Traktor: I've got Good News. And I've got Bad News.

[traktor]

Hi, all,


Those of you who already read the MegaTapper Newsletter I sent out last night already know this, but please expect an announcement next week.

For now, let me just say that I've got good news, and I've got bad news.

Details next week.


-- Traktor

.

[rjgoos]

You have our attention. May the good news outweigh the bad.




-

[traktor]

Thanks for the kind wishes.

Watch your email today.

-- TT

.

[traktor]

for those of you who read the MegaTapper Newsletter ...

.. you have mail ...

.

[Noobie]

Those of you who already read the MegaTapper Newsletter I sent out last night already know this, but please expect an announcement next week.

...Details next week.

for those of you who read the MegaTapper Newsletter ...

.. you have mail ...

.

So... are you posting this on the forum because you'll actually be posting about the good/bad news here... or are you just letting people on your email list know (through the forum, not through the email list) that they should expect an email, and that you've now sent them an email with that information (through the email list, and not on the forum on which you posted the pre-announcement announcement and the post-announcement announcement)?:confused:

I was expecting you to make an announcement here, given that you were posting on the forum instead of to the email list, but at least now I can adjust my expectations for this kind of post....:D

[traktor]

Wow, now even *I'm* kind of confused! :)

Actually, Senor Noobie, I always provide the courtesy of advising newsletter subscribers first about any significant news, so that they can get the first crack at any savings, not miss out on limited opportunities, and generally be the first to know.

And I suppose I've rather fallen into the habit of thinking that most folks here have a newsletter subscription, though I suppose that's not always true.

Naturally, *you* can have a free subscription to the newsletter -- you get a free method book with it, plus lessons and a fair amount of entertainment, in addition to news of interest to tapping musicians.

The sign-up form to get your own free subscription is here --

http://www.megatar.com/english/newsletter/newsletter.html


-- Traktor

PS: And, as promised, I'll provide info this week, if you can stay tuned.

.

[arsacane]

So... are you posting this on the forum because you'll actually be posting about the good/bad news here... or are you just letting people on your email list know (through the forum, not through the email list) that they should expect an email, and that you've now sent them an email with that information (through the email list, and not on the forum on which you posted the pre-announcement announcement and the post-announcement announcement)?:confused:

I was expecting you to make an announcement here, given that you were posting on the forum instead of to the email list, but at least now I can adjust my expectations for this kind of post....:D

ROFL Noobie!
But now seriously, people that want the newsletter are subscribed and they receive it by email, so I don't see any point in a thread like this. If you (and eventually the subscribers of the newsletter) feel that there is a need for some kind of reminder, I suggest you to create a specific thread where you could announce the release of each issue, a single post like 'Dear subscribers the new issue is out'; hey in order to create a little bit more interest you can even add the Table of Contents of the issue. Everything else is IMHO, just marketing / attention tactics that I really don't appreciate very much. Should be all wait here doing snare rolls in order to create more suspens?
Personally I feel that news letters are a little bit old fashioned; I receive already too much email, so I prefer a format where I can decide when should I go and read-it like a blog / forum or similar, even if it requires some kind of registration / membership.


Cheers, Daniel.

[derthnada]

Basically, the bad news is that prices are going up. The good news is...that prices are going up. :confused:

I have to agree with the sentiment here. An announcement prefacing an announcement was just kind of annoying, especially since it sounded so ominous! I was eyeing up the two megatars left on ebay, but I decided to wait until this announcement came out before I made a buying decision, just in case it was something like, "we're going out of business" or "liquidating stock" or "introducing a whole new design that makes our old megatars seem like crap!" Unfortunately for me, all it was was a notification that I missed out by waiting. :mad:

I admit, I was on the fence before, because even these "inexpensive" instruments are freakin' expensive. Now that they're even more so, I'm pretty much back to waiting for a private seller to cut me a break. This isn't just aimed at you, Traktor. I'm generally frustrated at this clique because paying thousands of dollars and then having to wait for a year to get a custom instrument does nothing to encourage new initiates into the hobby.

