Fifty-four years ago today, Ernest Hemingway wrote his editor at Scribner's that The Old Man and the Sea was the best he could write ever.

NPR: The Enduring Depths of 'Old Man and the Sea'

Fifty-four years ago today, on March 4, 1952, Mr. Hemingway wrote his publisher that he had just finished a short novel that was, quote, The best I can write ever for all of my life.

NPR: The Enduring Depths of 'Old Man and the Sea'

That was almost four years ago, and today, as I sit here (in my underwear) at my desk in my bedroom, I am officially a full-time freelance writer.

FORBES: From Office Manager to Freelance Writer: How I Built My Career

Meanwhile, Ms. Hausman, the entrepreneur who experienced an ugly breakup with a business partner four years ago, says that today she runs her firm out of a rented office and has five employees.

WSJ: Splitting With Your Company's Co-Founder Is a Tricky Task

Today, four years ago, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 80 points, or 1.2%, to end at 6, 547.05, its lowest point since April 15, 1997.

FORBES: The Impossible Rally Turns Four

By some measures, voters are less liberal today than they were four years ago.

WSJ: Rove: About That 'Permanent Democratic Majority'

They ask voters a simple question: are you better off today than you were four years ago?

FORBES: How Does The Current Republican Ticket Compare To Reagan/Bush?

Meanwhile, Obama unveiled a TV ad Saturday that puts a new spin on the question, are you better off today than you were four years ago?

CNN: Bill Clinton to campaign with Obama in Florida

Midlife adults (age 45-64) are three times as likely to have a four-year college degree today as they were 15 years ago (from 11.5% to 29.5%).

FORBES: Retirement With A Purpose

Windows-based tablets of the past have always fallen short due to simply running out of gas in three to four hours, and today's tablet expectations are far different than even a few years ago.

ENGADGET: Microsoft Surface tablets: the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro models