Reach Out And Grab Ya

This is a candleholder. 


But in a bizarre way it looks almost like a toilet. 


The place for the candle is the toilet!


Sort of would make a pretty scary toilet in real life if the back of it (ie. tank) has a body with arms that looks like it is reaching out to grab you as you take your royal seat. 

Hey, someone let me out of here!


Ok, I have definitely been shut in too many days due to this Coronavirus thing. 


I am imagining the world’s scariest toilets. 😉


(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Eastern State Penitentiary

Photos are from my tour of Eastern Penitentiary in Philadelphia. 

The prison cells were in these tomb thick concrete structures, freezing cold, and completely claustrophobic!

You have to stoop through a tiny doorway to get in and out. 

The cell with the car in it shows how small these prison cells were.  

There is a photo of a cell with a stinking toilet and also the one with a barbers chair. 

Then there is the picture of the fancy cell which is that of Al Capone’s (right after the regular disgusting cell). Pretty sure Capone had some real pull with the warden and guards, and I’m sure they were afraid to cross him.

There was even a synagogue in this frightful gothic-style prison with a light that says Shalom (peace).

One cell had art painted on the walls and had many of these dreamy-looking women in Island type spots so far away from the reality of these horrible prison conditions. 

It was also interesting the the prisoners inside these walls were I’m sure dying to get out, and yet the visitors to the prison were lined up at the ticket booth to get a glimpse inside. 

The whole experience was so full of juxtaposing contrasts. 

I feel like I learned a lot. Overall, a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here! 😉

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Potty Mouth Award

So I had to laugh when I saw this Potty Mouth “work of art” award. 


And it had a real potty in it too!


It reminded me of some foul-mouthed, but fun-spirited colleagues who actually used to keep a scorecard in the office with tick marks for each occurrence of cursing by person.


Let’s just say that there were some clear winners on this account.


In many cases, they did it as a vent for all the frustration at work and also because they thought it was funny. 


I remember my dad who was very religious and he used to say jokingly and with a big smile:

“Don’t use that f*ckin language with me!”


Growing up as a Jewish kid even from the Bronx, it was never really an issue for us.


Although even I have to admit that sometimes hearing someone get really angry and spewing off like that–while not appropriate, it does let you know where their head is at–at least for that moment in potty time.  😉


(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

When You Gotta Go

Toilet.jpeg.jpg

We went hiking the trails yesterday in Maryland along Rock Creek.

And we came across this makeshift toilet in the woods. 

Surprised at all by what you see? 

Apparently, the hole in the tree wasn’t enough for someone.

They took the liberty of literally hauling a toilet seat out to the middle of the woods here and adding it to nature’s wonders. 

I suppose they must’ve really wanted that homey feeling when they take care of their business. 

Who says America’s has lost it’s creative talent?

From the big cities to the wooded suburbs, we are a nation that does our business and does it extremely well. 

Especially during election time when some politicians can be so very full of it and of themselves. 

Can anyone see why we need to reestablish leadership and competitive advantage in this country? 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Stupid Stupid Ties

Ties

So ties are an unfortunate part of a man’s wardrobe. 


But while some ties may look nice (in a feminine type of way), for the most part they are nothing but a pain in the neck.


– Feels like a noose


– Looks like a dog collar


– Enforced as the yoke of oppression


– Constraining since a tie ties 


– Costs as much as $385 at Nordstrom


– Klutzy when oops!! it hangs out your fly


– Hazardous when caught in an office shredder. 


– Filthy when eating soup, spaghetti, etc. 


– Disgusting when bending over and it flops into the toilet


Some day fashion will grow up and ties will go the way of The Waltons, and even Goodwill will throw them unabashedly into the trash where they most rightfully belong.


(Source Photo: here with attribution to bark)

Bathroom Etiquette 101

Bathroom Etiquette

So I was out and about and needed to go to the bathroom.


I stopped at a local store where I was and asked if I could please use theirs.


They were nice (not all stores are) and said yes. 


Inside the bathroom on the tank was this hilarious sign with a jingle reminding patrons about bathroom etiquette, as follows:


“If you sprinkle [heart] when you tinkle [heart] please be a sweety [heart] and wipe the seaty.”


Hey, a reasonable enough request–everyone need to cooperate on these things. 😉


(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lauding Over A Toilet Brush?

Not sure about this video on the SimpleHuman Toilet Brush



On one hand, it’s funny to have such a serious video lauding the functionality and design of a toilet brush.



But on the other hand, the video is pretty darn convincing:



– Slim for easy placement and accessible for quick use. 



– A magnetic collar for picking up the brush and housing with one hand–no messy spills.



– With a stainless steel rod for stability and durability.



– Specially innovative design crescent-shaped brush for those hard to reach areas under the rim.



– Easily detachable brush for when you need replacement. 



– Comes in black and white–so fashionable. 



Ok, so now I have to admit that I ordered one of these today.



I’ll let you know if it really works (Uh no!) 😉

The Most Troubling Sign

No Dumping
I took this photo at a bathroom outside a local facility around Washington, D.C.



This truly is one of the most troubling signs I think you can find, especially when you have to do your thing. 



Why you can’t use the bathroom, even if you say pretty please, I don’t know.



But I would say, Mr. Toilet here should put his hands down and let people in–for use and not abuse. 😉



(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Not For Drinking {Funny}

Not For Drinking

For funny Friday, here’s a photo that I took of the Toilet Coffee Mug (for real).

It’s cute in a certain miniaturized way, but I am not sure who would want to drink their coffee from this thing.

Or imagine this, you go to the leadership meeting at your important organization, and there sitting across at the table is the Big Kahuna executive with this mug.

No, it’s not a great brand making statement, but it definitely is a conversation piece.

Hey, will they put Starbucks in here, if you ask nicely? 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Leadership Training, Where?

Rapid Learning Institute (RLI) has toilet training for leaders.

No, not toilet training, but T.O.I.L.E.T. training:

Time
Optimized
Intensive
Learning
Experience
Technology

People are short on time for training, so this combines productive training with some downtime that “every worker engages in.”

The kiosk incorporates an “eye-level WIFI-enabled tablet” which launches 6-10 minute rapid learning modules.

This is a lot better than the Reader’s Digest moment of yesteryear.

So don’t be fooled by the toilet in the video, this is rapid learning in quick chunks on important leadership topics such as employee engagement, communications, performance management, and more.

The funny video is a neat advertising mechanism to drive the point home. 😉