Of Consultants, Pets, & Naps

by bill wayman on 10/15/13

Long time, no type.

For all of you who own or run your own business, you'll probably agree, updating the website ranks somewhere just below doing inventory. For those who have never had the pleasure, average time to do it right is at least 1/2 day of uninterrupted time in front of the computer.

While we love the feedback and comments we get every-time we post pictures and news about our latest projects, finding the time to do it always seems elusive. Between phone calls, paperwork, cat petting(and shooing), and the ever watchful chocolate chip cookie patrol(sneaky lil devils, must be ever vigilant against sudden mass attack), it can be a challenge.

So why not get some consultant to do it?

It's just not us. For those who have looked over the site, you already know that us and the word brevity only nod heads at each other as we pass each other in the night. Standard consultant doctrine says that pages should have no more than 3 pictures, 2 sentences, and basically no information, so as to make the customer call you for more info. That certainly is not us. We are more the "what's all this then?" 800lb bull in the room type of web page. So you won't see pictures of models gasping for air, or a bunch of people sitting around a desk pointing at blueprint laughing. Instead, you might see a blueprint in it's natural environment, bunches of scribbles and notes, some sawdust, and a least several coffee rings. In the background, lots of wire, lumber, and guys on ladders. Welcome to the real world. The more that we can do to inform you as to what is ahead, the better prepared you will be. Hence, the multiple the sentences, and even a few paragraphs. Tons of actual room pictures and enough sentences to want you to take a nice nap afterward. Our pages are long, but by the time you reach the end of it, you should have a good grasp of what is involved and a plan for going forward that might even include a few good naps.

What's with all the pet pictures?

Our customers are real people, with real houses (and the accompanying "lived in look"). Many have pets that just love to come over and inspect what we are doing. When we do a install we need to make certain that it will continue to work in that real world of our customers house. That means not only people friendly, but also kid, cat, dog, turtle, & grandparent friendly. Our mounts and brackets are commercial grade to make certain everything stays where it belongs. We will usually try to place equipment away from prying hands, paws, and other types of digits. This keeps the equipment running and piece of mind to a maximum. And let's face it, they're just so cute. Fine, just spilled the beans. We are really just regular, real people, not some faceless super professional company. We do this because we love it, and love working with customers who are into it just as much as we are. There's never a time that we won't stop what we're doing for a pet break or to answer questions from the kids or grandparents. It's one of the reasons we charge by the job, not the hour.

So what have you been up to?

1) How about a 1920's movie theater install on the second floor of a garage. Access is thru a sliding bookcase in the workshop. Power is activated by a Frankenstein switch next to the door. You enter into the lobby with full ticket booth, cloakroom, and red fabric covered walls, 1920's art deco chandelier, and winding stair case. At the top, a concession area, the bar from the movie "The Shining", theater seating for 7, table seating for 8 more. 11.3 theater sound & a 130" CinemaScope screen with speakers behind. Let's not forget the hidden column doorway to storage, custom columns housing the side speakers & sculpted curve ceiling, with indirect lighting.

2) How about a horse therapy riding area for rehabilitating rescued horses. Individual stalls with a separate sound system for playing bird songs and quiet music to help the horse to stay calm and adapt to their new surroundings.

3) The new hospital in Augusta Maine for 5 weeks helping setup new systems in each room with mobile, wireless work-desks allowing access to patient information, scanning of medications, and general patient care.

4) Setting up movie spaces, entrance security & monitoring, at a number of kid summer camps throughout the state. These involved installation of sound & video systems for the movie spaces, along with dvr & night vision cameras covering entrances and sensitive areas to keep everyone safe.

5) Repairing & installing additional sound equipment at the Lincoln Theater in Damriscottia. Community speakers, new sound board, eq system, amp repair, and repair of existing lighting board. All this in time for a performance of HMS Pinafore. Everything but the lightboard repair was done within 1 week of initial contact to the time of install.

6) Repairs to the sound system at Seacoast Funpark in Windham, along with ongoing repairs and upgrades to wifi network and exterior camera coverage of snow tubing areas. Look for more on this project as waterpark construction begins this fall.

7) Numerous tv, sound, & wifi installs around the state including Mohegan Island. Got to see several days of production of the movie "Catatounk Blues" with Treat Williams while we were there. Interesting to see how digital cameras have reduced the size and scope of gear required  in comparison to the older arrifex film cameras.

I'm certain that we're skipping over many other projects, but as we go thru the 1,820+ pictures in the back files, we'll try to put up some of the more interesting ones for you to take a look at.

Until then, take a few deep breaths and go take a nap. Pesky paragraphs.

Bill Wayman
AV Systems of Maine L.L.C.