Marilyn Hardy is one tough woman. She has had one of the hardest life you will ever read about. But, in saying that, she is very happily married now, she is healthy (ish) and she is comfortable in life. Her third and current husband is a self employed plumber, who loves her dearly.
So, born in England, she was born to a miner and a house wife. She had a very tough, and a very poor, upbringing. She craved love from her mother, which she never received, and who disowned her, and her siblings later in life. She never ever got her mother's love, or her mother's affection, which hurt Marilyn badly. Marilyn did, though, get that love from her father, though he was a hard worker in the underground mine and it was her mother that she spent most time with.
Now, she worked very hard to support her mother, especially during times when her mother was bed ridden with illness, which was regularly during her childhood. Marilyn really did do it tough. She was sexually molested by a young male at about the age of 11. Her mother scorned her for being 'dirty'. Her father never found out to support her. Very sad.
As she grew, she finished school, she married, and was happy. That was, until her husband started beating her, after drinking heavily. Actually, both of her first two husbands were viscous alcoholics. She was beaten badly, though through all that, and through three pregnancies, she managed to qualify as a nurse. Marilyn ended up working in a mental home, were she was assaulted by one of the patients. That really rocked her.
Marilyn struggled financially to raise her kids. She was severely poor. She struggled to put food on the table. She went to bed hungry regularly, though she managed to raise happy, healthy kids. She has a very happy family, given all that she has been through.
From a health perspective, she has had more issues that are worth mentioning here, from heart problems, to a twisted bowel, though it appears that she is over most of her challenges. Go girl.
Perhaps the most tragic issue in her life has been the loss of her teenage nephew, who was killed in a car accident. Very sad. Her sister and family had moved to Australia, of all places, and Marilyn travelled home for the funeral. Again, a tragedy.
In saying all that, this is a book that will just keep you reading. It is hard to put down, and you will really support Marilyn on her journey through life. She is a real trooper, and she should be proud of what she has achieved in life. Her kids love her, she is close to her siblings and she is happily married. Very inspirational.
A 4.25 out of 5 for this one.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Book 11 - Gordon Ramsay - The Biography
Gee, I am glad I can read. Reading is so much fun, and you can learn so much from these amazing people. Which I try to do. With this book, as good as it started, and as good as it finished, there was a period in the middle where I was not sure that I would actually finish it. To the point of reading 3 other books in the time that it took me to finish reading about Gordon Ramsay. Neil Simpson is the author, and he did a good job, without doing outstandingly. He researched well, and told a reasonably good story.
I have said this again, and I will say it again - am I really qualified to talk about someone who is so famous and healthy. Being my blog, I guess I can.
Starting with his early life, Gordon Ramsay was raised in an interesting environment. He never got much love or much support from his father. His father never showed him any support or encouragement, which he actually craved.
Get this, Gordon Ramsay was headed to a professional soccer (or football - depending on where you are) player. He was fit, he was a machine, and he was driven from a young age. He did what it took. What a machine, even at an early age, hitting his goals. Go son. He got to the top of the sport, but then, like a lot of sports people, he did a knee. He had to have an operation and never ever really recovered. He was sacked from the team on a Friday afternoon. He was shattered. To the point that he does not have business meetings on a Friday, for that reason. He is worried about what could happen. Unbelievable.
Then, as well as his dad not supporting him through the failre, he had to find something else to do. Yep, you guessed it, he took up cheffing. Really, the rest is history, but what we don't see is how much work he has put in. He sourced the most famous people in his industry, did huge hours and massive shifts for many years, until he was ready to purchase his own restaurant. Again, the rest is history. Gordon Ramsay genuinely loves cooking and loves food. He is a natural chef, and lives his dream.
He is though, a tough boss, and swears like a trooper, and gives it to his staff. But, in saying that, they love him, and some have worked for him for many, many years. By doing that, they have learnt heaps, and have got heaps of awards in their own rights. Good on them, and good on Gordon, who is big on mentoring.
Gordon is happily married with children, though he spends Monday to Friday nights at his restaurants. He then goes home to his wife, where they chat into the night. She is now running her own business also, so they are a busy lot. He does not work on weekends. What a great strategy.
In many ways, he is very motivational. One of his life's challenges is his brother, who has been a life long drug addict. He has tried many times to help his brother, without success, but finally that has happened, and his brother is clean. Get this - at support groups for his brother, they told Gordon that he also has an addictive personality. That, he craves attention from others, his father included - he works so hard just to get kudos from others. There is a thought ...
