mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Tony Hsieh
September 16, 2012
Tony Hsieh of Zappos
On my recent tour of Zappos headquarters in Henderson NV I was treated to a glimpse of Tony Hsieh himself. As I departed with my shuttle driver for the ride back to town he was entering the building I was exiting. I stared for a moment to make sure he was himself. I had a fleeting question in my mind about the possibility that a hologram of Tony is somehow implanted into each person’s visit, but they are all prerecorded and projected on a green screen or something. He was low key, in jeans, and moving along with purpose. He did have the presence of mind not to be sitting in his desk when the tour comes along, but I was very excited to see him. It is hard to describe the way I think of his celebrity and my connection to it. I have been a shoe lover forever, but this is so much more than just shoes.
I admire him for his mastery of alchemy in capitalism. I admire his good taste and his smart choices. Moving the headquarters to the former Las Vegas City Hall is an example of upcycling that makes my heart beat faster. He has a strong agenda to grow his culture and provide right livelihood for his employees. The company and all of the customers who shop there are the major lucky beneficiaries of his vision of business. I love the way they completely make obvious how the culture works, how it remains strong, and how it serves all involved.
Environmental Design
September 11, 2012
- largest chocolate fountain
conservatory
- conservatory of light and decorative planting
fantasy giant bee
- flower lady bugs
- flute playing nymph
- acrobatic arts
- water fountain
- glass ceiling flowers
When you travel what kind of design changes do you like to make? I usually enjoy design that is neat and modern, uncluttered and sleek. This is just not the way to design a gambling casino, as I have discovered. When I see the world’s largest chocolate fountain I am not at all attracted to it. It is obvious that many people like it a lot. There is a place for public art, and since casinos have a lot of the public’s cash to use, it is fitting that they create adult fantasy environments. If flowing chocolate and giant bees are your thing, you will totally love the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Synesthesia
September 6, 2012
The merging of the senses is a process and a practice. To create an artist or inventor can call on all the senses and blend the associations into new meaning. You may be synesthetic in certain parts of you life, such as personal fashion or cuisine. I make an attempt to both try new experiences and blend all the sensory information into art. My artistic sense was inspired long ago by my design teacher, Max Gottschalk, who began the semester with a lecture about designing your life. I also hung out with Max later in his life and had the pleasure of doing some major synesthesia with him when he was 92 and pretty far out there. At that time he used to refer to “sonic water” when we were in the water. I questioned him thoroughly about this sonic water, but he provided little detail. I still wonder about that.
I went to Las Vegas to tour Zappos headquarters recently. My goals were entirely fulfilled on the tour. In order to get there I flew to Vegas, stayed at a big casino hotel, and coincidentally went to a fashion show. I flew home after a little more than 24 hours, but the tightly scheduled events, including the Mormons on the plane ride back, have all become one big circus in my mind. Without intending to do so, I created the circumstances that are perfect for synesthetic problem solving. I left with a design in my head for a very important event I had been planning for ages. The juxtaposition of over the top Bellagio surroundings, Zappo’s over the top customer service, and clothing designer Joey Galon’s over the top evening gowns have all merged in my creative process to outline the best little mermaid bat mitzvah after party ever attempted.
I am on a mission to create for my 13 year old friend Mollie a party that expresses her own creativity and that of a few of her close friends. With the date is closing in, and I had no real plan to pull this whole idea into shape. I have given her a sewing machine, a 20 minute sewing lesson, and some prom dresses. Thanks to the various senses that merged the Las Vegas experience for me, we now know what we are going to do!!! Mollie will assemble the girls and fit them into the dresses they like best. She will cut off the bottom of the dress and we will retrofit them all to be mermaid dresses. Some individual craft work on the bottom of each dress will make each an individual and unique piece of art. I always like to put lessons inside a fun project because that inspires me. I believe I can deliver sewing and fashion design lessons from the upcycle perspective to some unsuspecting young ladies.
office of the most successful capitalists on earth
- glass flowers
Zappo’s Tour
August 20, 2012
I recently learned about the Zappo’s tour of the headquarters in Henderson, NV. Free tours can be booked, and for a fee of $49.00 a question and answer session with the staff can be added. I have always liked doing business with Zappo’s, but hearing about what it is like to work there has made me intensely curious to see what they do. I met a woman who had worked as an assistant to Tony Hseih, the founder of the company. She went on a tour across the country with him promoting the company. Her description made it sound like the best job anyone could ever have.
I was not aware that Amazon had bought Zappo’s, but they retain a special company culture. The new leader in customer service operates with the ideal of happy, fulfilled employees. I think this is a brilliant approach. I sense that employees deliver resentful or unsuitable service to customers when they feel resentful of the treatment they receive at work. By making employee happiness a priority, the company learns more about happiness in general, and naturally projects a welcoming demeanor. The connection between the staff and the customer is highlighted.
I have watched a few videos produced by various visitors in the past, which helped me make the decision to go myself. I am not sure what I expect, but I expect to have those expectations exceeded, whatever they turn out to be. I will file a full report of my investigation of the Zappo’s culture and systems. I look forward to the adventure in learning.
Paracelsus, the Luther of Physicians
June 3, 2012
Paracelsus was born in 1493 Einsiedeln, Switzerland. His father was the physician at Einsiedeln Abbey, a Benedictine baroque monastery with a grand history. His father was his first teacher. When he arrived at University of Basel medical school he was familiar with alchemy from working with his father. He left Basel quickly after he was accused of heresy , and became a wandering healer, traveling all over Europe.
Some of the contributions he made to the science of medicine are well known. He is attributed for introducing opium into use as medicine. He is credited with being the first physician to seriously consider dosage as well as the particular part of the medicinal plant being used. His theories included science as well as natural magic, all part of the healing culture of his time. The Doctrine of Signatures is an important concept he used to explain and research how plants interact with humans. He expanded on the work of former herbalists as he taught and worked in different countries. His travels included a visit to China.
His practice included both magic and science. He understood and worked with elementals, which were a common belief in his time. He took this concept farther when he posited that we have both a sidereal and an elementary body, linked while we are alive. He was both controversial and well respected. I learned about him when I traveled to Switzerland for the first time. I adore the tiny mineral water spa town of Bad Ragaz, where he practiced for a time with the local Benedictine monks, who operated a healing center using the mineral water spring. The Quelle Paracelsus is now a modern medical and therapy center of the highest quality. I have been many times over the years and always enjoy walking up the Tamina Gorge to experience the well preserved museum and springs. There is a small chapel up there dedicated to Mary Magdalene that I love for it’s charm.
For his time Paracelsus was radical and disruptive. His ideas about health and alchemy clashed with the medical schools, but accomplished many cures that were unusual for the time. The springs he recommended that I have visited, Bad Ragaz and St.Moritz, have enjoyed long healthy development around the mineral waters for centuries. This dedication to “the cure” creates a magnet for the best therapists and medical professionals to be drawn to live and work in the beauty and the elegance of these special places.
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