I can see that, not in my yard because of street visibility but, yeah. There is a tendency to overplay the word "nude". Have a nude day! Everything's better nude. (Like it's a Ritz cracker) We get it, you like being naked. We are born naked, but we are also both predominantly hairless too. So, I am a casual nakeddist. That's my word and I am standing by it.

We all need an occasional break from whatever. I took one from Facebook, after recent events, I can't keep wallowing in the daily political whatevers. So, I am off that social medium for a bit.
"Yay, you're headed toward the road to…" Shut up Phil!
I tried something years ago, I gave up red meat and that included pork, then last year. so long poultry.
I eat fish. I took a long break from red meat for health reasons and, why not?
I have tried to break from politics, but to quote Michael Corleone in the Godfather 3, "Everytime I get out, they pull me back in" (I knew all those film classes would pay off eventually). Anyway, it's Buddhist lesson number 253, giving up what ails you. Not that I did any of it for anything close to religious reasons, if I wanted to practice religion, I wouldn't be a Buddhist. So, I take breaks. Okay, I quit red meat. If you have a friend that occasionally causes stress, take a break from them. Same with anyone or thing, take a break, a breather, a leave me the hell alone moment. It benefits you and them. Trust me on this one. That hour long me time in the tub recharges you and helps give you alone time. Got kids? Put a harness on them and hang them from a tree for a few hours, I'm kidding, twenty minutes is fine. No, don't do that, but you can hire a sitter or drop them off at Grandma's. Just take a break.
Go read a book under a tree. Take a break. Giving up what ails you doesn't ever have to be a downer. It can be a new avenue toward new things. You have the in born ability to adapt, and if it means a permanent break, so be it. Just remember your health deserves it.

Every year, in the United States, we are reminded to "Never Forget". This is in refence to 9-11, and it is time to stop. The Mexican-American War used "Remember the Alamo" as a rallying cry and WWI had "Remember the Maine". Then there was Pearl Harbor, the day that used to be THE DAY that would live in infamy. So, with every year that comes along, we are reminded to remember 9-11 and are deemed to be unpatriot if we don't. I am sure the survivors and families of the victims appreciated the memorializing the first year and the monument built to honor the victims, but it has been sixteen years, and it's a little difficult to quit grieving under normal situations without having yearly reminders and replays of the day on CNN. At this point, why do we need a call to remember? In the US every emergency call is 911. There did I just make you feel uneasy? Maybe for a moment, but you probably will lose the association because it's nine eleven as oppoaed to nine one one. Chances are the date was intended to be connected to the emergency number but Al Qaeda didn't understand subtlety and American's ability to compartmentalize trauma.
There is no need to tell folka to never forget. Those of us who grew up during the sixties, never forgot the assassinations, the Viet Nam war or the protests. We can remember 9-11 without it sounding like a yearly call to war. A simple way to do that is a memorial observance on the day, lay a wreath at the monument and move on. Don't allow the national ego to keep the focus on the perpetrators,remember the lives lost. Honor the families and quit renewing their pain.

We can joke about how nudists can pack lightly and even how they can be ready to go at a moment's notice, but we all know there are still things we need in order to live. This time of year, the tropical storms and monsoons are bad and this year they are some of the worst ever. I urge everyone who can, find a charity, a relief fund or some agency and donate, time, money, blood, food ,clothes (yes, I see the irony in that) and even shelter if you can. If you are in need, seek help. This hurricane season effects everyone.
That was all I needed to say, other than stay warm, stay safe.

I put up a poll asking if people thought headless photos should be allowed. Yes , no, who gives a flying monkey's left earlobe. (The third option is almost at 30%) Yes, there is policy already about it, but so what? That doesn't negate the validity of the question. In fact, I find that answer is avoiding the discussion, which was the reason for the poll in the first place. Of course someone can always say, "if you don't like the rules, go elsewhere". And I'd agree with that idea in principle 7 out of 7 days a week. I'd still say, is the headless rule necessary? It's actually one of those rules that is kind of open for interpretation. As the discussion below the poll bears testament to, there are plenty of faceless photos, because of activities, like facing the ocean, climbing a cliff face, but that isn't a valid part of the discussion, I said headless. Which should then bring to mind, crotch shots. But, again there is wiggle room. What about a clothed body with a person holding a guitar?
Yes, I am getting nit picky, but it's because that rule is still open for debate, obviously because a lot of people did just that. Unless there is a legitimate objection, what is the big deal to the ocassional headless nude?
Well, I'd personally say, the rule knocks out anonymous nudes and exhibitionism. It also keeps revenge nude photos at a minimum, and postings that haven't got the subject's approval
at a minimum also.
Headless photos, crotch shots, objectionable photos, there are plenty of other sites that would love to have them, and that is why I'd rather be here.
So, headless nudes? I would say, no, except under certain situations.