Finally, to Gordon's on screen stuff, where he is a swearing trooper. He has got records for the most amount of swear words in short periods, and in short shows. He is a swearing machine. Some people respond, others don't. Most of his shows have been acclaimed, though some have been criticised by many. It has not hurt his ratings overall. He is still extremely popular. Good on him.
He is in huge demand. Gordon Ramsay runs several restaurants simeltaneously. He can do heaps of work at the same time, and people love having him in their restaurants. He turns them around.
Overall, apart from a lot of the pages through the middle of the book, it was quite motivational. I did enjoy it.
Overall, a 3.75 out of 5. Gordon rocks really, and there are many lessons to be learnt from him. Obviously.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
I have said this again, and I will say it again - am I really qualified to talk about someone who is so famous and healthy. Being my blog, I guess I can.
Starting with his early life, Gordon Ramsay was raised in an interesting environment. He never got much love or much support from his father. His father never showed him any support or encouragement, which he actually craved.
Get this, Gordon Ramsay was headed to a professional soccer (or football - depending on where you are) player. He was fit, he was a machine, and he was driven from a young age. He did what it took. What a machine, even at an early age, hitting his goals. Go son. He got to the top of the sport, but then, like a lot of sports people, he did a knee. He had to have an operation and never ever really recovered. He was sacked from the team on a Friday afternoon. He was shattered. To the point that he does not have business meetings on a Friday, for that reason. He is worried about what could happen. Unbelievable.
Then, as well as his dad not supporting him through the failre, he had to find something else to do. Yep, you guessed it, he took up cheffing. Really, the rest is history, but what we don't see is how much work he has put in. He sourced the most famous people in his industry, did huge hours and massive shifts for many years, until he was ready to purchase his own restaurant. Again, the rest is history. Gordon Ramsay genuinely loves cooking and loves food. He is a natural chef, and lives his dream.
He is though, a tough boss, and swears like a trooper, and gives it to his staff. But, in saying that, they love him, and some have worked for him for many, many years. By doing that, they have learnt heaps, and have got heaps of awards in their own rights. Good on them, and good on Gordon, who is big on mentoring.
Gordon is happily married with children, though he spends Monday to Friday nights at his restaurants. He then goes home to his wife, where they chat into the night. She is now running her own business also, so they are a busy lot. He does not work on weekends. What a great strategy.
In many ways, he is very motivational. One of his life's challenges is his brother, who has been a life long drug addict. He has tried many times to help his brother, without success, but finally that has happened, and his brother is clean. Get this - at support groups for his brother, they told Gordon that he also has an addictive personality. That, he craves attention from others, his father included - he works so hard just to get kudos from others. There is a thought ...
Finally, to Gordon's on screen stuff, where he is a swearing trooper. He has got records for the most amount of swear words in short periods, and in short shows. He is a swearing machine. Some people respond, others don't. Most of his shows have been acclaimed, though some have been criticised by many. It has not hurt his ratings overall. He is still extremely popular. Good on him.
He is in huge demand. Gordon Ramsay runs several restaurants simeltaneously. He can do heaps of work at the same time, and people love having him in their restaurants. He turns them around.
Overall, apart from a lot of the pages through the middle of the book, it was quite motivational. I did enjoy it.
Overall, a 3.75 out of 5. Gordon rocks really, and there are many lessons to be learnt from him. Obviously.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Book 10 - Blog 1 - Left for Dead, How I survived 71 days lost in a desert hell
10 books down, now. Wow, I am about 20% of the way through this challenge for the year.
Well, the lasest book was about Ricky Megee, who was basically mugged, and left for dead in outback Northern Territory. It was an amazing read, and I would probably rate it as the best of the books that I have read so far.
In this book, Ricky share the trials and tribulations of surviving in a desert with no food, no water, no shoes, pretty much nothing of anything apart from his car keys and a few dollars of change that was left in his pockets when he was dumped.
Ricky tells the story from his early years, when he was a bit of a rat bag, he held down jobs like debt collecting and night club bouncing, among others, which exposed him to drugs and alcohol. Now, I don't think he ever suffered from addiction to anything, but being around that scene I think appeared to sour his reputation and it bought him to the attention of police officers and he appeared to end up with a big file, though not much in the way of criminal record.
After moving constantly, to run away from trouble, he had decided to settle in WA (Port Hedland), and was on a final drive back up there to start work when he stopped to pick up some locals in an outback country town. That is when the fun started. After stopping, Ricky was drugged, mugged, had his car stolen and was left for dead under a tarp out in the middle of outback Australia. No shoes, no water, nothing other than the clothes he was wearing. What a position to find yourself in. Bugger that.