[traktor]

Basically, the bad news is that prices are going up. The good news is...that prices are going up. :confused:
Well, that *is* a confusion. The good news is that ... you can still get the Meg-Millennium discount prices simply by placing a factory order (assumes that you sign up for the Meg Millennium: http://megatar.com/promo/meg-millennium, which takes about two minutes).

I was eying up the two megatars left on ebay, but I decided to wait until this announcement came out before I made a buying decision, just in case it was something like, "we're going out of business" or "liquidating stock" or "introducing a whole new design that makes our old megatars seem like crap!" Unfortunately for me, all it was was a notification that I missed out by waiting. :mad:
I apologize that we are not going out of business. Damn, that must have been disappointing. :(

I admit, I was on the fence before, because even these "inexpensive" instruments are freakin' expensive. Now that they're even more so, I'm pretty much back to waiting for a private seller to cut me a break. This isn't just aimed at you, Traktor. I'm generally frustrated at this clique because paying thousands of dollars and then having to wait for a year to get a custom instrument does nothing to encourage new initiates into the hobby.
Yes, these instruments are nowhere near as easy to buy (nor to build) as a Mexican Strat. Maybe someday, but it's not actually as easy to do, and the requirements for the action for any of these tapping instruments is far more stringent than an off-the-wall gee-tar.

But, if I may suggest ... if you wait for this and wait for that, then what you're going to have, seems to me, is ... a lot of waiting. On the other hand, if you simply get an instrument and start, then you will quickly enter into the wisdom of the universe and peace everlasting and joy forever. Just my 2 cents. :)

But the other thing is -- if you placed an order, why would you wait a year?

-- TT

PS: I plan to post the full information here, as stated earlier. Either today or tomorrow is the plan. (Sounds like you're ready, no?) In the meantime, may I make a suggestion? Maybe you could get a free subscription to the newsletter, so you be one of the folks who gets important information first?


:D

[Mad Monk]

Stick production runs are around 8 months these days.
One reason to wait that long concerns resale value. You can turn around at any time after purchasing a Stick and get close to what you paid for it. On the other hand, the most recent Mobius product to appear used on eBay (10/30), a Megatar True Tapper Dragon Gold, did not meet the reserve with a bid of only $462.99. So saving up for a few more months isn't a totally crazy idea, especially if you aren't sure you want to commit to tapping.

Mad Monk.

[traktor]

Traktor here, and as mentioned earlier, I'm posting details about the good news, and bad news.


Let's do the bad news first and get it out of the way ...

First, as you know, we have been running a special "Meg Millenium" promotion nearly all year, with very nice discounts off Mobius Megatar list prices, and the first bit of news is that the Meg Millennium promotion will be closing.

But there's another thing to consider --


For a number of years, Mobius Megatar has intentionally *under-priced* our instruments, because we wanted to get instruments into the hands of musicians as quickly as possible, so as to become better known for our premium instruments.

Premium-sound instruments, at affordable pricing.

I'm happy to announce that we have attained a "critical-mass" target, as shown by the expanding range of high-quality video performances on YouTube, and the increasing preference of more and more professional gigging musicians for the sound and feel of Mobius Megatar Touchstyle Basses.

And of course I'm happy that we have attained this goal.


And it's also a good thing, because since we began this expansion project years ago, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain adequate parts stores, with parts and materials tripling in cost over this time period, and considering the reasonable need to increase pay over time to the skilled folks who build them for you with such care.

As many of you know, the good folks over at the Stick company have increased their model pricing over the years, and we have too in the past, but we are proud that we could delay our current rate adjustment as long as we have, and we're also gratified that for our "catch-up" pricing, we'll only need to adjust model prices by $300, still permitting very attractive pricing for the times.

That we have attained our goal which was to refine our engineering and production processes to evolve a truly superior instrument -- with superior tone, superior playability, and which plays more 'in tune' -- and to penetrate the two-handed tapping universe, as emerging videos demonstrate more and more, and as more and more tappers become aware that Megatar provides a premium instrument, but even with this price adjustment, these instrument remain way more affordable, compared against the available alternatives.

