Mindy has a knack for taking things I worry are personality flaws in myself and making them seem cute and funny, which makes me feel better about myseMindy has a knack for taking things I worry are personality flaws in myself and making them seem cute and funny, which makes me feel better about myself. Not quite done with this one yet, but really enjoying her fun/flippant tone - which doesn't quite disguise the tremendous amount of hard work she does. I couldn't keep up her schedule! If she ever had a spare moment I would totally chat with her over lattes....more
I actually gave up on this one and then ultimately went back to it. She does say up front that she's going to focus on her Christian beliefs. She didnI actually gave up on this one and then ultimately went back to it. She does say up front that she's going to focus on her Christian beliefs. She didn't lie. It's simply not my cup of tea. And sometimes I felt like her recovery from physical injury and eating disorder were more attributed to religious belief than anything else. Not sure how helpful that is to other aspiring ballet dancers. I was also a bit surprised at how readily NYCB took her back post eating disorder - I feel like I've read memoir after memoir where these women are driven out of ballet and just never go anywhere in their careers despite giving it their all. So Ringer must indeed be very talented.
Also, I totally didn't associate her with Sugar Plumgate until I read it and then I realize she was the ballerina that critic called fat. Which is clearly ridiculous if you look at any image of Ringer from that period. I do admire her attitude and grace at handling that embarrassing situation. I'm glad she had a successful career - it's not an easy thing to do, to dance at her level for so long. I just wish I better understood what it took to get there, other than religious belief. I think it's selling her talent and work a bit short. ...more
I'm so torn on this book so far. I'll add the caveat that I haven't finished yet, and I do intend to finish. I think the author has a really unique (iI'm so torn on this book so far. I'll add the caveat that I haven't finished yet, and I do intend to finish. I think the author has a really unique (in a good way) style of writing. It's evocative and the way he's chosen to unfold the story has kept me reading.
It also really spells out how hard it is for bands to make it or at least be able to make a living at it. Near as I can tell, the major factor is pure luck because there are obviously hard work is not enough. It sucks that their band was on the verge of breaking really big only to have a series of things outside of their control totally derail them.
Here's my biggest problem with the book. It, to me, is a perfect example of the boy's club nature of rock. Rock doesn't have to be wholesome - I get the raw, dirty appeal of rock and the rock lifestyle. But time and again in this book, women at best accessories and at worst, sluts. Even their GPS voice gets labeled the "map slut" because she sounds like a woman who is into S&M. Then there's the Superfan who apparently likes having sex with various band members - she's not outright called a slut, but that's the general impression that is given of her - that she's the dirty one - not the male band members having sex with her. Then there's Christi, a musician friend (the only female musician mentioned thus far), who got some sort of recording deal. The authors thinks she'll be successful because she's hot. And details how he'd like to have sex with her - never once mentioning her talent as a musican. Is she talented? I have no idea. It's not talked about.
Even his wife (former girlfriend) exists just for his own needs. He breaks up with her because he wants to be single and free as his career is budding. Then gets back with her because he needs to share his success with someone. Never a mention of how his actions affect her, what her needs are. Later on they're married and fighting over his complete immaturity regarding this latest tour, which he apparently lied about, underplayed, and was generally dishonest about regarding the time commitment. When she's understandably upset (not because she's a nagging shrew, but because they're married and his decisions affect her), it's still all about him. And the advice he calls to mind is a friend thinking the best way to deal with the nagging girlfriend/wife is to play mind games to "teach them a lesson."
It just gets tired. And let's also ignore all the liquored up driving, which is hilarious only because it didn't get some other poor schmoe killed.
Look, I am all for sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Party all you want. But there's no need to denigrate women in this day and age. Sexually active women aren't sluts any more than sexually active men are. Women aren't just there to annoy you when they're not fulfilling your needs. And women can rock too.
I'm hoping the author will come to some sort of realization about at least his treatment of his wife by the end of the book. They seem to be still together. I'll certainly willingly revise this review depending on how the rest of the book goes.
ETA: I finished this a while ago. There's a "hilarious" episode wherein the author "pranks" a young band by winding up the lead guitarist against the female lead singer. Sigh. It's hilarious because she's a girl and what right does she have to lead a band? Let's turn the dudes in her band against her because misogyny is hilarious. I'm sure he just didn't even consider that to be problematic, because of course he didn't. He has no idea what it's like to be a woman in that industry. He at least makes up with his wife, but still manages to get his cake and eat it to by manipulating the situation again.
I just found the whole thing frustrating - and the message is clear, rock is a man's world, and women aren't real people, they're just things to either have fantacize about, have sex with or annoy you. ...more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
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