precioux said:

annalizer said:

luv4u said:

Lovejunky said:

Ok Fine...

jus thinking people who come late, if you separate the chapters then they could still contribute and things wouldnt get all messy..

but I respect your decision..

I am one of those super organised individuals who tends to compartmentalise everything.

you know....colour code the sock drawer etc..

dont mind me

I know you have good intentions but .......

That will be one helluva lot of threads for each chapter

You just trying to make more work for me

OK luv4u, how about an emoticon for each chapter. Just kidding back to

annalizer said:

annalizer said:

I know and understand what you mean. I just surprised myself a few times and had to draw my claws back in. I really enjoyed the book but I didn't get the impression that Nelly was a stage mom. Maytes parents were no different than any parent whose kids are in sports and want to provide all the opportunities they can. It can be perceived as such, but normal parents have a healthy reason for keeping their kids busy,especially the teen years, no babies! 😳😁 [Edited 4/6/17 12:05pm]

also, not sure how old you are but, one day, 65 degrees will be perfect even in the snow!😉 [Edited 4/6/17 12:09pm]

Erm, no...I keep it a balmy 70-72 and my adult kids think I'm crazy. They say it's too hot.

But when I visit them I do sneak and turn off the AC...and I eat on the couch.

Hey, I breastfed them, dammit!

But i fold all the laundry so it evens out.

phatphuk said:

phatphuk said:

I'm gonna try her dad's "Mr. Rockefeller" trick the next time I make a reservation at a restaurant :د)

You definitely have that je ne sais quoi,PP! Would love to be a fly on the wall

LBrent said:

It's only fair to warn you — I'm a super sloppy eater. So it'd be a good idea if you hang out on the wall several yards away if you don't want to be bombarded with the fallout from my one-man food fight ;د)

luv4u said:

Lovejunky said:

Ok Fine...

jus thinking people who come late, if you separate the chapters then they could still contribute and things wouldnt get all messy..

but I respect your decision..

I am one of those super organised individuals who tends to compartmentalise everything.

you know....colour code the sock drawer etc..

dont mind me

I know you have good intentions but .......

That will be one helluva lot of threads for each chapter

You just trying to make more work for me

Thanks for weighing in...Ill take the spanking and move on....

LBrent said:

dreamer218 said:

No ones family is perfect. Mayte's was no different. Her parents did the best they could as any of our parents did. BUT it did come across that they loved their kids and took care of them as best they coulld. Both her parents were supportive of Mayte's career pushing her and facilitating her career as best they could.

I'm curious to know if her parents regret letting her move to MN vs going to dance in Cairo. She had a real career and wasn't making chump change. She was making bank before she even met Prince. Upwards of 100k saved up. I wonder if Mayte thinks about what life would have been like if she didn't meet Prince? Something tells me that her mom probably regets letting her go to the US vs remaining in Europe.

I haven't gotten to it yet but someone said that Mani doesn't come off too well in the book. I'm curious to know if they've remained friends after this. I'm also curious to know if she goes into detail about adopting Gia.

Um. You're gonna have to decide for the 1st question .

I will say this about that...Mayte is way more woman than my NY azz woulda been given the circumstances. You'll see, but if she ever changes her mind about her decision to remain classy about it all, I'm just the b*tch to drive over to EB's house, hold her earrings and make sure she has an alibi afterwards. A good old fashioned mistress azz whoopin has no statute of limitations in my opinion.

Definitely for the 2nd question.

[Edited 4/5/17 20:24pm]

Ha ha!!! Girl yes! I will hold her earrings too! My problem with Mani is so complex. On one hand, Prince took the vows...the cheating husband is ALWAYS at fault. The mistress breaks girl code and for that I don't like her. I also don't like how she weasled her way into his life. So shady and I'm disappointed in P for not seeing through it. He was clever but not clever enough!

