Post Polkfest Observations [Archive]

TroyD

10-11-2004, 07:58 AM

First and foremost, The lovely Wendi and I want to thank everyone that came. Sincerely, we enjoyed each and every person that came and can honestly say that there isn't anyone that attended that is not MORE than welcome here at any time. You guys are the ones that made this such a hit. The lovely Wendi put it best when she remarked that this was like a family gathering more than a gathering of random friends and I agree.

BIG thanks to Paul and Al and Polk for all the support that they provided. It was just fantastic to have them here. It just goes to show you how committed they are to us bunch of lunatics. I said this Saturday and think that it is telling, if only one person showed up, you could say that it was just a token rep from the company. If TWO people showed, at least one is there willingly. Humorous but very true. Anyhow, a big thanks to Al and Paul. There is NOTHING cooler than seeing Al and Paul in your house kicking back digging the Polk (and Carver) sound.

TONS of great stories to tell. TONS of quotes, tons of pics which we will all get to telling soon, however, I think that we all need some rest! So, please, BE PATIENT!! In SOME cases though, it's like Vegas: What goes on at Polkfest, STAYS at Polkfest. :D

Again, my thanks to all those that came out and those who supported Polkfest. I think we've REALLY set a benchmark for future Polkfests.

BDT

Oh, and btw, as far as the Polk goodies and banners go. Guys, I know everyone wants some (I would too!) but alas, there are none left here. I gave both the banners away to attendees and all the other stuff was given away to attendees. I'd love to be able to send everyone some stuff but it's just not here.

TroyD

10-11-2004, 07:59 AM

Well, I've had about all of this I can stand.

I'm OUTTA here.

nadams

10-11-2004, 08:04 AM

Sounds like you guys had a great time. As I've said before, I hope I can make the next one....

TroyD

10-11-2004, 08:49 AM

Far as the gear goes.....

SO much good gear. First, I didn't hear anything that I didn't like. With Polk speakers, that's almost a given.

On the speaker side, I was really taken with the CRS's and the 'Signature' Monitor 7A's. Paul put it very well that they might sell even MORE speakers if they didn't make the older ones so well. :D Jesse's NHT's were delightful as well.

On the gear side, Dave's Jolida CD player is a MUST have item. Just get one. Period. In fact, eff Dave. I'm keeping it. (just kidding!)

More to follow.......

BDT

hoosier21

10-11-2004, 12:46 PM

Troy and Wendi, thank you very much, I had an awesome time. The next gathering will have a VERY hard time matching the fun I had in S.C.

Freebies? are you sure about this? When I arrived hotwheelman met me in the garage with a Polk hat and said for 10.00 it's yours ;)

Still in recovery mode here, I will gather my thoughts and post more later.

DAGLJAM6

10-11-2004, 01:20 PM

Troy,

First, as hosts you and Wendi went above and beyond ,can't say enough about that.
Also, met a bunch of great people and got to sample loads of new music and gear. Great time!
I have to say though the "Mancave" drew me in like nobody's business. The combo of the Carver Amazings and whatever input device (TT,CDP) was simply awesome. (That stands as a major high point for me.)

Thanks again,
Dave

shack

10-11-2004, 01:32 PM

I posted a lot of my thoughs in the other Polkfest thread...

I just want to again thank Wendi and Troy for all of their hospitality and providing the venue for a truely memorable weekend!

DAGLJAM6

10-11-2004, 02:12 PM

And btw, troy UnderstanD that I could cOnceivably cause a Great deal of trouble at the hOmestead if i mentioN that a certain cdp is on a site frequented by many on this forum at the same low price that was mentioned in our conversations. :D
far be it from me to start anything........

Dave

RuSsMaN

10-11-2004, 05:05 PM

Hey Abernathy, what the hell?

I paid $13.50 for mine.

All attendees (photographers):

I'll be getting with Justin on Tuesday / Wednesday to get the 'Charleston Polkfest 2004' user ID / Password setup.

