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Walking


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Description
I've been working on trying various types of music and I find I'll start with a theme then get lost and have to shelf it until I figure something out to work with it.

This piece started this way and sat untouched for quite a long time. But was I was walking the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark last night I found myself humming this tune as I would turn corners and go from wonderful gothic older buildings into areas filled with people happy and going about their business then suddenly at the turn of a corner I'd find myself back a hundred years it seemed.

As I walked my mind just kind of idled along as does the center melody in this. It sort of goes nowhere but kind entertains you as it gets there.

This piece also marks the first piece for me where I manually entered every note using the piano roll editor. I didn't play a thing. The drums in the middle however are from Drums on Demand. But everything else was a note entered from something I heard in my head.

I hope you enjoy it a little.
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Song Stats
Hits: 844
Comments: 71
Fans: 37
Plays: 135
Downloads: 51
Votes:
Uploaded: May 11, 2009 - 08:48:07 AM
Last Updated: May 11, 2009 - 08:48:07 AM Last Played: Nov 08, 2009 - 11:28:32 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
PublicDomain

Creative Commons

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Hardware:
MacBookPro
Software:
Logic Pro
Comments
davisamerica said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Ha !! First !!
You should compose more on the fly ... this is great !
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MarkHolbrook said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Aw Jack
You're great!
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awigze said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Mark
I've never been to Denmark but I feel like I've been somewhere. You captured the night really well. Thanks for letting this melody drop out of idle. I liked the dramatic transitions - as if there was a sudden change in time and space- very lyrical in composition and style.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Thanks!
The transitions were intentional to give that feeling because during my walk that is exactly what would happen. I went from an old gothic section into a lively nightlife area then back again into something where the building were built over 100 years ago...

Thanks so much for the listen and comment!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Reinholt56 said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Hi Mark.........
I was there once, in Denmark, with someone who was born there so I had a wonderful tour around and visited some very memorable places.

This piece takes me back there after ten or so years.

Very enjoyable.

Take care.

Paul
Check out my latest song called Ambient Soundscape #1
MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Paul
I guess that taking a walk is what caused me to start working on this again and it was seeing all the differences and changes in the city as I went from area to area that really hit me.

Thanks so much for the comment and listen.
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Doadars Uncle said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Big-big song!
Nice instrument choices. Thanks for the trip! I especially like the changes, including the dynamic shifts at the start and finish. All in all, I pick up the impact of your walk. :)
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hi Doug!
Thanks so much. I'm really glad you enjoyed the piece. Uncomfortable territory for me so it is rough.
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drakonis said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Excellent walking piece
Very nice work here, Mark! And welcome to my world, of entering notes one-by-one :-) A suggestion here is to unshackle the cello from the grid... let her start on the upbeat, an 1/8th note AFTER the start of the measure. That way she doesn't hit, every, note, the, same, time, as, the, piano, does. :-) Other than that, this is GORGEOUS music, very compelling melody and textures... I like it a lot! How wonderful to be in Copenhagen! I just go to the cheap substitute outside Santa Barbara, "Solvang." :-) Eat some Medisterpølse for me!
ttfn,
Drakonis
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hey Drak
Thanks so much... well the note entering world is very foreign but it did give me a lot of respect for those that write music in this way. It is quite difficult! After an hour or so I began to get a feel for it. I could kind of hear the notes and adjust them to the melody I had. Thanks for the tip on the cello. I did a small experiment where I took your input and Adams about the length and perhaps I'll post that "shorter unshacked" update to see what you guys think!

Thanks for the wonderful comment and the listen... and since I was doing business with the Danes they took me to all the "good" places... Let's just say I have no clue what things I ate all week! I'd ask what something was and they'd smile and say with heavy accent... "just eat it, you like!"

Some of it was great... other was well... different!
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lavalamp said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Mark
Great feeling on this tune. Appreciate the work you must have put in here. Maybe a little singing would improve this a bit, too.

