Amy's Blog

Steven has made 5 trips around the sun today.  That long, long (long) day half a decade ago seems like a distant dream and yesterday all at once.

You may remember that Steven was denied entry to the public school due to some kind of scissor-scandal, but, as someone wise always says, things will work out for the best.  And they have.  He adores his new Montessori school, where everyone is treated like the individual they are.

Today the birthday-boy got to walk around a small, round candle while holding a globe, with the other children sitting around his "orbit" singing about Steven's 5 trips around the sun.  He was a litte embarrassed, but loved being the center of attention. 

Instead of treats, the school encourages the birthday-kid to bring a book for the teacher read, which is then donated to the school.  We chose Library Lion, and although a bit long, the kids managed to pay close attention until the end.  This speaks highly of the book itself (not to mention the school), and I recommend it to anyone with young children.

Of course, parents were invited to the festivities.  I only took a couple hundred pictures in the span of 15 minutes.

Happy Birthday, Kiddo!

Just wanted to mention that.

The outdoor speaker of choice at the Indianapolis Zoo?  The CA-650T.

Yesterday Trey, Sarah and I ventured to the Indianapolis Zoo to gather information about a recent Klipsch install.  My job, of course, was to take pictures.  While the speakers found at the Splash Park, Cafe, and snack shack were lovely, I found a much better subject in the form of a brand new giraffe -- who isn't even technically on display yet. 

Less than two weeks old, this little feller came into the world at 6 ft tall and 156 lbs.  The only thing I have to say about that is .... ouch.

Or in this case, Phil and Phyllis.  

You may have noticed our new mascot for Image headphones on our home page or various email promotions.  Our expert in-house engineering technician recently built this pair in the wood shop so they can go out in the world for goofy photo-ops o'plenty.  Take this one, for instance.  I'm pretty sure Phil didn't want me posting it, but that's just too bad.  A bit creepy, yes?

Once upon a time in the early 70’s, a Plexiglas artist paid a visit Klipsch, deciding this would be a great project. The president of the company at the time, along with the artist and some help in the cabinet shop by the Khorn builder, spent over 1000 hours building it.  Very tight tolerances were required for the gaps to be almost imperceptible.  To adhere, solvent was injected into the joints with a hypodermic syringe.  They were having a sticking-issue with one of the joints when PWK came by, grabbed the offending part, and slathered it with epoxy.  The artist broke down in tears…literally.  

Apparently they corrected the issue, as there is no sign of PWK’s handiwork.

And they lived happily ever after.

No, I'm not referring to a tweeter.  I just received a package from one of my favorite people in Hope, and it truly has brightened my day.  He's positioned right in between Cartman and Rocky in a high place of honor. 

I haven't named him yet, but am taking suggestions.

Thank you, Sharyl!

Some products just won't go away...because they shouldn't.  Clearly this includes our current Heritage offerings, but another example is the time-tested Quintet Home Theater.  Initially released in 1998, this little powerhouse has gone on to become our best selling home theater package ever, and was the basis of our hugely successful ProMedia line...which is subsequently the reason I was hired in the first place.  So I guess you could say I owe a lot to this little guy.

Re-released with a facelift and new subwoofer, it's even still the same old price.

Hope's annual Watermelon Festival was held the weekend before last, and I can honestly say I've never heard of a speckled butter bean until I saw this picture:

I think even I might have success catching a fish from here:

These are not scarce in this part of the country. I'm sure I'll see hundreds of them this weekend at our own Indiana State Fair, but I still love looking at them.  There's just no green quite like it:

And finally, it is my pleasure to introduce Danny, our very own shipping supervisor from the warehouse in Hope, selflessly flipping burgers for the Hope Band Boosters concession stand.  I've never officially met Danny, nor do I know much about him, except that he is a hard worker, relentless teaser, and and likes to make fun of me when I cash in 50 cent words.  

Thanks, Sharyl, for sending along the great pics!!  

No matter your political convictions, you gotta admit this is cool.

(click here to see larger version)

I've had a soft spot for country-western music since I was a little kid -- not so much the new stuff, but the classic, pre-1980s twang-laden, hard drinkin', hard lovin', tear-in-my-beer kind of country-western.  Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, George Jones -- all favorites.  I'm not sure where I picked it up.  Mom has always been a sucker for 50's and 60's rock, while dad was all over the map with Neil Diamond, The Traveling Wilburys, Meatloaf (yes, Meatloaf), and most recently the John Butler Trio.  But there's something solitary and strong in the laments of the Old West, like "I can go through hell and back, and still be ok enough to belt out this tune for y'all." 