Get to re-sizing, and pm me for the password. I'll get the intial showcase setup, then everyone can add pics / captions as they please.

I'm about ready to do a couple shots, anyone with me?

Cheers,
Russ

dorokusai

10-11-2004, 06:52 PM

Um, yea, put me down for a couple.

"Polk" Paul DiComo

10-11-2004, 07:32 PM

Man I must love you guys or somethin'. I sure went through a lot of pain to get there and back. In fact I have to say it was the best AND worst trip I've taken in a long time.

Let's start with the good. Dudes, you guys are all nuts but in a very good way. Al and I had a blast. You all sure can drink and smoke up a storm. Nice guys one and all and let me join in the chorus to say that Wendi is a SAINT!

I think the thing that blew me away the most sound-wise was how stinking great the almost 30 year old Monitor 7s sounded compared to all the modern stuff. Held their own dammit. It was a great reminder of why Polk "made it" while so many other "garage" speaker companies folded.

Now the bad. Travelling in and out of Dulles airport is simply painful. I will avoid it from now on. I will also avoid passing police cars on highways. Virginia cops (at least the one I met) considers it a sign of disrespect and ticketed me for going 5 MPH over the limit. Jeez.

Enough of the bad. I wish I could have spent more time with you guys getting to know you better. It was fun.

Demiurge

10-11-2004, 07:42 PM

*****sorry*****

dorokusai

10-11-2004, 07:54 PM

Demi - It is a PW to be able to POST the pictures. That way Russ doesn't have to do them all.

VR3

10-11-2004, 07:56 PM

They are posting all the pictures in the system showcase Demi...

Hello???

Demiurge

10-11-2004, 07:57 PM

Sorry, misread it. Thanks.

*runs away with tail between legs*

disneyjoe7

10-11-2004, 09:56 PM

A warm thank you to Troy and his wife Wendi, for hosting such a great party.

I felt by saturday I was like part of Troy's family, such a great feeling that gave me.

Thanks again
:)

reeltrouble1

10-11-2004, 10:46 PM

I gave some of my thoughts in the other thread but let me expand a bit.

Anyone who was there knows what an excellent experience this was, I learned new things and heard some amazing music on quality speakers and gear. Hearing Polk Paul and Al talk about audio gear and the audio business was outstanding. When looking through the pics I took I noticed most of the shots were of the polk gang. Makes sense because the gear was awesome but for me it was the people that really made this event. Again, without Troy and Wendi it just would not of been possible, they both went far beyond what anyone could of expected, I felt so welcome in their home. They have a great family who also accepted all of us with open arms.

Their was alot of comradarie built, each of us showed our individualism and shared our common passion for this crazy hobby. Internet buddies became personal friends. I remember Polk Paul saying that Polk considers us " their unpaid sales staff" he expressed alot of appreciation for the forum folks and what we do.

Thanks to everyone who was there, we really are a great Club of folks.

Tour2ma

10-12-2004, 11:01 PM

Well now I know what brett was talking about in the other thread...

Russ,
Password requestin' e-mail is flying your way... Cool thing about doing the pic's is the memories they stir mixed in with the occassional, "I don't remember taking this shot."

Now pass the sambuca... On second thought, nevermind (as he rises to go pour a glass of 18 yo Glenmorangie)... (and he's back..). Now the question is, "do I have a worthy seegar in the house?"

Since I gushed all over BDT and "the Lovely" in the other thread, it's time to post the truth here...
Had an awful time.... I mean how much food, friends and fun can a guy stand in one weekend?
I gained 6 pounds, most of which was tar, I believe, as I went through a whole carton of cigs in the four day weekend. OK, some of it may have been from the three brats, Big Flo's killer southern style potato salad... four or five pulled pork sandwiches... half a pizza... and a quantity of beer somewhere north of two...