I know, I have mentioned it before, but I got to say it again, I first posed nude for an art class 25 years ago. That's a milestone. But what else goes along with that brag? Well, only my wife and kids, and a few others even know I have done it . Okay, there's folks reading this who know and the art students, but the rest of my family, nope. They'd freak. Which puts this little celebratory situation in a bittersweet position. Now, am I ashamed that I have done it? No, but there is a certain amount of bullshit I would rather not deal with and in that I think everyone can find a bit of common ground. Who knows, and who is best left in the dark? We all have our individual reasons.
The main concern, is that respect thing, don't out anyone who isn't out. Don't give them hell for it. Your experience is not the same.
And happy 25 years to me!

Oh we say we are for free speech,
But some words bother us still,
Like,"please stay on the line for an important message" and "this is your monthly bill"
What did you think I'd say?
Something vulgar or rude or obscene?
Something tacky, uncalled for or mean?
I am a champion of free speech,
Okay, I rattle on about it when ever I can,
So far not in public, but I will take a stand.
No, I haven't rallied for it,
Or written op ed pieces,
Or complained to nephews or niece's.
Okay, I oppose censorship, at home on my tablet,
On Facebook, social media and whenever I am able,
Okay, I write all my rants sitting at the kitchen table.
But I like words,
Dirty or clean,
Nice or obscene,
They color my speech like highlights of orange,
Or silver or purple or red
Some colorful language marks intelligence, so it's been said.
So, into a pit I have fallen,
With this there's no good way to end it
Well damn.

Never ever be afraid to preach to the choir. Long time nudists may forget that other folks don't have the experience dealing with detractors. New folks may need assurance and help dealing with the negativity. New eyes, new ideas offer new perspectives. Be respectful, and listen. When someone starts to preach, pay attention, it may not be the same old stories rewrapped and sold for new.

I was, and to an extent still am nervous, when it comes to public speaking. I started art modeling and the first time I was not that good. Over a period of time, I improved tremendously. When we mived to New Mexico, I signed up for modeling again and had several gigs a year over the years. During the same time I was admitted into grad school, and one of my worst fears became a semi regular thing, speaking in front of people. Well, one day i realized I had already literally bared myself to dozens of people, why should speaking to a class be more difficult?
I still had momentary jitters before class presentations, but not the same as I used to way back before I became an art model. I still get some minor jitters posing before a new group, but I can do it.
So,that's how I got nude and got confidence.

Some folks have an answer ready for why they are nudists. And some, like me, wing it, if and when asked. I say if, because I haven't been asked. I have had people ask how my wife felt about me being an art model. She was the one who told me the art department at our school needed models, next question. I have had a fellow art student, when seeing a friend's nude body on canvas in a gallery show, wonder how her friend felt. I pointed to a painting of me and told "I don't know how she feels, but I think it's kind of neat". My friend blushed.
Why? Some folks answer with the standby, it's natural, others say it's liberating. Born nude. Well, okay, fine, I like to press the issue. Why? Personally, I love clothes, and love being nude, and being naked, and being nekkid. I am comfortable covered and uncovered and in between. My reasons for being a semi-nudist are simple, I like being naked.
Being nude as a life style works for some and doesn't for others. It's not something that can be done 24/7 without being in a place that it is allowable. Now I am going to step on toes, hell, probably stomp a few. Answering the door naked, is rude. It is borderline exhibitionism and it's inconsiderate. While some postmen and delivery boys may get a kick from deliverying to a naked person, especially a naked female person, it is potentially damaging to the cause. There are websites and Tumblr pages devoted to people getting reactions from delivery people by answering the door naked. It's something straight out of Allen Funt's (he of Candid Camera fame) "What do you say to a naked lady?" a movie from the early seventies that pranked folks on camera by having naked women show up in unexpected places. Males were verboten, at least full frontal because penises were X rated material flaccid or not.
So, why? Why does a person choose nudity as a life style? That's rhetorical, at some point everyone here has answered it, but ask yourself from time to time. What does it mean to you and what lines will you never cross. Keep that question in mind the next time you go to the door. Is it because you're being yourself? Or are you going for a cheap thrill?