Dave
Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero
MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hi Dave
Thanks for the comment and listen! I guess I meant for this piece to be just a meandering mental piece. I had not planned vocals but hey anything is possible. Let me think that over!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Feter said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Walking
This is just cool ...very artful ..emotional as always ...good arrangement
I cant hide my willing to hear a geta strums here ...but this is just me ..
the song just so pleasant and open ...good job ...thnx alot for sharin !!!!
MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Sir Feter
Thank you for the listen and comment. Yes a guitar might go well but alas I was on a trip and had no portable guitar... I probably could enter the notes but well it seemed like this might work as it was.
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
mowguy3 said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Walking
You explained how you did this however I am still lost. But whatever you did, and how you got here, please don't forget. I can imagine what your eyes were seeing as your mind was creating. I was in Copenhagen years ago and had a fantastic time. Thanks for the fine music while I had a little flashback of my own. Great track Mark, thank you.

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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hi Russ
Thanks for the listen and comment... Sometimes I do forget how I did something but in this case I don't think I will... This is new territory for me and it has taken a lot of work. There is room for a ton of improvement and I have so much to learn.
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
lengold said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
This sounds
really great Mark. Especially like the striding piano.
Cheers
Len

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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Len!
Thank so much my friend! I wish I could have found the time for a brew with you while passing through. Maybe another time!
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DarkPlanet said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Loving life
is fun and when music is involved it is even better, nice one
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello
Yes music has certainly helped me through the years!
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Vic Holman said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
enjoy it a little?
ha. I enjoyed it a lot.
cool opening.

thinking about it, i agree with LavaLamp on some vocals... on the part after the drums start off the 2nd section.
even though a cool walking piece

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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Vic
Thanks so much for the listen and comment. Vocals... Well I'll think about it... maybe it could benefit from them. This is unknown territory for me. Lots to learn!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
sloparts said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
Excellent work Mark
Whether from note entry or otherwise. It just seems to wander around and take you home all at once. Nothing screaming in your ears here, just a gentle reminder to take time to live, and maybe love along the way.

Nice piece Mark, very good listen

Ed
Check out my latest song called Just a little Something
MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hi Ed
I'm really glad you enjoyed this! Thank you so much for the listen and comment!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
gail60 said 199 days ago (May 11th, 2009)
wow Mark
I really enjoyed this. You are so good at writing stories through your music. I felt like I was seeing what you were looking at and I enjoyed the walk so much. Very much! Never been to Denmark before tonight. Wonderful job here friend.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Madam Gail!
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you got to see a small glimpse of Denmark. I have no doubts you could have taken this to an entirely higher level!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Skean said 198 days ago (May 12th, 2009)
Cool
That you're in Europe, and great song who captures your visit as your thought, just beautiful.. Bravo.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Thank you Kenta
for taking the time to listen and comment! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
RyanHolbrook said 198 days ago (May 12th, 2009)
wow
im not suprised dad your a great aretist gosh like i said i wish i had the talent this song it just great and very wel put together. i belive you have the thing to make music music. thnaks for posting it up! cant wait to see you hame bye
:-)
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Ryan
Thanks for the listen my son! Yes I have missed you and I will see you when I get back!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Kody106 said 198 days ago (May 12th, 2009)
wow
well done 5/5
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Kody!
Thanks for the listen! I will get to your stuff soon I promise!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
composerclark said 198 days ago (May 12th, 2009)
Wow!
This is impressive! I really enjoyed the cello/pno intro — had kind of a classical vibe to it — then the light rock section that follows feels great. The only concern I have is the number of times you repeat the verse... after a while it was not as captivating any more. Bringing back the cello/pno material at the end is great; works well. Consider mixing things up a bit more in the middle section; possibly vary things a bit more, and/or possibly introduce a chorus, or at least contrasting material of some kind.

I'm also impressed at the diligence you showed with the process of entering all those notes! Good job!
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Sir Clark
Thanks so much for listen and comment. I agree... The center section gets a little long and does lose interest. I may post a new version that is shortened slightly and offers some contrast.

The original "vision" was that this center melody kept repeating in my head as I walked. For me it was enjoyable but I guess as a straight listen can get tedious. Great input!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Daugrin said 197 days ago (May 13th, 2009)
Walking Scores Big
Like the theme, great effort, like to hear you expand on this approach. My ADHD was tickling my ears a little but I think that is my medical problem.

Daugrin
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Yes sir
I understand... It is a bit repetitive in the middle. Perhaps a version two needs to take a departure! But thanks for the listen and comment.
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Andy-bm said 195 days ago (May 15th, 2009)
Kind of Amazing
that you can build a song like this that way. Really cool sounds. Apparently this composing style works well for you.