Tour2ma

10-14-2004, 01:03 AM

The scene: the deck out back
The time: ~04:30 Sunday morning
The cast: Tour as himself
................doro as himself
................RuSsMan as himself (non-speaking role)
... and the curtain rises...

Tour: Blah blah blah... blah blah blah.... Blah blah blah-blah.. Blah..

doro: Tour, I just thought of 100 things to say about what you just said...

Tour: OK, name three...

doro: (lo-o-o-o-ong pause with a blank stare at the deck, but then raising his head, his face fulll of prde, he utters...) Outstanding!

dorokusai

10-14-2004, 03:34 AM

I am Dorokusai, and I approve of that response.

Tour2ma

10-14-2004, 08:12 AM

:D

Oh, and from now on this little Smiley is to be referred to as "SDA Glasses Man" ===> :cool:

BlueMDPicker

10-14-2004, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by Tour2ma
:D

Oh, and from now on this little Smiley is to be referred to as "SDA Glasses Man" ===> :cool:

I've got mine on. They're prescription bi-focals :cool: :cool:

The couch pic was great. Did you get Brett to wear his by the end of the fest?

Tour2ma

10-14-2004, 08:57 AM

Stricky voluntary participation... Although in doro and Russ's cases it was probably a necessity... self-preservation and all that.

They were suffering from PBES*... we took up a collection. If you wish to contrubute my PayPal address is: tours_scams_r_us@earthlink.net

I'm not sure brett has seen the SDA light yet...

* = Permanently Bloodshot Eyes Syndrome

Tour2ma

10-14-2004, 09:02 AM

The scene: the deck out back... again
The time: ~23:00 Friday night
The cast: Tour as himself
................brett as himself
................RuSsMan as himself (speaking role this time)
... and the curtain rises...

brett: Blah blah... blah blah blah... (weird twist to story) blah blah blah...

Russ: ****, dude, you from Mars or something?

Tour: No, Venus...

DAGLJAM6

10-15-2004, 07:16 PM

New expression learned:

"Monkey Butt" - still sticks in my head everytime I read a post by
Dorokusai.

Dave

RuSsMaN

10-15-2004, 07:25 PM

I've got monkey butt right now man, sucks to be me.

Justin is swamped, he'll get the ID/pass created for the showcase as soon as he can.

Cheers,
Russ

dorokusai

10-16-2004, 10:43 AM

Who needed dimensions on the Monitor(10/7/5) Stands?

EDIT: Screw it, I'll take some pictures, and post a thread.

Tour2ma

10-16-2004, 10:58 AM

OUTstanding...

Lovely Wendi

10-16-2004, 04:12 PM

okay, guys!!!!
I am a little late on commenting on the Charleston Polkfest. Troy and I can't thank you all enough for making it what it was. (thanks to our liquid sponsors: Capt Morgan, various other rum makers, Sambuca, High class Scotch, and the wine makers as well--did I leave anything out, Russman and Doro? still have cough syrup left!) It made for an interesting 3 day binge, I mean fest. I will tell you I was a bit apprehensive when Troy first brought up the idea but I would most definitely be up for it again! It was amazing to see such a diverse group of guys get along so well and act like it was a family reunion. I figured the tribal council would have met Friday night and start voting dudes off of Ansley Trail but that was not the case! Had the torches and the immunity necklace ready. I am glad we had a fire starter in the group! HA! The grass is ALMOST back to normal. I still hear Doro's laugh in the house! CRAZY! As far as the dog and cat, the post traumatic stress has leveled. Incredible housekeepers you all are--and manners -even after the liquid fermented! And to the real sponsors, Al and Paul--muchas gracias!!!!! Thanks for coming down to the Lowcountry. This whole Polkfest kept Troy going in the desert. And that means a lot to me (little mushy but hey I am a chick). Everyone gets so wrapped up in just working and life in general that it is nice to just stop the world and enjoy friends and make lasting memories! I only hope most of you still had some brain cells left that were in working order! Heard some great music on great equipment. And the stories, wow! To Russ A, Bruce, Russ G, Doro, Jesse (WWF-retain me now as your agent while I am still cheap), Shack, DisneyJoe, Big Ted, Dave, Brett, Antony, Sean (you too, agent-wink!wink!), HWM and family, Paul and Al---if anyone was left off I apologize, you rock! We did take some pictures on the regular camera--we are not high tech yet as far as digital so we will get them on here in the next few days or so.

