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Two days ago, at 36 years old, my best friend Wakejunkie had two strokes. For the most part he's doing fine. Has some balance issues and cannot walk without assistance. Dr said its a miracle he is alive. Only 10% survive from a stroke like he had and he had two making it around 1% of people that survive. Here is the latest update from his wife Update: the doctor has confirmed that it is a tear in his vertebral artery alone causing the strokes. It is a life changing event. The doctor said it is a miracle that he didn't die and to count this as a second chance. He will not be able to play sports anymore, go to the chiropractor, or pop his neck without risk of causing another tear. He should heal from his present symptoms over the next three months but doctor says risk of re-injury is great. It is a weakness of connective tissue and not from previous surgery. Treatment for this event is major blood thinners until the tear heals and then an aspirin type regiment. Please keep him in prayer as he adjusts to these changes.

Everyone, as Boxx "jr.''... his son. These types of post mean the world to me and thank you for your kindness about Dad.

-5 degrees! God I love winter!

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I like that you spend quality time with your dog everyday! Yep the Jake-a-thon is my family Two old boys and the occasional LF

Morning Gang Hummm, a bit of rest is a good thing, resting well in to the wee hours, buying more dam stuff for that boat. Power is now at the wheelhouse, fired up the voltage last night, so from here on out it's my kind of fun wiring, underdeck/underdash. The Sound system install requested, will only start when everything else is done.

Fiddleing with he DAC swapping tubes, got my new 60's raytheon windmills and liking the sound time for cup number 2

Oh yea I almost forgot, I helped my cousin run some audio cables for his surround sound. Unfortunately, the speakers were his dad's hand me down Bose. I even hate saying that word. But he is happy and had a decent setup.

All ready at 46 degrees out. I've up the doses of coffee on the weekends to a half of a pot. Taken it easy until 2 ish for my son's basketball game. Then a haircut as I'm starting to look like a darker haired, bearded version of Tarheel. Then the kids are of to grandma's, and the wife and I are out to a post holiday party.

40 going to 56 for a high. Chowder cook off at Carolina Beach at 12:00. LF playing tennis. I'm being lazy and nursing a scratchy throat. Coffee and breakfast done. Jake walked. Cheers Gents

Morning gang, moving slow this morning................first cup in the cup

I have to tell you, I am glad you kept your fathers place here, but every time I see it as a new post it makes me feel happy and sad. It's like a reminder that every time you talk to someone appreciate it, it may be the last thing you say to them, and that reminder is a good thing. It's nice to have part of the Boxx family here, hope you all are doing OK.

You Ok there BL

Blackwolf58 will fit in, he's a plethora of audio knowledge...and a tad of sarcasm too.

This is a PSA and I know that many will have read my concerns before. If you haven’t then I hope this resonates with you. We’ve recently lost Boxx and as of today, looks like Wake Junkie was given a scare with a second chance. I think we all know intellectually that nobody is guaranteed ‘tomorrow’. Hopefully, this will kick-start everyone into some reviews of your affairs and get things in order. Do you have a checking or savings account that is in your name alone? Do you have a brokerage account (non-IRA) that is in your name alone? Do you have any of the above that are in joint name with a parent or spouse? Do you have beneficiaries on ALL your accounts, INCLUDING your 401K? In all the above examples (and for sake of keeping this post short, I’ll not (yet) get into any details…..if the thread withers away, it withers away. If it creates another round of discussion then I’ll carry on as I’ve done in the past (or you can maybe search and read my old comments) EVERYONE should go to your bank and put a “POD” (Pay on death) designation on EVERY account at your bank. “Oh, but Richard, I have a WILL that takes care of that” Bunk. You are living with false confidence. (though technically, the statement is correct) The Will simply says who gets it and that’s all. The Will (for lack of better word) actually DICTATES that your things go through probate prior to your children getting them. If you put a POD on your checking account, it will bypass probate and go MUCH quicker and much easier to your loved one(s). Brokerage account(s)…. Put a “TOD” or Transfer on Death designation on them. Again, a TOD (like POD) supersedes your will and allows the asset to totally bypass the probate process. Oh, but I have my 40 year old daughter as my joint owner. BAD BAD BAD idea. Why? Suppose she’s involved in a car accident or something in life (divorce?) where she gets sued. All of “her” assets (1/2 of your account) can be attacked….. do you want to have YOUR account involved in HER situation? NO. The way around it is make her POD/TOD beneficiary, give her power of attorney and be done with it. You are now totally protected from her creating an issue. I doubt that Boxx had any remote fear of anything being an immediate threat to him. I doubt Wake Junkie expected his stroke. Fortunately for Wake Junkie, he’ll read this and his light bulb will go off as to the wisdom of this thread. Everyone understands and jumps to do these things once they've been awakened. I'm just trying to wake you up prior to a more serious event waking you up (or perhaps, not waking you as in the case of Boxx) Everyone (and I mean 100% everyone) needs to do something like this. If you love your family, why would you choose to do something that will make their life that much more complicated when, at the stroke of a pen, you can simplify it for them? (NOT having a TOD/POD on your accounts is every bit as much of a choice as having them) I challenge everyone to contact your broker, contact your banker…..ask about a TOD or POD and get the forms. Just remember, POD is done at the bank and TOD is done at the brokerage firm. I challenge anyone who actually DOES this to report back to the thread!!! The gauntlet has been dropped. Guys, (gals?) show your family that you love them enough to take care of some of the little details.

