I really had no intention of reading Mackenzie Phillips' memoir, but am afraid I couldn't resist after a co-worker dropped a copy of High On Arrival on my desk at work.
When the book came out a couple of weeks ago, it got a lot of publicity because of the revelations that Mackenzie had a long term incestuous relationship with her father, John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas. Turns out that was just one part of a very messed up life.
I've read a lot of celebrity autobiographies and memoirs, and the best ones have lots of anecdotes that are either humorous or provide insight into how they do their creating..whether it's acting, songwriting, or performing. They should also weave a good story. With this book, I got that..and then some. Mackenzie Phillips did have a co-writer for the book..and I think they did a great job. The writing was excellent, and it was presented in such a way that it really sucked me in and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next...and how much darker her life could get.
I watched "One Day At A Time" when I was a kid, and remember liking it because it was the closest show I'd seen that portrayed teenagers at least somewhat realistically. So in a way I feel like I could have grown up with Julie Cooper and her sister Barbara.
But Mackenzie Phillips' world was absolutely insane, and NOTHING like mine. Of course she was the daughter of a very rich man, who had a big drug problem. He thought nothing of making her official joint roller for his group of friends. He thought nothing of leaving syringes all over the place, or saying "not now honey, Daddy's shooting up," when his little girl knocked on the bathroom door.
Mackenzie writes about her dad sending for her..and then not picking her up at the airport. Or the time he and Michelle promised to take her and her brother to Disney Land, and they were just dropped off with money and picked up later. (They were 7 and 5 at the time).
The book made it seem almost inevitable that Mackenzie's life would be filled with drug use and bad choices, but she doesn't lay the blame on any one but herself. We learn in detail about her instantaneous stardom from American Graffitti, hitting the bars on Sunset Strip at 13, and losing control of her life, over and over and over again.
While the book is very very dark..it's not completely devoid of hope. Once I stopped seeing syringes every time I closed my eyes, the message I got was that if she could survive all that's she's been through, I guess I should be able to muddle through my daily trials and tribulations with no difficulties at all.
I could NOT put this book down! It made me feel like Mother Teresa. I totally agree with how wekk it was written. A sad, freaky life indeed. I'm glad my dad was a chicken farmer.
09/21/2010 12:32PM
CherryMarla22
When you are in not good state and have got no cash to move out from that point, you would need to take the mortgage loans. Because that should help you unquestionably. I get credit loan every single year and feel great because of that.
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Have you heard the song "Rumble and Sway" yet on Triple M?
The singer sounds like a raspy blues dude who's definitely been around the block a few times....but surprisingly, Jamie N. Commons is only 23 years old!
He was born in England, but...
Last week, I decided I would try one new, healthy food a week, and asked my facebook friends to make some suggestions.
The first thing I tried was mango. I'm sure I've had other mango flavored things, and mango as part of something else, but...
There's only one thing that might be worse than the Neil Diamond/Barbra Streisand duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." And that's Jonathan Suttin doing his best crooning...doing both parts. Most unpleasant.
A lot of people liked this song...
Artist: Alchemilla
Hail From: Boston
Song: 'The Wheel'
Album: Diamonds From The Penny Arcade
Sounds Like: Hole, Pearl Jam
In Their Words: "Alchemilla had been trying to write a ballad for a little while but it wasn't happening. There...
Last weeks challenge we thought went excellent! Of course we are a little biased.
The drinking song couldn't have been any better, or any less fun. We had a blast through out the whole process, and our performance rocked.
This week is an easy...
So the story goes Michael Jackson completed this song while watching cartoons with Paul McCartney. We'll just let that sink in for a moment.
Not sure what cartoons they were watching, but it must have worked because this song made it to number 2...
The Dalai Lama is back in town, sharing his message of peace and kindness with likeminded individuals, and the Wisconsin legislature. He also held a private meeting with Gov. Walker, who said he mostly listened to what His Holiness had to say (wise...
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I really had no intention of reading Mackenzie Phillips' memoir, but am afraid I couldn't resist after a co-worker dropped a copy of High On Arrival on my desk at work.
When the book came out a couple of weeks ago, it got a lot of publicity because of the revelations that Mackenzie had a long term incestuous relationship with her father, John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas. Turns out that was just one part of a very messed up life.
I've read a lot of celebrity autobiographies and memoirs, and the best ones have lots of anecdotes that are either humorous or provide insight into how they do their creating..whether it's acting, songwriting, or performing. They should also weave a good story. With this book, I got that..and then some. Mackenzie Phillips did have a co-writer for the book..and I think they did a great job. The writing was excellent, and it was presented in such a way that it really sucked me in and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next...and how much darker her life could get.
I watched "One Day At A Time" when I was a kid, and remember liking it because it was the closest show I'd seen that portrayed teenagers at least somewhat realistically. So in a way I feel like I could have grown up with Julie Cooper and her sister Barbara.
But Mackenzie Phillips' world was absolutely insane, and NOTHING like mine. Of course she was the daughter of a very rich man, who had a big drug problem. He thought nothing of making her official joint roller for his group of friends. He thought nothing of leaving syringes all over the place, or saying "not now honey, Daddy's shooting up," when his little girl knocked on the bathroom door.
Mackenzie writes about her dad sending for her..and then not picking her up at the airport. Or the time he and Michelle promised to take her and her brother to Disney Land, and they were just dropped off with money and picked up later. (They were 7 and 5 at the time).
The book made it seem almost inevitable that Mackenzie's life would be filled with drug use and bad choices, but she doesn't lay the blame on any one but herself. We learn in detail about her instantaneous stardom from American Graffitti, hitting the bars on Sunset Strip at 13, and losing control of her life, over and over and over again.
While the book is very very dark..it's not completely devoid of hope. Once I stopped seeing syringes every time I closed my eyes, the message I got was that if she could survive all that's she's been through, I guess I should be able to muddle through my daily trials and tribulations with no difficulties at all.
