Uncle Willy's -- Kingston, NY

A narrow place, Uncle Willy's in Uptown Kingston has a comfortable vibe to it.  Once you squeeze your way to finding a seat at the long bar, you can have some snack pretzels with your beer while you wait for the live music to play.  As you look around, you notice that, apart from a couple of the bartenders (do they still call women barmaids?  Oy), and apart from people who came with the band, the age range for the bar is, shall we say, a little higher than most I've been in.  It's a friendly enough place, and Uncle Willy was there with a great taxi cab hat on, working away behind and in front of the bar.

After a beer or two, it's time to visit the commode.

There's something about this sign that makes it friendly.  It must be the curlicues.  I'm betting it wasn't Uncle Willy who wrote the sign.  I'm actually hoping so, because Uncle Willy doesn't need to be telling women not to throw "tubes with Ties" in the toilet.  Might come off a bit...off.

The sink is small, but fine.  Everything was reasonably clean and useable.  Nice mirror.

Nice mirro--wait, didn't I already say that?  There seems to be a plethora of mirrors.  At least they are all set high enough.

I'm still trying to figure out what the wire that's along the door frame is for.  It looks like a phone wire, but where's the phone?  It seemed to sneak in and sneak out without actually accomplishing anything within the restroom.  Maybe some sort of light cords.  Hmm.  Okay, nice hook, so I'm over the wire.

All in all, Uncle Willy's is totally fine to use.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uncle-Willys-Inc/609963449041449

Home Depot -- Kingston, NY

Home Depot in Kingston.  Not much to say about the store.  We all know what they are like, and this one is the same as the rest.  Very handy when you need certain things. What we really need to know is, how is the commode?

Well, there is a hook, but it's not properly placed.  What if there were a shoplifter who wanted to lift my purse?  I'm also not sure about the fact that they feel the need to tell me they will prosecute shoplifters.  On the one hand, it seems a bit insulting.  On the other hand, there must have been a need.  Should I have to face these kinds of conundrums in the loo?

I do like the tiles!  I also like the fac tthat I don't have to touch too many things.  I'm against touching lots of things in the restrooms.

Nice and new looking, relatively clean.  I'd give it a go if I had to go if I were you.

http://www.homedepot.com/

The Smokin' Pony -- Saugerties, NY

Want barbecue?  The Smokin' Pony, right next to The Stone Pony right outside Saugerties, has some seriously good food.  The pulled pork sandwich (no, it wasn't pulled pony as we wondered) was tender and naked, waiting for me to choose a sauce from the bottles on the table and dress it up.  Came with sweet potato fries and a homemade peppery cole slaw.  Plenty of alcohol if you're into it, and old fashioned bottled sodas as well.  Friendly people.  Glass walls.  Papered tables that were perfect for entertaining everyone involved.  We drew animals, designs, math, cars, charts,... every table everywhere should be papered.

At any rate, on to the commode, which shall not disappoint.

To begin with, the hook is in the correct place.  And look at that light fixture!  That's pretty uber cool.

Continuing with the cool lights, and a really neat stencil!  The Smokin' Pony is on target!  My only complaint is that to get to the bathrooms, one must exit the restaurant proper and follow the wall in the almost-outside area to the 'Sows' door.  Being the Smokin' Pony, maybe it should have been fillies.  :)

http://www.smokinponybbq.com/

Mohonk Mountain House -- New Paltz, NY

<<<<Special edition!>>>>  <<<<One Time Only!>>>>

We'll see multiple commodes in this post as we explore the amazing Mohonk Mountain House!  If you haven't been there before and you live in the area, hurry as this week is Community Week, so you can explore the Mountain House itself and enjoy the art show from Wired Gallery!  This is a sneak peak that we take advantage of when we can because as Mohonk Preserve members, we're normally allowed on the grounds, but not to wander around the Mountain House itself.

After entering the property and driving the windy, narrow road, you are greeted by several buildings that are not the Mountain House.  Keep going.  When you get to the parking area, you will have at least one winding staircase to climb, so if you have someone who is not stair-worthy, you may want to drop them off at the top and then park.

The building itself is massive, with several different styles going on since they were built in different time periods.  Very impressive, quite beautiful.  When you go in, the halls are a bit narrow, but there are little touches everywhere that beg for picture-taking or at least admiring.  Old-fashioned light fixtures, stuffed chairs looking out from rounded windows at an amazing view, beautiful old carpeting and dark wood accents, fireplaces and, this time of year, holiday decorations.

Here we come to the first commode experience, which is the one down the hall from the Wired Gallery show on the second floor.  Wired Gallery is located in High Falls in a great building, but once a year, they do an art show during Community Week at Mohonk.

I don't know why, but I was very impressed by this.  Clean, neat, orderly.



