Summer is often a hard time for me to go to work, since the spa is a little like a cave. Normally, it's difficult to miss out on being in the sunshine. These last few days have been lovely in the coolness of the spa.
We discovered that 97 degrees is the perfect temperature for the hot tub when it's hot like it has been. Warm enough that it still relaxes the muscles but cool enough to be comfortable. We'll keep the tub temperature lower for the rest of the summer or until it cools off significantly. I also added peppermint essential oil to the clay so that it has a cooling effect. That is quite the decadent treat after getting floated into a blissful state.
We'll be taking these fun ways of cooling down to tonight's Gold Show at the Little Red Studio.
Showing posts with label Hot Tub. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hot Tub. Show all posts
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
cosmic harmony
Late Monday night, during a routine draining and cleaning, the Spa's hot tub stopped working. Dead to the world. No lights, motors or anything would register that the tub was receiving power. We've had troubles before, but nothing this dire seeming.
In a panic, I called the construction foreman, Jim, on Jeff's crew that is building out the Bistro at the Little Red Studio. He graciously offers to come by when he is finished with his dinner and take a look at it. During that time I went about my business, cleaning the tub and then refilling it. When you have a persnickety piece of equipment you learn little ways to working around it's trouble spots to keep everything running smoothly. I did all those things. Nothing worked.
When Jim arrived with electricity current tester in hand, the tub still was showing no signs of life. He tested the breaker box and determined that the tub was indeed receiving power. That was not good news. Next he opened the brains of the hot tub and tested all the fuses. No blown fuses. Ok, now it's getting scary and weird.
He laid on the floor next to the hot tub and checked all the connections. We talked about possible causes. On a whim, he said to turn the breaker on. The tub started! All systems go. Jeff and I profusely thanked him. He was mystified why it started and why we were thanking him! We assured him he must have done something and that he deserved out thanks, if for no other reason that being willing to come out on a late Monday evening.
In Tuesday morning's email, the Dictionary.com word of the day was thaumaturgy. Thaumaturgy is the working of miracles or magic feats. I think there was definitely some thaumaturgy happening in my Spa Monday night.
In a panic, I called the construction foreman, Jim, on Jeff's crew that is building out the Bistro at the Little Red Studio. He graciously offers to come by when he is finished with his dinner and take a look at it. During that time I went about my business, cleaning the tub and then refilling it. When you have a persnickety piece of equipment you learn little ways to working around it's trouble spots to keep everything running smoothly. I did all those things. Nothing worked.
When Jim arrived with electricity current tester in hand, the tub still was showing no signs of life. He tested the breaker box and determined that the tub was indeed receiving power. That was not good news. Next he opened the brains of the hot tub and tested all the fuses. No blown fuses. Ok, now it's getting scary and weird.
He laid on the floor next to the hot tub and checked all the connections. We talked about possible causes. On a whim, he said to turn the breaker on. The tub started! All systems go. Jeff and I profusely thanked him. He was mystified why it started and why we were thanking him! We assured him he must have done something and that he deserved out thanks, if for no other reason that being willing to come out on a late Monday evening.
In Tuesday morning's email, the Dictionary.com word of the day was thaumaturgy. Thaumaturgy is the working of miracles or magic feats. I think there was definitely some thaumaturgy happening in my Spa Monday night.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Ahead of the game.
Today has been full of accomplishments. I feel like I could be done and still satisfied with the day. I still have the floors to mop and the hot tub to clean, so I still get to revel in being productive.
We shut down the spa today for routine tub maintenance and had the Spa Doctor people come in and give us a tune up and check out a weird noise. Turns out it was as simple as having a small plastic wheel looking thing stuck inside the pump. How it got there, I have no idea, as it had to go through the filter to get there! In response to the found object, we have a new policy of nothing smaller than a fist in/at the hot tub. Sorry, ladies, no more treats other than tea and water in the tub while soaking during Ladies' Spa Night.
I got to look over some paperwork that our CFO, Roland, is working on that details the improvements and future plans for the spa. With all the talk of investors, I am seeing some great things that could happen to the spa. Not the least of which is a larger tub. This means that I could have two people receiving watsu simultaneously. For those of you who enjoy the Couple's Massage sessions, you would be able to have the Watsu equivalent when we get this new tub.
There is no set date on when any of this will happen. It could be next month or next year. There is no knowing how long the process will take. But reading the paperwork and making my notes on it for the next revision made it real for me as a possibility. Getting to put in my two cents was an incredible honor. This is Jeff's business, but it's been my baby for over 3 years now. Jeff giving me room to direct and steer the spa is why I feel such a profound sense of ownership. I am fortunate to have such a job.
I am heading back to my grind, with these happy thoughts of new buildings, huge watsu pools and a waterfall for a cold plunge filling my imagination.
We shut down the spa today for routine tub maintenance and had the Spa Doctor people come in and give us a tune up and check out a weird noise. Turns out it was as simple as having a small plastic wheel looking thing stuck inside the pump. How it got there, I have no idea, as it had to go through the filter to get there! In response to the found object, we have a new policy of nothing smaller than a fist in/at the hot tub. Sorry, ladies, no more treats other than tea and water in the tub while soaking during Ladies' Spa Night.
