Friday Flush, Issue 7

I hope those of you in the States had a relaxing Fourth of July.  Since Ken® is away for the holiday weekend, I’m filling in once again and this time to rally for bidet awareness.

The last time I was in Korea, I pressed the most prominent button on a fancy public toilet to flush and ended up running away in shock when the toilet wouldn’t stop squirting water at me.  Having spent a good chunk of my life in bidet-free USA, I was unaware of such a modern advancement, dating back to at least the 1700’s.  In fact, I only learned while researching for this post that bidets in many countries, including France where it originated, are actually separate fixtures and not integrated into toilets, like in Korea and Japan.

Here is a SNL clip on the bidet.

Friday Flush, Issue 6

Hey dudes and dudettes, I have exciting news for you all.

Check out my new digs—a pinstripe suit from our publication advisers Angela and Casey with a pair of navy oxfords to match!  Casey also got me what he thought was a “murse” but I think it’s a slightly oversized wallet.

Not only that, they got me a new iPhone.  What more could a toy ask for?  I want to give a shout-out and say thanks Casey and Angela!  You two are just far out.

Catch me in my new suit at our editor-in-chief’s commencement ceremony today, the upcoming summer weddings and the snazzier jazz clubs.

–

Staff writer/model Ken® has appeared in the short, Hawaiian Vacation (2011), and numerous other features, making his first appearance in the 60′s.  He has been named (the boyfriend of) one of the most influential cultural icons of the century and is a true renaissance man, with skills ranging from leading safaris in the wild to shaving without gel in the concrete jungle.  Ken® currently resides in Manhattan but vacations frequently at his dream house in Malibu.

Friday Flush, Issue 5

I’m filling in on this Good Friday, as Ken®’s contract prohibits him from working holidays.  As a tribute to hardworking Ken®, below is a jazz cover of the ’90s hit single by Aqua, “Barbie Girl.”

As always, feel free to forward us breaking news from the world of toilets and jazz for future flushes.

Friday Flush, Issue 4

Folks, today I will cover the grooviest man alive at the intersection of jazz and toilets, John Hollenbeck.  The composer/drummer has contributed solid coverage of the best toilets to the jazz community at large in his 2010 review.  Below is just one of his descriptions of the top eight toilets (and urinals) from around the globe.  Don’t miss out on the full article from Ethan Iverson’s blog!

Keramag – Karlsruhe Jazz Club, Germany: Can’t go wrong with a nice green background! Keramag’s hipness creates a comfortable atmosphere where one can easily get in a “zone”.

A little birdie told me that Hollenbeck even had a Claudia Quintet album in the works with tracks named after toilets.  Righteous.  Unfortunately, the toilet companies shut that project down.

Mr. Hollenbeck, sir, keep up the good fight.

[EDIT] Dude, I saw that the Claudia Quintet released an album with some of the tracks named after toilet models after all.  Pick up a copy of Royal Toast to get hip to “Crane Merit,” “American Standard” and more.

–

Staff writer/model Ken® has appeared in the short, Hawaiian Vacation (2011), and numerous other features, making his first appearance in the 60′s.  He has been named (the boyfriend of) one of the most influential cultural icons of the century and is a true renaissance man, with skills ranging from leading safaris in the wild to shaving without gel in the concrete jungle.  Ken® currently resides in Manhattan but vacations frequently at his dream house in Malibu.

Friday Flush, Issue 3

Hey, did you all make it through Frankenstorm?  I’ve been chillaxin’ on hurrication on the Upper West Side and couldn’t believe the pictures of Sandy’s work in other areas, like lower Manhattan and Haiti.  It’s a bummer that it didn’t wash out all the rats from the city along with everything else.

They say this might be the beginning of ratpocalypse, with the storm driving underground rats up to spread infectious disease.  Should I be worried?  Check out the Huffington Post video below for the deets.

–

Staff writer/model Ken® has appeared in the short, Hawaiian Vacation (2011), and numerous other features, making his first appearance in the 60′s.  He has been named (the boyfriend of) one of the most influential cultural icons of the century and is a true renaissance man, with skills ranging from leading safaris in the wild to shaving without gel in the concrete jungle.  Ken® currently resides in Manhattan but vacations frequently at his dream house in Malibu.