Amazing Weekend! Great crowd! Thanks again to all!!!!!!!!! Ansley Trail Inn is always open.

Lovely Wendi

p.s. No-- Troy needs no more gear!!!!

disneyjoe7

10-16-2004, 04:30 PM

p.s. No-- Troy needs no more gear!!!!

No he need more GEAR, his Wife say NO.....;)

Tour2ma

10-16-2004, 08:50 PM

LW,

Friggin' hee-lair-ee-os...

I bet Gunny is still wondering who eff'd up his latrine... Is the cat still keeping it's a$$ pointed to the walls?

Now I know where BDT gets all his material... "Wendy, come here and tell me if this is funny enough... PLease..."

Please don't be a stranger... post early and often...

dorokusai

10-17-2004, 10:24 AM

Oh no Troy has assimilated LW into the Polk mantra.....run....run for your lives!

danger boy

10-17-2004, 12:03 PM

did the pictures get moved to somewhere ?

Tour2ma

10-17-2004, 12:14 PM

They were headin' to the Showcase...

Maybe Justin is working Sundays now...

disneyjoe7

10-17-2004, 07:08 PM

Troy,

You got mail...

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:52 PM

a few to tide yous guys over....

Big dumb Troy, close up.

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:52 PM

Big gay Brett....

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:54 PM

My bro Mark.

You all know him as Dorokusai. As seen here, a man running on FUMES.

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:55 PM

Gunny, official mascot of CPG 2004.

The goal was to have the SAME facial expression by nights end. Plenty of rum on hand to help us along the way.

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:57 PM

'Gunny Gaurd'

The only way we could keep Tour2ma from effin with the setup.

Get' er done!

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:58 PM

"Lets do another shot"

VR3

10-17-2004, 11:58 PM

That dog is effing awesome dude!

RuSsMaN

10-17-2004, 11:59 PM

Mark and Wendi, I STILL can't decide which one I'd rather 'do'.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:01 AM

Russman and Amulford.

Umm, ok. F that Ginney bastard!

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:02 AM

Me and my twin bro, having an intimate 'moment'. Note bottle of rum in the bottom corner, shot glasses long forgotten at this point.

Russman and Dorokosai.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:04 AM

Troy, explaining the finer points of a Bacon Double Burger to Polk Paul in 'the cave'.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:04 AM

Diggin' 30 yr old Monitor 7a's....(and ice cold suds)

Troy, Polk Paul, Sean.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:07 AM

Troy and Hoosier (Russ) on Sausage duty.

Them boys make some fine links, check below.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:10 AM

Meat brotha.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:12 AM

"Poppa Bear" Ted (reeltrouble), Russman, and TroyD.

Some effer named AL in the foreground, I think he wandered in off the street.

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:13 AM

Mark, trying to get Wendi drunk.

"Oh yeah babe, this is the GOOD **** right here"

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 12:15 AM

Saving Gear pics for the showcase.

Here is Wendi (now drunk, thanks Mark). Hoosier (Russ) and F1nut (Jesse) partaking in some BBQ Vienna Suasages.

fireshoes

10-18-2004, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Russman and Amulford.

Umm, ok. F that Ginney bastard!

My god, that's scary! :)

F1nut

10-18-2004, 01:00 AM

Slight correction, I never touched those Vienna's :D

dorokusai

10-18-2004, 01:05 AM

I hope those were vienna sausages I found in my pants the next morning.....

