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The book that won Hemingway a Nobel prize in literature, "The Old Man And The Sea" tells the story of a down on his luck fisherman in Cuba. After going a month without a catch, Santiago, the story's protagonist, hooks the largest fish of his life, only to have fate cruelly step in. The novella is  a simple masterpiece and justifiably listed as one of the 20th century's greatest works. I've often said I am more a fan of Hemingway's method of writing than his actual works, but this book hits all the right notes. Even when re-reading the story, I find myself wishing victory for Santiago, although I know it isn't his fate. The Old Man And The Sea has been adapted for film at least a couple of times. As a fan of animation, I recommend a short and beautiful version of the book, found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ih1IRIRxI&list=WL&index=8&t=16s

The American man has been taught that while it is better to avoid a fight; that honor cannot always be de fended with reason. He should never admit fear. He should always strive to put the blade in his adversary’s chest, not his back. An American man should know how to load and fire a gun. He should know how to ride a horse, bet on a horse, bet on the stock market, and bet on the cards. A good man should know a woman’s body and know how to please her. His woman, in turn, should never speak anything but well of him in public. An American man should have been raised in the church, rejected the church and eventually found virtue in the church.The American man should be educated. He should work. He should honor his debts and live within his means. He should be able to recite poetry and have bits of true philosophy at his fingertips. He should be able to play an instrument and know how to help a rose grow. An American man should know how to dress and speak his language well. He should be...

Nothing in this world is certain except death, taxes, and America betraying the Kurds. The U.S. has now betrayed the Kurds a minimum of eight times over the past 100 years. The reasons for this are straightforward. The Kurds are an ethnic group of about 40 million people centered at the intersection of Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. Many naturally want their own state. The four countries in which they live naturally do not want that to happen.   —  The Intercept

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, radio was a constant companion in the Holder home. Even when it wasn't convenient - there was an AM station on the next street, and its signal was picked up by the family phone, so we often had to talk over the sound of the program. Sure, we watched too much TV back then, but radio was king. Rocky Face, GA is located between two large FM radio markets, so growing up I had a choice between Chattanooga and Atlanta stations. The Chattanooga stations came in more clearly, but Atlanta had more variety. Top 40 stations were most prevalent, but for me, there was only one kind of station: Album Oriented Radio. While Top 40 stations played just that, the most popular current singles, Album Oriented Radio (AOR) stations dug deeper, playing "deep cuts" from albums old and new. Atlanta's most popular AOR station was 96 Rock, where you could hear everything from the Eagles to Iron Maiden (often in the same hour). 96 Rock was THE station of the 80...

Fly fishing was a sport invented by mosquitoes  with humans as the bait. - P.J. O’Rourke

The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him. - Leo Tolstoy

It's been a while since I did an album review (or any review, to be honest) so the time has come. The album will be Terence Trent D'Arby 's 1989 sophomore effort,  Neither Fish Nor Flesh, a Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope & Destruction . I know what you're thinking: why is Mark reviewing a thirty year old album that was considered a failure, even by D'Arby himself? The answer is simple: I enjoy listening to it. I'll go so far as to say I love the album in all its sprawling glory. In 1987, D'Arby made his infamous debut with "Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby," with the claim that "my album is better than Sgt. Pepper." This, in the twentieth anniversary of said Beatles album, caused a huge controversy, as one might imagine. And he was right; I enjoy Introducing The Hardline... more than Sgt. Pepper while remaining a fan of both bands. All this attention caused great expectations for a follow up, but...