Congratulations Jaymanaa

[Rybeam]

Way to go Jay ! Winner of member of the year at the AK Fest 2008. The greatest host deserves it. One the most generous people I have ever met.
Do you have to be from Kansas City to win ? Maybe not but it sure must help ! :banana:


Picture from "Enjoy the Music. com "

[Urizen]

One the most generous people I have ever met.


Hear, hear!:thmbsp:

[Celt]

Jay's good people! :yes:

[luvvinvinyl]

Quoted for TRUTH:
Jay's good people! :yes:

[fotno]

Way to go Cuz... Well deserved!

[Redboy]

Jay's the best! No surprise on the award.

[Twenty20Man]

jay is great people

[ozmoid]

Jay is a fine Ambassador for our hobby!

[Justen]

Egads. The cult of Jaymanna....

[clydeselsor]

AK wouldn't be the same without him!! :beerchug:

[jpdylon]

Jay's good people! :yes:

Ayup! :yes:

hear hear! :beerchug:

[RayW]

Egads. The cult of Jaymanna....

The Jaymaniacs.

Good on ya, Jay. It was great to finally beet you.

Ray

[avionic]

Kudo's Jay...:thmbsp:

[WhiteSE]

yeah!! if he would have only won his raffle!!!

[SPL db]

Congrats Jay! Honor well deserved! :yes: :thmbsp:

Scott

[sleddogman]

Congratulations Jay!

(ahem... are you the tall one or the short one...?) :D

[jaymanaa]

Thanks everyone, I still haven't exactly figured out how or why this honor was bestowed on me, but I am very proud of the fact that it was. I remember when I first stumbled upon AK while doing some research on some EV speakers. My "system" at that time consisted of a BPC receiver with a built in EQ, and a pair of really bad JBL bookshelf speakers. What made me come back to AK after my initial visit didn't have anything to do with stereos though, heck, I had pretty much lost interest in stereos after Disco and MTV dominated the music industry. Like most Americans, I thought that the engineers finally had music reproduction nailed down with the advent of the Digital receiver and CDs. What made me come back, was the way a few folks responded to my first thread, in particular I remember Ozmoid, Pakprotector, Ernie, and Tim, making me feel very welcome. I was new to the internet too, and had been warned that everyone online was either a scammer or a pervert, so I was kind of guarded when these folks seemed to welcome me into their little community. Well, it didn't take me long to figure out that there were indeed "good" folks on the net too, and I had stumbled into a whole mess of them. There's another part to this story too, that only a few folks know, but I will share it now with everyone. The reason I had purchased the computer and got online, was that I was trying to fill a big hole in my life. The big hole was left when I took out the whisky. I was what they call an "incurable drunk", down to 140 pounds, out of a job, and close to losing my wife when I quit drinking. After I got sober, I had to think of ways to stay sober, and keep my mind and hands busy. The computer was my wife's idea, and finding AK, well, I have an idea who planned that too. Anyhow, with all that free time, and everyone here so anxious to share their experience and knowledge, I put together a pretty darn nice system in no time. If I remember correctly it consisted of a Fisher tube integrated and Heresy speakers. From the moment I got it working, I was a goner. Nothing in my life has ever hit me like the two channel tube Hi-Fi bug. I think it was in the first year that Pak and Kegger talked me through building a tube amp from scratch (something I would have never dreamed possible). I guess that I got so much from AK, that I want to try to give some of that feeling to others. Nothing makes me feel better inside than knowing that in some small way, I have helped someone to experience the joy that I have found in music. I know that I will never be able to repay the debt I owe AK (most likely my very life), but it sure is fun trying. I've said it before, but the people here are the best I've ever had the privilege to know. I humbly thank you all very kindly, Jay

[luvvinvinyl]

Well said, good sir.

As to how and why you were chosen for this honour, I can easily answer the 'how': You were nominated for this honour, by more members than anyone else.

As to the 'why': You have already answered that, in your post.

[cableguy]

:banana:
Jay.....:thmbsp:




Bill

[wajobu]

Meeting and talking with Jay was the high point of the Fest for me. After many months of posting and also talking on the phone, it was great to finally meet face to face.

Congratulations Jay, and I hope to get to Kansas one of these days part-en-ner.

[yamahammer]

Congrats you make the "TUBE WAY" of things very interesting one can only dream of some of the things you have come up with lately

[merrylander]

Well said, good sir.

As to how and why you were chosen for this honour, I can easily answer the 'how': You were nominated for this honour, by more members than anyone else.

As to the 'why': You have already answered that, in your post.

What Ernie said.

[jaymanaa]

Meeting and talking with Jay was the high point of the Fest for me. After many months of posting and also talking on the phone, it was great to finally meet face to face.

Congratulations Jay, and I hope to get to Kansas one of these days part-en-ner.



I couldn't agree more Waj. :yes:

[jcmjrt]

Now if Jay only knew where you could get Pizza in Livonia....