TroyD

10-18-2004, 02:23 AM

The last pic it looks like hoosier is leading Wendi and Jesse in a chorus of some sort

BDT

F1nut

10-18-2004, 02:42 AM

"Roll another one just like the other one......"

gidrah

10-18-2004, 02:48 AM

Why does Sean look so pissed in every picture I've ever seen of him? Sean, lighten up. You'll find it eventually.

danger boy

10-18-2004, 03:45 AM

Russ,

thanks for taking the time to post some more pics. you guys are crazy.. just how much alcohol was consumed that weekend? ;)

I think i can tell who got the most sh*tfaced out of the bunch.. it would be toss up between Mark and Russ. :p anyone wanna fess up?

disneyjoe7

10-18-2004, 07:29 AM

RuSsMan,

Thanks for posting those pictures, some of them are very funny.

shack

10-18-2004, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by danger boy
I think i can tell who got the most sh*tfaced out of the bunch.. it would be toss up between Mark and Russ. :p anyone wanna fess up?
Let's not leave Anthony (amulford) out of the mix here. The boy went from 0 to sh*tfaced in record time and then hung in there for the duration.

amulford

10-18-2004, 11:12 AM

Hey, it was a long drive and I was "fatigued".(Of course, the twelve beers and ??? scotches did help to ease the suffering.)

Wait'll they see what I did with that keg. Friggin' AMATUERS!!!:D

dorokusai

10-18-2004, 02:57 PM

"Damnit Bruce, will you stop moving crap around for two seconds...."

TroyD

10-18-2004, 04:02 PM

Man, talk about a pic that just captures Russ sweating 100 proof.

You can almost smell it

BDT

RuSsMaN

10-18-2004, 04:57 PM

Dude, I was as cool as a cucumber.

That was after me and Mark were outside, sitting in the rain, smoking.

Cheers,
Russ

TroyD

10-18-2004, 04:59 PM

Gotcha....

Lovely Wendi

10-18-2004, 05:35 PM

I LOVE the "Hugabunch babies" pic!!! That is my favorite one of all!!!! Get it--Doro and Russman. Still talking about it! I tell you we have hosted many air force parties that were cool but the Polk one ripped the roof off! Cheers!

LW

F1nut

10-18-2004, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by RuSsMaN

That was after me and Mark were outside, sitting in the rain, smoking.

What he neglected to mention was that they could have gone to the garage to smoke and therefore would have stayed dry. :D

dorokusai

10-18-2004, 06:52 PM

We're Hardcore brother....you wouldn't know anything about that.....maybe back in the day however, you vintage hellion :)

shack

10-18-2004, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by F1nut
What he neglected to mention was that they could have gone to the garage to smoke and therefore would have stayed dry. :D
That's assuming they could have FOUND the garage.....

What I found amusing about that picture was our host in the background....while everyone else was drinking beer out of whatever container that looked halfway clean or drinking straight out of the bottle...."Mr" Dion was carefully pouring his beverage into his sparkling wine glasses...I guess that now he is a world traveler his level of sophistication is a cut above the rest of us.....

Tour2ma

10-18-2004, 07:22 PM

He's pouring that for Wendi...

BDT would drink out of an old tennis shoe, if that's all there was available...

amulford

10-18-2004, 09:46 PM

Aww hell, Gunny has to run him off the water bowl, who you kiddin'???

Lovely Wendi

10-19-2004, 02:32 PM

I am definitely the wine drinker---we were trying to look official. I like mine out of a jelly jar! ha! As for BDT, did anybody get pics of him under the tap?

LW

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:11 PM

some more shots

Shack looking for his...................thingy

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:14 PM

DisneyJoe seeing if his thumb can be used to remove..........

