As with the previous post, this one
comes with a warning for those of a delicate nature to stop reading right now
and find another more suitable blog (you might like to try a knitting blog, for
example...).
Still here? OK, don't say you
weren't warned!
I am, as I may have mentioned, a bit
of a gadget geek. I browse shops and websites for little devices (or
large) that come with a promise to enhance my life by making it easier, faster,
more reliable and more exciting. Gadgets come in many forms and price
ranges, and, of course, their genuine usefulness. I am very happy to
report that I am still using my Fitbit after a year (although I am perhaps not
quite as motivated to try and reach 10k steps every day as I was) whereas there
are a number of articles that are either currently gathering dust because “I
will use them one day – honest!” (the treadmill, the re-bounder, the George
Forman grill, the breadmaker… I could go on…), or I have given up on them but can’t
find anyone who wants them (the iJoy rider – don’t ask! – and the iSurf –
clue’s in the name…). Every now and again, something REALLY useful is
invented that really does make life a bit easier, and, dear reader, I am here
to tell you about my latest find.
In my previous post, I covered the
issues facing us ladies when we are out and about, far away from a comfortable
and CLEAN place to, erm, go about our business. Horror of horrors, you
are going to have to use a COMMUNAL toilet - Aaaaaaaagggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Well, fear no more! You can now
purchase a little gadget that will put an end to your timid tinkling.
Made of rubber, it looks like a small funnel that you might use to decant
liquids, or small granules, into bottles, although it is slightly more
flexible. Placed in the correct position, we girlies can pee just like
men! Yes! For many years, we women have been held back purely
because we just don’t have what the boys have, but no more will this absent
appendage cause us to feel inferior to men. We can finally put an end to
the indignities of having to squat inelegantly behind a bush, crossing our
fingers that no-one spots us before we have done what we have to do and
re-arranged our clothing to cover our dignity.
So on to the test drive, which took
place in Spain on our recent holiday. One of the things we like to do
when we go to Spain for our holidays, is go for a long walk down the beach to
the village, have some lunch (and a few cervezas) then walk back to our apartment.
It is on the walk back that we all realise that we aren’t going to be able to
make it back to the apartment without relieving ourselves of some of the
cerveza (in our case) or lemonade (in DS's case). Hubby and DS just stop
where they are (out of season, they usually just do a joint performance into
the sea!), and do what they have to do. At this time of year, we just walk
along behind the sand dunes where it is pretty quiet. Anyway, much to
their amusement, I got out my new device and gave it a test run. I was
wearing shorts with a zip fly, and although I managed just about to move it
into position, it didn’t feel quite stable enough for me to let it run, so to
speak. I tried putting it up the leg of the shorts and this gave me a
little more confidence, so off I went! I was delighted to see that it
came out in an arc, the same as when my hubby and son do it, and it all went in
the right direction! Result! At this stage I should probably mention
that I did actually try it out in the privacy of my bathroom before using it
whilst out and about, running the risk of further discomfort and/or
embarrassment caused by lack of control over the speed and direction of output.
A quick shake afterwards and I was done. It dried immediately and
is, apparently, quite hygienic (although I didn't fancy putting it back in my
handbag until I'd given it a rinse in the sea).
Well, I'm not sure it's going to
totally change my life, but it might just occasionally make it a little less
unpleasant. Of course, I need to remember to have it with me when I am
likely to be in a situation where I can use it, and if I am wearing long
trousers (which I am 99% of the time), I will still need to take them down,
which doesn't make it quite as easy to nip behind a tree. I did actually
buy the optional collecting bag, which you can use if there is no-where
appropriate to go. They give the example of being stuck in a traffic jam,
but I am trying to picture the scene of using the device surreptitiously when
you are stuck on the motorway. That should give all the truck drivers a
jolly good laugh! There are probably some videos on YouTube already (not
of me, I hasten to add!).
