Thomas Big Pine ([info]elhoserboy) wrote,

A Poopie Predicament or... Shitty Situation - #1

I have a confession to make: I don't like taking dumps at other people's houses.

There, I said it.

But even though I don't like doing it, I realize that I can't always predict when nature will call. And when it strikes at an inopportune time, like say, when I'm at your house, I've got to decide whether to use your facilities or, quite literally, suck it up. My decision hinges on a "perceived level of comfort" that I determine through a process that involves something I like to call "calculated risk assessment".

Allow me to explain:

If I get that uncomfortable crapping-soon feeling at your house, the first thing I'll usually do is ask where the bathroom is, "because I have to wash my hands." I may in fact be washing my hands, but I'm also scoping out the goods in the bathroom to see whether or not I want to risk letting it all hang out at your house.

When I'm in your bathroom, here's what I'm checking out:

Toilet
I usually take a pee in the toilet and flush. During this time I observe a number of things. Is this a low-flow toilet? What kind of flushing power does it have?

Note: if it can't take down my yellow, it ain't taking down my brown.

I also take stock of any objects, like knickknacks or tissue boxes, that might be perched on the back of the toilet. In the event that I need quick and immediate access to the internal flushing mechanism, I like to think out in advance what kind of an effort this will require.
Sink
I look to see if the sink is in close proximity to the toilet. Ideally, I should be able to reach the faucet and turn the water on while still seated on the can. This is so I can sporadically turn on the water to mask any splashing noises that might occur while I'm doing my business.
Ceiling Fan
This is key to making me feel comfortable enough to crap in your bathroom. The Ceiling Fan provides two essential functions necessary for a stress-free poo. First off, it is a fan that sucks foul odors from the bathroom. Secondly, it makes noise - which can prevent you from hearing the grunting, groaning, farting, and splashing noises that I'm making.

Note: If you don't have a fan, you better have a window. If you don't have either, I'm sorry, but I'm just not gonna be able to use your bathroom to make a deposit.
Heat Lamp
It is very important that I don't mistake a Heat Lamp for a Ceiling Fan. They both make noise, which is good, but as we've learned, a Ceiling Fan also sucks away foul odors. A Heat Lamp simply bakes the odor, thus exacerbating the problem.

Note: Using a Heat Lamp solely for its noise making ability while using a window, or other device (to be discussed), to eliminate baked butt-smell, is acceptable, but not ideal.
Matches
I'm always pleased when I see a book of matches on the back of the toilet. I don't know how lighting a match nullifies poop-stench, but I don't question it too much for fear it will one day stop working.

Note: Always flush matches. Do not put them in the trash can or the fact that you're dumping in someone else's house may suddenly be the least of your problems. I learned this the hard way and please believe me when I tell you that you really don't want to be frantically trying to extinguish flames and frantically trying to pull your pants up at the same time.
Air Freshener
Air Freshener is completely worthless. If I see this in your bathroom, it tells me one thing, and one thing only:

You like the smell of shit-covered flowers.

If this is the case, I'll be happy to oblige, but personally I'd rather smell the foulest poo-stink than some of the so-called air "fresheners" out there.
Toilet Paper
I check to see that there is, in fact, toilet paper currently on the roll. Whether the paper comes off the roll "over" or "under" is irrelevant as long as there is ample supply. I might check under the sink, etc. for extra rolls just to make sure I'm on the safe side.

I don't want to find out mid-crap that you're out of toilet paper. I also don't want to shuffle across the floor with my pants around my ankles and crack the door so you can hand me an extra roll because I've gone through the current supply. I don't think you want this either.
Plunger
My single greatest fear in life is clogging a toilet in somebody else's house and finding myself plunger-less. This fear is most likely the direct result of the time when I clogged a toilet in somebody else's house and found myself plunger-less. (This was on a first date with a hot chick and I ended up having to get very creative with a two-liter bottle of coke... nevermind, it's too painful to think about.)

I think it goes without saying that the only thing more embarrassing than taking a crap at someone else's house, is sheepishly emerging from the bathroom to ask the host if they own a plunger.

