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
Showing posts with label biography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biography. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Book 8 - Blog 2 - Don't Kiss Them Goodbye
Book Details:
Don't Kiss Them Goodbye
Pages: 193
Pages read: 193
Words on page 50: 319 (29 x 11)
Words in book: 61,567 (averaged)
ISBN: 978-1-41651-132-8
Author: Alison Dubois
Published: 2005 by Simon Schuster
You know what else, Alison has been studied by a University, and a Professor, who studies those with her gift. She calls herself a Medium and a Profiler, and she has been proven to have the gift. I am guessing that this would be great for her reputation, to have that in her back pocket.
With this second blog on Alison's book, I thought I might recount my own experiences, not that there have been many, but one sticks in mind. In my short 37 years, I think I have come close to dying on two occasions. The first time was, as a 15 year old, when I was 'encouraged' (code for peer pressured) to jump off a huge mountain (about 30 metres high) into a big pool of water. The problem was, half way down, the mountin jutted out with a massive rock formation. This meant that you had to jump right out, and make sure that you missed it. Very scary, and it could have been a tragedy, especially when I slipped on take off (after a run up). I really thought I was dead, and would have hit it. Apparently, I just missed it, and was very lucky.
Time 2, I feel asleep at the wheel in a ute driving in outback Northern Territory (from a Gas Plant to Alice Springs). I was about to go around a corner, and if I went straight ahead, I was heading off a cliff, again very scary. So, I woke up just in time and pulled the ute around. I really felt like I was on two wheels, not sure if I really was, but I was lucky not to roll the ute (which was a Hilux - famous for rolling - hence the nickname Rollux), which felt like it was about to topple over as I corrected and took the corner on. What a way to wake up.
Now, was someone looking after me on both occasions, or was I lucky, or what was it all about. You tell me.
I really do believe that there is a higher power keeping an eye on us. I am not sure that I ever heard a voice at the time, or the like, but I certainly did get lucky. I quite easily could have been killed on either occasion. I do feel lucky.
Apart from all that, I have never had any other experiences with the after life, or a great aunty that died at some stage, somewhere.
Anyway, on all that, let's finish with the key messages from Alison.
Key Messages
1. If you have the gift, use it, don't ignore it - even if you use it in private, not public
2. If your kids have the gift, don't ignore them, support them and tell them that it is all ok
Not really much more to tell you, other than that Alison has made a differnence to the world, she is inspirational and I really got to like her and her stories.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
Don't Kiss Them Goodbye
Pages: 193
Pages read: 193
Words on page 50: 319 (29 x 11)
Words in book: 61,567 (averaged)
ISBN: 978-1-41651-132-8
Author: Alison Dubois
Published: 2005 by Simon Schuster
You know what else, Alison has been studied by a University, and a Professor, who studies those with her gift. She calls herself a Medium and a Profiler, and she has been proven to have the gift. I am guessing that this would be great for her reputation, to have that in her back pocket.
With this second blog on Alison's book, I thought I might recount my own experiences, not that there have been many, but one sticks in mind. In my short 37 years, I think I have come close to dying on two occasions. The first time was, as a 15 year old, when I was 'encouraged' (code for peer pressured) to jump off a huge mountain (about 30 metres high) into a big pool of water. The problem was, half way down, the mountin jutted out with a massive rock formation. This meant that you had to jump right out, and make sure that you missed it. Very scary, and it could have been a tragedy, especially when I slipped on take off (after a run up). I really thought I was dead, and would have hit it. Apparently, I just missed it, and was very lucky.
Time 2, I feel asleep at the wheel in a ute driving in outback Northern Territory (from a Gas Plant to Alice Springs). I was about to go around a corner, and if I went straight ahead, I was heading off a cliff, again very scary. So, I woke up just in time and pulled the ute around. I really felt like I was on two wheels, not sure if I really was, but I was lucky not to roll the ute (which was a Hilux - famous for rolling - hence the nickname Rollux), which felt like it was about to topple over as I corrected and took the corner on. What a way to wake up.
Now, was someone looking after me on both occasions, or was I lucky, or what was it all about. You tell me.
I really do believe that there is a higher power keeping an eye on us. I am not sure that I ever heard a voice at the time, or the like, but I certainly did get lucky. I quite easily could have been killed on either occasion. I do feel lucky.