Anyway, Ricky details brilliantly how he had to drink his own urine, amongst other things, just to survive. He went through a world of hurt, walking and starving and suffering from dehydration for days on end. Finally about half way through the 71 days, he came upon a water hole (wet season - thankfully) which was full. He camped next to the water hole for the remainder of his 'adventure' until he was finally rescued by the station owner. He found an old feeding trough, which he turned upside down and used as a shelter. It got hot enough during the day to cook food on. He lived on vegetables from around the water hole, grasshoppers, frogs and a range of other things. He tried to catch a big goanna, without luck. He tried cockroaches, which he said were the vilest thing he tried whilst he was out there.
When he was finally rescued, the police would not help him, due to his huge file, and they went to the point of trying to convince the public that he had staged the whole thing. What a load of bollocks, why would anyone in their right mind do that. He finished the whole experience a shadow of his former self. He was that skinny, he looked like he was from the third world. He endured so much, that he could not have possibly done that deliberately.
Again, a great read. Loved it. Go Ricky. I want to meet him one day.
I rate this book a 4.75 out of 5.
Ricky's key messages are to never give up. Do what it takes to overcome the obstacles in your life and move forward, how ever difficult that may seem at the time. Great advice Ricky!!
Well, the lasest book was about Ricky Megee, who was basically mugged, and left for dead in outback Northern Territory. It was an amazing read, and I would probably rate it as the best of the books that I have read so far.
In this book, Ricky share the trials and tribulations of surviving in a desert with no food, no water, no shoes, pretty much nothing of anything apart from his car keys and a few dollars of change that was left in his pockets when he was dumped.
Ricky tells the story from his early years, when he was a bit of a rat bag, he held down jobs like debt collecting and night club bouncing, among others, which exposed him to drugs and alcohol. Now, I don't think he ever suffered from addiction to anything, but being around that scene I think appeared to sour his reputation and it bought him to the attention of police officers and he appeared to end up with a big file, though not much in the way of criminal record.
After moving constantly, to run away from trouble, he had decided to settle in WA (Port Hedland), and was on a final drive back up there to start work when he stopped to pick up some locals in an outback country town. That is when the fun started. After stopping, Ricky was drugged, mugged, had his car stolen and was left for dead under a tarp out in the middle of outback Australia. No shoes, no water, nothing other than the clothes he was wearing. What a position to find yourself in. Bugger that.
Anyway, Ricky details brilliantly how he had to drink his own urine, amongst other things, just to survive. He went through a world of hurt, walking and starving and suffering from dehydration for days on end. Finally about half way through the 71 days, he came upon a water hole (wet season - thankfully) which was full. He camped next to the water hole for the remainder of his 'adventure' until he was finally rescued by the station owner. He found an old feeding trough, which he turned upside down and used as a shelter. It got hot enough during the day to cook food on. He lived on vegetables from around the water hole, grasshoppers, frogs and a range of other things. He tried to catch a big goanna, without luck. He tried cockroaches, which he said were the vilest thing he tried whilst he was out there.
When he was finally rescued, the police would not help him, due to his huge file, and they went to the point of trying to convince the public that he had staged the whole thing. What a load of bollocks, why would anyone in their right mind do that. He finished the whole experience a shadow of his former self. He was that skinny, he looked like he was from the third world. He endured so much, that he could not have possibly done that deliberately.
Again, a great read. Loved it. Go Ricky. I want to meet him one day.
I rate this book a 4.75 out of 5.
Ricky's key messages are to never give up. Do what it takes to overcome the obstacles in your life and move forward, how ever difficult that may seem at the time. Great advice Ricky!!
Book 9 - Blog 2 - Robbie Williams, Angels and Demons
Here is one successful guy. He has taken the world by storm. He has a talent and loves it. Good on him. He has gotten over some huge hurdles to get where he is at right now.
His addictive nature has meant that he has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for most of his adult life. I heard on TV recently, that he is still a smoker and is trying to give up. I hope he can, as smoking would not be good for his singing, I wouldn't think. He has been in and out of rehabilitation clinics, and he has had the support of big names like Elton John. People have certainly taken him under their wing, to help him out.
Robbie keeps regressing, though, and he returns to substance abuse. I am not sure if he is managing that part of his life at the moment, or not, but I hope so. I am sure he has got a lot more to offer the world.
