gdata.io.handleScriptLoaded({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-11-15T10:12:27.390-05:00"},"category":[{"term":"love"},{"term":"Columbiana"},{"term":"fear"},{"term":"nightmares"},{"term":"laughs"},{"term":"heartbreak"},{"term":"Lent"},{"term":"adventure"},{"term":"service"},{"term":"NKOTB"},{"term":"fun"},{"term":"amazing person"},{"term":"Chicago"},{"term":"faith"},{"term":"writing"},{"term":"family"},{"term":"Christmas"},{"term":"friendship"},{"term":"Auburn"},{"term":"dogs"},{"term":"dreams"},{"term":"America"},{"term":"courage"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Amy's Just Saying"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/5617703709209272834/posts/default/-/adventure?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d30"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/5617703709209272834/posts/default/-/adventure?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d30"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/search/label/adventure"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10/s113/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"https://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"2"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"30"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-8925591950469624401"},"published":{"$t":"2010-05-24T21:36:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T13:00:31.060-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adventure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"laughs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Luxury"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\nI present to you the Rolls Royce of toilets:\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/S_XktxN5VeI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/J3zzIEewdyg/s1600/DSCN0312.JPG\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"\" border\u003d\"0\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473532397095572962\" src\u003d\"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/S_XktxN5VeI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/J3zzIEewdyg/s400/DSCN0312.JPG\" style\u003d\"display: block; height: 400px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nAt first glance, it might look like your average toilet, but it isn't. I came across this little gem in the Tokyo airport on my way home from China. Look a little closer. It has an armrest, but this is no ordinary armrest.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"clear: right; color: #0000ee; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/S_a639nZEiI/AAAAAAAAAag/JLru7bpvwnM/s1600/DSCN0311.JPG\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"\" border\u003d\"0\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473767867710771746\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/S_a639nZEiI/AAAAAAAAAag/JLru7bpvwnM/s400/DSCN0311.JPG\" style\u003d\"display: block; height: 300px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nThat's right, ladies and gentlemen. This thrown has a CONTROL PANEL!!\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nI will admit that, although fascinated, I was quite intimidated by this complex bit of advanced technology. Allow me to break down the elements:\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nI could not muster the courage to attempt the \u003cstrong\u003e\"spray\"\u003c/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003e\"bidet\"\u003c/strong\u003e functions, but I am still curious as to what the difference between these might be. The graphics suggest a varying stream, but I cannot confirm. \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nThat being said, I simply could not resist testing the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Flushing Sound\"\u003c/strong\u003e! Really?! How genius is that?! Obviously meant for cases of...shall we say...stage fright, this is an option that not only benefits the individual user, but let's face it - it's a win/win for everyone. I can tell you that it does indeed sound like flushing, AND you can adjust the \u003cstrong\u003evolume\u003c/strong\u003e as your particular situation requires. \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nSpeaking of win/win - \u003cstrong\u003e\"Powerful deodorizer\"\u003c/strong\u003e?! The adjective \"powerful\" alone, was enough to keep me from pushing that button. Exactly how powerful are we talking? Seeing as how I was about to board a 14 hour flight, I didn't think it wise to risk possibly smelling like a pine tree or some such fragrance for the duration. But, really, if necessary, this is another feature that obviously serves the greater good. \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nIn addition to all of these options, it appears you can even control the \u003cstrong\u003epressure\u003c/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003etemperature\u003c/strong\u003e of the \"spray\" and/or \"bidet\" water, and you can \u003cstrong\u003ewarm the seat\u003c/strong\u003e! \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nLuxury, indeed.\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nHow and why these toilets are not standard around the world - or at least in the good \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_0\"\u003eol\u003c/span\u003e' US of A - is a matter worthy of an international investigation, in my humble opinion. I think we can all learn a lesson from the Japanese here - they are not only interested in creating a delightful individual experience (spray, bidet, warmer, etc), but they have gone above and beyond to create a more pleasant environment (flushing sound, powerful deodorizer) for all patrons. The journey to world peace is a long one, my friends, but Japan is making their contribution one stall at a time.\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_1\"\u003eDomo\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_2\"\u003earigato\u003c/span\u003e, Japan.\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\nBravo to you.\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/feeds/8925591950469624401/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/2010/05/luxury.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/5617703709209272834/posts/default/8925591950469624401"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/5617703709209272834/posts/default/8925591950469624401"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/2010/05/luxury.html","title":"Luxury"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10/s113/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/S_XktxN5VeI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/J3zzIEewdyg/s72-c/DSCN0312.