Amy's Blog

Old Oaken Bucket

2009-11-20T19:20:00Z

So we have this silly badger speaker. I'm not sure what happened to his belly, but that's irrelevant. I'm also not sure where he came from, but I know we've had him since at least early 2008. He was perched out back for a while, but some way-mature engineers were using the little guy for some kind of target practice. He was since rescued and brought to the woodshop, where he'll be safe and sound at least through the winter. Maybe.

What does this have to do with the Old Oaken Bucket? Very little, really, except with that little football in his paws, it got me thinking about the Wisconsin Badgers. Which got me thinking about the Big 10. Which got me thinking about tomorrow's match up between arch rivals Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers. The hated, detested, despicable Purdue Boilermakers. And I say that while cringing, since about half of all Klipsch employees in Indianapolis went to school there. But that's just too bad.

A case of unfortunate timing, I'll be traveling tomorrow to see some of my old college roomies in Northern Indiana, since one of them is home from the east coast to show off her brand new baby boy. Reason enough to miss a game, I suppose. Although I'm sure I can locate where the husbands and boyfriends will be gathering. They better have the Big Ten Network.

Magazine Archive

2009-11-19T18:48:00Z

After being around for 63 years, you can imagine the stack of industry magazines we have accumulated. I found Melissa today doing some organizing at her cube, shown here with pages featuring the 50th Anniversary Klipschorn, Epic, Legend, and early Synergy series. Some of the magazines are dated back to the mid-1900s, which makes me sneeze just thinking about it.

3502

2009-11-17T20:27:00Z

Here's another view of our lovely building as you pull into the circle drive. Of course, I only use it when traveling in my limo.

Friday Night Lights

2009-11-16T19:27:00Z

The shortened hours of daylight are starting to take their toll on my psyche, but at least I can still find scenes like this when heading to my car...for now. It won't be long before I feel like I should be sleeping in a coffin and avoiding garlic.

Where You Can Hear the Blood Flowing Through Your Ears

2009-11-13T18:06:00Z

I know, that sounded a little gross, but it's how I describe being sealed inside our anechoic chamber. The experience is actually pretty cool, but not meant for claustrophobics. Or women wearing stiletto heels.

If such things interest you, or you simply must come to Indianapolis for summer break because that's where everyone goes, stop by our facilities for our somewhat-annual Pilgrimage in June (actual date TBD). We'd love to meet you and show you what we do. Any perhaps try to explain why. Wait, maybe some of our employees should attend. Accountants?

(And yes, when I'm not picking on engineers, I'm usually picking on accountants.)

"If you could get that TPS report done today...that'd be greaaat."

2009-11-12T19:15:00Z

I got the kid all the way to school today, only to discover their power was out. I don't see why it had to close just because they couldn't see and had no heat, but whatever. So we put him to work straight away, testing various headphone designs for that user-friendly-factor. I hope watching Alvin and the Chipmunks negates any child labor law violations. He got a 15 minute break every hour, promise!

Glorious Fall

2009-11-11T17:55:00Z

Just a tip: if you ask to see a picture of Steven, the Most Photographed Kid in the World, I will oblige. I'm a mom, after all. This one is for forum member Daddy Dee, who so innocently asked to see the full version of the picture in my masthead.

Taken one year ago last week, it's hard to believe how much he's changed from then -- academically and physically. Just last night, he was playing "teacher," having me sit in the "classroom" and recite my numbers, 1 to 100. When I inadvertently slowed down, he picked up the counting with me for a bit, followed by, "Good, keep going, you're doing great." When I got to 70 or so, he chimed in with, "This is the challenging part; don't give up." And he couldn't have been more serious.

Little kids are awesome. It makes the new, ultra-whiney version of the word "NO" he's picked up lately a teeny bit more tolerable.

Your Chance to Win Klipsch Reference RF-5s ...

2009-11-10T19:17:00Z

... and feel really good about yourself at the same time.

Every year, local radio station WZPL holds a 36-hour Request-a-Thon raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. Klipsch has also been committed to helping the foundation for quite some time now, sponsoring events and holding fund raisers whenever possible. So why not join forces? Plus Smiley-in-the-Morning is a fan.