A plunger is a must, people. Put it next to the toilet or under the sink or anywhere in the bathroom for that matter. I'll find it if I need it. Believe me.
Reading Material
At home, I often times get comfortable on the throne with a good novel. I sometimes read many chapters and stay in the bathroom for ridiculously long periods of time. One time, I swear to God, I spent three full hours in the bathroom reading Ayn Rand's, "The Fountainhead". You do not want me in your bathroom for that long, trust me. But please, some magazines and such would be nice. Something that's easy to read and not too long - Readers Digest is perfect. Anything pornographic is a bad idea.

One time, I was dumping at someone's house and they had a "Kid's Guide to Anatomy" complete with large, full-color illustrations. I read all about the excretory system while I was excreting... and it blew my fucking mind.

Now, some of you may be asking, "Why would I have a vested interest in making you feel comfortable pooping in my bathroom?"

I'll tell you why.

When I am not able to release my bowels, I get tense, nervous, standoff-ish, irritable, sweaty, etc. In other words, I am no longer the life of the party. When I become an introvert, it can have a real detrimental effect on the social scene in your house.

Case in point: One time I was at an apartment shared by three girls. They fed me Thai food which--surprise!--made me have to shit. Badly. Unfortunately for these three girls (and other house guests), when I went into their bathroom to "wash my hands" I came to the conclusion, through "calculated risk assessment", that the "perceived level of comfort" in their bathroom was FAR below my acceptable standards.

The net effect was that, not only was I unable to shit, but in the eyes of most of the people in the house, I became "no fun."

Well I got news for you - it's awfully hard to be "fun" when every poke, tickle, and hug has the potential to unleash a gaseous, party-stopping fury.

Look, I think we can all agree on the fact that there's nothing like your own toilet, an empty house, and all the free time in the world... which is why it should be common courtesy to provide guests in your home with a "foreigner friendly" environment in which to take care of business.

P.S. To all those that know me personally, I'm not kidding here. Please get your bathrooms in order or I may have to stop hanging out at your houses.

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[info]kataclysm

December 10 2002, 23:42:32 UTC 9 years ago

Okay, this is funniest thing I have ever read.

Excuse me while I die laughing.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 00:23:45 UTC 9 years ago

Perfect!

I was thinking tonight about a way to kill you without leaving any evidence...

...so I wrote this post.

Glad you enjoyed it. Now, seriously, please go get your bathroom up to par.

[info]kataclysm

9 years ago

[info]la_knabo

December 10 2002, 23:53:07 UTC 9 years ago

Y'know, I think I may have been more moved by this post then by your previous one. So many of the things that you've said really struck home with me. I was actually in a similar situation to your "case in point" I was on a three day road trip with two friends, and our dwellings for those three days were most definitely sub-par. So I spent the three days in growing stages of uncomfortably. Fortunately for me I was able to fend off natures call until we left.....unfortunately seven hours in the car proved to be far too much, and we were forced to make a pit-stop, the details of which are too much to recall at the current moment, perhaps tomorrow I will leave a response finishing the story.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 00:17:29 UTC 9 years ago

Glad to have moved you(r bowels)!

Pit-stop pooping is never fun. Please do finish your story, however, as hearing about other people's pit-stop pooping happens to be very fun indeed!

Also, just so you know, public defecation will be addressed in:

A Poopie Predicament... or Shitty Situation - #2

Look for it in the coming weeks.

[info]la_knabo

9 years ago

[info]merky

December 11 2002, 00:10:23 UTC 9 years ago

Great post. And very well written too. I'm linking this.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 13:46:25 UTC 9 years ago

Thank you for the kind words. Link away!

[info]asalienapua

December 11 2002, 01:36:37 UTC 9 years ago

Ditto to what merky said.
Well-written.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 13:47:11 UTC 9 years ago

Ditto to what I said to Merky...

Thank you for the kind words!

[info]trancelation

December 11 2002, 04:43:17 UTC 9 years ago

I am so linking this.

Rock on.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 12:48:30 UTC 9 years ago

...and I am SO honored! Thank you.

[info]siyamau

December 11 2002, 04:54:52 UTC 9 years ago

You are a great, great man! This has made my day. The quality of this entry has set a new standard for poop posts!