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:17 PM

Tour showing is sitting flexability and adjusting Troy's stuff

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:22 PM

Amulford taking a 10 sec. break from the Keg, to nibble, LW with that smile (thinking when are they leaving) some drunks outside on the deck

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:30 PM

Garage Talk--Big Al and Polk Paul explaining to the gang how they really run things

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:34 PM

Doro adjusting his............................................... ...Sony

"Polk" Paul DiComo

10-19-2004, 05:41 PM

How we run things? Like a couple of knuckleheads. Notice I have a beer in my hand in every photo? What a coincidence. That beer mug was a very nice present from Troy & the gang - it had "Polk Paul" engraved on one side and a South Carolina palmetto on the other. I'm giving that mug a real workout almost every day. What drinking problem? I have no problem drinking.

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:44 PM

Hoosier--singing Three Times a Lady
The Loverly and her Loverly Tongue (notice her glass is empty) and it is a jar.......

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 05:49 PM

Well Paul now that you mention it, Matt will know that you were boozing while on duty!!!!! Oh, yea, I remember now you said he was cool with it.....................here is a shot of me and Polk Paul after I explained the finer points of night life in prison to him, my what a big grin he has..............

reeltrouble1

10-19-2004, 06:00 PM

The SDA couch........Polk Paul, Doro--eyeing the remotes considering touching Shack to get them, Shack keeping the remotes from Tour, Big Al wondering what the hell is with these guys, Tour and Dr Pepper, Our host Troy..............

I will put some more up later when I get some time.

"Polk" Paul DiComo

10-19-2004, 06:39 PM

Reel, you know the joke about prison? So you want to be the husband or the wife? I can't print the rest of the joke here.

TroyD

10-19-2004, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by "Polk" Paul DiComo
How we run things? Like a couple of knuckleheads. Notice I have a beer in my hand in every photo? What a coincidence. That beer mug was a very nice present from Troy & the gang - it had "Polk Paul" engraved on one side and a South Carolina palmetto on the other. I'm giving that mug a real workout almost every day. What drinking problem? I have no problem drinking.

Hey, I'm just glad that we got you something that you would use. The Lovely Wendi thought it might be tacky but I believe in things that are useful.

I drink, I get drunk, I fall down. No problem.

BDT

amulford

10-19-2004, 09:54 PM

Well, at least you don't accost the friendly local flora...

dorokusai

10-19-2004, 11:16 PM

That crazy plant they have out front both scared me and excited me at the same time.

F1nut

10-19-2004, 11:18 PM

Sheep, goats and now plants........We are parting company! :D

Tour2ma

10-20-2004, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by F1nut
Sheep, goats and now plants........We are parting company! :D Meaning you draw the line at plants????

doro is simply an equal opportunity effer...

amulford

10-20-2004, 11:20 AM

I have to admit, the one tree looked like it had some "wood" for you...:D

(talk about bad humor;) )

Tour2ma

10-21-2004, 01:58 AM

... but FUNNY... LOL...

Ring up one for Ant-ony...

"Polk" Paul DiComo

10-25-2004, 05:02 PM

Polk Fest '04 (Rumble in the Jungle) will be forever immortalized in the next isue of the Polk newspaper. Of course neither Al nor I tok any pix. Whoever has hi res pix, especially group shots and a shot of the wall of speakers in the LR, please pass them on to me this week.

PP

VR3

10-25-2004, 05:07 PM

How about this?

I doctored it so you can see everyone..

F1nut

10-25-2004, 05:13 PM

Geez, don't use that one. It was a joking around pic, not a good represenation of the event and Polk's good name.

disneyjoe7

10-25-2004, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by "Polk" Paul DiComo
Polk Fest '04 (Rumble in the Jungle) will be forever immortalized in the next isue of the Polk newspaper. Of course neither Al nor I tok any pix. Whoever has hi res pix, especially group shots and a shot of the wall of speakers in the LR, please pass them on to me this week.

PP

Paul you got it Canon Digital rebel that picture is like 3meg in size 6.1 meg camera. Just PM your E-mail or we can talk if you need more I have many good pictures. :)

Happy to help.