As detail-oriented as an HD-TV

You know those people who claim to be all about the "big picture"?

Yeah. I'm not one of those people. Although I do look for the bigger picture in situations where it applies (usually to put misfortunes into context), my mind naturally zooms in on details.

Detail that speaks to me

Until about this past semester, I was completely unaware that other people don't see (not perceive) the world in the same way I do: detailed.

I really realized how strong my relationship with details is during my trip to Steve Wynn's hotel in Las Vegas last weekend. Wynn has made a name for himself in the hospitality industry because of his attention to detail. However, until I arrived at the hotel, I had no idea.

From the moment I stepped out of the cab, the aggregate of all the Wynn's details almost overwhelmed me. Silver mosaic tiles adorn cupolas with six tiny, intricate statues. A subtle metallic sheen was found on the inside of the tea cups. The Wynn logo was stamped on everything from the one-inch wide milk bottle caps to the rolls of paper towel. Jewels, chandeliers, artwork, and elaborate adornments graced every inch of the hotel. Literally, I was unable to find anything in the hotel that looked like it hadn't been hand picked by Wynn himself, down to the very last detail.

After my exclamations of wonder regarding the hotel's decor went unmatched by neither my parents nor my boyfriend, I started to wonder, "Maybe I really do have an uncannily intense relationship with details."

If I was wondering then, I was proven later on that night. My dad and boyfriend decided to play some blackjack, so I tagged along (I don't gamble). The dealer at our table was named Karen, and she has been dealing blackjack for 14 years. As I was watching all the different hands throwing cards onto the table, I noticed something: the Queen has bags under her eyes. I told Karen, and she responded by pausing the game and looking at the card for herself. She seemed shocked. I asked her what was up, and she said, "Honey, after handling these same cards for over a decade, I can honestly tell you you have some attention to detail."

Check out those bags!

Thank you, Karen.

Over the weekend, I started realizing how advantageous it could be to possess this type of attention. Steve Wynn's reputation is literally built upon his attention to detail. Maybe one day I could use my own attention for detail to create similar experiences for people. I doubt I will try building hotels, but I cannot wait to see how my detail-orientation effects my future.

Unfortunately, every upside must have a downside. Though my obsession with details can set me apart from the "big picture" people, it also has the tendency to slooooooooow me down. I just want every detail to be perfect!

So, I've learned (and am still learning) to pick and choose which details are important, and to ignore those that aren't. Though I would love to take all the time in the world soaking up every experience, there's just not enough time.

Oh, time. The world's largest constraint. But what would it be like without it?

Hmmm...