For even after our rate adjustment, for example, Megatar basic instruments (Eclipse and Dragon) compared with a basic Chapman Grand Stick will still save you $800-$900 in comparison, yet will still be delivered into your hands many months faster, and all that even though the Megatar instruments include essential features missing from many other instruments like dual truss rods, tone controls, Buzz Feiten 'in tune' intonation, tilt-back head sustain system, and much more.

So I'm hoping that you feel, as I feel, that as bad news goes, that's not such bad news.


And, we have some good news too --

First, for those who would like to quickly grab a sweet-sounding, smooth-playing Megatar at the current promotional pricing, for factory-ordered instruments we will keep the Meg-Millennium special pricing in place until Midnight, December 31, 2009 (pacific time zone).


And secondly, though we may be ending our Layaway Plan before long, it will remain available for now, to help anyone who wishes to reserve a high-quality Megatar at the present terrific savings.

As many of you know, the Layaway Plan fixes the instrument price,and the Layaway Plan will still offer the last-month free payment as described on the MegaBlog. The main change in the Mobius Layaway plan is that the amount of the initial down payment will be increasing this week. This just means you'll have your Meggy in your hands sooner, of course.


Rest assured of two things:

First, these steps are absolutely necessary in order to continue delivering a superior instrument with better features and superb tone.

And secondly that, when you play your Megatar, you're playing a superior instrument with better features and superb tone. (And you *still* saved truly major money!)


Although we've almost caught up with our current job queue, I'd not be surprised -- because of the size of the current available savings -- that our build time may increase depending on how many orders come in during these last days of the Meg Millennium promotion, so if you want to have your new Megatar in your hands soonest, you may want to make arrangements right away, like maybe now.


I have updated online details this week -- the Megatar website price list, the Meg Millennium promotions page, and the details on the Mobius Layaway plan. Links at the end.


You know, it won't be long till the year 2010.

If you'd like to have a Megatar singing sweetly in your hands, it's worth an *extra* $300-$400 savings above the usual $800-$900 savings ... to act now.


And while some seemed less than delighted that I didn't post details, it will be interesting to see if some are now less than delighted that I did.

Please remember the point: It is to keep your toes and fingers tapping ...

-- Traktor Topaz, and the staff at Mobius Megatar


PS: That's the good news and the bad news.

Most people wrote and said they'd prefer to hear the bad news first, so I'm glad to have that out of the way. And I'm hoping you feel that the window of opportunity remaining helps to move you to your musical goals.


Reference Links:

Megatar website pricelist (showing both standard and prom pricing) --
http://www.megatar.com/english/pricelist/pricelist.html

Meg-Millennium promo page, all discounts detailed --
http://megatar.com/promo/meg-millennium/

MegaBlog details of Mobius Layaway Plan --
http://megatar.com/megablog/megatar-layaway-plan/

How to purchase or get assistance, and contact info --
http://www.megatar.com/english/buy/buy.html

Thank you for your interest in Megatar instruments.

[StickJan]

As many of you know, the good folks over at the Stick company increased all model pricing by about $400 around a year ago, and we are proud that we could delay our rate adjustment for a whole year, and we're also gratified that we'll only need to adjust model prices by $300.

Oh yeah?? That is not correct to my knollage, Arthur. We´ve been over this before. Please stick with the truth. Much better my friend. Misinformation is no good.

Sincerely//Jan

[K Rex]

I'd probably just buy someone's old stick on ebay.

One of these days I'm gonna get me an N/S for sure.

Kev

[Bulwinkl]

Reposting Emmett's responce:

1) Our last price increase was effective May 15th, 2007, which is 2 1/2 years ago, as shown on our current price list at: http://www.stick.com/prices/

2) Most of our models were raised in price by $200., except the newer Alto Stick which was raised by $300., and the Ten String Grand which was not raised at all. None were raised by $400.