I got to look over some paperwork that our CFO, Roland, is working on that details the improvements and future plans for the spa. With all the talk of investors, I am seeing some great things that could happen to the spa. Not the least of which is a larger tub. This means that I could have two people receiving watsu simultaneously. For those of you who enjoy the Couple's Massage sessions, you would be able to have the Watsu equivalent when we get this new tub.
There is no set date on when any of this will happen. It could be next month or next year. There is no knowing how long the process will take. But reading the paperwork and making my notes on it for the next revision made it real for me as a possibility. Getting to put in my two cents was an incredible honor. This is Jeff's business, but it's been my baby for over 3 years now. Jeff giving me room to direct and steer the spa is why I feel such a profound sense of ownership. I am fortunate to have such a job.
I am heading back to my grind, with these happy thoughts of new buildings, huge watsu pools and a waterfall for a cold plunge filling my imagination.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A bit of this and a little of that.
Tomorrow is the first Sunday of June, which means we are shifting into a regular pattern for Sunday evenings.
1st and 3rd Sundays will be Men's Night. Richard will be in the Spa from 7pm - 10pm with doors open for soaking, floating and relaxing. Cost is $10 per person, with mini Shitasu sessions available for an additional fee.
2nd and 4th Sunday's will be Couple's Night, which is open to all genders provided you come as a couple. cost is $25 per couple. Mark your calendars for next weeks inaugural Couple's Night.
Please remember that you can also email me at Sophia at HengstStidio.com to make an appointment or ask question, as well as calling the spa at (206) 963-0772. I have a slight preference for email, as I can check email in between appointments, as I don't always have enough time to check the phone messages. I do encourage you to call or email a few days in advance, as same day (and sometimes even next day) appointments are not always possible. For weekends, it is suggested that you call 4-7 days in advance, as these days tend to fill up the fastest.
With the few days of warm weather we have had in the past few weeks, I have decided to lower the temperature of the hot tub. We did this last year, and it was amazing how much just a degree or two made in comfort. I will probably adjust for the each day's weather, until those warmer days become more consistent.
1st and 3rd Sundays will be Men's Night. Richard will be in the Spa from 7pm - 10pm with doors open for soaking, floating and relaxing. Cost is $10 per person, with mini Shitasu sessions available for an additional fee.
2nd and 4th Sunday's will be Couple's Night, which is open to all genders provided you come as a couple. cost is $25 per couple. Mark your calendars for next weeks inaugural Couple's Night.
Please remember that you can also email me at Sophia at HengstStidio.com to make an appointment or ask question, as well as calling the spa at (206) 963-0772. I have a slight preference for email, as I can check email in between appointments, as I don't always have enough time to check the phone messages. I do encourage you to call or email a few days in advance, as same day (and sometimes even next day) appointments are not always possible. For weekends, it is suggested that you call 4-7 days in advance, as these days tend to fill up the fastest.
With the few days of warm weather we have had in the past few weeks, I have decided to lower the temperature of the hot tub. We did this last year, and it was amazing how much just a degree or two made in comfort. I will probably adjust for the each day's weather, until those warmer days become more consistent.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Everything is back in order.
Hot tub is fixed. Again. This time with the new part, so we should be fine. The customer service never improved. I haven't written about it here because I figured no one wants to hear complaining.
The phone is fixed. I apologize to anyone who's phone call wasn't answered or message wasn't returned in a timely manner. I am back on track in the communications department.
Pardon me, I'm going to sneak out and enjoy the snippets of sunshine while I can.
The phone is fixed. I apologize to anyone who's phone call wasn't answered or message wasn't returned in a timely manner. I am back on track in the communications department.
Pardon me, I'm going to sneak out and enjoy the snippets of sunshine while I can.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
And there was much rejoicing!
Finally got the news I have been waiting for; the part for the spa has come in!
Tomorrow the spa company is supposedly sending out someone to do the part swap and installation. This means appointments will be limited and only available last minute for tomorrow, Thursday the 8th. Hopefully, they will be done and gone by 11am so as not to impact operations.
Yay!!!
Tomorrow the spa company is supposedly sending out someone to do the part swap and installation. This means appointments will be limited and only available last minute for tomorrow, Thursday the 8th. Hopefully, they will be done and gone by 11am so as not to impact operations.
Yay!!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Good news!
It seems our spa dealer is doing their best to make up for the inconsistent, often poor, customer service we have been subjected to over the last year and a half. Our part has been ordered and will soon be here. By their estimate, we will have our tub up and running either end of this week, or early next week. Cross your fingers for me that it will be the former.
In the mean time, I have been thinking about new things to do at the spa. McAuliflower made a mention of using produce as a basis for body treatments and that reminded me of my trip to Hawaii two years ago.
In September of 2005, the Little Red Studio troupe took a trip the the Big Island of Hawaii to have our annual retreat and perform at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat. During this trip, I had my first experience with Watsu. Dwight, our host and Visiting Artist troupe member, has been practicing Watsu for many years, not only in his own heated pool, but also in a natural thermal heated pool located at a nearby beach.
