Porcelain

I wonder how many people in Ghana dream of owning their own porcelain toilet.

Problem

There however seems to be a problem with the toilet bag on the right. There is not enough space to place it properly. I understand why you feel uncomfortable., Arnon.

Is there a note next to the mirror? What does it say... Do you need company, sir? What would it be like to be haunted by your own books.
Well, at least a haunting should take place in a writers phantasy. I mean, have you ever dreamt of such horrendous bathrooms? Unbelievebly indecent to lock you up like that. Please complain, be Dutch.

you should check the toiletpaper
jan thys should check as well. My mother noticed during her job as a cleaner that in offices people finish their toiletpaper incredibly quick.

Friede B & Sander

Well I’m happy that the owner of the apartment I rented dragged me out of the comfort zone, so nothing to complain about, quite the opposite. Hope you are not disappointed.
And Sander, the notion that I’m privileged never stops hunting me, so nothing to worry about. On your side at least. I saw other bathrooms in Ghana as well, believe me, I saw plenty of them.

Friede B

As to the question if I need company. Yes, the question has been asked to me, I always answered: Very much so but not today.
As to books that haunt you, see under Phantom pain.

I guess it depends on the definition of comfort. I can imagine a Manhattan apartment building bathroom is smaller than Ghanian one pictured, but probably size is not everything.

I always have problems with going to the bathroom when I'm not at home. I guess it's psychological. I don't like to let go. And If I have to, I prefer confined spaces. A little comfortzone.

Warnke

My bathroom in NY is one third of this bathroom Maybe even smaller. The comfort zone seems to me a very small zone, call it a cage.

That bathroom looked extremely comfortable to me, especially as it has a jacuzzi which goes to show the days (1983) of water shortage in Ghana are long gone. I was surprised to read some of the comments. Different standards/priorities I guess. Or maybe I'm just getting old.
Which brings me to another thought: the rise of the homogenous city. Wander around Shanghai or Tokyo these days and on face value it's just like NY, Sao Paolo or London. Will Accra and Abidjan soon follow or will the other cities fall?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6086330.stm

Noa

What exactly surprised you while reading the comments?

@Arnon, people seemed to be in both quiet (and not so quiet: 'horrific') agreement that the bathroom was a 'discomfort zone' (sorry Franzen for abusing your title).
Arnon - would you ever consider writing a sci-fi about the universally connected -by-air-space-vessel type things/intertwined/homogenous cities, the kind of dimension you can get stuck in and honestly believe the entire world looks the same (and all drink Starbucks)? If so: could I be your research assistant ;)?

Noa

In that case people missed the irony or were trying to outwit me.
Regarding your remark about the opinions of others. I don’t believe that you don’t care. But describing yourself as not beautiful is an interesting strategy. We all expect to see an ugly duckling –reality might pleasantly surprise us.
By the way I don’t hate Starbucks nor do I think that Starbucks is dangerous for cultural diversity. People tend to go for what they know, that is their comfort zone. I tend (sometimes) to go for what I don’t know. That’s my comfort zone. Other people call this bigamy, but then again my relationship with my bathrooms is never sexual. It’s a matter of admiring beauty from a distance.

Barvo! You've tied up all the loose ends brilliantly - as usual. Still wondering whether I stand a chance of becoming your (platonic) research assistant though. I promise I'm ugly. Or am I to read between the lines that you prefer to admire my ravishing inner-beauy from a distance?

Noa

You have missed it, our irony, or at least mine. Maybe even my silent protest.
But my love, do you like art? A lot of art was made about the concept you describe.
Take a look around.

Friede B

At a certain point there is no difference anymore between what you call silent protest and the “big mac” of the irony.
I have no other option than to take you words at face value.
Silent protest against what? Bathrooms in Ghana? Comfort zones in and outside Ghana? Art in Ghana?
Has it ever crossed you mind that some people keep breathing solely because they are engaged in a silent protest against your very existence, but don’t take this personal. It is just another example of irony.

Noa

I have a reseracher, I have a reseracher assistant. If you are serious about working for me, please contact Johannes. The family is growing so I might need new employees. (johannes@arnongrunberg.com)

friede b, well my 'honey pie sugar plum' I may or may not like art, who's to tell.
But first things first: stop patronizing me, please dear.

@Arnon. Okay, but I'm not one for pimped up resumés and all of that. Whenever you start looking for someone as beautiful as me, I'll show up for an interview, even do tests etc. if you like.

Noa

If you are serious I'm serious. In that case contact Johannes. We don't ask for a resume. Just be ugly, intelligent and disciplined -- that's what we like.

employees

Besides the owning of flaws which is defined as 'uggliness', being intelligent , and a reasonable amount of perseverance: what else is expected from the extended family?

Or should I direct myself directly to Johannes for this one?

Pjötr

First you become an employee then you might become part of the family. What’s your specialty by the way? Or you just want to become part of the family? Then my answer is no. I’m not n orphanage and neither is Johannes.

Rest assure Arnon, I have no ambitions whatsoever to join the family. Therefore I won't bother you with what my specialties are.

The curiousity was speaking louder than myself. I beg your pardon.

lovely singing

I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rosegarden...