[K Rex]

Traktor, this looks very bad. Can you explain all this?

k

[StickJan]

Traktor, this looks very bad. Can you explain all this?

k

Want him to explain? Here we go:

I LIED!

//J

[traktor]

Although Mr. StickJan is kind of leaping to conclusions about my mental state, the fact is ... I was completely wrong about Stick Inc's price changes.

I had seen the Grand Stick price of $2500 about a year ago, and thought it was an increase up from $2100, an increase of $400. But ... I'm flat wrong.

I've today been trying to get accurate facts on the Wayback machine, but it's not running worth beans for me. So far I've pulled up the following numbers ...

10/17/2000
10-string Stick $1395
Grand Stick $1695

12/2/2005
10-string Stick $1900
Grand Stick $2300

11/17/2009
10-string Stick $2100
Grand Stick $2500

About $800 of increase in 9 years. Given the economy, and changes in movies, the cost of gas, and rent, not an unreasonable change of pricing, seems to me. Just my opinion.

The wayback machine doesn't have any figures later than 2005, so I cannot check any of those. However, given the post above, I would have no reason to doubt that the most recent increase from Stick inc was $200.

Now, let me head off more strange accusations, by saying there is absolutely nothing wrong with Stick Enterprises raising their pricing. I am very sure they have had the same kind of increased parts costs, and the same need to pay their skilled builders more money over time.

Now, look, StickJan, perhaps you would like to think me a liar, a thief, a murderer, a raper of nuns and poodles. However, even given a depraved personality, I'm sure you can see there would be no point in telling a lie about something like this, as the facts would obviously come out ... as they did here.

It would be as silly as trying to trick people by saying, "You know, the color of the sky is green, and the color of grass is blue." It's not the kind of thing you can make stick, you follow?

And there is no reason that I would choose a public tar-and-feathering. Oh, I'm happy to take my turn now and then, but it's not something I'd actually choose, given my druthers.

On the other hand, being mistaken is all too human, and just as you are mistaken about my vile intentions, so was I mistaken in what I believed to be true.

Unfortunately, I have not paid much attention to Stick pricing over the last several years, and when I saw their pricing about a year ago, I thought it had just gone up.

I was wrong. I apologize for making an error.

No intent to mislead.

My only point, really, and it seems like a more interesting point, is that we have been able to sell Megatars for hundreds, sometimes a thousand dollars less than Stick instruments, even though we have a number of advantages, which many highly-skilled musicians greatly appreciate.

Now perhaps I am a pig, a dog, a murderer, and a raper of nuns and poodles. However, this is just a mistake. I said what I believed to be true. I didn't check my facts ... because I thought I knew.

That's the vice in thinking that you know something when it's wrong. When you think you know, it doesn't occur to check. Like you StickJan. Apparently you think you know my mind. Nice trick if you can do it, but most folks can't, and if you see evil intentions, then you must be reading some other person's mind.

If you wish to think badly of me, StickJan, if you wish to ascribe me the absolute worst intentions, if you need me to play the devil in your drama, you go right ahead. Whatever makes you happy.

That's *a* point.

But it's not my point, in this thread. In this thread ...

All I'm trying to say here is that we've held off on raising prices as best we could, and even after we finally must, it's a hell of a deal.

If you wish to obfruscate and confuse the issue, then raise a lot of sand. Maybe it will help to keep some possible buyers from realizing how much value they can have in a Megatar. If you can make the thread unpleasant enough, perhaps you'll kill the two-handed tapping experience entirely for some casual visitor.

Is that what you want? Now realize, you can answer this question and use it as your podium to further denounce how bad I am, if you feel that's a good thing to do here.

In any event, regardless of your manner of speech, thanks for calling my stupid blunder to my attention, all the same.

It embarrasses me to admit this, but you are correct in one thing. I was completely wrong about Stick Inc's price increase.

Hopefully, we can all return to doing something productive, unless there is a need in various psyches for antagonism rather than music.

-- Traktor

[StickJan]

Bla bla bla bla.......

I´m sure your electrical bill has increased a hell of alot more than that so why don´t you complain about that instead.....?