Also, very clean.  I have to say, I'm a fan of flowers.  They can class up just about anything.  The wood stalls were also nice, but I'm tall, so they 'fell short' if you know what I mean.  I don't like being able to see out while I'm in there.  At least they weren't set too high.  That's worse.  Otherwise, perfectly pleasant, even if it didn't live up to my expectations of a seriously posh restroom.

So on we go.  Once you're done there, you can continue to one of the many decks at the Mountain House and admire the beautiful lake, or go to the gardens, or up to the tower, which we did.  On our way back, we stopped at the ice skating rink which was, despite it being insanely warm at 55 degrees, functioning.  They also had a fire in the oversized fireplace at one end of the rink, and I ducked inside the restroom next to the skate house to check it out.

Here's the skate house restroom:

Keeping in mind that this is primarily for skaters, I have to say it is extremely clean and streamlined.  Maybe a little exotic with the finishes over the mirrors.  I don't know what's with the pinkish color on the walls, but maybe they thought it needed some cheer.  Hmm.

After you check out the skating rink, if you haven't already, go have a seat in one of the many rustic little gazebos that hang out over the water.  Then, before you leave, you'll want to go back through the Mountain House one last time, maybe check out the gift shop, and go down the hall to the last bathroom:

I know what you're thinking.  Looks pretty dull, right?  Well, that's because I saved the best part of this restroom for last:

Much better..  Very nice countertops, pretty mirrors with beaded edging.  And, in the same space, this:

Now they've got me.  Flowers, antiques, one wall completely made of stone...This is what I was expecting.  The overall tone of the room with the sinks, and the little box and stuffed chair...this reminds me of the building I'm standing in, and makes me appreciate it all the more.

Overall, every restroom was fine.  No issues with usage, no problems with anthing.  The last one, however, more closely fit my image of what it should be.  The others might have been a tad too modern for such a grand old building.

http://www.mohonk.com/

Hardee's -- Kingston, NY

Ah, Hardee's.  Years ago, I lived in Illinois, and we used to love Hardee's.  So I was pretty happy to see a Hardee's open up in Kingston not too very long ago.  It's all a Hardee's should be, and I have to say the service is really good.  I have to admit I like the fast-food-but-we'll-bring-it-to-you approach.  Maybe I'm just lazy, but sitting with the family beats standing with everyone waiting by the counter.

On to the commode:  Hard to beat a brand new commode, eh?

Not a bad design.  Everything clean and spiffy.

They knew right where to put the hook.

This part is a little confusing.  Well, not confusing.  Confused, perhaps.  Like it didn't know what it wanted to be when it grew up.  A handle or a lock?  It decided to go with some sort of mutant.

Here's the only downer.  The toilet, as you can't see here, is very, very low.  This is one tiny toilet.  The kids will be alright.  For some of us, it's not that easy getting off the ground anymore.  But it is nice and clean!

http://www.hardees.com/

Dallas Hot Weiners -- The Stockade area, Kingston, NY

Dallas Hot Weiners.  Who doesn't like their sauce with little chopped onions and their cheap hot dogs?  Umm.  I'm married to a real fan, and one of my kids is a huge fan, too.  I like the ambience.  It's like a throwback to an old-style diner or 5 and dime.  It has an intimate feel one doesn't get from most restaurants today.  Judging by the number of people who flood in and out, I'm guessing a lot of people like both the food and the atmosphere.

One reason the atmosphere is intimate is because it is not a large place.  And with real estate within the eatery at a premium, they didn't waste a lot on the commode.

You might be able to see that it looks small.  Here's another picture that will clarify just how small the space is:

Yes, that's the commode in the lower right corner there.  Keep in mine that I have my back fully to the door.  If that isn't enough, here's a picture of the sink.  You can see my hand for scale.

Before it sounds too much like I'm complaining, I'm not.  I think it was adorable.  Not only that, but it was very clean, so I have no complaints.  Just remember not to go flying in there too fast or you'll hit something.

http://dallashotwieners.com/

Hannaford's -- Kingston Plaza, Kingston, NY

Hannaford's in the Plaza.  It's a foodstore chain, and you'll be seeing a part 2 in future, comparing this one, which is not in the most wealthy area, to the other one in Kingston, near the malls (technically in the Town of Ulster).

The store itself is well organized and laid out, relatively clean.  Though I've run into a character or two shopping, all the people who work there are pretty friendly.  That said, the restroom used to be an unmitigated disaster.  Then, a few years ago, they redid it, and now I'm not afraid to go in.  Here's the proof:

There's the hook.  They've got me already.

Nice tile, quite clean even compared to some restaurants I've been in.  A little issue with the paper towel dispenser, but honestly, I'm impressed.