What can you do? The easiest way is to make a donation on our team website, any dollar amount will do. It's simple, fast, and easy. Really. And a child somewhere will thank you.

The Reference RF-5 give-away, you ask? Oh yeah. If you call during a Klipsch sponsored Premium Hour on Thursday, November 19th from 6:00 – 7:00PM with a minimum donation TBD, you'll be entered to win the speakers at the end of the hour.

Not local? You can listen to a live stream of the broadcast anywhere with an internet connection.

Over the past 12 years, the Request-A-Thon event has raised over $2.5 million for the foundation, allowing them to grant over 400 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. It only takes a minute to imagine Steven as a recipient of this unbelievable generosity, and out comes my cash.

He'll never even miss one less toy under the tree.

The Re-creation

2009-11-09T18:07:00Z

My brother and I, Halloween 1974. Our offspring, Yesterday 2009.

The only thing I have to say about the recent picture is -- do you have any idea how hard it is to find a pumpkin one week after Halloween?

Caption Contest Winner: pmsummer

2009-11-06T19:23:00Z

This was a tough one...I had to call for back up. I think the choice of the name "Chester" in this context is what pushed it over the top. Not to mention my first cat was named Chester, after our 21st president. Yes, I was a huge nerd going back to at least age 8.

Congrats, pmsummer! One Klipsch prize, coming your way!

Chester misunderstood what the Swingers' Hi-Fi Club meant when they invited him to stop by for a Menage a trois.

My New Best Friend

2009-11-05T21:25:00Z

I'm dragging a little from today's off-site photo shoot, but it was nice to be away from the glaring computer monitor for a while. The Steak-n-Shake lunch was an added bonus. Mmm, french fries.

You can tell how informal our photo shoots actually are by scrolling through some of the outtakes. Like this one.

Beans by the Horn Load

2009-11-04T18:52:00Z

Sunday was a beautiful day for tailgating in the Circle City. With wood cut outs of our loveable headphone mascots in tow, we arrived bright and early to Hurst Bean Field in the shadow of Lucas Oil Stadium for games and prizes. And when I say "we," I mean a customer service rep, an engineer, and two marketing managers. Quite a combo, if you think about it.

By tossing a miniature Klipsch branded Colts blue-and-white football through the heads of our mascots (a little creepy, really), winners were ecstatic to walk away with either Image S4 or S2 headphones, and a chance to win the grand prize HD Theater 300 at the end of the day. All participants got to take home a tiny football... win-win!

Aside from one volunteer arriving an hour early (psst, Derek, Indiana has been participating in DST since spring 2006), the event went without a hitch. The best part was probably seeing 200 or so miniature Klipsch footballs being hurled through the parking lot, and of course hearing local music talents Dave and Rae belting it out from the loading docks. Oh, and the matching track suits.

Special thanks to Matt Huntley and Hurst Beans for making the event possible. There simply isn't a valid reason for not buying Hurst...a family tradition in central Indiana since 1938. And we're all about family traditions.

Because it's nice to be mobile....

2009-11-03T19:59:00Z

Now available at Klipsch.com - The ProMedia 2.1 Wireless!

At the risk of sounding like an ad....Get yours today in time for the holidays! End of ad.

I just really like this thing.

A Farewell Treat

2009-11-02T20:11:00Z

Friday we not only gathered for Halloween fun, but also later to celebrate the retirement of one of the most instrumental contributors to Klipsch's success over the past 15 years, Senior VP of Finance, Nancy Mills.

Of course, I was there with camera in hand, but Nancy was not keen on having her picture taken. Frankly, no one was. So here are some pictures from the festivities from someone who didn't mind.

Best of luck, Nancy. You're going to be missed around here.

A Klipsch Halloween

2009-10-30T18:31:00Z

This years winners -- Congrats to Gumby (Derek, Customer Service Rep), Dracula (Steve, Tech Support Rep) and The Wicked Witch of the West (Kathy, Receptionist). Take a good look...these are the people who answer your phone calls!

Honorable Mention goes to "Little Old Lady Who Lost Her Dog" (Jill, VP of Finance), who probably would've won had she not won last year. She's a tough competitor!

You can see all the photos from today's fun here