That word, loaded, fraught with pitfalls and peril. A tarbaby waiting for an unsuspecting victim to pick it up.
What pray tell constitutes exhibitionism? Most folks would say titillation is an overlying factor. The person doing the flash or showing themselves off get a vicarious thrill from it. Titillation because, oh look, I'm being naughty. Juvenile behavior also comes to mind. But,is all exhibitionism bad?
I have been paid to be nude, I have also worshipped nude. I have jumped balefires nude. Yeah,I have pagan leanings.
What I have never done is strip and streaked. I have been one of a few naked people in a room full of clothes people.
Yet, despite the number of people who have seen me in art classes, at hot springs or beltane gatherings, I would not say I am an exhibitionist, although there are folks who would disagree.
What is it about them that is wrong? Obviously, there is the near porn nature of some of the exhibitionist photos.
And the automatic association of sex and nudity by textiles comes to mind. The thing is, do they really hurt the cause that much? I understand the ban, makes a lot of sense, but off site, are they really that big of a threat?
"Bead whores" at Mardi Gras aside, if it occurred more often, wouldn't reactions eventually die out? Is it possible that ennui would set in? And it may lead to acceptable nudity outside of the set aside places?
It is possible that we need to keep exhibitionism around for the twelve year old male titillation factor, simply because it adds oomph to nude protesting.
So, the question remains, is exhibitionism really that bad?

Never, never, NEVER, believe that sunburns only happen in the summer. We were college sophomore or juniors. It was early June and the water was not freezing.We were out in one of those small floating barge things, bigger than a kitchen table, smaller than a dining room table with barrels attached. I burned head to toe, luckily I was wearing a bathing suit. I was red, and pain is severely not fun. When I peeled, I looked like a moulting lizard. Lesson learned. That tan stayed around for months.
So, while I am all for skinny dipping, that day, the bathing suit saved my bottom and dangly parts.
My wife has had sun allergy problems in the past and wears a bathing suit at the hot springs. I don't, and I am also very likely to walk back to the car naked as far as I legally can. People on the trail to and from usually don't care. And the nice thing about our hot springs? Mostly in the shade. I have never again experienced a sunburn that covered that much territory, and I hope I never do it again.
So, sunscreen. Avoid the pain, avoid the skin cancer and avoid the bad memories.

I may model again for the first time in several years and it's at a venue I have never been to before.
I started doing this close to twenty-five years ago, and it has never been steady, but it has helped pay for my tattoos in the past. It has never been necessity money. Admittedly, I would almost do it for free, yeah right. No way, unless it is for my wife. I love the little ding-a-lings that think it's an easy job. I have had less aches after working construction. I am exaggerating, but not by much. It always amazes me how many nudists think that it is no big deal either. Please, feel free to insult the generations of models before and after. Yes, being naked in front of a bunch of people is no big deal, but staying still, and holding a post for fifteen, twenty, thirty or more minutes is work.
I discourage anyone who says they'd like to try it. I will encourage someone who wants to do it. Major difference in try vs want.
This may be my last run at it, I don't know if I have the stamina for it anymore and it is an anniversary of sorts. So, next month, I will see what's available at the sign up.

What a wonderful word, provocative and all its spin-offs, provocation, provocateur, and the root word provoke. There are some side words like vocation, and probably vocal, but I'm too lazy to check it out.
But provocative, talk about a word that gets around. It's the kind of word that can skirt an issue and arouse interest by not even saying anything at all, just suggesting stuff.
Oh, I know, it's at this point my readers start to wonder if the blog they are reading is going somewhere and if it is, where and are there naked people involved.
Guess what? It is, and there are. Because I am into sending thought provoking enteries into the blogosphere.
So, here's your thought provpking statement for the day:
Never poke a sleeping nudist with a stick.
You were expecting something profound? Okay, how about this, never argue with a non-nudist. Reason with them, present facts, answer questions, but avoid confrontational arguing. Textile people don't need preaching or proselytizing, they need facts. They need positivity. They will ridicule, and yes provoke you, don't let them win.
Wait, I started out saying I like the word provocative, and I do. It has a nice cadence. And yes, I like to provoke people, if I can make you think,I feel satisfied with whatever conclusion you drew. Pick your fights folks. But remember, don't be a jackass.