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-5266768031665094083"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-01T11:56:00.010-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T13:05:38.175-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Auburn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"love"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adventure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Chicago"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"laughs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_0\"\u003eBG\u003c/span\u003e turns the big 6-2 today. Happy Birthday, Dad!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nAnyone who meets my dad immediately falls in love with him. He is one special person. He grew up in the same town where he still lives today. He and my 2 uncles were raised on a farm by two of the most humble and warm-hearted people on the planet. Nothing is more important to \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_1\"\u003eBG\u003c/span\u003e than family and God with Auburn football - well, Auburn in general - coming in as a close 3rd.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_2\"\u003eBG\u003c/span\u003e is the quintessential Southern Gentleman. He's a jolly, fun-loving guy who is so conservative he makes Rush Limbaugh look like a \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_3\"\u003ehippy\u003c/span\u003e. He has been known to call me his 'liberal daughter' which, to anyone who knows me, would seem hilariously inaccurate. Compared to him though, it is absolutely true. In the little corner of the world where I grew up, \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_4\"\u003eBG\u003c/span\u003e is one of the most respected and loved members of the community, and with good reason. Stranger or old friend, he loves nothing more than to make someone laugh. As long as you don't say 'Roll Tide', after 5-minutes of knowing you, he will consider you a friend. Not long after that, he will dazzle you with his steak-grilling skills and/or his precision on his high-powered complex lawn maintenance system. To call this piece of machinery a lawn mower, would be a gross understatement. It has a steering system that is so complicated, the average person would find themselves spinning in circles on the first attempt at operation. I am convinced it could reach speeds of at least 50 miles per hour though I've only seen him go up to about 30. Sheer genius at work, I tell you. But I digress...\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nMy dad, has travelled the world and has stood in some of the most historic and amazing places in existence, yet his \u003cem\u003efavorite\u003c/em\u003e place is simply anywhere his family happens to be - especially if that place happens to be Auburn, Alabama. From the womb, \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_5\"\u003eBG\u003c/span\u003e has \u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-corrected\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_6\"\u003einstilled\u003c/span\u003e a love of the orange and blue in me and my brothers that runs so deep there was never any question about where we would seek higher learning. My dad spent his life around boys. He has 2 brothers and 2 sons. My mother once told me how I (the only girl for a while) have always been such a mystery to him. True, there is a lot about me that I'm sure has been hard for him to understand, but one thing we could always connect with was Auburn. No matter what - silly little girl, angst-ridden teenager, college co-ed, young professional - we always had Auburn. For my 12\u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\" id\u003d\"SPELLING_ERROR_7\"\u003eth\u003c/span\u003e birthday my dad and I went to the Auburn/Georgia Tech game in Atlanta - a real treat for me as I had him all to myself while usually my football knowledge was overshadowed by my all-knowing brothers. I remember a lot about that day, but most of all I just remember how great it was to hang out with my dad. We saw a pretty spectacular game too.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nFive years ago today, my dad dropped me off in Chicago and made the long drive back to Alabama. While I was excited and nervous about starting that new chapter in my life, I was heartbroken and terrified to know, for the first time, there would be that many miles between us. I'm sure leaving his baby girl in a big strange city wasn't a great way to spend his birthday either, but he knew it was something I needed to do. Two years ago, as I was unpacking my boxes in Atlanta once again, I sent him a birthday card and promised that I would never move that far from home again.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cspan class\u003d\"blsp-spelling-error\"\u003eBG\u003c/span\u003e has always been my hero. He has saved me figuratively and literally more times than I can count. I have never made a major decision without his input. His guidance is a lifeline for me. I don't say it nearly enough, but I love him more than he could possibly ever know. I've recently had some moments that have made me realize just how lucky I am to have such an incredible and loving dad. I know how much he loves me. I know he is proud of me. I know I can always count on him when (not if) I need rescuing. I just hope he knows that I feel the same way about him.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/SfuSUNxSM-I/AAAAAAAAALk/eprJFVCWUm4/s1600/dad.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"\" border\u003d\"0\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331015459914527714\" src\u003d\"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/SfuSUNxSM-I/AAAAAAAAALk/eprJFVCWUm4/s320/dad.jpg\" style\u003d\"display: block; height: 214px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\nHappy Birthday, Dad! I love you so much.\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv align\u003d\"center\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/feeds/5266768031665094083/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/2009/05/happy-birthday-dad.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/5617703709209272834/posts/default/5266768031665094083"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/5617703709209272834/posts/default/5266768031665094083"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.amysjustsaying.com/2009/05/happy-birthday-dad.html","title":"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10/s113/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cSRdB8sY4ZE/SfuSUNxSM-I/AAAAAAAAALk/eprJFVCWUm4/s72-c/dad.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}}]}});