Apart from all that, I have never had any other experiences with the after life, or a great aunty that died at some stage, somewhere.
Anyway, on all that, let's finish with the key messages from Alison.
Key Messages
1. If you have the gift, use it, don't ignore it - even if you use it in private, not public
2. If your kids have the gift, don't ignore them, support them and tell them that it is all ok
Not really much more to tell you, other than that Alison has made a differnence to the world, she is inspirational and I really got to like her and her stories.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Book 7 - Blog 2 - Ian Thorpe, The Early Years
Book Details:
Ian Thorpe, The Early Years - unauthorised biography
Pages: 154
Pages read: 154
Words on page 50: 385 (35 x 11)
Words in book: 59, 290 (averaged)
ISBN: 1-877096-12-1
Author: Will Swanton
Published: 2002 by Legend Books, Melbourne
Price: $5
Onto blog 2 from Thorpey. Here are some details about the man:
* He obtained the name, the Thorpedo
* He didn't like it at first
* Then, he patented it
* He manages, and always has, 99% of his money and earnings
* He has size 17 feet
* His mum had to get his shoes through the Sydney Kings basketball team
* At home, he is just a normal son and brother
* He never puts a foot wrong, and that is why we love him
* He always has the right answers
* He had the same coach for many years (Doug Frost)
* He broke it off during the Sydney Olympics, and got a new coach (not good, he didn't do that well)
* He is very likeable
* He just loved swimming
* That is why he did it, and did it so well
Alright, I think that is it on Ian Thorpe. I really liked the book, and I really liked the subject. Well done Will Swanton.
Key Messages
1. Set goals, and work towards achieving them
2. Do what you love, and you will do it well
3. Keep focused and live the dream
4. Grow up, quickly, and say the right thing
5. Ever burn your bridges, and never piss people off
That is a good way to live. I try to do the same, actually.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
Ian Thorpe, The Early Years - unauthorised biography
Pages: 154
Pages read: 154
Words on page 50: 385 (35 x 11)
Words in book: 59, 290 (averaged)
ISBN: 1-877096-12-1
Author: Will Swanton
Published: 2002 by Legend Books, Melbourne
Price: $5
Onto blog 2 from Thorpey. Here are some details about the man:
* He obtained the name, the Thorpedo
* He didn't like it at first
* Then, he patented it
* He manages, and always has, 99% of his money and earnings
* He has size 17 feet
* His mum had to get his shoes through the Sydney Kings basketball team
* At home, he is just a normal son and brother
* He never puts a foot wrong, and that is why we love him
* He always has the right answers
* He had the same coach for many years (Doug Frost)
* He broke it off during the Sydney Olympics, and got a new coach (not good, he didn't do that well)
* He is very likeable
* He just loved swimming
* That is why he did it, and did it so well
Alright, I think that is it on Ian Thorpe. I really liked the book, and I really liked the subject. Well done Will Swanton.
Key Messages
1. Set goals, and work towards achieving them
2. Do what you love, and you will do it well
3. Keep focused and live the dream
4. Grow up, quickly, and say the right thing
5. Ever burn your bridges, and never piss people off
That is a good way to live. I try to do the same, actually.
Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy
Book 7 - Blog 1 - Ian Thorpe, The Early Years
Book Details:
Ian Thorpe, The Early Years - unauthorised biography
Pages: 154
Pages read: 154
Words on page 50: 385 (35 x 11)
Words in book: 59, 290 (averaged)
ISBN: 1-877096-12-1
Author: Will Swanton
Published: 2002 by Legend Books, Melbourne
Price: $5
Yep, another book that was bought on sale. It was bought at a discount book shop in Murray Street, Perth. I bought about 4 books, while I was there, and you will hear about them over the coming weeks. See, not only is Jimmy a bargain hunter, but if Jimmy paid say $30 (average price for a new book from the Gold Plated Borders book store), it would be over $1,500 this year alone, just to read one book per week. This way, it will cost an average of say $5 per book, which will be about $250 for the year. Jimmy loves that, but understans that Borders will have to cut back on some of the diamond casings. Poor dears.
Now, onto Ian Thorpe. This book is one of those ones that not only have I read it before I start blogging, but it is one where you love the subject even more after you have read the book. Ian Thorpe really is the epitomy of all things mature (for a young successful guy), all things committed and all things focused and driven to achieve all of his life goals.
