Sal's new avatar...

G

Grover_Cephas

Joined
Apr 7, 2002
Messages
721
Hey, Sal,

Your new avatar, that's a pendant, isn't it? I think Bram made reference to it here a while back. He also mentioned that it had some "significance".

Feel like sharing? :)
 
Hi Grover. The Avatar is a pic of the pendant that I've ben wearing 24/7 for about 12 years. It's made of walrus tusk (30,000 years old).

I call the pendant a "values totem". Each hole represents a value, the larger the hole, the greater the value.

The values that were originally conceived of when I developed the symbol were more unversal in nature, but a more personal example might be;

What are the 5 most important things (values) in your life and in what priority order?

The biggest hole might be "health". The geatest "value" in my personal values. If I don't keep myself healthy, then I probably won't be much good to myself or anyone else.

The 2nd most important thing in my life is my family.

The 3rd my home. the 4th my career and the 5th is friends and hobbies.

Every time I look in the mirror, I see the totem. It reminds me to remember what's important.

The holes are empty so anyone can place their own values.

The "universal values" that were used to develop the totem go back 40 years and is a much longer conversation.

sal
 
that's a very cool totem, sal-i'll have to find about its origins now. feel free to pontificate if you have the time. i think your personal list is a good one.
 
Nice pendant. In the pic it was looking like metal. ;)
And the philosophy that stands behind it is of great common sense.
 
I would very much like to have something like that. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Walrus bone / mammoth ivory / hardwood would be nice.
 
Hey Zer0sig. The totem is kinda off topic, but the origins are really off topic. I'll see if I can figure out a way to "pontificate" without offending anyone.

The totem was designed to make one do what humans seem highly capable of; to think. The emphasis is on one's own priorities, that's why I used "open spaces" (holes). Mine are my own, and I find each has his or her reasons for their own.

The origin was to find universal powers/forces/values based on what yielded to what. For more than 20 years, I placed "time" as the highest force/value. The logic was that all things yielded to time. Even thought occurs in sequence and sequence requires time. Without time, everything would happen at once. Einstein says we can bend time, but not eliminate it. Change requires time...so even change yields to time. (a start ;) )

Hi Spyken.

I plan on making the totems available. email me if you're interested.

sal
 
Didn't want to step on any toes, but I have a couple of nice pieces of 1/8" carbon fiber that these would look really cool in, I suspect. Not quite sure how to account for the chain/lanyard/cord like on Sal's, though. I don't think 1/8" is thick enough for drilling properly, but I guess a little ring on it would correct that. I am all packed and ready to move and I'm not sure when my shop will be up again (probably September, but it's a priority so maybe sooner). Anyway, the weight and age of Sal's would be cooler, in my opinion, but some people are CF addicts, so if you want I could try a few out at a good price when I'm up and producing again.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Spyken.

I plan on making the totems available. email me if you're interested.

sal
Click to expand...

Sal,

I am digging up an old thread that is almost 3 years old. But I just have to know; did you ever make these totems available? The symbolism parallels some values in one of my professional classes.

--Chris
 
Wow I just thought it was a blade off some obscure Trainer Model, and I was just out of the Loop :)

I like Sals Explination Much better, It really does look metalic in the picture

I also think these would be Nice in Metal, such as titanium, or H1 as to not rust.

Great Knives and Life Philosophy, Is ther anything that spyderco cant Do :D
 
Saunterer said:
Sal,

I am digging up an old thread that is almost 3 years old. But I just have to know; did you ever make these totems available? The symbolism parallels some values in one of my professional classes.

--Chris
Click to expand...

Indeed, they are available here.
 
I spoke with Mrs Glesser recently and noticed she wearing a version of the totem. Reading Sal's take on it, I realize how personal and unique it is.
 
Hi All - Please allow me to chime in here as I am wearing one of these very special pendants. I received my value Totem from Sal over a year ago. I have seen him wearing his for many, many years and I'm very well familiar with the story. In the many leadership trainings during my long Military carreer, a story of a house with five rooms was told and discussed at several occasions. Here also values were used to fill the rooms.
In general it is the same story. Having this value Totem with me all the time, keeps me in check and sharp. I see it in the mirror. Often I touch it and feel the smoothness of the ancient fossil ivory between my fingers. It is a humbling experience touching something that belonged to a living creature 30.000 + years ago.
I keep my totem's holes filled with values close to my heart. Health, The love of my life, my realtionships, my integrity and work are among them.
The value totem gives me strength and helps me finding my way.
Thanks SAL!
Jurphaas. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top