So it's come to this. Apparently, public urination has become a huge problem in sleepy Victoria, British Columbia (too much revelry after yesterday's Lions' victory perhaps?). It's gotten so out of control that the city is planning to build public urinals that emerge from the below the street at night. Called the Urilift (what, was "PeePod" taken?), the urinal is over 6 feet tall and has three alcoves with urinals — to prevent any fistfights in case three passers-by get the urge simultaneously, I guess. Ensuring there won't be the kind of funny business that's plagued other attempts at public toilets, the urinals are totally exposed with no doors, requiring any "users" to be pretty shame-free. And, obviously, the pod is for guys only.

During the day, the Urilift stays below street level, but come nightfall an operator raises it up, which takes about 2 minutes. It then stands guard against late-night revelers who weren't wise enough to take one last whiz before they left the pub. In the morning the operator comes back and lowers the Urilift — along with your hazy, drunken memories of actually using it — out of sight. Already installed in various cities in Europe, the Urilift would find its first North American beachhead in Victoria, as long as the taxpayers cough up the $75,000 price for each one. But that's Canadian, after all. Thanks to Falon for the tip! — Peter Pachal

Via John Chow Dot Com