After driving all day with the top down in my 1974 (pre-catalytic converter) Triumph TR6 the first thing I want to do after I check into my hotel is take a shower.

New hotel showers are equipped with federally mandated water restrictors. These devices are from the same people who mandated 1.5 gallon toilets, thus creating (I kid you not) a black market in Canadian toilets. Water restrictors are designed to conserve our natural resources. They do this by providing a flow rate so low that, in order to get the water hot enough to be comfortable, you crank the valve all the way open and go downstairs to the buffet with the vain hope that the water will be warm by the time you get back to your room.

For the past few years my standard travel kit has included a pair of slip-joint pliers (I'm particularly partial to the German made Knipex^®brand) and a small roll of teflon tape. The first thing I do when I discover a "modern" shower head in my room is to turn off the water. I then remove the shower head with my slip-joint pliers, use my pocket knife to pry out the little rubber water restrictor, and then tighten the shower head back onto the pipe with a little teflon tape. I then have a shower that puts out a decent amount of water and, in a small way, I've made the world a better place.

The bad news is that federal law now prohibits the sale of shower heads that have easily removable water restrictors. This ought to be unconstitutional but, until the supreme court rules on Water-Pik vs. the Federal Bureau of Plumbing Nazis, I'm going to start carrying a pre-fascist shower head with me whenever I travel. I won't be able to leave it behind for the comfort of travellers who use the room after me, but at least I'll be able to take a decent shower.