One evening, Dwight and his partner escorted 10 of us into the heated pool for an introductory lesson in Watsu. We spent the first half of class learning how to float and move our partner, and for the second half, we switched roles. To this day, I am still unsure of which experience moved me more; receiving or giving the Watsu.
The next day, Dwight planned a "spa day at the beach." He instructed us to gather up as many avocados and papayas around he property that we could find. He organized an assembly line of people peeling & cutting and mashing the fruit. Once we had a five gallon bucket 2/3 full of avocado and papaya paste, we all marched down the Red Road to the black sand beach. He claimed the black sand, being pulverized lava rock, was exceptional material for exfoliating the skin. There were conflicting opinions on the preferred method of application. What I settled on was to stand in the breaking waves, rubbing the sand over my whole body and then coating myself in the fruit concoction. Leaving it on for as long as I could stand before jumping back into the ocean and letting the waves wash all the paste off.
I would love to recreate that experience in the spa. I bet I could make an essential oil blend that was reminiscent of the oceanside. Black sand isn't really feasible, but regular sand is. And while the avocados and papaya would be spendy certain times of the year, they are easy to come by here in Washington. More will be reported after some research happens.
In the mean time, I have been thinking about new things to do at the spa. McAuliflower made a mention of using produce as a basis for body treatments and that reminded me of my trip to Hawaii two years ago.
In September of 2005, the Little Red Studio troupe took a trip the the Big Island of Hawaii to have our annual retreat and perform at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat. During this trip, I had my first experience with Watsu. Dwight, our host and Visiting Artist troupe member, has been practicing Watsu for many years, not only in his own heated pool, but also in a natural thermal heated pool located at a nearby beach.
One evening, Dwight and his partner escorted 10 of us into the heated pool for an introductory lesson in Watsu. We spent the first half of class learning how to float and move our partner, and for the second half, we switched roles. To this day, I am still unsure of which experience moved me more; receiving or giving the Watsu.
The next day, Dwight planned a "spa day at the beach." He instructed us to gather up as many avocados and papayas around he property that we could find. He organized an assembly line of people peeling & cutting and mashing the fruit. Once we had a five gallon bucket 2/3 full of avocado and papaya paste, we all marched down the Red Road to the black sand beach. He claimed the black sand, being pulverized lava rock, was exceptional material for exfoliating the skin. There were conflicting opinions on the preferred method of application. What I settled on was to stand in the breaking waves, rubbing the sand over my whole body and then coating myself in the fruit concoction. Leaving it on for as long as I could stand before jumping back into the ocean and letting the waves wash all the paste off.
I would love to recreate that experience in the spa. I bet I could make an essential oil blend that was reminiscent of the oceanside. Black sand isn't really feasible, but regular sand is. And while the avocados and papaya would be spendy certain times of the year, they are easy to come by here in Washington. More will be reported after some research happens.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Hot Tub Troubles
Warning: this is going to be me complaining.
The Little Red Day Spa has an incredibly fancy Coast Spa. It is rated as a medical device and was the deepest we could find at the time we researched spas/hot tubs for purchase. As expensive as it was, you would think the thing would run beautifully and we would be well taken care of by the dealer.
Reality is a harsh master.
This hot tub has given us trouble since the second month after delivery. The temperature regulation was inconsistent and when we would call the dealer, they would often say things like "that model has a glitch in it so that you should just disconnect the pump because it causes problems like the one you are describing." and "just make sure to keep the vents closed and you won't lose temperature." After a year and a half, we finally got an independent spa repair technician to check the tub, whereupon we learn that we have a flawed circuit board. In other words, everything is working fine except for the fact the that when computer tells the heater to turn on, ofttimes the heater doesn't get the message.
It's been a week since we put in the order for a new circuit board and the dealer is *still* telling us that he is going to look and see if he has one in stock before he orders a new one. I am not going to name the dealer. I want to give them a chance to make this right. But even if they do rectify the situation, you can bet I will never buy another tub from them. Which is too bad, considering we are planning on expanding in January.
The Little Red Day Spa has an incredibly fancy Coast Spa. It is rated as a medical device and was the deepest we could find at the time we researched spas/hot tubs for purchase. As expensive as it was, you would think the thing would run beautifully and we would be well taken care of by the dealer.
Reality is a harsh master.
This hot tub has given us trouble since the second month after delivery. The temperature regulation was inconsistent and when we would call the dealer, they would often say things like "that model has a glitch in it so that you should just disconnect the pump because it causes problems like the one you are describing." and "just make sure to keep the vents closed and you won't lose temperature." After a year and a half, we finally got an independent spa repair technician to check the tub, whereupon we learn that we have a flawed circuit board. In other words, everything is working fine except for the fact the that when computer tells the heater to turn on, ofttimes the heater doesn't get the message.
It's been a week since we put in the order for a new circuit board and the dealer is *still* telling us that he is going to look and see if he has one in stock before he orders a new one. I am not going to name the dealer. I want to give them a chance to make this right. But even if they do rectify the situation, you can bet I will never buy another tub from them. Which is too bad, considering we are planning on expanding in January.
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