And the matches idea is brilliant :o)

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 12:53:54 UTC 9 years ago

I'm Flattered, Thank You.

I'm happy to have made your day... your comment made mine!

[info]tamisevens

December 11 2002, 07:37:26 UTC 9 years ago

Man, you've READ MY MIND. The only thing I don't care about is reading material - especially at other people's houses (I've never kept reading material in my own place either). When at friend's houses, I want to get in and out ASAP, and not be distracted by anything.

I really want to hear the 2-liter-coke story.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 13:53:10 UTC 9 years ago

I READ YOUR MIND and you READ MY POST - isn't it funny how the world works sometimes?

"When at friend's houses, I want to get in and out ASAP, and not be distracted by anything."

Point taken!

As for the 2-liter-coke story, perhaps writing about it would be cathartic for me. We'll see.

[info]ispq

December 11 2002, 09:42:32 UTC 9 years ago

The matches work because of the sulfur in them reacts with the odor causing molecules in the air. That's why lighters do not, repeat, do not work to counteract odor.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 12:55:49 UTC 9 years ago

Thanks for the tip about lighters and thanks for giving me the phrase "odor causing molecules"

[info]ispq

9 years ago

[info]verloren

December 11 2002, 10:12:28 UTC 9 years ago

pros:
-reachable sink
-no fan...but got a window
-no heater
-plenty of matches
-no air freshner (bah.)
-ample toilet paper
-ready plunger
-good reading material

cons:
-low flush
-location (you have to go through the kitchen, and our apartment is small)

ps the quick flush is sometimes mightier than the fan.

-not a fan of shit-covered flowers

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 13:04:49 UTC 9 years ago

Your bathroom sounds nice. At first I was put-off by the "low flush" attribute, but then I remembered your "ready plunger" and relaxed a little.

"ps the quick flush is sometimes mightier than the fan."

Definitely agree here, but it can sometimes backfire when people incorrectly assume that the sound of a toilet flushing means you're done. One time, after my first "noise-masking" flush, another house guest sidled up outside the door thinking I was nearly finished. When I finally emerged, 20 minutes and 7 flushes later, he was as embarrassed as I was!

[info]tatjanadapirate

December 11 2002, 11:46:51 UTC 9 years ago

<3!!!!
muh toilet
-no plunger
-it has one of those brushy thingies you clean off stuck on poop off with
-no mathces
-a fan yes
-it sometimes has comics on the floor
-rachable sink
-a window but you can’t open it
-lots of toilet paper... err sometimes.
-there are four shelfs above my toilet with lots of hair products you can read the instructions off of (does anyone read the lables off stuff like that?? i do.)
etc.
poop story
one time when i was 11 i took a poopie at someone else’s house and the toilet wouldn’t flush and i was really embaressed and didn’t want to tell anyone so i scooped out the poops and threw them in the trash can... i really wonder if they ever found out.
another time i took a poop in school and it was really loud and when i came out a girl looked at me and made a face of discussed and walked away in a hurry. :D

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 13:58:27 UTC 9 years ago

Re: Poop Stories

Thank you for being a female and being able to share fecal fables so candidly!

"...you can read the instructions off of (does anyone read the lables off stuff like that?? i do.)"

Absolutely! Hair products/shampoo/cereal boxes - you name it, I've read it.


[info]poopalicious

December 11 2002, 12:44:05 UTC 9 years ago

ya pooper

you are fucking brilliant.
spot on.

plungers: best invention EVER
air fresheners + shit = tear gas

hope you never go to Europe; there's like one tablespoon of water in the toilet (if you're lucky). I did some legendary bowl-staining there.

speaking of bowl-staining... I've got an empty house and three bathrooms to choose from. I like to poop in front of the downstairs window with the door open so the neighbors can see.

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 14:09:14 UTC 9 years ago

Re: ya pooper

I couldn't agree more with your views on plungers and air fresheners. Thank you kindly for the phrase "legendary bowl-staining" - I've officially added it to my rectal rhetoric.

