Who R U?

My name is Mike Chaiko, 42, and I'm a terminal audioholic with little hope for recovery. I live in central NJ, where i've been nearly all my life. I'm a full time Army National Guard helicopter Instructor Pilot and have been flying both airplanes and helicopters for the past 23 years. Amazingly, I'm getting close to retirement from the military and will be looking for a flying position in the civilian sector shortly. I've been married to a wonderful wife for 11 years (although she's got little appreciation for high-end audio) and have a 5 year old son and a 4 year old daughter. My hobbies include soccer (although I haven't played for years due to knee injuries), competitive cycling (have a Moots Titanium/Campy racing bike), homebrewing beer, cigars, and obviously home audio.

My earliest musical memory was going to my best friend's house one day to listen to his parents new hi-fi. His older brother played guitar and just bought Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?" I was 6 years old at the time and still remember listening to that album all day long. I borrowed it to show my parents and they absolutely flipped when they saw the cover and heard that "monkey music". I guess part of me liked the reaction and the newfound connection to rebellion and rock-and-roll.

My musical tastes have since expanded to include jazz, blues, and clasical. I'm still on cloud nine after seeing Pavarotti last night in Trenton, NJ. I've always been a fan of live music and feel connected to the emotion that musicians convey on stage.

I've found audiogon an incredible resource for the upgrade path i've chosen over the past year. I appreciate all the responses i've received and am happy to "meet" all you goner's out there. Happy listening!!

Iam 46 years old,migrated from Philippines 24 years ago,
I am a medical technology,and a nurse, married to a lovely
wife,2 kids boy and a girl, 15 and 16,I live here in Illinois,1 mile from Michael Jordan,2 miles from the
Chicago bears place. I love music a lot,many of you, dont
have the idea, that in my country, we play music anytime'
with open window,ussually at 4 am, neighbors love it,
for they cant afford stereo, we own sansui, kenwood,national
quadrosonic,it was fun,over here here if I forgot the window
cop will show up,I am Christian, I use my gear to listen
to a lot of Gospel music,adn I love classical,folks,country
music,When I found out Agon, I learn a lot from you guys,
Mostly are good audiophile,I even met someone from Hongkong
thru this site,very very nice guy,There are couple of Agoners here that make me laugh, Tireguy is one of my favorite,TWl,Bigkidz,and many more. So thank you guys,its
been fun,I made a good friend John(stehno)from Kansas, this
is really cool.Dan Wright is another good guy,Klaus
from Oddyssey, lastly thanks a lot Agon staff.

Jayctoy- We have chatted via emails before, its nice to read a little about who you are and how you got there:) When ever we wrote to each other before it was just the facts, talking audio and that's it- its nice to see there's a lot more to you. And of course thanks for the ego stroke, like any one else I appreciate it as much as the next man/woman.

Happy Listening.

Tireguy, you just dont know,How much I enjoy reading
your thread and some jokes of course,You are right,
now you have an idea who I am,just in case you need
medical advise you know where to go,free of charge,
There are some agoners here, when I read their biography
I respected them more because they open up a lot,It
is amazing, how honest they are of who they are,Tim
now when I see their name on this site, I smile like
I know them, For the guy who started this thread,THANK
YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU,it made you more closer to
the community with the same passion.Tim maybe we should
post a thread who is your favorite Agoners and Why?
In my case, I thought you are so verstile in your post,
sense of humor,and able to make friends here at Agon.
Whar do you think?

Who, me? My name is Andy, I'm 37, divorced once, and I'm stranded in Los Angeles again. For several years I had a happy life in the local mtns. Trees, birds, snow, music. Sigh. Now it's payback time. This too, shall pass.

I'm a part-time care giver to my father, and a part-time jack of many, varied trades. Dad has Alzhimers, and only rersponds well to/reconizes me. Even that is fading. He blessed me with a start in this wonderful hobby when I was 14, and what little engineering knowledge I have I owe to him. I have never specialized in anything, though I have never stopped learning new things. Many subjects facinate me, and I'm always eager to learn as much as I can.

I do consider myself a gear-head, a stereo nut, and not so much an audiophile. (music lover, yes) I have a specific and defined listening ethic, to be sure, but big gear with enormous power supplies / hideously thick energy reserves just turns me on. (example: Rowland Model 7s) I have spent vastly more on gear than I have on music, so there you have it. How's that for brutal honesty? But I'm satisfied, to an extent, and have not made a major gear purchase in a couple of years.

I'm delighted to introduce myself to you all, and look forward to widening my scope of knowledge in this community. Thanks for reading this! Cheers