A while back, someone asked if it was okay to compliment other body parts like we compliment eyes or hair. Short answer, no.
The ladies have been subjected to cat calls for a long time. Brutus Khardashianus ended up in the gladiator ring for complimenting Cleopatra on her nice asp. Ferrous of Oxide got into trouble for calling Joan of Arc a hot chick.
All silliness aside, why would you want to compliment some one on their labia or scrotal sack? What possible scenario would a compliment about someone's nipples or foreskin be acceptable?
And exactly what is the point in complimenting someone anyway? What is your motive? No, I am not asking for an answer, because a) it varies and b) it was meant to be the kind of question you shoild think about before complimenting anyone for any reason. So, a safe solution, only give a compliment if it is a person you know, or if it is solicited.
Respect is the main objective. Always remember, if someone finds something you said objectionable, apologize and change the subject, it is not your right to tell them it isn't objectionable, or that they are too sensitive.

There are tall words, short words, skinny words, fat words, long words and small words. Words that rhyme, words that don't, words that could and words that won't. The question is, are there words that shouldn't? We can pretend, with words that offend, and with words that are crude, even words that are lewd, but what does it get us with words that are nude? Stripped of their meaning, not sure what to do, are there words out of context that truly offend you?
Do we shrivel up, and hide over words that are obscene, or do we sit back and giggle like a post adolescent teen?
Is Willie worse then penis or dare I say dick? Does saying the clinical keep us healthy or sick?
I tell you what, do I dare say the word that rhymes with rot?
We have had a laugh over jokes about balls,
which doesn't change my love of Lou Rawls, but truthfully whether a word reaches the goal by pass or by punt, is no one offended by the one that rhymes with hunt?
Now all joking aside, and bad rhyme schemes too,
What offends me, isn't the same as what offends you.
I like all words the blasphemous to sacred and all those in between,
Remember this, it's never the word, it's the intent that's obscene.

Flashers, whether male or female, drunk or sober, are an interesting phenomena. On one hand, legalities prevail and with a few exceptions, it's deemed illegal and inappropriate. Okay, maybe tolerated up to a point during spring break or Mardi Gras. The question is, does it actually hurt the nudist cause?
Marijuana is legal in several states in the U.S. and there are still folks against it. So, would legalized nudity be any different? And if it became legal would exhibitionism go away? Of course not, and neither would people confusing the two. So, what's wrong with exhibitionism? Other than prudery?
I don't appreciate lack of safe areas for children and believe parents should have a right to safe places for children,but, that is my opinion. I feel the same about vulgar language also. So, does it really hurt the cause or is it just offensive for some and not others? And what constitutes exhibitionism and where do you draw the line? My line is sex in public view. Where is your line?

Okay so nudism/naturism debate is a thing, and here I thought it was a matter of location.
I have a solution, nature+alist/nature-alism. Hey, everyone says they want natural organic food. We are told to get back to nature. So, as of today, I am a naturalist.
It's a control thing, really it is. We pick a word we like, know what we mean by it and stick to it.
We can defend it, and it's our chosen thing. But, someone else comes along and says they are that other thing but it looks like our thing and their thing isn't named the same but…
Don't get into the semantics argument rut, don't grab hold and not be willing to let go. It's a label, not a family name.
You're going to have to explain the difference between nudism and naturism at some point, and it isn't that big a deal to do so. Just never forget, that they don't care about the fluff contraversy surrounding the two words.
Neither do I. I'm a nature+alist.
I was reminded that a naturalist is a Jane Goodall type scientist.

I love to be the agitator from time to time. I get accused of being a curmudgeon by people who can't even spell the word curmudgeon. Sometimes its because people think "X" is awesome, but they don't think it through, sometimes they loathe "y" because they didn't bother to check it out. I drop hot potatoes for reactions and discussion and so far everyone has been civil. A round of beers and applause to us all.
It would be great if civil discourse was a norm and not a result of administration rules.
We can advance our cause through unity, and education, but the challenge is healthy discussion about the real positive merits of nudism. It's not enough to preach to the choir, you gotta proslytize. But what will you say? How do you avoid putting out the perv vibe?
You can talk until your a Smurfed out, but what are you saying, how does it normalize nudism?
Second and third question, and I very serious here, do you really want nudism acceptable? Why? Those two questions should be answered before you advocate.
Don't worry, I'm sure you can answer them in a way that satisfies you.

