Mixing progress
Up to 63+ hours now. The studio box is actually slower than the laptop, so it is challenged by all the plug-ins I have going on at once. Creating stems (submixes) for the rhythm section, guitars, vocals to lighten the CPU load.

Thanks to Electronic Musician magazine for their July and October 2007 issues ("12 common mixing mistakes" and "14 pro mixing tips"). Here are my take-aways:
(1) Punch up the bass with a slow attack/fast release compression. Made it somehow sound fuller.
(2) "Large spaces are defined by distant objects." Separate and tone down the highs in the dueling guitars.
(3) Cut the mud (200-500Hz) in the guitars.
(4) "Turn the monitors down slowly; vocals should be the last to slip away - but not prominent while everything else is slipping away." That was a great idea. First I did it to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" to get a feel for how it is supposed to sound.