Just A Man (Chapter 2)

[Rickyrocks]

Hi

This section is for your questions and thoughts about CHAPTER 2 of the JAM online feature.

Each chapter will be divided into its own chapter so as to make it easier to post & talk about each chapter seperately.

thank You
Rickyrocks

[caz]

What strikes me about Chapter 2 of Just a Man more than anything else is how nomadic the family was in the early years of Michael and Rhett's life. In some ways they were probably too young to have this affect them but I wonder how Tina felt, never being able to make really close friends in the crucial teenage years.

I can remember when I was approaching 13 and we moved from one town to another, thus having to change schools. That was hard enough just the once. My grades suffered and my esteem was low and making any new friends was tough. I was treated like an outsider most of the time and seen as different. It was not an entirely negative experience as it toughened me up and made me more independant now.

Just my little thoughts....

[Cathy]

I suppose everyone is affected differently from being uprooted. I belonged to a nomadic family too (I was a Navy brat), and it didn't toughen me up. In fact I'm still rather shy. Michael thought of himself as being shy. On the otherhand Rhett never struck me as the shy type! Anyway, yes the teen years were especially hard. I went to 2 junior highs , and 3 High Schools in 4 years!

Tina's time in Hong Kong sounded like alot of fun for her though!

[Cathy]

I just thought I'd mention to that I love this chapter. I can just envision the family living in the Hilton! ( reminiscent of the Eloise at the Plaza books). And just reading about the life style they led in Hong Kong. Very fascinating!

[Genevieve]

Hi Tina and other readers,

I really enjoy reading this book. As a big fan of Michael Hutchence, getting to know how "real life" was for him is such a gift! Last chapter was two or three days late, I was anxious to know what was coming next! I like the very direct, sincere still a bit on the tight rope with a bittersweet twist of humor style of the writing.

I am also fascinated by the lifestyle in Hong-Kong.
Patricia was a very busy and modern woman, it must have been very inspiring to have her as a role model. I think it's great she pursuied her carreer. I am a mother myself but I am often moody! If I may ask, has Patricia gone through depression when she was taking care of the family? It is very common among mothers, I am one of them. It looks to me that, at least so far in the book, she was a very healthy and active person.

I can't help myself feeling sorry for Rhett. Such a big contrast in the boys' personnalities and their relationships with the rest of the family. The "I can see Michael" episode is somehow sad and funny.

He must have always been envious or jalous of Michael?How was the relationship between the rest of the family and him?
In how has it changed since the death of Michael?

I remember reading here some fuss about Rhett's book. The main concern was the reliability of his versions of the story. I remember you finally being quite amused with his stoytelling! I haven't read that book yet.

So Rhett is funny. Predictable!

Is there an Official Rhett tribute site?
Or can we allow this one to be a moderate tribute to him too? Does he visit this site sometimes?

Love,
Gexx

P.S.: Hope I don't offend anybody by expressing my feelings about Rhett. I really feel for him. I guess I'm the sensitive type as well! I am definetly an addictive type. Mondo Trasho!

I'll go for a ciggie and then watch...Dogs in Space! (Yeh!)
and three John Waters movies (Beurk!) (Yeh!)

[lisas]

I can really relate to Tina's experience of being forced to return to Australia against her will and not being able to fit back in. I lived in London for two years and was forced to return to Australia when my working holiday visa expired. In my two years in London I discovered a new way of living that totally agreed with me and made some fantastic friends who I am still in touch with and miss. For the first time in my life I actually felt like I fitted in somewhere. I have been back in Australia for over 18 months and am still unable to settle. The Australian culture and way of life is almost alien to me and I am finding life here to be very dull compared to London. Most of my old friends are now married with kids or have steady relationships and are not really up for going out and doing things. Making new friends is a lot harder here compared to London, as people in Melbourne seem to like to stay in their own comfort zones. I am currently saving my money and am planning on moving back to London next year. Hopefully, I won't be here for much longer.

[monicaisabel]

::)Hello, everybody!
It is now very often that I see comments from several of you, beginning with Tina herself, that it is difficult to make friends or have an active social life in Australia. Is it in general or you refer to a city in special (Melbourne, Sidney, other?) As I have never travelled abroad (I only went to New York when I was 2 years old so I do not remember), can any of you tell me what do you think happens in Australia, is the people very tranquil, anti-social?
Love to you all

Monica

[Tina Hutchence]

Hi Monica, I don't want to give you the wrong impression -in fact I hear from people in this country (U.S.)especially, about how friendly the Australians are. And they are.
I think what I have talked about is the idea of living in a culture so different from your own country, and feeling comfortable in that culture and then returning to your own country which is so different in attitude. I admit that I was not willing to give it a try and the incident in the school yard for Michael - kids can be mean without thinking of it that way. That can happen anywhere.
T.

[Aussie]

Im just now reading this chapter well, i guess nearly finished it actually. Anyway i had to giggle when Michael and Rhett were watching Romper Room ( bringing back memories of when i little) and Rhett hit michael cos the lady always called out michael's name instead of rhett lol Thats hilarious.

As i was reading this chapter though, i thought how wonderful for tina, michael and rhett to have had that experience of living in hong kong. But also how hard it was too to not feel settled in one place as well.

Im enjoying reading this book immensely.

lesley
Aussie

[Cathy]

Yes, Aussie the Romper Room comment stuck in my mind too! "I see you , and you, and Michael" :-/I recall too though that Michael had thought he would have liked to have been called Rhett, as it sounded better as a stage name.

[Tina Hutchence]

Some years later, when the 'boys' were in their late teens; Patricia was telling this story at a party and a crew member from Romper Room came into the conversation late. Not realizing that she was talking about her (now grown) sons, he offered to have Rhett's name called out the following week!!
Patricia was tempted.
T.

[Katri]

Oh how cute! That little anecdote about Michael, Rhett & the children's program stuck with me the first time I read the book. It's almost classic material, although I can see it wasn't too much fun for anyone at the time. Still, a fine story in hindsight. After all, it was due to Rhett's more unusual name that he was never mentioned but a three-year-old doesn't see things like that yet. I found the story about the brothers riding in the elevator in the luxury hotel hilarious too. I pictured Tina & Patricia chasing them. Oh! What a mischievous pair! Incidently, I hope I'm remembering correctly that this last story is in this chapter too. It's been a while since I read this...

Katri

[Helen]

I have started reading Tina's book again as I ran out of interesting reads over my hols and this is as far as I've gotten. I wanted to comment on something that I didn't remember the first time. A lot of you have mentioned it here, so I'll add my bit.

I couldn't stop giggling when I read about Rhett slugging Michael. I remember watching Romper Room as a child and as plain a name as I have, it was hardly ever read out either. So I understand the disappointment he felt. Magic mirror indeed...not too magical in my opinion! What I want to expand on is that the hostess I remember was called Miss Michelle who was replaced years later by Miss Helena. Seems to me like the program had a lasting effect on Michael!!

As for Patricia being tempted to have Rhett's name called out from behind the magic mirror. There ain't no time like the present!!!! Well its something I would do to someone but I'm a bit of a stirrer.

You have made it easy for us to imagine the scenarios and memories you've described.

H x