I don´t like your sales tactics. Seems like the only way you can market your own **** is to miscredit others. Not very decent of you and we´ve seen this behaviour for quite some time now. Grow up and stick to the truth. And the truth is? You lied.

//J

[arsacane]

Traktor,

I will give you the benefit of doubt; you've made a mistake so be gentleman now and amend it: I guess that all the subscribers should soon receive in their emails an errata of your newsletter with the proper verified prices (before and after) and an apology. I believe it will be a good idea to correct your original post too, again with the right facts and a proper apology.
Do it fast and straight forward, then close this thread and end with the saber rattling here; I hope that you will show me that I was right giving you the benefit of doubt, and maybe in the future others will too.
If you want to be treated as a gentleman please behave like one :)


Cheers, Daniel.

PS: As I stated a few times before, I don't like your marketing strategy. I believe in ethics, respect and some 'good taste' so when I have the choice, I prefer to do business with people that shares the same principles. Big muscle marketing is a big turn off for me, and I guess I'm not the only one.

[K Rex]

That's all fine, but why release such a statement about a competitor on a vague memory of what "you thought" his price increase was? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt as well, but at the very least it is unprofessional conduct to make such a move without first doing some research.

Kev

[StickJan]

That's all fine, but why release such a statement about a competitor on a vague memory of what "you thought" his price increase was? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt as well, but at the very least it is unprofessional conduct to make such a move without first doing some research.

Kev

I do agree. Highly unprofessional.

//J

[traktor]

I agree, too. Dumb.

Of course, had I known it was vague, had I known it was mistaken, had I known it wrong ... then of course I would have said something else. But I thought I knew, and I was wrong.

Amend the post?

Sure. Good idea.

The thread may read funny, but no matter.

.

[arsacane]

Traktor,

You can correct the figures then add a small edit comment explaining that the original post was wrong, it created quite a controversy then you realized the mistake and decided to set it straight. C'mon you are an eloquent man ;)


Cheers, Daniel.

[traktor]

OK, as per the suggestion here, I have revised an earlier post in this thread, and I believe you will now find it accurate.

(You know, having this ardent team of copy-editors has its benefits. I am sure that if any mistakes are made in my words, I will have helpful souls calling it promptly to my attention.) :)

A NOTE TO READERS OF THIS THREAD --

Since I have amended an earlier post, what you may not understand is that I originally I stated that Stick Enterprises had raised their pricing about a year ago by $400. As it turns out, this is completely mistaken, and I was completely wrong. They did not raise their pricing a year ago by $400. Their last price increase was $200, and they've had previous price increases in varying amounts.

I was taken to task, with somewhat strident commentary, as you can read above. Well, though it was a simple mistake of fact of which I was previously unaware, I'm aware of my error now, and am correcting it. (I'll also be sending a correction to my own email list.) If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and the fair thing is to correct it.

Have done.

The announcement now reads --

"Traktor here, and as mentioned earlier, I'm posting details about the good news, and bad news.


Let's do the bad news first and get it out of the way ...

First, as you know, we have been running a special "Meg Millenium" promotion nearly all year, with very nice discounts off Mobius Megatar list prices, and the first bit of news is that the Meg Millennium promotion will be closing.

But there's another thing to consider --


For a number of years, Mobius Megatar has intentionally *under-priced* our instruments, because we wanted to get instruments into the hands of musicians as quickly as possible, so as to become better known for our premium instruments.

Premium-sound instruments, at affordable pricing.

I'm happy to announce that we have attained a "critical-mass" target, as shown by the expanding range of high-quality video performances on YouTube, and the increasing preference of more and more professional gigging musicians for the sound and feel of Mobius Megatar Touchstyle Basses.

And of course I'm happy that we have attained this goal.


And it's also a good thing, because since we began this expansion project years ago, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain adequate parts stores, with parts and materials tripling in cost over this time period, and considering the reasonable need to increase pay over time to the skilled folks who build them for you with such care.

