Amy's Blog

As the decade comes to a close, it seems to be a good time to make lists. There's lists for Best Albums,  Best Songs, Best Internet Memes, and even top Celebrity Scandals, but my favorite is the movies.

I thought I'd jump in while the water's warm. My favorites from 2000-2009:

 1.  The Best Movie of the Decade:  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).  Jim Carrey at his underplayed best and the always captivating Kate Winslet, telling us no matter how painful the ending, relationships are vital to who we are.  We should treasure every memory made along the way.

2.  There Will Be Blood (2007).  Stunning. Daniel Day-Lewis is hypnotic.

3.  Before Sunset (2004).  Intelligent and never schmaltzy. Should be watched right after Before Sunrise for optimum impact - the ultimate "will they or won't they" romance.

4. The Lives of Others (2006).  Political Thriller meets Human Drama.  This one stays with you.

5.  Mulholland Drive (2001).  Sexy, creepy, puzzling. And what's with that thing behind the restaurant??

 6.  The Pianist (2002).  Visually breathtaking. Emotionally heartbreaking.

7.  Amelie (2001).  Magical.

 8.  City of God (2002).  Rattles the very core of your comfy world.

9.  No Country for Old Men (2007).   The best villian I've ever seen.  Takes you on a nail biting ride, with turns you just don't see a comin'.

 10. Elephant (2003). What starts as a typical day at a high school, the most "typical" I've even seen portrayed in a movie, ends in terror that still strikes a raw nerve.

So there you go.  My first "Decade List."  I hope I didn't disappoint.

Looking forward to the next 10!

Apologies for the light non-existent posting since last week.  It's amazing how priorities shift when holiday-chaos descends upon us, not to mention a nasty head cold and a whirlwind trip to and from Chicago during a Winter Weather Advisory. I do not recommend that, by the way.

I'm having a difficult time concentrating on what to write today since my head feels like a lead balloon, so I'll leave you with this picture taken from the merry-go-round at Christmas at the Zoo.  It actually sums up the past week rather nicely:  colorful, fast, and trippy. 

Not a perfect representation, since it looks like half the family didn't make it to grandma's house Christmas Day 1982, but accurate enough to capture the morning chaos.  I'm the nerd in the back holding up my present, while brother Jeff is in the foreground, apparently writing down what everyone is getting and from whom.  He must have owed mom that year.  I find it interesting that the only people aware of grandpa taking the picture are the youngest and oldest generations.  Must be something to it, although it's alluding me at the moment.  

I hope you make enough memories this Christmas to last your lifetime, and be sure to turn around and smile.  No one will remember the back of your head 50 years from now.

For fans of Klipsch, there is no answer to this question.  You simply find a way.

I received the following email from one such fan who knew what it meant as early as 10 years old. Thank you, Mark, for reminding us all of why we do what we do!

Hello and Merry Christmas,

Klipsch................  oh what a wonderful product, I was 10 years old cutting grass in the old neighborhood for 5 dollars a yard to get my ultimate dream... its name was Cornwall.  Wow, what a day that was back in 1976 when my mother took me into Gary's Audio in Richmond VA and I spent 900 dollars on 2 speakers...  I hooked them up to a David Hafler amp and preamp and was instantly the pride of the neighborhood with Led Zeppelin ripping the highs out of that horn and those oh so wonderful paper woofers, wow what bass they had!!   I remember that day so well, but father time doesn't wait nor slow for anyone as we all get older and concentrate on our family and loves.

Even at 43 years old how excited still am I to get home, turn on the Yamaha and listen to the sounds that come from my Klipsch RF-7s and KLF10s, wow is all that can be said!!  How lucky we are to have such a wonderful line of precision audio loudspeakers and crisp movie surround sounds in our own homes for our personal enjoyment that has been here for me as early as 10 years old to 43.  WOW CAN YOU SAY WOW!!!

With that said, yes, I am a fan. Keep the products coming, keep the quality that has made Klipsch as much a part of my life as my family has, and as a company, strive for the commitment that Paul Klipsch put into every speaker he made...

Have a great Christmas everyone,

Mark Simpson  

"There's just no replacement for spending the time and effort necessary to obtain perfection"

A (very) small sampling of the 7-acre marvel that is the Reynolds Farm Equipment annual Christmas Light Display.  We drive through it a few times per season and always find something new. 