[luvvinvinyl]

Jay can't get pizza in Livonia. Weren't you paying attention?

[6thumbs]

Happy Bithday

[Kegger]

Happy Bithday

WHAT HE SAID!! LOL!!:yes::banana::D


-----------

Truly was great finally meeting you JAY, Congrats! From all your friends!

[Arkay]

Congratulations, Jay! :thmbsp:
You deserved it. :yes:

"The rest of the story" that you posted was very touching. Congratulations are also due for beating the demon Alcohol. I've had a couple friends who couldn't/didn't beat it, and I miss them, so it's always a joy to hear of someone who kicked the habit and turned things around.

I'd be honored to shake your hand one day, if we ever meet. Let's see, Kansas? :scratch2: Maybe if I click my heels and repeat, "there's no place like home"... :D

Don't know why people are suddenly posting "Happy Birthday" messages a month late (don't they read threads before posting to them?), but Happy Belated Birthday, too/anyway! LOL :D

[Redboy]

Yes, Happy Bithday to you Jay!

:lmao: :nutz:

[jaymanaa]

Congratulations, Jay! :thmbsp:
You deserved it. :yes:

"The rest of the story" that you posted was very touching. Congratulations are also due for beating the demon Alcohol. I've had a couple friends who couldn't/didn't beat it, and I miss them, so it's always a joy to hear of someone who kicked the habit and turned things around.

I'd be honored to shake your hand one day, if we ever meet. Let's see, Kansas? :scratch2: Maybe if I click my heels and repeat, "there's no place like home"... :D

Don't know why people are suddenly posting "Happy Birthday" messages a month late (don't they read threads before posting to them?), but Happy Belated Birthday, too/anyway! LOL :D


Thanks Arkay, I had a whole bunch of help with the booze problem or I really doubt if I would be here. I don't really advertise the fact, but would never try to hide it either. As horrible and lonely as that time in my life was, I came away from it a little the wiser and a whole lot stronger. It's nice to know that folks like yourself are willing to give a guy a second chance and not judge me on problems I've had in my past. Believe it or not, some people who didn't even know me then, choose to judge on what they have heard (a few have even stooped to name calling).:no: I used to get angry with them, but now I sort of feel sorry for them. I can't explain it, I just think I grew up a lot.:dunno: I'm very sorry to hear about your friends that never got sober. I do some work with alcoholics now (ones that are in jail), and I know the horrors first hand.:tears:


Edit - BTW, if you get the heal clicking thing working, the door is always open.

[merrylander]

Jay when a man pulls himself up by his own bootstraps it is to be admired not criticized. What is past is past except for the lessons learned, been awfully close to heading down that road myself.

[jaymanaa]

Jay when a man pulls himself up by his own bootstraps it is to be admired not criticized. What is past is past except for the lessons learned, been awfully close to heading down that road myself.

Thank you sir, and your post exhibits a pattern I've noticed over the past couple of years. The people whom "I" have lots of respect for, seem to be the ones that have this forgiving (or judge not) attitude.:yes: The others.......................I guess I don't really care too much what they think.:thmbsp:

[modge]

Congrats Jay, and nice to of met you at the Fest.:thmbsp:

[jaymanaa]

Congrats Jay, and nice to of met you at the Fest.:thmbsp:

You too Modge, one of the most memorable times was hanging out on the balcony with you keeping everyone in stitches. I haven't laughed so hard since.:thmbsp:

[Holst]

Yeah Jay!!!!

[bricktop]

Congrats Jay! Your one of the guys I wanted to meet at the fest, but it came smack in the middle of finals, and I was pretty busy. Hopefully next year I'll be up there to shake your hand :yes:

[jaymanaa]

Congrats Jay! Your one of the guys I wanted to meet at the fest, but it came smack in the middle of finals, and I was pretty busy. Hopefully next year I'll be up there to shake your hand :yes:


You would have had a blast in Paks room, much like I did. Hopefully we'll get to shake hands real soon.:thmbsp:

[Endspec]

Congrats Jay, Hope I will make it to your next get to gether this fall. or sooner If I get the chance.

[Fran604g]

Congrats Jay,

A tribute to one that deserves it!

[Gibsonian]

Congratulations Jay on the honor. I really wanted to go to but missed your minifest in March but hope to see you at one in the near future.

KC sure spits out a high number of AK members of the year doesn't it? Must be something in the water?????

[sauuuuuce]

Happy Award Having!

[yungin's-dad]

Congrats Jay!!!!

[spaceman]

I guess I'm pretty late to this thread, lol, but congrats, Jay! :thmbsp: I only know you from AK, mostly the tube forum, but I get a pretty strong impression that you really ARE good people. :yes: I have pretty much the same story, about the "need" to find healthy hobbies, but I wish I had found this hobby a little sooner. ;)

[jaymanaa]

Thanks guys, Jay