Most importantly, consider an irrevocable trust to protect your assets in the event of a serious illness. A hospital/physician/nursing home can deplete your estate in a blink of an eye.

Survivalist coffee? Freeze dried and supposed to have a shelf life of 25 years. Guessing I won't be finding out:

Speaking of dogs, this is the first day of school for Baxter, except Baxter gets to stay home. Just the dog parents go to the first session. I was never very good at obedience, so I hope they don't put us through any rigorous paces. Baxter is actually a pretty good fella. Just has some rough edges as a rescue that we are not sure how to work on ourselves. Tarheel (Chuck) ... maybe you could send Jake to Colorado for a while to show Baxter how it's done. Have a good Sat.guys.....

I like that you spend quality time with your dog everyday!

Morning Gang Socked in with Fog/Cold. Too dam early im going back for a nap

Good Evening Blackwolf -- Genevieve seems cool, have enjoyed our conversations. I hope you like hanging out here--it’s a plethora of audio knowledge with a tad of sarcasm. Most of the folks are real good people. Pleasure meeting you. Steve

I never had the pleasure, but I know Maccagirl83... She suggested I join the site!

Cool, never hurts to do the right thing for free. good info. :emotion-21:

Absolutely! And to all you faithful believers in God and His mercy, thank you for your faith and faithfulness. Who knows (besides God) the how and what of the outcome(s)? I have seen Him use a circumstance or condition and apply a multiplier effect that has great leverage and economy. He promises believers that despite the condition or circumstance, He will cause good to come from it--usually in more and different ways and far greater than we could have imagined, over the years--to our betterment and His glory. So, yes, even those who do not know Shawn (or any of you personally), he is being prayed for, knowing that good will come.

It's ok, im sure he knows well who to talk to about a future upgrade

Hey Pal, this is a Coffee and Cables Thread, now lookin at that fine example of woodwork Porn, id say your drinikn something a Tad better than Coffee. So it's time to kick down and pass some of that Libation around the thread, Just sayin......

Until he's spent a bit of time in these places he don't know what sarcasm is! Dave

Yes but that's all your required to wear, but I like shorts also. You really shouldn't be misleading the new guy with the other you said. Boxx has got to be smiling watching all of this.

Welcome Blackwolf58 Good, there's always room for more knowledge, and of course a little sarcasm never hurts.

Welcome! Come to Hope in April.

thanks for sharing your Dad with us. He was cool.

Just swapped out RC64 with Quartet on side between Fortes and sounds great.

Saw a Christmas tree.... was going to post Marshall's Wall of Voodoo man cave tree but can't find it... So this for now.... #FiniPorn #FiniPorn #FiniDancingNaked @Fini #KlipschPorn #KlipschConsole Walnut? Or Gloss Black?

