Book Review: A Million Little Pieces

I purchased "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey a long time ago.  After I had bought the book, the controversy hit as to its truthfulness.  As a child I read "Go Ask Alice."  For the longest time there was much discussion as to the identity of the author.  What people seemed to miss was the disclaimer that it bore no relation to persons living or dead; the book was fiction.  Did that make it any less valuable?  I know that "Go Ask Alice" prevented many a kid from experimenting with drugs, or, at the very least, prompted parents to discuss the issue with their kids.  I suspect that much of what we read, unless it's in the History Section, is enhanced.  Please....tell me that any celebrities actually self-pen their books and that they truly did all that they claim (especially the male starts who name names of paramours).

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James Frey has written a book that's interesting and controversial.  He challenges the standard principals of almost every single treatment facility that uses the Twelve Steps as a basis for its treatment.    My field of study was Criminology.  I've taken psychology courses and met addicts.  I've gone on to do workshops in addiction and I've written about my struggle with an eating disorder.   It's sacrilege to  refute the Twelve Steps.  Atheists and agnostics are permitted to substitute their interpretation of a higher power, if need be.  Yet, James Frey states that he has not relapsed.

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"A Million Little Pieces" recounts the personalities met in rehab more then the actual experience of recovery.  Unfortunately, one of the characters is a woman named Lilly..  Again, this is a gross violation of standard practice, as new relationships are discouraged for at least a year.  Frankly, I agree with that and I think that the book makes the case that their encounter was hardly beneficial.  It distracts and sometimes derails sobriety.  

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I enjoyed the book, with the exception of the repetition.   James Frey has a  writing style in which he repeats words and sentences for effect.  Like exclamation points, there is such a thing as too much.  He also miscapitalizes words.  I do it as well, especially when in a rush.  However,  publishing houses use "The Chicago Manual of Style" as their Bible and it's surprising the degree to which this technique was used.  It did not add to the story itself.

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There are funny and poignant moments in the book.  James Frey writes of a visit by a former patient to the clinic and then describes somebody who is obviously Steven Tyler.  His recounting is very humorous.  I particularly liked  the character Leonard.

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It's an entertaining read, although not a memoir and not a primer for recovery.

Found Items - Grooming Guide for the Groomers

One of the books I've picked up on my forays is the "Standard Textbook of Cosmetology" by Constance Kibbe.  It claims to have been completely revised in l967 from its original l938 publishing date.  The inside Ex Libris shows the name of a student who attended the Moler System of Hairdressing.
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Compare the standards and suggestions with those of today.
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I hope we don't have to tell people to shower.  I wonder what they considered gaudy jewellery in l938 and then in l967.  Today's technicians even have piercings; there's more then a single strand of pearls decorating those eye-brows, cheeks, and tongues.  As to the recommendation that shoes be sensible, I've seen towering stilettos in salons.   I've had to sport army boots as part of my work outfit for years and can't fathom how anybody walks in them, so I think they deserve hazardous pay duty.  Stepping over electrical cords and not slipping on hair cuttings isn't as easy as it looks.  Finally, I doubt anybody under a certain age owns a pair of panty hose.  If they do, they like them with runs, as it's got that edgy look (when they're black).  Retro-Something.
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The boys don't get off without a lesson plan.
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The Nehru jacket is a nice touch.
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Just in case people need to be hit over the head, the lessons are reinforced:
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Remember!  Your mother was right...make sure to have clean underpants.
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(Standard Textbook of Cosmetology)- by Constance Kibbe
Milady Publishing Corporation
Revised l967
Illustrations by Warren Meek

A Note About the "Found Items'



I actually own the "found items" that I write about.   I've got a throve of stuff at my place that I've picked up.  I had no idea, however, that some things, such as the Cosmopolitan with Gia on the cover, was selling for as much as it is.  A few years ago I had contacted a local art and fashion design  school to see if they would be interested in my old magazines (free), as I know students use them for inspiration.  I know that my family would assume it was all junk and drive it to the dump, post haste.  Therefore, I wanted to make sure that some good use came of it all.   I like this school's policy as they offer scholarships to low income students.     They didn't bother to respond.  So, I guess I will have to figure out something else.  Mind you, the Cleaning Fairy still hasn't paid a visit to my place.  One more thing to add to the list.

Found Item -"Tan-A-Mat"--- This Was a Good Idea?

One fashion trend that I can't figure out is the Oompa-Loompa look.  I don't quite comprehend why people want to be orange.  Tan Mom lounging drunkenly on the beach is where it all ends.

