I've been visiting this site for about a year & thought I would share some of my background. So much to say without writing a short story, so I'll just make it a vignette. I was in Germany '62-'65 so I heard the Beatles pretty much as my first major influence (I was 8 then). It was different from the Al Jolson & Exodus my dad used to play. Fast forward to the mid/late 70's. I had been out of the Navy for awhile & wound up in St. Louis as a combination truck driver/soundman/roadie for a rock band. It was tough going then as disco was big. I remember sitting at the Sun board just pretending I had a giant stereo! Now I'm trying to work within a budget to upgrade my system to get whatever sound appeals to me. I also have a fully equipped garage & play with cars & trucks in my spare time and of course I have a garage stereo too. I really enjoy listening to my system but after going through a period of having a fixation with material things, namely Harley Davidson motorcycles, I could live without a stereo. I'd rather not, mind you, but could if need be. My only necessity is my faith in God, not just since or because of Sept. 11, but because it is the only thing that makes sense in this world. Sorta heavy, but hey, the question is "Who R U". My source of income is derived from driving a tractor-trailer, although I studied geology/geography so I could make up my mind. As for this hobby, the stereo lets me escape into a magical world of make believe & for awhile I get to go there & get away from it all.