We know what exhibitionists look like. Those girls that yank down their top and show boobies, (cause really? At that moment, breasts is too dignified of a word for that act), or pull up their skirts. Guys open overcoats and flash, which has gotten sooooo, passe'. But what about protest nudism? Where is the line between exhibitionism and nudity for s cause? If courts hasn't ruled it as protest speech, therefore a First Amendment right, it would fall under the same lewd and lacivious conduct laws as the other. Which is weird, because one is done for…wait for
it…titillation and the other is protesting a war or something. Lady Godiva's children have been around a long time. So, what then to do about the titillators?
The exhibitionists kind of screw it up for evrybody. Mardi Gras legitimized it to some extent, but bead whores aside, what can be done?
Well, for one thing, don't participate in it, ever. Save your nudism for sanctioned locations, or protests. Second, educate, and third save the outrage for more important things. If public nudity becomes more acceptable, the childish behavior will reduce, some. In the meantime, it tends to be a phase. Once folks leave college, they tend to leave that kind of thing behind. There will always be some who never out grow it, but i still like Bugs Bunny, so to each their own.

I have 18 tattoos. 12 dragonflies, joined ribbons, a Chinese ideogram for the year of the rooster, a big fairy, a Hana Fuda card, an ambigram and a red dot.
For those with no tattoos, the following answers will clear up a few things, yes, no, yes, yes and maybe.
There is a story behind all of them, but do I know you? People ask inappropriate questions all of the time and expect answers. Just because you're curious, doesn't mean you have a right to an answer. Now one of the great things about inked folks, we tend to want people to ask. We may not give an answer for all of them, hell, you may not even know about some of them. I post full nudes of myself and I guarantee you, you probably won't ever see one of them. They are all visible. Not all at the same time due to how they are oriented on my arms, but there are no back tattoos, at this time. I could probably show you a close-up of my left arm and hand and you'd probably not even recognize it as a tattoo. And in truth, why would you care?
That's the point, why do or would you care? We are curious folks, not just nudists, everybody. Sometimes it's plain old nosiness. But without the curiosity,we wouldn't have micro technology. Lifespans might be shorter and we definitely would be less advanced in many more ways. Luddites might be happy, but the rest of us, maybe not as much. We want to meet new people, talk about common interests, compliment each other's photos, and be a social group, and I think we do a pretty good job of it. Curiosity can lead to caring, we can empathize and sympathize, that's a good thing. We care because we need to care. We lose small bits of humanity if we don't. Eventually, we'd become bitter and callous if we didn't.
The dot is an Iri Bokuru, "to insert a kiss", if I grip my wife's hand and extend my thumb, and she extends hers, the dots are where the thumbs end. We did it for our thirtieth anniversary. We were born in separate Chinese calendar years, I have the ideogram for her year, rooster, she has the dog for my year. I have a dragonfly for her, for our thirty fifth, she has one for me. All my dragonflies are for family members. The ambigram for fire was a birthday commemorative, sort of, as was one of the dragonflies. Hana fuda card is the harvest moon card, or August moon, family vacations as a kid were in August. The fairy, well she actually has no significance, yep, I just found one I liked and it ended up bigger than I wanted.
Stay curious.

We can't control every facet of our day and have perfect days everyday. Textile days remind us of why nudity can be a social leveler. No worries about whether out shirt or pants or skirt are wrinkled. No worry about whether or not pants make our butts look fat. Yay, we're nude! If we eliminate the exhibitionism and the porno aspects of nudity, we are left with an interesting idea. Will we, can we achieve body positivity? I seriously doubt judgemental asshats would suddenly cease to exist. Cyberbullying could increase. And despite the possible onslaught of negative comments, it may still be a true liberation from slavery to fashion and even faddism. It is a fight worth engaging in, but …
Things have to change within the communities, both nude and textile. The titillation factor has to go. Nudity has to become commonplace. Any opportunity that comes up should be used toward that end. The World Naked Bike Rides have quite a bit of body painting, and the Oregon Country Fair does too, and in both cases, there is freedom and limits. That is not a bad thing, incrementally introducing nudity into public accessable spaces eventually leads to the "meh!" attitude. Nude protests help, next time you go to catch a plane, announce your opposition to the full body scanner, and strip. That announcement makes it a protest, with out it, you're facing legal problems. Attend nude protests, even if you disagree with the protest, who cares? You're naked in public. Start nude swimming clubs, learn local laws, you might be surprised at how many places that nudity is okay, provided it isn't visible from the street or a public thoroughfare.
Believe it or not, federal parks in the U.S. hold to community standards, in regard to nudity.
Start educating folks. Send out invites to people for a nude swim night at the local pool. Whatever you think will help.
Of course there are out jobs to consider, and how publicly flaunting nudism can be problematic.
Is nudism really a right? That's a rhetorical question, it isn't. Despite skinny dipping presidents, and a long history of it being tolerated in various areas and legal in many places, it isn't a right outside of the home. Okay, you think otherwise? Well, if it was, then where are the laws guaranteeing your right to be naked? Outside of Berkley or NYC and some legal nude beaches, it's still regulated more against than for and that's the issue. If it is a right, you could be nude anywhere and nope you can't. Should it be a right? Sure, why not?
One last thing, answering the door for the pizza guy stark naked is exhibitionism. Staying nude at home is one thing, especially if your friends know you do it. It's different when the maintenance guy, plumber or delivery guy shows up, it is kind of rude, and only adds to the negative views about nudists. Until nudism is more acceptable, I can't help but think it isn't a good idea.

