That's right. A La Commode has gone viral. Wait, what? Not viral? Oh, VIDEO! Catch the first ever A La Commode video to get the scoop on the Tivoli Library commode!
Tivoli Library A La Commode
I may have to continue this. That was fun. :)
Friday, January 29, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Stewart's -- Haines Falls, NY
What can you say about Stewart's? Always there when you need them, they are the Circle-K of the Northeast. Up near Hunter, it is always a welcome sight after driving up. Why? Because the drive is just long enough for everyone to need a snack and a bathroom. Yep.
The commode:
It doesn't look too bad in the picture, but trust me, I was not going to put anything on this floor. It was kind of dirty. On the other hand, this was a Sunday, and I'm always willing to give the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure it was busy.
Then, I saw it. Again! I don't think anyone thinks to spring clean the commodes!
That uneven white line on the little ledge is...you guessed it! Dust! Can't be good for people with allergies. I'm going to keep noticing this as I go on from here. I may have to wage war against dust. One commode at a time.
http://www.stewartsshops.com/
The commode:
So far, so good. All the proper amenities, so really, as far as I'm concerned at this point, it's all good. Just don't look too closely.
Then, I saw it. Again! I don't think anyone thinks to spring clean the commodes!
That uneven white line on the little ledge is...you guessed it! Dust! Can't be good for people with allergies. I'm going to keep noticing this as I go on from here. I may have to wage war against dust. One commode at a time.
http://www.stewartsshops.com/
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Applebee's -- Kingston, NY
Applebee's seems to be a staple in many towns across the country. Their food is pretty standard, though they try for twists here and there. When I was in this Applebee's recently, we were witness to an amazing server. He not only promised the kid at the table next to us that he would play tic tac toe with him (in a heavy Brooklyn accent), but he got relocated before the family was done with their meal, and still came over and played (the kid won). He was fast, curteous, efficient. We were jealous. Our server was not just not cheerful, she really wasn't up to it at all. I'm sure she might be having a bad day or something, but it resulted in us not having a drink with our dinner, and waiting to the point of asking for her to come so we could pay our bill. Argh.
On, now, to the commode.
Yes, it's pretty clean. But what's with the paper towels sitting on the sink area where they are going to get all wet and germy? We were there at 4:30 on a Saturday. That would have been the time to get those paper towels put where they needed to be. Nothing was going to be happening cleaning-wise in that bathroom later on a Saturday, I'm sure.
Relatively clean. They do have the hook, and it is in the right place, so kudos on that. Then, I see what I thought had been isolated to the IHOP in NJ:
Guess no one's looking at the tops of things in the bathrooms. It might be hard to tell, but that white stuff on the top of the hinge is a thick layer of dust. Bathroom dust. Again, I'm sure this isn't limited to just Applebee's Kingston and IHOP, NJ.
Overall, useable, no real complaints (except the service unless you get the guy with the Brooklyn accent). If you like Applebee's, you'll be fine.
http://restaurants.applebees.com/ny/kingston/1171-ulster-ave.html
On, now, to the commode.
Relatively clean. They do have the hook, and it is in the right place, so kudos on that. Then, I see what I thought had been isolated to the IHOP in NJ:
Guess no one's looking at the tops of things in the bathrooms. It might be hard to tell, but that white stuff on the top of the hinge is a thick layer of dust. Bathroom dust. Again, I'm sure this isn't limited to just Applebee's Kingston and IHOP, NJ.
Overall, useable, no real complaints (except the service unless you get the guy with the Brooklyn accent). If you like Applebee's, you'll be fine.
http://restaurants.applebees.com/ny/kingston/1171-ulster-ave.html
Monday, January 18, 2016
IHOP -- Manahawkin, NJ
A stop we usually make on our way out to Long Beach Island in New Jersey, I got the chance to go just recently. The area where this IHOP is is a stretch of mall-land with impossible ins and outs of roads and entrances. Navigation is difficult. The IHOP, however, had become a beacon to us. Breakfast served fast, hot, tasty, and with a pot of coffee on the table too.
I am not generally a fan of IHOP. Generally they have a distinctive odor on entrance that smells like old corn syrup and oil. Not only that, but in several we have had terrible service as well. One to the point that when I snubbed the waiter a tip at the check-out counter, he literally ran back to the table to see if we had left a tip, then came back to let me know I hadn't. Believe me, I knew.
This makes it all the more surprising to me that this place is so darned good. No terrible smells, and fantastic, fast service with smiles and efficiency. In general, that plays out in the commode as well, except for one small thing.
Generally clean and I think this is the only one I've ever seen that makes an effort to pretty up and privatize the long expanse of stall wall on entrance. Well done, IHOP Manahawkin!
The rest of the space seems kept in good shape as well. Unfortunately, I noticed something while inside the stall. And honestly, I started noticing it in other places as well.