As many of you know, the good folks over at the Stick company have increased their model pricing over the years, and we have too in the past, but we are proud that we could delay our current rate adjustment as long as we have, and we're also gratified that for our "catch-up" pricing, we'll only need to adjust model prices by $300, still permitting very attractive pricing for the times.

That we have attained our goal which was to refine our engineering and production processes to evolve a truly superior instrument -- with superior tone, superior playability, and which plays more 'in tune' -- and to penetrate the two-handed tapping universe, as emerging videos demonstrate more and more, and as more and more tappers become aware that Megatar provides a premium instrument, but even with this price adjustment, these instrument remain way more affordable, compared against the available alternatives.

For even after our rate adjustment, for example, Megatar basic instruments (Eclipse and Dragon) compared with a basic Chapman Grand Stick will still save you $800-$900 in comparison, yet will still be delivered into your hands many months faster, and all that even though the Megatar instruments include essential features missing from many other instruments like dual truss rods, tone controls, Buzz Feiten 'in tune' intonation, tilt-back head sustain system, and much more.

So I'm hoping that you feel, as I feel, that as bad news goes, that's not such bad news.


And, we have some good news too --

First, for those who would like to quickly grab a sweet-sounding, smooth-playing Megatar at the current promotional pricing, for factory-ordered instruments we will keep the Meg-Millennium special pricing in place until Midnight, December 31, 2009 (pacific time zone).


And secondly, though we may be ending our Layaway Plan before long, it will remain available for now, to help anyone who wishes to reserve a high-quality Megatar at the present terrific savings.

As many of you know, the Layaway Plan fixes the instrument price,and the Layaway Plan will still offer the last-month free payment as described on the MegaBlog. The main change in the Mobius Layaway plan is that the amount of the initial down payment will be increasing this week. This just means you'll have your Meggy in your hands sooner, of course.


Rest assured of two things:

First, these steps are absolutely necessary in order to continue delivering a superior instrument with better features and superb tone.

And secondly that, when you play your Megatar, you're playing a superior instrument with better features and superb tone. (And you *still* saved truly major money!)


Although we've almost caught up with our current job queue, I'd not be surprised -- because of the size of the current available savings -- that our build time may increase depending on how many orders come in during these last days of the Meg Millennium promotion, so if you want to have your new Megatar in your hands soonest, you may want to make arrangements right away, like maybe now.


I have updated online details this week -- the Megatar website price list, the Meg Millennium promotions page, and the details on the Mobius Layaway plan. Links at the end.


You know, it won't be long till the year 2010.

If you'd like to have a Megatar singing sweetly in your hands, it's worth an *extra* $300-$400 savings above the usual $800-$900 savings ... to act now.


And while some seemed less than delighted that I didn't post details, it will be interesting to see if some are now less than delighted that I did.

Please remember the point: It is to keep your toes and fingers tapping ...

-- Traktor Topaz, and the staff at Mobius Megatar


PS: That's the good news and the bad news.

Most people wrote and said they'd prefer to hear the bad news first, so I'm glad to have that out of the way. And I'm hoping you feel that the window of opportunity remaining helps to move you to your musical goals.


Reference Links:

Megatar website pricelist (showing both standard and prom pricing) --
http://www.megatar.com/english/pricelist/pricelist.html

Meg-Millennium promo page, all discounts detailed --
http://megatar.com/promo/meg-millennium/

MegaBlog details of Mobius Layaway Plan --
http://megatar.com/megablog/megatar-layaway-plan/

How to purchase or get assistance, and contact info --
http://www.megatar.com/english/buy/buy.html

Thank you for your interest in Megatar instruments.

[traktor]

I'm guessing that now joy reigns supreme and that all tappers in the universe are again happy campers.

Right?

.

[arsacane]

I'm guessing that now joy reigns supreme and that all tappers in the universe are again happy campers.

Right?

.

Sarcasm aside, it was the right thing to do. I guess that the issue is now closed. Look it from the other side; if someone posted wrong information about your instruments you would like to have it corrected right?

Cheers, Daniel.

[traktor]

... Look it from the other side; if someone posted wrong information about your instruments you would like to have it corrected right? ...