Wouldn't you just know it? BOXX

I'm right on the Mississippi. I'd be willing to drive out to Sterling/Rock Falls, IL/Kewanee, IL area though and back towards Netwon, IA.

I’m full of useless trivia and bizarro facts.

An easy way to envision it. 2 hoses both have the same water pressure (wattage). One is a garden hose and one is a fire hose. At the same pressure the fire hose puts out a larger volume (current) of water yet they both have the same pressure. If you're putting out a small fire, either hose will do and both will accomplish the same task. If you need a short burst of water (transient volume) the fire hose will do a better job.

Thanks Richard.....all good information and a call to action. I have been putting off changing my will which leaves my assets to my wife who passed away in 2010. No other heirs except a sister who doesn't need what I will have left.

Nice :-)

I'm tellin ya true, you won't last and if you do, you will need institutional care for the remainder of your days. Try me! oh to be young and invincible again…don’t worry though, institutions generally have really good meds.

That wooshing sound was the sound of money fleeing your wallet. But every tube guy knows that.

Michael--I wish you tons of success and enjoyment doing it. Please post a photo of your first dollar earned. Steve

In my basement 2 channel listening room: KG 4.5, KG 5.5, Heresy II, RF-5, KLF-20, Cornwall Verticals, and Chorus II. If I had to sell all save one pair the Chorus IIs win.

Interesting how an upright Heresy is called.....a Heresy. A Heresy laying on its side is called a Heresy Vertical.... Terry, I don't have a Heresy but, laying it on its side would at least put the tweeter in the originally intended proper orientation. If you look up the EV T-35 you'll see the spec sheet shows it vertical and not sideways. Don't know that the same can be said for the midhorn.

Yes sir! I've got one on it's side at about ear level when sitting down. Awesome.

Well..................the calendar doesn't lie, but it's a privilege to get old, the alternative is not as much fun. I guess?

