Just got done reading a new biography about Hemingway by Dearborn. Unbelievably well researched, but DAMN! it is depressing. Did the man do no good at all? I appreciate the author's tenacity but it seems as though she may have an agenda , to prove how shitty Hemingway was as a man. Paul Hendrickson's book, Hemingway's Boat is more my cup of tea. Shows that Hem could be a bastard , but also shows that he could have a heart of gold. Basically, Dearborn shows that Hemingway was mentally ill. And had a hair fetish. And drank a whole lot. Well, who doesn't have an issue with all of those things?
How about he was a BADASS who decided to become a great hunter and became one, who decided to become a great fisherman and became one, who decided to write great novels and short stories and did it better(arguably but only vs. Turgenev in my humble opinion) than anyone. The man had flaws , had multiple concussions, mental illness in his family, and still kicked ass and people are still, yes, still writing books about him. That's a great man. If you haven't yet, read Hemingway's Boat, do it. It kills.
Kids today yearn for structure and discipline and for someone to kick them in the ass when they screw up and to pat them on the back when they do well. Most just haven't had the kick in the ass. They need that first. Then the"good job". But only if they deserve it.
I am a sucker for new, raw country music. If you are into it also, check out Colter Wall. Excellent and no new country bull with overproduced sounds. And Tyler Childress. And Turnpike Troubadours. And Whiskey Myers. Listening to all of those bands will make you want to drink beer, shoot guns, play the jukebox in a lonely bar with sawdust on the floor, get in a fight, cry over a lost love and ride on a dirt road in your 4x4. And sit with your dog and discuss life.
As far as training music, Slayer rules (If you can find a better song than Reign in Blood, let me know) And Pantera (not Cowboys From Hell). Far Beyond Driven is classic for those guys. But check out The Crown(Deathrace King) and Terrorizer as well. Good for a kick in the ass when you need it.
As far as training goes, keep training. Keep training no matter what is going on in your life. My Dad is 84 and he still exercises and works in the yard and has all of his faculties. Mom does too. I swear it is because of the fact that they have exercised their whole lives. So do it. Do it and make it an everyday thing and know that it is important and lifesaving and ALL ELSE can wait until the workout is done because when you get that done, everyone and everything gets the best version of you.