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As bad as the fake tan of today is, it could be worse.  In l977, people paid good money to not only get wrinkles, but also risked skin cancer.

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In l977 a person could purchase the newest Supertramp vinyl record for $6.98.  The Tan-A-Mat, in comparison, had a retail price of  $19.95.  This is ironic, as this same item is now available at the Dollar Store as an emergency first aid blanket (in case you get caught in a blizzard).  It retails for less then three dollars.

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So, instead of picking up three decent albums, a person could park themselves atop a large sheet of tin-foil on a lounger and broil themselves like a human turkey.  Don't forget the basting of choice in that era---Johnson's Baby Oil.  Since we all know we can trust what we read, the company ensures us that we won't burn.  Yes, it sounds healthy; "turn richer, deeper, faster."  I can hear those cells mutating as I type.

Found Items - "Code-A-Phone": The Call That Never Came

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It wasn't only the technological aspect of this advertisement that struck me.    Rather, it was what they were advocating we use it for.  One has to know that such a product would have been very costly.    So, to what purpose was that money going? 

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The advertisement reveals a woman trying on a migraine inducing dress in a pattern until then only seen on public service announcements about atomic strikes.  You remember them..."This is only a test...had this been a real emergency, etc."  This dress clashes horribly  with the wallpaper in the background,  that can only be described as "boudoir grandma."
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Is our heroine an oncologist whose services are required in the E.R.---stat?  To fork out that sort of money, maybe she's a Wall Street trader.  Actually, she is none of the above.  The Code-A-Phone is required in order to avoid missing a phone call from the man she has been trying to impress.  Thus, the purchase of the dress, I guess.  She has to be at least twenty-five, so her life must be over.
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As an aside, I wonder how many escort agencies employed this technology and if that's what the ad is really hinting at?

Scott D. Covey: Russian Christmas and New Year!

Scott D. Covey: Russian Christmas and New Year!:     It’s tough to be away from friends and family, more so over the holidays. Long absences compound these feelings even more. I will hav...

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My friend Scott has made some interesting observations about the holidays in Russia.  Here is a link to his blog.  With his photography background, make sure to have a look at his photos.

Imagine Being Married to Them....

Daily Mail Story
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You've all heard the term "the lady doth protest too much?"  When people have a little too much energy about something, it tends to reveal a lot about them.  Those guys who snuggle  into a pick up truck,  drive into the city, and   bash a gay man walking alone; do they need to do that in order  to feel masuline?  What is it that they are hiding?   Why are they so threatened? 

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Anybody who ever took a Psychology 101 course became familiar with terms such as "projection" and "transference."  Those ink blot tests sometimes do mean something.  Groucho Marx (not Karl) wisely pointed out that "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar," but in the case of the article to which I've linked,  people are just repressed.

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Hasbro has developed  a children's toy that allows kids to put Play- Do icing on  Play-Do cakes.  There's only so many ways that such an item can function and look.  You thought inventing a new mouse-trap was a problem? 

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Thanks to The Daily Mail for the Photo.
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According to The Daily Mail, Hasbro has received numerous grievances from people who have developed  the vapours  over the product's design.  They arose from their fainting couches only long enough to muster the energy to complain.  I wish they'd voice the same outrage over the missing girls in Nigeria.  I'm really concerned for poor Jennifer Turner of Rhode Island,  who stated that it isn't okay and that it completely ruined  her Christmas.  I hate when that happens...when the press on nails break and stuff.  Time to slash.  But, I'm glad that Jennifer Turner has her priorities straight.  I must state, though, that I worry about her on the holidays and I hope that she has help basting the turkey.  We all know what that implement looks like.  Perhaps federal funding should be made available for people with delicate sensibilities such as hers. 

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To offer up a direct quote from the article, "Mom Mari Ramirez said: "As a customer as well as being a mom I'm very disappointed in you guy...my kids love your product...shame I have to start to re look at u guys before I buy!!!! Plz change"  I want to write "sic" in huge capital letters lest anybody think I am responsible for that mess.

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I guess that Mom Mari Ramirez used so many exclamation points in her cris de coeur  that she felt a period wasn't needed at the end of the sentence.    I've never used so many exclamation points in my life.  I think her grammar is more of an issue---never mind the imaginary penis.  I hope she isn't into home schooling. 

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The truly ironic thing?  The dick of death is described as being the length of a thumb.  It squirts out icing in colours such as green and pink.  Ladies, if your husband is doing that, you've got bigger (or, err, smaller), problems on hand.
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Thanks to the Daily Mail for photo.

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