//Andy
MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hey Andy!
Thanks my friend for the comment and listen. I'm glad you enjoyed this! As far as this composing style working for me... Well I donno... It was a ton of work and compared to what others here do a pretty feeble effort. I still like picking up the guitar and just strummin in a rock tune!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Calchas said 195 days ago (May 15th, 2009)
Almost missed it!
Thank goodness Simon added the new "Check out my latest tune" feature!

Very epic Mark. Lovely...Yet strangely powerful and compelling...

This is a real gem bro. You did yourself proud!

Be well friend!
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Calchas said 195 days ago (May 15th, 2009)
PS:
LOVE the false ending and comeback!
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hey MW
Thanks my friend for the comment and listen!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Char said 195 days ago (May 16th, 2009)
Wow, Mark.
Like the muzak played in a time traveling machine to relax you into whatever century you happen to be visiting. You put a lot of thought and heart into this. Thanks.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hi Char
Wow... with the popularity of your Bud Piece I'm glad you'll still stoop down to take a listen to my feeble works! :)

Just kidding! Thanks for the comment and listen my friend!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
trasher1966 said 194 days ago (May 16th, 2009)
walking
great song , just spent some time jamming along and it sounded great thanks for the jam.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Sir
Well I'd say that making you want to jam along is about the best compliment one can get. Thanks so much!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Sigmund said 194 days ago (May 16th, 2009)
walking
this is an interesting piece of music. I especially like your use of transitions to move from one theme to another - very nice. Cool ending as well. You did a great job with this piece. Thank you for sharing your work.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Sir Sigmund
Thank you very much for the listen and the comment! I'm glad you enjoyed this.
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egobandit said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Contrast
Glad you got all those notes out of your head. The upbeat part kinda of transforms and carries the listener to a golden light filled with laughing people, then back again to the more serious side of the tracks. Great journey!
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Sir Bandit
Thank you so much for the listen and comment. I'm glad it took you on a short journey!
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nyakki said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Nice Arrangement
I really enjoyed listening to it. Can't add anymore than what has been said. Nice Job.

Downloaded and made a favorite
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Well
Thank you so much for the comment and listen!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
kassia said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
walking
wow mark. all i can say is AWESOME. this is really really great. that cello is incredible. everything about this is just really really great. the way you fade instruments in and out is especially effective. i love it.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Dear Shay
Thank you so much but we both know this is feeble compared to your genius and talent. But I try and I'm glad to have the support of people like yourself!
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yamenyamani said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
nice
nice arraignment dude,,,,,,,,,,,,,and i like the intro
rock on
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Sir
Thanks so much for the comment and listen. I really appreciate it!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
bud said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Very cool - the opening reminded
me of Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother - and then the song opened up with a beat - a steady stride and a lot of wonderful orchestration. Really well done.
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MarkHolbrook said 193 days ago (May 17th, 2009)
Hello Bud
you ol' chart topper you! Congrats on Feed Me! What a killer great tune and thank you so much for the comment and listen!
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I.G.M. said 190 days ago (May 20th, 2009)
Wonderful,
really sweet this is.
great choice of sounds, nicely played and arranged.
congrats Mark!
God bless the quantization! hehe...
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MarkHolbrook said 185 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
Hello Ingo
Thank you for the comment and listen! Yes for a hacker like myself quantization is a wonderful tool!
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Roxylee said 189 days ago (May 21st, 2009)
I can feel it
Mark, you've captured all the feelings of an evening walk in a different country, where you are in an old world setting, then turn a corner to find something modern. I want to do a penciled in piece after hearing this. Marvelous composing!
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MarkHolbrook said 185 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
Hello Roxy
I'm glad it took you on a small journey! I'm sure a pencil piece from you would be simply amazing so I'll be patient and wait for it! :)
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
chronologic said 187 days ago (May 23rd, 2009)
Very interesting
It's nice to hear how you are experimenting. Working on a piano roll or staff would be a lot different for me, especially since I really don't have a visual-sonic link like that. I find my brain wants to link a violin with a crack in a plastered brick wall under yellow light, not so much with blobs on paper. Just a different kind of link is all I'm saying. I think it's a neat thing to develop that ability. I have often wondered how Beethoven *really* worked once he lost his hearing. He could still draw on his mind's image of the sound of course, but he must have been intimate with how it looked on a staff in order to have the confidence that he was documenting the things in his brain correctly. It must have been quite difficult to keep the mental linkage alive I think. You know, "use it or lose it". Or in his case, "lose it... how can you use it?". Tough deal. Sorry for the offhand thoughts, great work!
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MarkHolbrook said 185 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
Hello Sir Chrono...
Well I'm certainly no musical genius and I have little if any training... But I hear music all the time in my head. Sometimes its a variation of some song I've heard. Other times it's new and fresh.