Wanna know HOW good? I am copying the below from a Facebook page of Ron and my friends. He may get mad at me, but he'll get over it. This magnificent piece of writing moved my soul and would have if I didn't know him from Adam: Ron Huebner January 7 at 3:25pm My sister found this letter today at the assisted living facility where my mom and dad have lived for several years. It was in a basket by their lounge chairs. I didn't remember writing it at first, then it came to me that I must have written it years ago when I sensed the fragility of his life. It goes like this: An Imperfect Present Months ago I started to shop for the perfect Christmas present for you Pops. But it eluded me no matter how hard I thought or how long I walked through endless stores that cater to just such a task. You have everything you need really, and I suppose you have very few wants. You have friends that most only dream about, a dedicated and loving wife, and you do pretty much what you want. So what is it that I could possibly offer you? What have I never given you that you might need? Then I realized that I have always felt inadequate simply telling you how I feel about you. Men in general are horrid at this and I suppose we fail no more acutely than with family. So for better or worse, I will try to set to paper what I find so awkward to do in life. Where to start? Some of my first memories of you come from Echols street. I remember you rooting around in the chicken house where you seemed so at ease and at peace. You impressed me more than any lion tamer could. A chicken is a mighty and elusive foe for a little boy. On most afternoons, I would listen for the 5 o’clock A&M whistle to blow and it was the highlight of my day when you drove into the driveway an few minutes later in that big old sedan. You were always glad to see me, but not half as much as I was to see you. When the sun went down, I can remember all of us going out to the back yard to lie on the pallets that you had spread on the grass. We would lie there for hours just gazing into the sky, watching for falling stars to wish on and taking in the gentle night breezes. You always had time to ride me on your back and play as if the world had no cares. Only later did I realize that the pressures of the world could not have magically passed over you with a family to take care of. What you gave me was the freedom of childhood with all the hard realities of the world kept at bay and that is a true gift…and no small task. It’s strange what you remember, but the smell of you after working hard all day will always be strong in my mind. Rolling around on the bed, we wrestled, tickled and played. Now I realize you must have been dead tired. It fills me with joy even now when those images cross my mind. That house on Echols was tiny in size, but was huge with all the love you lavished on us. I still drive down Echols occasionally; I suppose to recapture some of the elusive peace of a simpler time. I can still see the Christmas tree in the front room with its bubble lights and reused tinsel. You always made Christmas so special that to me it was the best time of the year. Just one of those Christmas Days was better than all the birthdays and 4th of Julys in my life. We always went to Grandma’s on Christmas afternoon and her back room with the tree always fascinated me. I always tried to imagine the Christmas’s you had when you were a little boy. The smell of apples and oranges infused the air and the candles on her tree were a source of pure magic. You always seemed at peace there and somehow connected. It was so hard to see that land sold. It made all the sense in the world to let it go, but that didn’t make it any easier. It was awash with memories of good times with all our family…gathered just to be together. My first memory of you, Uncle Alvin, and Uncle Alfred sitting in a circle telling stories comes from Grandma’s front porch and living room. Those stories were truly delicious to a boy with a big imagination! You and Uncle Alvin’s tales of childhood made me envious in so many ways. I know those times were difficult but you remembered them so fondly and with such humor…at least that’s how it seemed. What impressed me was you pleasure in the telling and that was a blessing for the rest of us. I still smile when I remember how you all sounded, entertaining each other and I guess that I will always be entertained by that memory. I think that’s when I started to appreciate your sense of humor. Some people use humor to dominate, to denigrate, to impress, or to stand out. But yours seems to be a simple and humble form of play. And I think that playfulness is part of what makes you so easy to love and a joy to share time with. Momma has been so lucky to have spent the most time with that side of you and nobody would blame the rest of us for being jealous. But it wasn’t all play. I’ve come to realize that many men rarely vocalize their love of family; rather they show it in their dedication to provide security and joy for those under their watch. But no one was ever more dedicated than you. You were always the first to rise to take care of the garden and other chores before going to work. After work and supper you were always in the garage upholstering, tacks in your mouth. What a great game to get shocked when I touched you at the sewing machine. And no better adventure than picking up and delivering furniture in the back of that old black truck. I know I was often impatient when it came to helping out as a second pair of hands, but I always appreciated how hard you worked just to provide all the little extras most children take for granted. Even as a child I never took any of your extraordinary efforts for granted. I know how hard you worked for us and I will always feel some guilt because I will never be able to do what you did with seemingly effortless grace. All those hours in the garage earned you a little extra money, but also my undying admiration and respect. It never occurred to me that you did all this for money…I knew you did it for us. As a teenager I couldn’t understand how you could be so content while working so hard and struggling to make ends meet. Whatever I know about being content, I learned from you and Mom. You make being happy seem so easy. One thing that seemed to make you happiest was Sunday breakfast. No one will ever be able to make Sunday mornings as special as you did. I never understood why you went so wild with breakfast on Sunday, but I wasn’t going to complain. What a feast! That must be where my love of breakfast comes from. I just don’t always eat it in the morning…but then I remember you would cook “upside down” breakfast for supper sometimes too. But the most special times and my fondest memories were really just quiet times spent together. So many of those memories are more like faint impressions…you picking me up when I was tired, my arms around your neck, being tucked into bed. These are just whispers of memories that I hear when I least expect them. Fleeting for sure, but so warm I know they are real. I remember us sitting for hours by the tank at Grandmas just so I could plink away at bullfrogs. And more hours spent while you barbecued for family gatherings. Those times that seemed like nothing special at the time mean the world to me as I look back. They may, in fact, be the most special times of all. For a long time, as I grew out of childhood, I thought we were so very different. I could come up with a hundred ways you and I were not alike. But time has made me much wiser, and now I know we are more alike than we are different. I have learned so much about living deliberately from you that you cannot imagine. I know that the best of me comes directly from you and the parts I am not proud of are my own inventions. You have taught me through example that love and grace are worth pursuing for life. As I read over this in review, it’s so painfully obvious how inadequate it is in expressing all my feelings for you. I could write a book just from all my good memories of you. You consistently reassure me and constantly surprise me as I learn more about you. I guess what it all boils down to is that if I could choose my father out of all the fathers of all time I would choose you and never think twice about it. Your generosity inspires me, your easy way puts me at ease, your sense of humor makes me smile, your honesty make me stand straighter, and your love make me a better person. I love you very much!

I wish I could have met him….he seems like a terrific guy.

Boxx is with us today and everyday.