Just A Man (Chapter 8)

[Rickyrocks]

Hi

This section is for your questions and thoughts about CHAPTER 8 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]

I really love this chapter, the stories from France are vibrant, happy and makes you feel like you were there. This was obviously a very happy and contented phase for Michael, and for most of the family.

I think it is so important to have memories like this...thankyou Tina and Patricia for sharing this obviously very special time with us.

[moon]

the Danish do a lot of jumping.lol But really I enjoyed reading this chapter as Caz said you feel as of you are there.
I could just picture Michael in his green suit ( the image in my mind is a 70's style) pouring everyone mimosas. What a fun time. this chapter defiantly left a smile on my face

[Tina Hutchence]

There were smiles all way around at this phase in Michael's life. It was the beginning of many get-togethers. Our family relationships are messy to explain, but these times were very good. The early trips to the villa afforded us peace and a time to breathe and just be -and it set the tone to continue the family vacations.
Tina

[blueorchid]

I have only recently bought this book, and although I listened the first time around I liked to hear of the family side of things not just the press or short interviews.
Reading about Rhett I remembered the recent tv programme 'what happened to Michael hutchences millions?' and what a shame no-one could remind him of this chapter and many others. I have no doubt that Michael loved you all, and like anyone could also be happy and angry with Rhetts behaviour.
Helena C, well for most of the time she has been in the public eye I think I would agree with Michael she does seem down to earth and she spent alot of time with Michael as his girlfriend. No I dont understand some of those danish traditions but they are her family. You can still ask her opinion i'm sure. As for the wedding dress it's a shame he didnt marry her. Having said that I would imagine those vows would be very personal to Michael and alot of thought. He already had his heart broke before. Helena I think is blessed to have shared so much of his life more than any other girlfirend that I know of (I don't know how long he dated Michele). He wouldnt have networked as part of his job or stayed with her for so long if he didnt like it. As for his accident I remember that, its a shame he didnt seek medical help sooner, he must have been shocked.
I'm glad he found his own home, shame you had to deal with the mad woman. Pr/Management comes to mind, may be you should have given them a kick then instead of dealing with this yourself.
Boys will be boys no matter how old they are! don't take it too personally, and don't worry so much. Could have been easy to say. Klip on koalas? someone gave me one of these years ago, I cherished it. It was on top of the tv for years.

[Tina Hutchence]

Actually, Michele was with Michael for 7 years, and although Jonnie was there for less time, they never spent more than one night apart.
It is hard to know what makes a relationship work, and only the principles know for sure why they don't stay together.
I was always sad when either of my brothers broke up with someone of course because I tended to have a different relationship with the girl. I feel the same about my son's girlfriends. Which reminds me, "Brent with you just marry Leisa, already?"
T.

[moon]

It's ironic that he thought of Cobain's death as stupid and selfish. I thought the same of Michaels when I first learned of it.

I know all about depression all to well and for any one to take the easy road out makes me angry.
I grew up with a depressed mother who tried to take her own life. Ended up teaching her daughter (me) how not to deal with depression and I have been fighting it all my life. So this is a personal issue for me. When I read those words I felt so angry all over again.

[sharon]

Hi Everyone,

Okay, I will agree that this chapter was very interesting and I loved hearing about Michael's villa and the family get togethers. A couple of things stuck in my mind though that I found strange I guess compared to everyone else.

First of all I just want to say to Tina that when you were talking about how Helena used to talk different languages in front of you I instantly thought about how I was raised. I am Italian and I was taught to never ever talk Italian in front of anyone who does not understand. I actually forgot so much because my grandparents have been gone for years and years but my parents still speak occasionally but never in front of people that don't understand. I was taught that that was extremely rude. So that really turned my off about Helena. I do hope she has grown up since then. I also got the feeling from this chapter that maybe Michael's relationship with Helena was not the most healthy for him. I know everyone loves her but I got the impression that maybe he became all wrapped up in her and her career and the scene that goes with all of that modeling stuff and it occurred to me that maybe he was becoming insecure about his own career and maybe began to feel like he was in her shadow a little. That along with that the accident and the depression might have drawn him towards Paula because she was chasing him and making him possibly feel special where he might not have felt that way with Helena. I am not saying that helena did not love him because I am sure she did and I am not saying in any way that Paula was good for him but in my mind I was just kind of trying to figure out where his mind was going. I just kind of got the impression that Helena was a bit of a spoiled little princess from this chapter. Forgive me if I am wrong but, again, when Tina gave her that magazine and she just kind of threw it aside I was pretty turned off. Forgive me if I misread that part, if I did let me know and I will reread the chapter again.

Did anyone else get this impression or am I just being nasty?

Please don't yell at me!!

Sharon

[Cathy]

I don't think you are being nasty at all Sharon! True, Michael and Helena were such a beautiful couple, and I loved seeing/finding magazine pictures of them. But, I can understand the pressures they faced. Families are families, ie. not perfect. But speaking another lanuage in front of others is very rude indeed. But I'm glad to read the villa left happy memories for Michael's family!

[Trixiiy]

Hi Sharon,

noone would wanna yell at you for expressing your thoughts and impressions on this board and I for one can second your views regarding Helena. It is interesting that you just spoke my head about this. I`ve always had exactly the same ideas and sentiments regarding her when it comes to JAM as I only got to know her from there.

I either noticed that Tina simply told facts. She did not even judge or only very seldom for what I recall. As for my impression she simply told what had happened to that time without anything addet but very frankly. The best way of how to write about truth.

Trixiiy

[blueorchid]

No you're not being nasty Sharon.
It was inconsiderate to tear open a present, however I find alot of people do this. I think the forewarning of expensive gifts she should have been more careful.
I dont take offence at others speaking another language. So long as it doesnt dominate where there is a mix of people, or intimidate others. That would be inconsiderate too.

[Tina Hutchence]

As a writer, this is so wonderful to get feedback like this; because you all got what I was saying! I tried to write the facts in an entertaining way and it took me to a place where I could understand what was going on in Michael's head - this is very rewarding to me-THANK YOU ALL.
Tina

[caz]

You are more than welcome Tina ;D ;D

[charlesex]

yes, the descriptions of the house and property in the south of france sound gorgeous! no wonder simon le bon liked to visit the place!

btw, if anybody has a vhs or dvd copy of the funeral i could purchase, i would really appreciate it. i missed it in 1997, and i can't download it (my speakers don't work.)

if anybody can help me out, please pm me or email me at [e-mail]. thanx.

[hutch4eva]

Tina - I love this chapter's vivid details of private moments of your family's good/bad times together at Michael's villa.
I can relate as I come from a family which often congregates at a central location and we experience love, happiness and sometimes pain we bring each other.

My thought on the head injury incident.....

I have often been brought to tears knowing Michael lost some of his senses with that injury. I resented Helena for many years because 'I felt' had he not known her, this may not have happended. But that's not fair is it?

Having met Michael on ocassion (the last being late September 1997), I know he appreciated wine and simple luxuries of life. I felt awful (and guilty for some reason) that he had to experience this unfair accident. Damn that person who pushed him.

BUT, having you go into details and that Michael regained 'some' of his taste/smell senses makes me feel a tad better. He was such a precious person and I miss seeing his beautiful face and hearing his voice.

RIP my sweet Michael xoxo