Hello fellow synthzonians,

I've been SOOOO VERY BUSY for the last few months that I haven't had a chance to visit the forum. I'll spend the next few paragraphs catching you up on my activities, so if trivalities bore you . . . stop reading now.

My son and I started a new business called, "Extreme Theater", and I'm pretty excited about it. We sell and install Home Theater Projection Systems with WALL-SIZE TV & MOVIE SCREENS. Our slogan is, "Anything less than a 100-INCH screen is too small!"

This business gives me a chance to use all the knowledge I've gained with audio/video equipment over the years and have FUN at the same time.

Our typical system includes a quality Home Theater Projector, a 100-inch screen, a DVD player, and a Sherwood America surround system with Video switching. The biggest screen we've installed so far was 157-inch diagonal in a doctor's basement. I was a bit jealous (my screen at home is only 120-inches diagonal). We installed a complete set of in-wall speakers (including an in-wall subwoofer). It's a VERY COOL setup.

So far, we've installed a couple of dozen systems. When we started, I told my son that we can't get greedy . . . we've got to keep our prices low and hope to do a lot of business. We're charging about 1/2 of what our competitors do, so I think we've got a future. We've even sold a few systems via the web.

And now for the brutely honest truth . . . I've touched my keyboard only once in the last month or so. Yeah, I know I should be punished but I just haven't had much time to myself.

Well, how's everyone doing and did I miss anything BIG?

Regards,
Steve

1) The new top-of-the-line Roland G-70 has just been released, with mixed reviews.
2) Ketron MIDJAY arranger module has been released.
3) Rumour of a Tyros II abounds.
4) Logitech Z-5300 owners drool.
5) U.D. uses PSR3000 on his jobs.
Starkeeper



[This message has been edited by Starkeeper (edited 12-21-2004).]

Starkeeper,

You mean to tell me that UD has only switched keyboards once during the last 3 months? Amazing. What's happening out your way, Dave? You must be up to your eyeballs in gigs. (Or is gig the plural of gig?)

Steve



[This message has been edited by Stevizard (edited 12-21-2004).]

Well I was wondering what happened to you my friend. Welcom back!
DonM

Hiya Steve. Congrats on your new biz venture. I too was wondering where you've been all this time. Glad to see ya back. Hope you can hang around for a while. - Scott

Merry Christmas Don! Merry Christmas Scott!

I got lost in the business world for a while but it wouldn't be Christmas without my Synthzone friends. I've really missed all the discussions and especially the good humored kidding that pervades this forum.

I don't know how often I'll be able to check-in but I'll be around every chance I get. Between demonstrating our home theater systems and installations, I'm pretty busy these days. It will probably "let up" a little after New Years but a lot of people want to watch the SUPER BOWL on a BIG SCREEN, so we might stay busy.

This is the first year that the Super Bowl is being broadcast in High Definition Widescreen Format. That means that I'll be "on the 50-yard line" with Peyton Manning and the Colts (Believe in Blue) and running down the field with Marvin Harrison as he catches that game-winning TD pass. Did I mention I like football? This Christmas I bought the wife a Colt's helmet (hope it fits).

Steve

Steve ... If Peyton's not wearing it when you give it to her, or if she's not as big a fan as you think, you had better hope that helmet fits YOU !!!
t.

Tony,

We moved from Ohio to Indianapolis (home of the Colts) about a year ago. Every Sunday we watch the Colts play on our 120-inch diagonal hi-def screen and yell our heads off. My wife shouts the loudest . . . she loves football and is their #1 cheerleader. (Actually, I wasn't counting on her loving the helmet, so I picked up a couple of other things, too. Just in case, you're right.)

Steve

From Ohio and you're not rooting for Cincinnati or Cleveland ?!?!? ... ...
We moved from NY to RI 20 years ago, but having lived in NYC for 40 years, I am still a NYY NYG fan ... and this year I have been pulling for the J-E-T-S-JETS more than ever ... But I do really like Peyton and can only hope his brother does as well .. once the JETS are eliminated I will be rooting for the Colts ...
t.

Tony,

We've moved around so much that I'm not sure where home is. I've lived in 7 states and 12 cities in the last 20 years. I spent the longest time in Seattle (about 8 years or so). I probably should be rooting for the Seahawks but they had a poor team the entire time I was there and I just never got into them as a team.

At age 52, I'd like to settle down somewhere and Indy is as good as any place (plus they have a good team). So, we started watching the Colts and now we're hooked. Watch Freeney (defensive end) during the next game. He's an absolute WILD MAN. He's only 6'.0" tall and weighs about 240lbs but he gave Ogden (6 foot 9-inch at 350lbs) more than he could handle last week. Freeney attacks with both hands waving in the air and screaming. He leads the NFL in sacks. He's totally insane but we love him!

Steve

Just wanted to add . . .

The Colts are gonna kick the Pittsburgers butts!

An ALL Pennsylvania SUPERBOWL is headed your way !!
Colts fans ...... get your tissues ready.

I don't know what's worse ..... playing this 3k week after week, or actually being "somewhat" satisfied playing it.
I just made up my mind that I'm sticking with this beast unless something drastic changes. There is not ONE other kb at any price that makes me happy, so I'm staying put with this "all around-do the job-compromise-with the least drawbacks" unit.

I'm ready as soon as someone makes one that I really like ...... not likely, I'm afraid. They cater to the masses, and my needs have always been somewhat unconventional....mostly because of my background before automation, and my strict vocal requirements.

I even have a second 3k in teh studio at home! Go figgur!!!

Steve,

I was thinking about all you folks who have not checked in lately and you were on the list. Indy is a pretty cool town. I hope you will feel at home there. My news is I dumped the Ketron and moved into the Yamaha camp with a Tyros. The more I play it the more I love it.

I want to wish all of you folks a very Merry Christmas. Christmas wishes to all the forum members: our Dutch Friends, English friends, European friends, West coast friends, East coast friends, Southern friends, Mid-West friends, Canadian friends, South American friends, Asian friends, and anyone else I might have overlooked. A big thank you and Merry Christmas to Nigel for making all this possible.

Tom

Dave,

Glad to hear that you have a KB that suits you. I know you've got quite a list of "must haves" when it comes to considering a keyboard. It's just too bad that your good tastes and good sense doesn't carry over into your choice of a good football team. Soon, PA will "believe in blue". I understand that Pittsburgh fans actually carry little yellow crying towels . . . they must feel the end coming.

Tom,

Glad to hear I made the list . . . sure would've been peeved if I hadn't. Indy is a nice town. Even the downtown area is unbelieveably clean and safe (although there are a few hazardous areas). Yeah, I think I can be happy here but I don't think I could ever call myself a "hoosier" (Yuk!). Whenever I heard that word, all I can think of is "Who's yur daddy?" Believe it or not, "Who's yur daddy?" is written on half of the benches in Indy. Its the slogan for Planned Parenthood's DNA test center, and I guess they're very busy trying to determine who fathered who (or what). These truly are incredible times that we live in.

Merry Christmas Nigel and all,
Steve

[This message has been edited by Stevizard (edited 12-22-2004).]

Hi Tom
On behalf of all the English friends I would like to wish you and all the synthzonians a wonderful Christmas and a really happy and prosperous New Year.
I, for one, enjoy the company of everyone on this Forum and I echo your wishes to Nigel, who has made it possible.
cheers
From Rotherham,Yorkshire,England



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Eddie from Rotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info