It was interesting to read how him mother still continues to be a 'dominant' force in his life, attending his business meetings, vetting girl friends and generally taking a high level of control over Robbie's life. His sister, who he is at times close to, has a role to play in his life, too, as does his father, at different, times, and depending on the state of the relationship.
Robbie has always been driven by proving people wrong. He gives it to his former teachers, who said he would not amount to anything. He can tell you everyone who has ever wronged him, and is driven by both revenge and proving his point or his capabilities. What ever motivates him appears to be working, as he is getting bigger and bigger.
He has always wanted to be the life of the party, which drives this entertaining character that he uses. You know, off stage, he hates the name Robbie - he is Rob. That is it. Robbie is his stage name only, and he gets in and out of character brialliantly from all reports. He actually hates the lime light, and gets quite depressed during and after his shows, though apparently this is changing, as his mental state improves (as he is becoming less dependent on substances for his sanity).
He has never seemed to find love, though, and it will be interesting to see how this area of his life progresses. He is a sex machine, and will get with anyone who shows some interest. He is just as quick to dump them, though, especially if they are fans.
Robbie Williams is also very paranoid of being injured by fans or being assassinated (mind you, he once got pushed off a stage by a mad fan), like JFK. It causes a huge amount of grief in his life, and he has body guards with him at all times now. He has a massive entourage, apparently, and he pays them well do be at his beckon call (good on him - he appears not to enjoy his own company much). Then, he criticises the loyalty of his employees, forgetting they are employees, and nothing more. Not servants, only alive to serve Robbie Williams.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book, the story was great, the star of the book was successful, but troubled. And, you know what, he really doesn't care. He really doesn't give a s*** what people think about him (in some ways), he is his own man and he will do as he pleases, when he pleases, for how long he pleases. Good on him, living the dream. Glad it is not me.
His addictive nature has meant that he has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for most of his adult life. I heard on TV recently, that he is still a smoker and is trying to give up. I hope he can, as smoking would not be good for his singing, I wouldn't think. He has been in and out of rehabilitation clinics, and he has had the support of big names like Elton John. People have certainly taken him under their wing, to help him out.
Robbie keeps regressing, though, and he returns to substance abuse. I am not sure if he is managing that part of his life at the moment, or not, but I hope so. I am sure he has got a lot more to offer the world.
It was interesting to read how him mother still continues to be a 'dominant' force in his life, attending his business meetings, vetting girl friends and generally taking a high level of control over Robbie's life. His sister, who he is at times close to, has a role to play in his life, too, as does his father, at different, times, and depending on the state of the relationship.
Robbie has always been driven by proving people wrong. He gives it to his former teachers, who said he would not amount to anything. He can tell you everyone who has ever wronged him, and is driven by both revenge and proving his point or his capabilities. What ever motivates him appears to be working, as he is getting bigger and bigger.
He has always wanted to be the life of the party, which drives this entertaining character that he uses. You know, off stage, he hates the name Robbie - he is Rob. That is it. Robbie is his stage name only, and he gets in and out of character brialliantly from all reports. He actually hates the lime light, and gets quite depressed during and after his shows, though apparently this is changing, as his mental state improves (as he is becoming less dependent on substances for his sanity).
He has never seemed to find love, though, and it will be interesting to see how this area of his life progresses. He is a sex machine, and will get with anyone who shows some interest. He is just as quick to dump them, though, especially if they are fans.
Robbie Williams is also very paranoid of being injured by fans or being assassinated (mind you, he once got pushed off a stage by a mad fan), like JFK. It causes a huge amount of grief in his life, and he has body guards with him at all times now. He has a massive entourage, apparently, and he pays them well do be at his beckon call (good on him - he appears not to enjoy his own company much). Then, he criticises the loyalty of his employees, forgetting they are employees, and nothing more. Not servants, only alive to serve Robbie Williams.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book, the story was great, the star of the book was successful, but troubled. And, you know what, he really doesn't care. He really doesn't give a s*** what people think about him (in some ways), he is his own man and he will do as he pleases, when he pleases, for how long he pleases. Good on him, living the dream. Glad it is not me.
Book 9 - Blog 1 - Robbie Williams, Angels and Demons
Well, it has been a while since I blogged last time. I have been putting it off, as it takes too long to put all of the book information in. With that said, I am going to change the structure of the blogs from here on in. The new rules are:
1. No book information to be provided (too time consuming)
2. Only one blog per book - after this book (same reason as above)
3. Not too tight on learnings - if there are some, great, if not, no problem (same reason as above).
Anyway, onto Robbie Williams.
I think there are more demons than angels in Robbie's life.