Also, as flattered as I am, I must correct you. YOU are fucking brilliant. I've just finished reading some of your journals and have come to the conclusion that you may very well be the coolest girl I've never met.


[info]sedated

9 years ago

[info]postsuicidalfoo

December 11 2002, 14:57:21 UTC 9 years ago

*standin ovation*

[info]elhoserboy

December 11 2002, 15:14:43 UTC 9 years ago

Thank you sir...

...and please tell me that userpic is really you.

[info]mewsnack

December 11 2002, 16:27:43 UTC 9 years ago

I love you.

[info]elhoserboy

December 12 2002, 21:54:57 UTC 9 years ago

If I knew that talking about pooping would get chicks to profess their love for me I would have written this soo long ago!

[info]emmetropia

December 12 2002, 01:20:56 UTC 9 years ago

well, since you said you'd like to come out to berkeley and "chill" with us more often, i will work on making the bathroom a little more hospitable for you. how does that sound? i know we have the worst bathroom ever, as far as its position in the apartment, its lack of window, and it's interesting layout, lack of locks, and so on and so forth... but we will try to make it Brian-friendly.

[info]elhoserboy

December 12 2002, 22:19:33 UTC 9 years ago

"i know we have the worst bathroom ever..."

Knowing is half the battle... I will see what progress you've made on my next visit!

[info]stripekore

December 12 2002, 14:30:47 UTC 9 years ago

what up dood... im from the poop community... u seem pretty like-minded as i so i added u to my friends list....

~Brett

[info]elhoserboy

December 12 2002, 16:19:57 UTC 9 years ago

...and I have added you back. Anyone that "poops in the nude" is a friend of mine!

[info]sedated

December 12 2002, 16:25:24 UTC 9 years ago

Great Post

This IS a quality post. Though I originally read it while eating breakfast, ugh, and am responding now.

I wondered the same thing--why the fuck should I care if you feel comfortable dropping a deuce at my house? Thanks for answering that. Here's a funny... I was dating a guy who would use the 'second bathroom'. The second bathroom is for boys dropping a deuce now. It's away from the rest of the house, and had all the implements, so I thought. Mutual friends of ours gave me a fricking TOILET BRUSH (of course it's fancy and fits with my decor) for Christmas, saying that "Dookie" (let's call him Dookie) mentioned to them he was always worried about clogging the toilet at my house. Jesus fucking christ.

[info]elhoserboy

December 12 2002, 22:28:02 UTC 9 years ago

Re: Great Post

That IS a funny story...

...it reminds me of the time when I, as a last resort, actually tried to unclog a toilet with a toilet BRUSH - as you might suspect, the result was disastrous. Which makes me wonder about those mutual friends of yours. If they really mistook a brush for a plunger it tells me two things: they've never clogged a toilet, or cleaned one!

[info]shmooshmoo

9 years ago

[info]sedated

9 years ago

[info]hep

December 13 2002, 14:01:43 UTC 9 years ago

You are my new favorite livejournal person.

[info]elhoserboy

December 13 2002, 18:44:16 UTC 9 years ago

How nice of you to say! I've seen some of your stuff through Tanya ([info]simulacrum) - glad to have you on my friends list.

[info]jameth

December 13 2002, 14:15:42 UTC 9 years ago

I linked to this post in my LJ. I hope you don't mind. You may be visited by a lot of people. Thx bye

[info]dreeenik

December 13 2002, 14:56:19 UTC 9 years ago

Like me. *adds to memories*

You sounded like my one friend. Very cool.

[info]quasidan

9 years ago

[info]quasidan

9 years ago

[info]magndoodle

9 years ago

[info]robynchick

December 13 2002, 20:04:54 UTC 9 years ago

Speaking of europe how about them bidet's (pronounced Bid-day)
http://bidet-2000.com/

Lovely Bidet

Basically they're like really short sinks that you wash your ass off with after using the toilet. They're in every nice hotel in france.
And of course a story to go with.
I spent two weeks in Europe about 2 years ago, i traveled with some friends from my high school. I was hanging out in my hotel room with some of my guy friends one day and i have no idea how we started on the subject of Bidet's. Anyway My friend asks what a bidet is. So we all march into the bathroom and point it out to him. He says "no shit that thing?" and we all give him a funny look. "I thought it was some funny european urinal!" He'd been pissing in it the whole trip.

