Oh. I see.

Be happy and careful.

Double neck? Hah, that's enough to be almost ridiculous! Honestly, where do you people get such ideas? I mean, I was having a serious discussion about the merits of aquiring another completely necessary handcrafted guitar, another weapon for the arsenal, another color for the pallete, a little more spice for the musical stew, and for some reason that is enough for some folks to decide to start lobbing pot-shots at me...unbereevable. I'm simply striving for a higher and more complex level of mediocrity at my musical craft, and I guess that just isn't allowed anymore more in this "whatever" culture we now live in. All I can say is I'm a little taken aback at this attitude, and I was actaully hoping to have been taken aforward instead. This is one of those times when you need your friends the most; a little extra encouragement telling you, "yes, Mark, you do need the guitar. We support this courageous decision that you are making, so buy with pride."...That's all, just a little understanding and moral support. Is that too much to ask at a time when life is so difficult, when the world is such an unfriendly place? Oh sure, maybe that's asking too much in a place like Iraq, or communist Canada, but here? In the best ol' guitar playing country on earth?
This is going to take some time to heal...

I'd suggest going for a custom double neck so one could be left tuned to open D. That concludes my smart aleck comments for the day.

Be happy and careful

January was the snowiest month ever recorded in the city of Boston. Feb 2003 had been the champ until now, so I've seen both of them and have enjoyed neither. I don't necessarily mind cold or snow, I just prefer for it to be functional, and here it is neether, nyther; let's call the whole thing off. Cain't ski or snowboard, cain't drive in it, hard to go for a walk...it's just cold and damp. I've mentioned this before, but it really bites so I'm mentioning it again. Cabin fever. Light deprivation.
When this stage of the year comes around, I am very vulnerable to a seriously dangerous malady. It is the sweet sickness of the ever increasing need to buy a guitar. I start thinking about various makes, models and sizes; possible tonewood combinations, finish options, slothead or solid, 12 fret or 14...
So anyway, I drive over yesterday to a shop in Arlington, Music Emporium, which has a lot of possibilities hanging on the wall, trust me on that one. Asked Greg if he wanted to go before I left. He couldn't go because, and you're going to love this one, he was, "going snowshoeing in the park". I shrugged off the sheer and utter audacity of that one and hit the road. The finally cleared of snow road. The one that leads to Music Emporium in Arlington where I went to play as many guitars as I cared to and believe me my friend, many were thoroughly played. Larrivee, Martin, Blueridge, Martin, Taylor, Collings, Santa Froggy Cruz Bottom, Goodall, Larrivee, and on and on and over and over. I was lost in a reverie of wood and steel, strumming and picking, looking and grabbing...all that was missing was the coffee & pie. Finally settled on something in an OM/000 size and with rosewood/adirondack/european spruce...Lord help me, or I am going to buy one of these things! No, wait, that should be "Lord help me to buy one of these things!" I'm close to calling the Bourgeois shop up in Maine and putting a custom order in. OM cutaway, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack, Curly Koa binding, solid peghead...you know, for investment purposes of course. After all, ain't that what student loans are for?
That was my day. be good.