Toilet high kicks?

Ok, I don't know if this is a "thing", but I have been to several places now, where I have been told that you shouldn't touch the toilet handle to flush.  I then, brilliantly, reply, then how do you flush?

You use your foot. 

Um.

I thought this was a joke, at first, but I have been to several public restrooms and, sure enough, there is someone who does the job, then a high kick, and flush.  (At least that's what it looks like from the next stall over...)

Uh-huh.

Ok, perhaps it's me.  This seems... Strange. 

I guess it would keep your hands clean(er), but aren't you going to go WASH them, anyway?  Also, for those of us who aren't trying out for the Rockettes, for one reason or another, the idea that someone who has walked through... stuff, it's now on the handle for ME to use.  Oh, yay.  And considering what I have to walk through in a day, I don't think I want to share it with whoever is after me!

 And that isn't even mentioning the ones who are using walkers or in wheelchairs, I don't think high kicks are an option...

I also have this odd image, I do the job, flush, and high kick.  Then wake to EMT's trying to understand why I have a concussion from tipping over backwards to flush, and hitting my head on the door! 

So, I don't know where this came from (internet, perhaps?) but, I hope it goes away...

One of those calls... And Faire

I do receptionist work on Tuesdays.  I try to be polite, professional, and generally do what I can to make the calls or contacts as pleasant, or at least easy, as they can be.

Then there are the ones...

Had a call this morning.

Hello, ... this is Cat, how can I help you?

I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! 

Sir, just a moment, what do you-

I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF!  I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! 

Sir!

I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! 

I just put the call on transfer, I hope that dispatch could get him to listen...

It isn't that terribly unusual to get folks who don't listen, but this was odd, even for the usual stuff and nonsense.  I have to assume that there is a problem, but that doesn't help me getting a bit of information to him.  And I guess I am really curious, what in the heck is a level 11 officer?  And we only have one Sheriff, so that didn't make a lot of sense to me either.


In other news, I went to faire for one day with Dad.  I don't know why, but it was okay.  Not great, but okay.  I enjoyed being with Dad, we chatted, and wandered around, but I felt... Off.  I wasn't in costume, Dad and I thought it would be a lot easier, and, well, it was.  But I slipped into Fairespeak, and tried to help a couple folks, and they brushed me off.  Odd sensation, that.  Was able to see a few friends, but it was a crazy time for the bunch of us, so Hail Fellow Well Met, was more, Hiyo, I am trying to get crap done, bye.  And with me in full Meh mode, that didn't help...

We decided to leave early as it was getting hot.  BIG mistake.  I didn't time it right, and poor Dad had to drive through the Oregon State game being released.  It says something when they A) turn off all the traffic lights and use people to direct traffic, and B) turn all the roads around the area to one way OUT, which means we were driving and where we would be on a two lane, two way road, with a double yellow line, they had made it ALL GOING ONE WAY.  Reminded me of the news reports of Hurricane evacuations, just smaller.  But, we made it out of the area okay, Dad did NOT get a leg cramp (THANKFULLY!!), and we made it home fine.

I do have to deal with a full day of dust and dirt, creating faire boogers... Eeeew, to put it mildy.  When you blow your nose, and it's black, you know you have dealt with a large amount of dust!

Writing, cleaning, and fluffy pillows.

Well, I have managed to keep up with The Challenge... I have only missed one day, (I wrote two notes today, as I, uh, zoned out and fell asleep last night, before writing my last one), so I am at this point caught up with all the letters I have meant to send out.

I found out I like writing with a fountain pen... I have also found out the paper I use sucks up ink like an alcoholic sucks up booze.  So, until I find a bit better paper, I will use a ball point.  I found out my Grandmother has 3 fountain pens squirreled away, I am going to have to ask if I could use them.

I have been cleaning the house today, I am amazed at how 2 people can create so much paper!  The house is not "dirty", really, I mean I dust, and vacuum, that sort of thing, but it is the amazing amount of reading material and mail we have.  I sorted out at least 10 or so magazines, (I get them in trades from various sources), and still have at least 6 or so left to read, Husband gave me 2 or three to give away.

Our kitchen table looked like a tornado had hit a paper plant!  Most was my letter writing 'stuff' and my husband's bills and mail for family (we are the mail forward point for 3 family members).  So, we looked at each other after lunch, and without saying a word, picked up and organized our respective disaster areas.  I put the letter writing 'stuff' into a folder, and have a little rack to set the mail and stamps in.  Husband picked up all the mail and put it into baskets, along with all the assorted ball caps that migrate to that area...  (I believe I counted 8...)  Now, for a while, we will have a kitchen table again!  And a front room table.

Until the next swath of mail and magazines, anyway.

I washed our pillows, too.  I don't know what the washer and dryer did, but I had a pillow, not more than two or three inches thick.  I now have a pillow that looks like a marshmallow on steroids.  We shall see how this monster sleeps!  I have washed this pillow before, but this is a different washer/dryer system.  Still, I wasn't really expecting the silly thing to blow up like a balloon!

The odd things that go on around this house...

Pictures of mutants... And just strangeness.

Ok, this is the pumpkin that I was telling you about, see, just a long ol' pumpkin vine...

This is a pumpkin growing on it, it's the "Big Max" type pumpkin.  I won't get any award winners for size, but I didn't try, either...

THIS is where it gets odd.  See the big crooknecks?  These are the base of the same plant that has the lovely pumpkin.  And these are about a size 9 (US) women's shoe, so they are getting a bit large...

And these, well, I just added for fun.  I guess that some people don't realize that you can scratch a picture on a pumpkin (these are a different batch than the Big Maxes), and the picture will 'scab over' making it show rather pronouncedly.  I decided to play with a few I had for some kids I know, if they want them, if not, heck,  I have a front porch...

Mrs. Happyface

Mr. Boo

This one I might keep. Senyour Funnyface 

(Yes, I know I spelled that wrong, can't make the n squiggle...)

So, I hope that gives you a laugh today, and you can see the strange doings with my pumpkins.  I have one more 'carved' pumpkin, but I have to cut it a bit deeper, it's barely visible...  More pics when things "show".