Dan over at www.twortw.com recently asked me "what is on the back of your toilet?". Since I am into this sort of thing I obliged and here is what I wrote.

Read the article What's on the back of your toilet? to see the original post along with responses from 7 other willing participants.

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Men face the toilet when peeing yet women face away from it. Men are also more prone to accidents, putting anything on or near the toilet in potential jeopardy. As much as possible I prefer to keep the back of the toilet free of fragile items, heirlooms or other objects that I might not be willing to part with if say, I lost my balance and accidently knocked them into the pool. The centerpiece is a simple vase adorned with some of that mini bamboo stuff that seems to be for sale everywhere these days (personally I think it’s tacky). On either side of that are two candle holders purchased at an uber exotic store called Ross. Under the candle holders however are coasters purchased in Cairo. They are from an amazing bookstore called Diwan, which is in Zamalek just under the 26th of July overpass. The coasters depict Arabic poems, each with an English translation. One of the coasters reads

“Hand in pockets, and feeling quite elated I walk in a strange place, but I am not alienated. Alone but not lonely I find myself waking here. Not sure if I am going further or getting near…”

To the left of the décor is a mirror purchased in Istanbul, which aside from its origin it is quite un-interesting. To the right is another candle holder, which itself is indistinct if not for the bracelet adorning it, a gift from my mother.