Will, like others (particularly) that have put together unauthorsied biographies, did an amazing job of researching this book. He really was thorough, and he covered every base during the life of Ian Thorpe, up to the time of writing, which was pretty much, just after the 2000 Olympics.
Look, Ian Thorpe is the man, we all love him, we all admire him, we all try to relate to him, and we all want him to keep representing Australia and living his dream (and ours).
Strangely enough, Ian Thorpe only started swimming because his sister was a swimmer, and he got sick of going to her training. He jumped in one day, and kept swimming. Go you good thing. It was evident from early on that he was going to be successful. He just had it, apparently. He had a great stroke. Even more importantly, he had big feet ... Apparently, they are like flippers. They push him through the water like an outboard motor, and he uses them to produce a turn of speed at will. His big feet got him into drama at one stage though. Get this - a German swim trainer, although never stating tha the was talking about Thorpe, said publicly one day that big feet are a sign of performance enhancing drug taking. What a load of crap, of course, but Ian Thorpe took it personally, and to prove his innocence decided to be the first tested for drugs at the Sydney Olympics. Go son, step up and prove them wrong.
By the way, he smashed them at the Olympics, his first and went home with golds and silvers. Go again, son.
In his personal life, he is very human, and donates oodles of cash to charities, particularly cancer research. This is due to him having a young mate that had to recover from cancer. His mate was (and probably still is) his best friend. He made every effort to help his buddy, and connected him with famous sports stars, and did everything to brighten his spirits. As you should, as a famous personality. Good on Thorpey, though.
Actally, I have got too much to write, so I might do anohter Blog about this book.
See you soon. Keep reading.
Jimmy
Ian Thorpe, The Early Years - unauthorised biography
Pages: 154
Pages read: 154
Words on page 50: 385 (35 x 11)
Words in book: 59, 290 (averaged)
ISBN: 1-877096-12-1
Author: Will Swanton
Published: 2002 by Legend Books, Melbourne
Price: $5
Yep, another book that was bought on sale. It was bought at a discount book shop in Murray Street, Perth. I bought about 4 books, while I was there, and you will hear about them over the coming weeks. See, not only is Jimmy a bargain hunter, but if Jimmy paid say $30 (average price for a new book from the Gold Plated Borders book store), it would be over $1,500 this year alone, just to read one book per week. This way, it will cost an average of say $5 per book, which will be about $250 for the year. Jimmy loves that, but understans that Borders will have to cut back on some of the diamond casings. Poor dears.
Now, onto Ian Thorpe. This book is one of those ones that not only have I read it before I start blogging, but it is one where you love the subject even more after you have read the book. Ian Thorpe really is the epitomy of all things mature (for a young successful guy), all things committed and all things focused and driven to achieve all of his life goals.
Will, like others (particularly) that have put together unauthorsied biographies, did an amazing job of researching this book. He really was thorough, and he covered every base during the life of Ian Thorpe, up to the time of writing, which was pretty much, just after the 2000 Olympics.
Look, Ian Thorpe is the man, we all love him, we all admire him, we all try to relate to him, and we all want him to keep representing Australia and living his dream (and ours).
Strangely enough, Ian Thorpe only started swimming because his sister was a swimmer, and he got sick of going to her training. He jumped in one day, and kept swimming. Go you good thing. It was evident from early on that he was going to be successful. He just had it, apparently. He had a great stroke. Even more importantly, he had big feet ... Apparently, they are like flippers. They push him through the water like an outboard motor, and he uses them to produce a turn of speed at will. His big feet got him into drama at one stage though. Get this - a German swim trainer, although never stating tha the was talking about Thorpe, said publicly one day that big feet are a sign of performance enhancing drug taking. What a load of crap, of course, but Ian Thorpe took it personally, and to prove his innocence decided to be the first tested for drugs at the Sydney Olympics. Go son, step up and prove them wrong.
By the way, he smashed them at the Olympics, his first and went home with golds and silvers. Go again, son.
In his personal life, he is very human, and donates oodles of cash to charities, particularly cancer research. This is due to him having a young mate that had to recover from cancer. His mate was (and probably still is) his best friend. He made every effort to help his buddy, and connected him with famous sports stars, and did everything to brighten his spirits. As you should, as a famous personality. Good on Thorpey, though.
Actally, I have got too much to write, so I might do anohter Blog about this book.
See you soon. Keep reading.
Jimmy
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