gronkyco - just because

So I was listening to music at the office today, as I always do, when it occurred to me that my musical preference seems to be changing again. I like all styles of music, so it’s not like it’s a big deal. I mean on any given day I could listen to John Denver, and then pop on Metallica or Static-X, before ending the day on Tori Amos. Put it this way, there is probably material in my ITunes that you really like AND really hate. I dig it all.

Anyways, for the past like five months or so I seem have been in a “mellow acoustic rock” phase. For example Jack Johnson, Howie Day, and Dave Matthews have been high on my play count. Now it looks like I’m leaning towards a little bit of a heavier style. I’m not talking death metal or anything, just heavier rock like Seether, Ra, and Godsmack.

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I’ve wanted to set up a home recording studio for years. Nothing too fancy or expensive, just something I can use during those increasingly rare moments when I get time to sit down and play my guitar. I occasionally find myself playing something catchy, brainstorming up some lyrics, and writing at least the basics of a song. Unfortunately, because I don’t write music with any regularity, I usually completely forget the song by the next time I sit down to work on it. Or, if I scribble it down in a notebook, I find it hard to recall the melody or get the same feel I had when I first wrote it… bah…

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and get things rolling on this studio thing. I’m certainly not new to the concepts of multi-track recording. In fact, over the past 18 years of playing I’ve used a ton of systems including Tascam multi-track cassette recorders, reel-to-reel systems, and computer hardware/software interfaces. I pretty much know what I need get; I’m just a little out of date with the available technology and what falls within my price range.

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Ok, this is quite possible the most kick-ass television commercial ever recorded. Come on, Evil Beaver? Whatever… We have dirt bikes, beers, battles, and a totally awesome metal song for a soundtrack! What the hell else could you possible put into this commercial to make it any more awesome?

Well, maybe add a couple Ninjas with jet packs, or alien robots battling strippers or something… damn..

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I have been a fairly avid hiker/ outdoorsy person for years. Unfortunately, living where I do (New England Seacoast) presents challenges when it comes to getting out on the trail with any regularity. It seems like I need to drive a couple hours north before I can really get out into the fresh air, on decent terrain, away from roads and crowds of people to do some hiking. Right?

Well, not so much…

It’s obvious to me that hikes in the White Mountains are superior to anything around the seacoast area, but I’ve been saying for years that Pawtuckaway State Park is as good as gets - outside the White Mountain National Forrest - and it’s only a scant 20 mins from my driveway! I recently did a “morning” hike on Pawtuckaway’s Woronoco trail. I emphasize “morning” because I was able to do drive there, do the hike, come home and shower before lunch… thats completely awesome.

Thus it was time for a pic story; My trip to Pawtuckaway!

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