If you're in the Fishers area (on Hwy 37 and 126th St on the northside) - don't miss it!

Today is the Christmas pitch-in for Terrace Level employees, and there is a plethora of goodies sitting in the breakroom right now wafting temptingly in this direction.  My contribution?  These fantastically delicious and easy-to-make Rolo pretzel treats.  If you're looking for something to bring to your pitch-in, they are guaranteed to be a hit.  Here's what you do:

Voila!  

The only truly time-consuming part is unwrapping all those darn Rolos.  But isn't that why we have kids?  (Be sure to wash their hands first.)

Stumbled upon this the other day. One of my new faves.

There are certain moments in life you simply never forget.  Sometimes I'm lucky enough to capture them in a picture. 

Every year the Indiana Department of Transportation hosts the Polar Bear Express, where kids of all ages are treated to a story followed by a train ride to the North Pole (aka Noblesville) to pick up Santa, Mrs Claus, and a creepy Polar Bear.  This year was Steven's first trip, partially because I think he is old enough now to actually remember it, but mostly because I've never been organized enough to buy the tickets before they sell out.   

The story was cute, the hot chocolate was not so hot, and there was a screaming child in our car through the entire ride, but I barely noticed.  I was too busy watching Steven with his eyes glued out the window, looking for the North Pole. 

This 1952 Klipschorn will be up for auction on our ebay store starting tomorrow night (item #150396940126).  It has all original parts and is in working condition - although cosmetically, it could use some TLC.   Built in the basement of what is now the Klipsch Museum of Audio History with serial number 289, this is the 189th Khorn produced.  I hope it goes to a good home.

Plug for the auction is over, now I just want to show off the fun little collage I put together for the listing:

This photo was sent to me by one of our dealers (A/V Solutions out of North Carolina - thanks David!), who had a customer stop by to show it to him.  Made by Bergamot Brass Works in 1976, it was apparently given to this customer when he purchased his Klipschorns. 

I have no further information, except the double entendre makes me giggle like I'm in junior high.  In spite of that, or maybe because of it, I find it quite cool.

Sometimes, there just aren't any words.

In keeping with the holiday theme of the past few entries, I thought I'd show you my down-the-street neighbor's house. Every year he does this, and every year I marvel at how much work is involved and what his electric bill must be for the month. Steven of course loves it, and makes me drive by it every day, even if we are coming from the opposite direction. And then he has to name all the objects on display. Every. Single. Time.

But I love that he is finally starting to "get" the holidays and their symbols, and not just Christmas. Like yesterday, I was wearing my Indiana University T-shirt and Steven, forever trying to read big words these days, asked me what it said. I told him, he nodded in understanding, then gleefully pointed to the IU symbol and declared, "A menorah! Except a menorah has 8 candles with one in the middle."

Smart as a whip, that one. And multi-cultural to boot.  

Sometimes the simplest things fascinate me.  Like these ice-covered branches used in the Klipsch Christmas tree.  They're a nice touch and really make the tree sparkle.  I may have to invest in some of my own, or I found out how I can make them myself. 

But who am I kidding.  The last crafty thing I did involved Shrinky Dinks in the late 1970s.

Trey pitched in this year to put the final touches on the top of the Klipsch Christmas tree.  He used a ladder (a little reckelssly, frankly), but all I keep thinking about is this much less effective method of higher tree decorating.

The ladder was probably the better idea.

Still not sure which item of audio awesomeness to get for someone on your list?  I'm here to help! Trust me, their ears will thank you.

Our newest iGroove SXT will work with all dockable iPods... and can even connect to computers and TVs through the auxiliary input (miniplug cable not included).  

The unbelievably well-reviewed  Image S4.  Best Gift Ever for anyone who uses headphones. 

 Someone getting an iPhone 3GS or new Shuffle?  The Image S4i is a must to control the darn things... and to put those horrid stock ear buds in a drawer somewhere. 

 Klipsch gear also makes a great gift!  Choose from several items here.

Extra ear tips fit nicely in your ears...and stockings!

Want to go all out?  Why not - your family is totally worth it.  Besides, room filling audio is all about spending time with your family.  And these will last forever.

Remember, Heritage items can take up to 6 weeks to build. But I'm not above wrapping pictures of things that I didn't order in time.