We didn't think it was a big deal or anything, but that was like the height of faux pas.

[info]arjuna

December 13 2002, 21:55:44 UTC 9 years ago

Funny Shit

I've spent the past god knows how long reading over various entries of yours. Very funny. I've added you to my friends list, found your journal through [info]ferahga. Best of luck. In response to your previous entries: there's a lot of truth in our jest and I've found my mood improved about my own current unemployment and lack of general direction. thanks. I particularly liked the joke about being a clock in Michael Jackson's house among others, I'll have to remember that one and maybe use it to get my own flock of adoring fans. haha.

[info]elhoserboy

December 14 2002, 00:59:55 UTC 9 years ago

Re: Funny Shit

"In response to your previous entries: there's a lot of truth in our jest..."

So very true, my friend. In looking at my life, I can either laugh or cry. I choose to laugh.

Thank you kindly for all the nice things you had to say and good luck with your own job search.

[info]shmooshmoo

December 13 2002, 22:49:47 UTC 9 years ago

There certainly is a few techniques to eliminate the possibility of clogging someone's toilet.

During the first BM which is usually the largest and most dense, try flushing right as it comes out or shortly thereafter. When I poop I always flush twice, or three times if it's a messy one. I try to flush the poo first and the toilet paper last (with any necessary secondary flushes, just in case) to avoid cramming the plumbing. Do not use one big long piece of TP, rather use smaller ones so that they will "swirl" better and go down the drain much better without clogging. Using too much toilet paper or one large piece that will form into a ball will definately clog up the works, so stay small and flush it separate.

To clear up any "stickies" below the water level (especially in the presence of females), lay a piece of TP on the counter and wash and dry your hands. Use any of this time to check hair in the mirror, etc. Then with the piece of TP flush the toilet one last time and throw down the piece of TP down with the swirling water. Usually this will clear up any tell-tale brown leftovers or "crayon marks".

I hope this helps, I have personally time-tested these techniques, and they even work on low-flush models once you get proficient. I have not clogged a toilet in years.

Good luck.

[info]elhoserboy

December 14 2002, 01:05:47 UTC 9 years ago

Good Tips

You haven't clogged a toilet in years? That's quite a boast! Thanks for the tips.

[info]shmooshmoo

9 years ago

[info]shmooshmoo

9 years ago

[info]hillhouse

December 19 2002, 12:01:05 UTC 9 years ago

This is sheer, unadulterated brilliance.

A caveat, if you will, regarding the selection of reading material:

A friend recently used my pisser before we left for a strip club. I had the latest issue of Architectural Digest (my preferred toilet literature) on the over-the-toilet rack. The cover featured a leering Prince Charles. When my guest saw this, he reeled back in horror, nearly pissing all over the wall and my guest towels.

[info]elhoserboy

December 19 2002, 17:44:13 UTC 9 years ago

Thank You!

Architectural Digest is perfect toilet reading material, however, putting the issue with Prince Charles on the cover in your bathroom was a MAJOR faux pas on your part. You're lucky your house guest didn't purposefully piss all over everything!

P.S. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how the "strip club" detail fits in to all of this...

[info]hillhouse

9 years ago

[info]girlyunderwear

January 4 2003, 16:42:25 UTC 9 years ago

This reminds me of that poop scene in Dumb&Dumber. That is some funny shit

[info]i_am_murphy

January 5 2003, 18:48:56 UTC 9 years ago

heh

Alright, i havent laughed this hard in a pretty long time. Thanks for making my night.
Outtathejob

[info]elhoserboy

January 5 2003, 23:55:12 UTC 9 years ago

Re: heh

You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[info]menime

January 5 2003, 22:39:31 UTC 9 years ago

I must say you are right on. I once spent a month in Grand Rapids Michigan away from my lovely accomodations and it took me 3 days to get my comfort level up to where I could use the facilities.

This is a great bible for all pooping needs. I think I will print this up and carry it with me and leave it at the peoples houses where I am uncomfortable.
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