If I listed things I disliked, it could take awhile and really, why would you even want to engage in my negativity?
I mean, seriously, I may appreciate mild s&m, but why would you subject yourself to a laundry list of stuff I dislike? Not even stuff I hate, just don't like. That is an easily avoided downer. Not only that, it goes against my Buddhist leanings to share such a list. So, I won't, I'll spare you. I can hear the grumblings, "Well why did you even bring it up? Were you considering a possible sympathetic response?" I don't know and nope, in that order.
Okay, I brought it up because, feelings. We share stuff, put photos up and write about ourselves or about things that are important to us and we sometimes want support, recognition, friendship, sympathy, or validation. Whatever the reason for us baring our bodies and sometimes souls, we have our own reasons. We may question the thought processes, (are you crazy?) behind some posts (what the hell were you thinking?) but in general, we try to remain thoughtful and respectful (even if we think someone is a complete jackass), we try to mind our manners. We don't always get the story behind the fairy tattoo, (and I am not telling you now, maybe later), and that's okay. We share stories and pictures and we reveal what we want to reveal in doing so. You've seen me naked, now what else do you want to know?

Remember those balls with the fuse, that you lit, tossed, and smoke billowed out of them? Firework stands sold them every holiday season that celebrated something that fireworks seemed like an appropriate thing to use. I once lit one, I was about fourteen at then time, and rolled it into a crowd. They parted like the Red Sea and I walked through like a teenage Moses. Well, I no longer do that kind of thing,not with fireworks anyway, I now do the literary equivalent, I love ideas into crowded forums to shake things up, get folks to thinking. The difference in the literal vs the not literal is the literal burns out and gets forgotten. The not literal, well, it can continue to cause comments because someone new aread emweeks or months later. The original context may be lost, a salient point may have been deleted, the participants in the discussion may have forgave and forgot, and all in all, memory of the post may be faded after a time so defending it may be a little more difficult. I'll still love that smoke bomb despite any or all that.
Newcomers to nude recreation and nudist lifestyle don't always voice their concerns or ask what they would like to ask. They may still be getting used to the idea of being seen with no textile protection, or not used to the idea that there really are people that don't care that they have a few extra pounds or freckles or stretch marks. As with any group, newcomers need guidance and open and healthy discussions, without personal attacks, help keep people educated and make them more likely to enjoy their experience.
Never forget your first time being nude in the presence of others. It can be scary, or a relief. It can be fun or mortifying. My first job as an artist model, I didn't know until just before I posted, whether I was going to keep the flimsy male thong on or not. The teacher was talking, I had on the thong and a robe, and at some point, I let it fall to my feet and I pocketed it. When it was time to disrobe, I wasn't wearing a stitch. The teacher was kind of surprised, but only because he figured I'd be semi covered.
That feeling occurs, just before being nude before a group of clothed students, even now if I am to pose before a new group.
I don't have that same feeling at hot springs or some other nudist meet up, because nudists tend to be less judgmental. Be kind, be patient and ask questions for the new arrivals. Listen and answer without being snarky when they ask questions. Be open to new ideas, even if they aren't new and you have heard them for the last thirty years you've been a nudist. Sometimes you might hear it from a new perspective and with a new set of facts and you may change a long held belief.
I love smokebombs, you can always do what one fellow did way back when I did it then, kick it aside and go on about your business. I won't mind at all.