If only that dust tail hadn't escaped and hung off the edge, I would never have seen it. Had there been other infractions, for instance, if the floor had been sticky, or sinks clogged and nasty, I would demerit it. However, the fact that I just started noticing makes me wonder how many other places are guilty of the same. My new sub-mission. Dust.
Well, we'll see about that, but meantime, I can't say I didn't enjoy IHOP, and the restroom was very useable and (relatively) clean.
http://restaurants.ihop.com/nj/manahawkin/4697/
I am not generally a fan of IHOP. Generally they have a distinctive odor on entrance that smells like old corn syrup and oil. Not only that, but in several we have had terrible service as well. One to the point that when I snubbed the waiter a tip at the check-out counter, he literally ran back to the table to see if we had left a tip, then came back to let me know I hadn't. Believe me, I knew.
This makes it all the more surprising to me that this place is so darned good. No terrible smells, and fantastic, fast service with smiles and efficiency. In general, that plays out in the commode as well, except for one small thing.
Generally clean and I think this is the only one I've ever seen that makes an effort to pretty up and privatize the long expanse of stall wall on entrance. Well done, IHOP Manahawkin!
The rest of the space seems kept in good shape as well. Unfortunately, I noticed something while inside the stall. And honestly, I started noticing it in other places as well.
If only that dust tail hadn't escaped and hung off the edge, I would never have seen it. Had there been other infractions, for instance, if the floor had been sticky, or sinks clogged and nasty, I would demerit it. However, the fact that I just started noticing makes me wonder how many other places are guilty of the same. My new sub-mission. Dust.
Well, we'll see about that, but meantime, I can't say I didn't enjoy IHOP, and the restroom was very useable and (relatively) clean.
http://restaurants.ihop.com/nj/manahawkin/4697/
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Tripod Rock at Pyramid Mountain -- West Kinnelon, NJ
That's right, A La Commode is on the road. We went to see the Tripod Rock at Pyramid Mountain. It's a neat sight to see; a huge boulder (glacial erratic) supported only by three rocks all on top of a mountain. You'll need your hiking shoes. It's not a terribly hard hike, but there is a definite section of up/down that wore me out a bit.
If you're interested in reading more about the Tripod Rock itself, go on over to the Hudson Valley Geologist and read his post about the subject.
As far as the commode, the visitor's center wasn't open when we were there, so we were relegated to the portapotty.
I noticed the potty-log. They'd been there quite recently. How bad could it be?
If you're interested in reading more about the Tripod Rock itself, go on over to the Hudson Valley Geologist and read his post about the subject.
As far as the commode, the visitor's center wasn't open when we were there, so we were relegated to the portapotty.
I noticed the potty-log. They'd been there quite recently. How bad could it be?
Not too bad, really. Because it was fairly cold, there was no real odor to worry about.
There was a bit of a mess on the floor, but the worst part was how full it was. On pure visuals, this was not a pretty portapotty. Trust me, you don't want to see this with the lid up.
The antibac hand gel had the handyman's secret weapon, duct tape, on the dispenser. Hmm.
Green means go!
The portapotty as a whole. Looks nicer from a distance. But yes, that is a dumpster right next to it. And a road on the other side of those trees. Traffic noise is always conducive to 'going', right? But really, when they say "Any port in a storm," I guess they could be talking about a portapotty.
Worth a walk through the woods, and even a trip into the full commode.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Happy New Year!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year! I'd like to take a moment to be serious. While it's all well and good to know where to go when things are swimming along wonderfully for you, it can be a whole different ball of wax for some.
Exploring the world of bariatric surgery, our friend over at Illuminous Flux takes us on a serious journey. Hang on to your toilet seats, people. No one wants to die like Elvis (points if you can find the reference in the Illuminous Flux post).
Go on an emotional journey, one step at a time...
It starts with a Snowbank
Things get complicated in Number Three
The facing and recognition of different kinds of needs occurs in Desire
Finally moving forward in all kinds of ways in Landing
Realizing that there is individuality in the medical world and ourselves, and trying to navigate within that in Whisper
Finally, a world of different relationships with food. It's all new in Dirt
Thanks for taking a look and following the story at Illuminous Flux! We're all on journeys and sometimes when we take a closer look at someone else's, it can open our eyes to our own. And if you catch that Elvis reference, let me know in the comments.
Exploring the world of bariatric surgery, our friend over at Illuminous Flux takes us on a serious journey. Hang on to your toilet seats, people. No one wants to die like Elvis (points if you can find the reference in the Illuminous Flux post).
Go on an emotional journey, one step at a time...
It starts with a Snowbank
Things get complicated in Number Three
The facing and recognition of different kinds of needs occurs in Desire
Finally moving forward in all kinds of ways in Landing
Realizing that there is individuality in the medical world and ourselves, and trying to navigate within that in Whisper
Finally, a world of different relationships with food. It's all new in Dirt
Thanks for taking a look and following the story at Illuminous Flux! We're all on journeys and sometimes when we take a closer look at someone else's, it can open our eyes to our own. And if you catch that Elvis reference, let me know in the comments.
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