Friday, November 13, 2009

All Right Already



Thanks to all of you who keep asking me why I'm not posting. I'm very sorry, but once again there are things going on in my life that appear to be gagging my muse. And by gagging I mean "applying a gag to", and by "my muse" I mean my inspiration.

I think it says a lot about my readers that I felt the need to explain the phrase "gagging my muse".

Anyway, since J. M. Tewkesbury told me this morning that she was getting more and more disturbed by the giant bug that she sees every time she checks my blog (see previous entry), I just thought I'd pop something in here quickly for a change of pace.

I think the picture above brings a whole new meaning to the term "handicapped bathroom", and brings to mind the question of the day: Are handicapped stalls in public restrooms reserved for the handicapped, or are they simply there for the convenience of the handicapped?

Discuss.

23 comments:

Mike said...

So where's Tewkys comment here? I'm going to miss the big bug.

If the stall is the only thing available, I'm using it. It's either that or the sink. (guys have that option)

Gilahi said...

Mike - Hey, she's in a different time zone, give her some time. So I gather that you're on the side of "for the convenience of" and not "reserved for". Either that or your just a rebel who doesn't follow the rules.

lacochran said...

I'm with Mike (who thought I'd ever say that?) except about the sink part. FYI, Mike, girls can use the sink, too, it's just nowhere near as elegant.

If it's the only one available and I'm next up, I use it. If I see someone in line who looks to be in need of a handicapped stall, I might offer them the opportunity to go first. But, then, it's all mine. Mine!

Scott said...

I think for convenience, otherwise the signs would have the word "only." Which would only be another rule everyone breaks. When using a public stall I go for the one closest to the door. Studies show that people use this one the least and therefore it's the most likely to be the cleanest. Yeah, I know, there have been studies about that stuff and people like me who believe them.

Herb said...

Certainly for the convenience of the handicapped and not reserved. I use them all the time. They are also a great place to change clothes, send text messages and as I recall a safe place to purchase...uhm...well it WAS the
80s...

lacochran's evil twin said...

When I said 'If itls the only one available... I use it.' I was referring to the handicapped stall, not the sink. Not *that* unclassy...

Gilahi said...

la - Wow. Next thing you know you'll be agreeing with Bilbo.

Scott - I would think that ALL of the stalls have doors.... Oh wait. You meant the BATHROOM door.

Herb - Thinking outside the box (so to speak) again. I wasn't even considering all of the other potential uses for a large stall like that. Is that where you go to turn into Superman? More privacy than a phone booth.

la - Thanks for clearing that up. There were all sorts of images in my head.

Bilbo said...

Oddly enough, I agree with la. Actually, this is not so odd...what is odd is that I am spending time discussing where to pee. I think I'm spending entirely too much time online...

Gilahi said...

Bilbo - These sorts of discussions are good when you get to be our age. It's good to have things mapped out well in advance instead of waiting until the need is actually there.

Bilbo said...

Excellent point. When we get together for that beer, it'll be a matter of some importance.

vw: reoth - to oth again.

Gilahi said...

Bilbo - Hadn't thought of that, but you're right. Still looking for that whole "time and place" thingy. Maybe I'll drop you some e-mail...

Mike said...

This is pissing me off. No not looking at the urinals. The fact that I can't find another picture I have .... somewhere .... like this. I thought I posted it. Can't find it. I thought I had it on my PC. Can't find it. It's sort of like standing at a urinal and .....

J.M. Tewkesbury said...

I'm going with "for the convenience of" because when you gotta go, you gotta go and I don't care if there's a little blue placard on the door with the universal sign for handicapped on it.

In fact, speaking of blue placards as universal signs, I've been known to use the one marked for the opposite sex, as well.

Like I said, when you gotta go, you gotta go.

I hope your muse comes back soon. Perhaps you could do a treatise on why Turkish toilets should be banned. There's one instance where I'll go back on my mantra. If that's the only option, I take a pass. I'd rather pee my pants than use one of those, thank you very much!

Hi Mike!

Gilahi said...

Mike - He who hesitates...

J.M. - I too have, after carefully knocking on the door, asking aloud if anyone is in there, and STILL dithering, used the opposite sex restroom. I can't say that I'm familiar with Turkish toilets.

J.M. Tewkesbury said...

A'voila: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/469650275_1b59331e07.jpg

These should be eliminated from the whole-of-society. Pun totally intended.

Gilahi said...

J.M. - Ew.

rachaelgking said...

I vote convenience. Though you do take a risk when you venture in there, only to come out and possibly have to look into the eyes of someone disabled or elderly that you've now caused to wait...

I don't usually gamble.

J.M. Tewkesbury said...

Gilahi: Exactly. I'll take a bladder infection over that any day.

Gilahi said...

Lilu - That seems to be the prevailing opinion. I wonder if any handicapped people have weighed in. Their opinion might differ. Fortunately, I work in a place that you have to have a key card to enter and we don't have any wheelchair- or crutch-bound folks working here, so the chances of me encountering someone who had to wait for me are pretty slim.

J.M. - Ew.

J.M. Tewkesbury said...

Good point. Now that I've got that nasty bug out of my vision every time I come here, I've replaced it with thoughts of Turkish toilets. Perhaps your muse could do you a favor and start musing again.

I'll give you a topic: Odd.

I went to Google and typed in "Odd", then hit "I'm Feeling Lucky" and this is what I got:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oppositional-defiant-disorder/DS00630.

I also did "random" and got this:

http://www.random.org/

I have every confidence you can do something with one of those or both. At the very least, it will get us away from contemplating whether using a Turkish toilet is better than a bladder infection.

Gilahi said...

J.M. - Sorry, I beat you to the punch. Something may show up on Monday that has nothing to do with bugs, bladder infections, toilets, ODD or randomness. Feel free to use those for NaBloPoMo fodder if you wish.

Anonymous said...

Hey, when you gotta, you gotta.
Talk about 'unclassy', on a trip to Tulsa OK, stopped in South Coffeyville Oklahoma. Stopped at the newest place hoping it was clean. Coffee abatement emergency, so I did not need 'the stall'.
Apparently someone else REALLY needed the stall. There was one huge turd in the urinal. I didn't know whether to laugh or puke!

Stopped in Nowata on the way back.
Old place, clean bathroom.

Gilahi said...

kansasmediocrity - I just finished a book by Chuck Klosterman in which he travels the country visiting spots where rock stars died. I think maybe we should travel the country and rate as many toilets as possible. Endless blog material.

 
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