I have a problem getting that new/fresh stuff out and saved. My connections between my mental music box and the current tools is flawed and far from perfect. Often the very act of trying to pencil what I hear in will change what I hear because I can't separate the notes played (as a test of my penciling) from the melody in my head then it just becomes a mess.

In this case I think I hummed this melody over and over as I walked and maybe burned it in? Not sure. I don't think either that it is exactly what I heard but it's close.

Yes I wonder about Beethoven too... What would he do with a copy of Logic Pro and a little traning!? It would be impressive!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
chronologic said 180 days ago (May 30th, 2009)
I totally hear you
I have a major problem with capturing the inspirations. It has gotten harder as "real life" has taken hold. Now that I have to spend most of my hours working on things that are creative, but are definitely not music, or getting from point A to B, or making sure there is food in the fridge and etc etc... I often get an idea and I just am not in a position to do anything with it. I have tried to figure out a way to solve this. I bought a keychain recorder, which died in 1 day because the button got pushed in my pocket or something. If I am at home and I have 5 minutes I try to run to my computer and hum the idea into a mic. I end up with a pile of these things and sometimes when I hear them the magic is still there but more often I hear it and it's gone. Dead, lifeless. If I am driving or at work... I'm just stuck. It's gone by the time I get out of there.

And yeah, I know also what you mean about once you start to create it goes away. I hear things in my head sometimes and I go try to put it into action on the guitar, but it isn't quite right, then I lose it in the act of trying to create it, because of the distraction of my inadequate attempts.

So I KNOW what you mean!!!! It's a wonder that we musicians ever get anything done at all!! But we do. That's something to be proud of.
Check out my latest song called Walk with You
Kicbal said 185 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
Virtual Walk
This is cool. I like the journey it takes me on. The drums really help propel the song along, otherwise things might get a little too ponderous at times. Nice explorations
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MarkHolbrook said 172 days ago (June 7th, 2009)
Hello Sir!
thanks so much... Well I wanted to change up the pace and the drum track seemed to fit the pace of the walk. Thanks for the comment and listen!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Doug Somers said 182 days ago (May 28th, 2009)
Nothing like outdoors for inspiration!
I love how this develops, with the buildup to the entry of the drums and the interplay of the two flute synths in the middle section. The intro, and ending after the gong strikes me as a nod to prog rock. Nice melodies here - really got into it as it called me into the second listen.

Cheers,
Doug
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MarkHolbrook said 172 days ago (June 7th, 2009)
Hi Doug
Wow two listens! Thank you so much I really appreciate your time to comment and listen!

When I go back and listen after a while I think perhaps this got a bit long...
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Bob6stringer said 168 days ago (June 11th, 2009)
in a "mellotronic" mood
I like how you stretch and try new things. This one holds together very well, conveying a perfect mood for my cloudy, heavily pollen-heavy (and therefore "stay-indoorsy") day. The keys have an almost analog-mellotron feel, a big part of the mood here. Hard to believe you clicked your way through this one!
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maxruehl said 82 days ago (September 5th, 2009)
I totally get
the walking thing. The beginning made me think a bit of Donald Rubinstein's theme to George Romero's Martin (Although not as dreary).:) I really like this a lot.
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tonestones said 18 days ago (November 8th, 2009)
Copenhagen... one of my fav citites
I've been there several times and found something interesting and unique every trip. It is such a cool place. This is a very nice "creative response" to the experience. Makes me want to go back... Its been a while.. Thanks for rekindling the memories...

Tusind tak,

-- Steve
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Name: Mark Holbrook
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What does one say about a hacker... ? My Cat Max: Today, July 28th, 2009 I lost a best friend. For the past 17 years the little white cat in the picture above has been a constant best friend and companion. He brought me more joy and happiness... [see more]

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The terms alternative rock and alternative music[1] were coined in the early 1980s to describe punk rock-inspired music genres which didn't fit into the mainstream genres of the time. At times it was used as catch-all phrase for rock music from under

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