SPECIAL BATHROOM

This bathroom is genuinely important to me. It's a spacious, one room lavatory with a toilet, urinal, shelving, coat hooks, sink, and two mirrors. One of these mirrors sits directly across from the toilet. It is amusing to watch yourself in a position you don't usually see. I mean this without vulgarity or any tongue-in-cheek playfulness. It is seriously funny and cool. I like this bathroom because it is usually clean and empty. It's well equipped, and is conveniently located on campus. Where? Undisclosed. I can't have a bunch of hooligans mucking about. It's my favorite bathroom at BYU, and a nice place for those seeking refuge. I really like it. A bunch.

Taking these photographs didn't really bring a sense of community, but using this restroom frequently has led to sort of a kinship with those I see going in and out. Having a nice bathroom available to retreat to might seem like a small thing, but it can really make an otherwise soul-crushing day a little bit easier. I see familiar faces exiting every once and a while, and we share a glance that says, "This place be dope, don't tell your friends."  It also has led to some passive aggression. Once, when I went into the bathroom, someone had moved the trashcan in front of the toilet mirror, blocking my usual business-time view in the process (demonstrated in one of the photographs below). No dice, amigo. I righted the wrong.

On the other hand, this photo essay did make me focus on the individual details of the bathroom, and helped me to appreciate all the little things that make it special. Two paper towel dispensers. One of them has "PULL STRAIGHT DOWN" written on it in Sharpie. A single, inviting fluorescent light. And the faint smell of... hope.

Now you see me...

Now you don't?

Just like home