It is funny again, where I feel like I am unqualified to discuss the life of someone so famous, and someone that people look up to and love. Robbie Williams is a true super star, and he has signed contracts for up to $80M as record deals, so he can be considered to have been very, very successful.
The book was a good read, without being great, and Paul Scott did a top job of researching the material and getting inside the life and time of the man, who, for all his successes, struggles with his excesses (what a play on words - look out).
Robbie was born in February, 1974, and has changed the world, but in many ways, nearly self destructed his own. His father was actually an entertainer, too, though is mother has been the one that has had most influence over Robbie's life. He has been estranged for long periods from his father, who no doubt suffers because of that, and would be one of the proudest dads on the planet. His parent's relationship ended early in Robbie's life, and it affected him greatly, from what I can tell. Although his dad though the weekend visits with his son, including taking him to the races, of all places, were great, Robbie disliked them immensely.
In saying that, he has an amount of admiration (and thanks) for his father, who he has said taught him some of his stage savvy. One of the problems with Robbie is that he changes his mind all the time, and one moment he is mates with someone, the next, he is bagging them in the media or in his songs, which appears to be his chosen avenue of revenge. Good on him, I suppose, if he has got it, flaunt it. He holds a bad grudge, too, apparently, and never forgets those who wronged him.
He started singing and performing at the age of 16, in boy band Take That. He was the odd one out, in the band, as he had some spunk and some flair. He was recognised for that, and he earned significant amounts of acclaim. Even at a young age, he was a famous rock star, though he did not get on well with the band members, who of course, he still bickers with or writes nasty songs about.
His exit from Take That was nasty, as was his split with other managers, and he has coughed up oodles of cash in settlements from litigation. This has to be seen as a sympton of his apparent inability to manage his personal relationships. In saying that, though, his relationship with his song writer (who really took Robbie's words and made them flow - and subsequently famous - before Robbie started writing his own lyrics, and the accompanying music) lasted many years, before it too soured.
Key thoughts
I hope my kids don't grow up like this bloke. He is a loose unit, and I hope they are successful, without the self destruction (and addiction - more in Blog 2) that Robbie has suffered with during his life).
1. No book information to be provided (too time consuming)
2. Only one blog per book - after this book (same reason as above)
3. Not too tight on learnings - if there are some, great, if not, no problem (same reason as above).
Anyway, onto Robbie Williams.
I think there are more demons than angels in Robbie's life.
It is funny again, where I feel like I am unqualified to discuss the life of someone so famous, and someone that people look up to and love. Robbie Williams is a true super star, and he has signed contracts for up to $80M as record deals, so he can be considered to have been very, very successful.
The book was a good read, without being great, and Paul Scott did a top job of researching the material and getting inside the life and time of the man, who, for all his successes, struggles with his excesses (what a play on words - look out).
Robbie was born in February, 1974, and has changed the world, but in many ways, nearly self destructed his own. His father was actually an entertainer, too, though is mother has been the one that has had most influence over Robbie's life. He has been estranged for long periods from his father, who no doubt suffers because of that, and would be one of the proudest dads on the planet. His parent's relationship ended early in Robbie's life, and it affected him greatly, from what I can tell. Although his dad though the weekend visits with his son, including taking him to the races, of all places, were great, Robbie disliked them immensely.
In saying that, he has an amount of admiration (and thanks) for his father, who he has said taught him some of his stage savvy. One of the problems with Robbie is that he changes his mind all the time, and one moment he is mates with someone, the next, he is bagging them in the media or in his songs, which appears to be his chosen avenue of revenge. Good on him, I suppose, if he has got it, flaunt it. He holds a bad grudge, too, apparently, and never forgets those who wronged him.
He started singing and performing at the age of 16, in boy band Take That. He was the odd one out, in the band, as he had some spunk and some flair. He was recognised for that, and he earned significant amounts of acclaim. Even at a young age, he was a famous rock star, though he did not get on well with the band members, who of course, he still bickers with or writes nasty songs about.
His exit from Take That was nasty, as was his split with other managers, and he has coughed up oodles of cash in settlements from litigation. This has to be seen as a sympton of his apparent inability to manage his personal relationships. In saying that, though, his relationship with his song writer (who really took Robbie's words and made them flow - and subsequently famous - before Robbie started writing his own lyrics, and the accompanying music) lasted many years, before it too soured.
Key thoughts
I hope my kids don't grow up like this bloke. He is a loose unit, and I hope they are successful, without the self destruction (and addiction - more in Blog 2) that Robbie has suffered with during his life).
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