My really annoying, and horribly fun, cowboy-phase came after a trip to a ranch in Wyoming - the Two Bars Seven - when I was 22 years old.  We spent the week herding cattle and riding horses through the most beautiful country I had ever seen.  For months after, it was nothing but Chris LeDoux, Tanya Tucker, and of course, Willie Nelson in the CD player. 

I have since moved my main music staple to other genres, but I occasionally like to close my eyes and remember what it was like to ride up to a canyon to see mountains under a never-ending sky, listen to the spooky night-sounds of coyotes under a billion stars, and whistle at cows like an idiot while listening to this.

From the Pine Bluff Commercial, Wed, April 12, 1961.  I love the use of Barbie to help explain the oh-so complicated positioning issue to the fairer sex. 

My favorite quote in the article:  "He (PWK) warned against the temptation of getting too close to one speaker, commenting, 'If you stuck your head in a tuba, you wouldn't expect to hear the whole orchestra!'"

Classic.

"You have your father's eyes."  I have heard this phrase my entire life. But after some reflection over the past few days, I have discovered that I inherited so much more -- things that aren't as obvious.  

For instance, I have Dad's sense of direction.  He was forever wandering off without ever becoming lost.  At least he made a believable impression of never being lost. 

I have his knack for sometimes saying the exact wrong thing without thinking or being able to stop myself.  Dad was good at it.  But no one seemed to mind; he was just that loveable and endearing, bad jokes and all.  Thankfully, this "quirk" softens over generations -- anyone who knew Grandpa Unger would agree.

I have his compulsive frugality. Dad would siphon out the septic tank with a garden hose before he ever paid a service to empty it.  Thank goodness I'm on a city sewer.

I have his sense of calm, fairness, and desire for as little conflict as possible.  The best evidence I have of this is how he handled the past 26 years of graduations, birthdays, and weddings, side by side with my mom and stepmom with never a moment of awkwardness or tension.  This of course has been a group effort by the Best Parents in the World, but also a testament to dad's impeccable taste in women.  It was a convenient bonus for him that they are both named Judy.

I have his handshake. Dad had a great handshake.  But it wasn't so much inherited as taught.  He would teach the importance of a strong handshake to any young person who would listen...and sometimes to those who wouldn't, like my son when he was 2 years old.  But I'll make sure he learns.  That's my job...to pick up where dad left off.  Because in that way, he'll never truly leave us.

And finally, he left me his unwavering, unquestioning, and unconditional love for his family and friends.  Which is exactly what we give back to him.

Although I cannot divulge the contents of the folder (translation: Hunter did not let me open it), I can share this PWK-scribbling on the cover featuring what looks to be an early logo prototype...which, it turns out, was likely created by the man himself.  Who knew?

We celebrated Trey's 10th year of service with Klipsch today with donuts and a few moments away from our cubes. There really is no better way to celebrate, really, unless alcohol is involved.  I remember the first time I met Trey at the Klipsch Factory - 9 years ago on a cold, gloomy Tuesday in November.  I'm sure most of you remember that day for something else - the infamous Bush v. Gore election day when someone won, then they didn't, then someone else won, then they didn't.  That's kind of how I felt on my first (and only) trip to Hope, Arkansas...a little confused, a little unsure, and a little light-headed.  But that was probably from the two hour drive from Little Rock followed by paint fumes. 

Trey was a friendly face who made us all feel welcome on that trip, and I've always appreciated it.  They just don't make em more hospitable and likeable than Trey.  Don't let the unibomberish facade throw you.

Congrats on 10 years!

There was a lot going on at Klipsch today, including the simultaneous launch of our latest headphones, the Image S2 and S2m, and the availability of new Energy branded items such as high quality wire, surge protectors and cables.  But that won't keep me from squeezing in my daily blog entry, by George!

Forest Park in Noblesville, IN is one of our favorite summer spots.  With two separate playgrounds, endless picnic tables, $3 putt-putt (an original Tom Thumb golf course built in 1926, in fact), $1 rides on the circa 1920 carousel, basketball court, skate-park, and a huge $5/person pool with diving platforms and splash pad, a complete fun-filled day can be had for under $10 per person. 

But my favorite part of the park, which again shows my history-geek side, is the Indiana Transportation Museum.  This actually amounts to nothing more than several railroad cars lined up in a ghostly fashion, partially restored for the enjoyment of train enthusiasts.  Including myself.  They even have working trains that will take you to nearby towns for a small fee from time to time, and run the much anticipated Fair Train and Polar Bear Express.

If you're in the neighborhood, check it out.