Absolutely.

It's the right thing to do.

.

[K Rex]

First, I am not a tapper, I am a musician that often taps notes instead of plucking them.

Second, I am not happy. When Jim Wright leaves in disgust over the BS between him, Greg Howard and me, when Rob Martino avoids this site like the plague, when Ernie Jackson boycotts the megatar he once raved about, when people's posts are erased/altered, and fine musicians are routinely pitted one against another for petty reasons, I'm not happy.

I've observed Daniel's level head for years, but it sounds like even he's had it.

How can I be made happy? Time. Nothing else will work.

I've met some ******* musicians in my life, but I've never known such a petty, bitching bunch of wussies as what I've seen in the "tapping community".

Can someone post something interesting here for a change?

K

[StickJan]

Absolutely.

It's the right thing to do.

.

Well done, sire. Now don´t do it again, please.

Sincerely//Jan

[Jim_D]

Well I'll step in here in the original spirit of the post to say I've got some good news and bad news.

The bad news is that I posted here, just to tell you this. But the good news is that I am posting another posting elsewhere, and it's about music, and tapping at that!

Jim D

p.s. I'd put in a link but I haven't made the post yet.

[traktor]

This is just a quick note to let you know I'll be out of town for a couple of days. I'll catch up on any stacked-up emails when I return.


Way back in the day, many years ago, my wife and I ran an answering service on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, with hundreds of musicians, actors, small businesses and the like for our clients.

And one day, a young woman came to San Francisco from the East Coast, to make her fortune. Her name was Andrea Lewis.

She showed up, and we gave her work, and the in-house communication training we did, and she became more and more self-confident and took on more and more. At one point, when I was off on some dumb adventure, the whole place was run by three women: my wife, Andrea Lewis, and our manager Mara Kimmel. That round-the-clock staff of 30+ was just humming.

It was sometimes tough times. And it was some really good times.


Andrea Lewis had a voice. A helluva voice.

She got a lot of encouragement from us, and began to sing in gigs, and found a spot on the San Francisco Symphony Choir.


Alway political as all get out, sometimes she thought I was a warm and kind fellow, and other times she opined that I was a sexist, honky, capitalist pig.

And she'd tell me about it.

I liked her.


Not long after the end of Network Answering Service, Andrea found her true home, as a co-host on popular San Francisco radio station KPFA, and she's been a favorite voice on the air ever since.

Last weekend, Andrea Lewis, age 52, died of a heart attack.

And I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that she was still on this planet to give me grief like back in those days gone by.


Her parents are flying in from Florida, because KPFA is holding a memorial service in Oakland tomorrow today (Tuesday).

Some of the old crew from Network Answering Service, including me, are going, to remember her and to think back on those days.


I'll return in a couple of days.

If you're the praying kind, send up a thought for Andrea Lewis. She was the real thing.


http://www.kpfa.org/memory-andrea-lewis (http://www.kpfa.org/memory-andrea-lewis)

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[traktor]

For those of you following the final days of the Meg-Millennium promotion, and interested in saving $300-$700 on a tapping instrument, please notice that we have only four days remaining ...

http://megatar.com/promo/meg-millennium

-- Traktor

PS: Some have of course simply bought the Megatar they want, and also several others who didn't have all the funds immediately, have taken advantage of the Layaway Plan as a method to obtain these soon-forever-gone prices. (Enrollment in layaway plan freezes the price.) Layaway plan details:
http://megatar.com/megablog/megatar-layaway-plan/

Please feel free to contact me directly by phone or email. (But soon if you don't want to miss out!)

[traktor]

Pssst, meester ....


Just looking at the old clock on the wall, and today is nearly gone ...

But the promotion is still valid tomorrow December 31st.

And then ... the promotion is over.

We'll still make Megatars, and you'll still get more sound for less money, of course. But if you don't want to miss the *extra* savings ... uh ... it's time to act quick. Real quick.

If you follow my drift.

(Hint hint: http://megatar.com/promo/meg-millennium/)

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