Ah, there's what's going on.  The Restroom Log.  (Not a term I'd bandy about just anywhere, but...) It is well cared for as you can see by the columns that are all filled out.  While I've seen Restroom Logs (okay, I can't help snickering here) I've rarely seen one so neat and orderly.  Well done, and I'd use this restroom whenever I need to.

The Egg's Nest -- High Falls, NY

In the ecclectic town of High Falls, one can find many treasures.  Antique stores abound, gift stores, and, despite its small size, a number of eateries.  One eatery stands out as the most ecclectic.  It has been around for years and years, and if you like some unusual ambience, baby, that's the place.

When you see the pictures of the bathroom, keep in mind that the ENTIRE RESTAURANT looks similar.  Or, not similar.  Wait.

The beginning.  This ornate mirror and the side wall are decoupaged.  I love the light!

Here is the side wall.  These pictures show the same wall from opposite directions.  As you can see, the decoupage continues, though the style changes throughout.  There is always something new to see, even if you've been there many times.

 The sink area is entrancing.  The attention to detail is obvious.

Detail picture of the wall.  Not just decoupage, here.  We've got some real painting talent going on in this commode.

And, expanded view for full effect.  Can you find the door?

This place always amazes me.  There recently, we were picking out the Christmas decorations.  That's right.  In the main restuarant, we had to PICK OUT the Christmas decorations, because sometimes they're hard to find amidst all the other really interesting, really crazy decor.  At any given time, you can find shoes on the ceiling, faces and writing on the walls, angels, figurines, chatchkes galore, and sparkly things all over.  Oh, and the food's pretty good, too.  (But bring cash...no credit!)

http://theeggsnest.com/

Proper Pooping Protocol

You're doing it wrong!  Thanks to George Takei for posting this web site.  I might still be doing it wrong if he hadn't.

http://boredomtherapy.com/science-right-way-to-poop

You're welcome.  More commodes to come shortly.  Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your new-found knowledge!

World Toilet Day Part 2 -- A Tour

Summing up World Toilet Day, here's a video of 45 toilets from around the world.  One or two might be NSFW (I think I spied a poster that could do with some tassles.)

http://widerimage.reuters.com/story/around-the-world-in-45-toilets

Such a range of toilets.  Some would be pretty exciting to use, others remind us that we have it pretty good in this country on the whole.  We need to not only be grateful but be mindful of those in other countries who literally don't have a pot to piss in.  It affects every aspect of life when you don't have access to clean facilities. 

World Toilet Day 2015 -- Toilets and...Nutrition?

Today is indeed World Toilet Day.  And I wish you a happy one!  With a toilet!  But please don't mix your nutrition with your toilet.

Actually, World Toilet Day is a very serious day indeed.  It's a day to raise awareness about the fact that not everyone has a toilet, or access to a toilet, or even clean water.  Indeed, many people still have no choice but to defacate outside, affecting water supply and more.

http://www.un.org/en/events/toiletday/

Educate yourself about the state of the world where there are no toilets.  Just don't do so on a toilet while eating.  That's just wrong.

Art Society of Kingston Part 2 -- Kingston, NY

I am not the only one to be confused by the two doors in the hallway at the Art Society of Kingston.  One has a sign with the male/female symbols on them.  Okay, one bathroom.  That would be the restroom reviewed in a previous post.  Imagine my surprise when, while cruising down the hall to the main gallery, I see someone come out of the following doorway, and it's a bathroom!  Confusion ensued as another person tries to figure out which room is the official restroom.  The one with no sign looks nice, but the one with the sign, well, has a sign.  They opted for the sign, which left me free to try the 'new' one.

If you recall, I was less than impresssed with the other restroom in ASK, so it was with little enthusiasm but some hope that I entered this other, lesser known bathroom.

Here we are:

At first glance, we have improvement.  Striped wall?  Okay.  I'll give that to them.  Pretty mirror.

Okay.  Nice bench with some extra supplies.  The wall could be better.  Why do I expect some sort of art here?  But look out.  Things are about to fall apart.

I'm not going to ask how one ends up with deep gouges all around the switchplate of a bathroom.  I'm not going to say that they should hire someone to fix it.  I'm not even going to say that it doesn't cost that much to get some spackle and patch that baby up by hand.  Heck, maybe that would tone down the intense golden yellow they have going on on that one wall.  My mind went immediately to "How can we make this look artistic?"  But no.  Not even that.  I wonder if I would get into trouble if I arted it up with sharpies.

Oh, the blank wall.  The blank, dingy wall.  I believe I've just seen how they can double the space they give to artists to do their thing.  They have not one bathroom with walls crying for art, but two!  I really see an art event for these bathrooms to liven things up and help us have a more immersive art experience while enjoying the rest of the space.

askforarts.org