312131213121 said:

Oh my goodness. Last nite eye read about manuela being the "other woman" and for some reason eye wasn't mad about the fact Prince did it but the fact that manuela would do that to Mayte. if she and Prince knew each other then she should have known he was married and backed off. eye was also really upset when reading the story about "shaking the other girls hand". eye don't know why these stories made me so upset but they really really did.

Me too. I guess every pimp has their 'tell'. I remember Ray Charles used to feel a woman's wrist. SMH, Prince! And Mani is just gross. Barf!

RachB65 said:

Lovejunky said:

I havent gotten my book yet...but without even reading it, I can see that she still loves him...

WE DO...and we havent even seen his after hours "tricks"

You reall won't find any of those tricks in the book at all. Their sex life is only mentioned obliquely, no details

I was frustrated that there wasn't more sex dish but I guess she's a mother now so she had to keep it classy.

XxAxX said:

jayseajay said:

It's really chilling. Weirdly however, I feel much less sorry for her than I did before reading it...maybe its because she comes over as quite sassy in some ways, maybe because I'm just such a damn sucker for P's romantic schtick.

i don't find it romantic anymore. probably cause i'm older, and more aware of sexual psychodynamics in this world. at her age i would have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

but as i am now, i find i cast a cynical eye on all of those empty promises he made to her, even while he was with other women.

i love that she did at times stand up for herself, but hearing her describe the low pay, and how she spent her savings being part of his group while missing out on the opportunity to develop her own career.... well, i'm not sure that was really in her best interests.

and an employer who does that to his employees, while also being 'romantic' with them.... just yuk. sorry. i still love prince, but feel sorry for any woman caught in that kind of psychological trap by an older guy.

Yes! You took the words out of my mouth. I LOVE P, but I found his choices very selfish and not romantic at all. He kept her in a fish bowl for himself instead of letting her spread her wings individually. He yearned for control and everyone around him, even Mayte, gave it to him. He NEEDED something else. I fear he never got that 'something else'. The tough love we need to grow and develop. Sigh...

dreamer218 said:

No ones family is perfect. Mayte's was no different. Her parents did the best they could as any of our parents did. BUT it did come across that they loved their kids and took care of them as best they coulld. Both her parents were supportive of Mayte's career pushing her and facilitating her career as best they could.

I'm curious to know if her parents regret letting her move to MN vs going to dance in Cairo. She had a real career and wasn't making chump change. She was making bank before she even met Prince. Upwards of 100k saved up. I wonder if Mayte thinks about what life would have been like if she didn't meet Prince? Something tells me that her mom probably regets letting her go to the US vs remaining in Europe.

I haven't gotten to it yet but someone said that Mani doesn't come off too well in the book. I'm curious to know if they've remained friends after this. I'm also curious to know if she goes into detail about adopting Gia.

Yes, Mani (MT) does not come off well in the book. Mayte is quite gentle with MT, if u ask me. Without spoiling it 4 others, Mayte could have been a lot firmer/harsher with MT based on MT's actions. This is my take: I suspect that because Mayte and MT are friends, Mayte put the bare minimum amount of information about MT that was necessary in order 2 tell the story.

--

Yes, Mayte does go into detail about adopting Gia.

--

I will also add that Larry Graham does not come off well in the book at all. While Mayte recognizes LG 4 his musical achievements, Mayte makes it very clear how she felt/feels about LG and his religious influence on Prince.

LBrent said:

rednblue said:

Wondered about this as well, although she did dance in many styles when performing with Prince.

Also struck by how there was some tough stuff at a young age.

I don't think he was in that creative place yet...But...I have always felt that Misty was partially about his way of getting a bit of Mayte back in his world in some odd way. By Misty he was able to appreciate that part he hadn't with Mayte when he had the chance and if I'm remembering the timeline correctly, wasn't that after his 2nd divorce or thereabouts?

LBrent, I think Misty started performing with Prince around 2010, so yes, after the divorce from MT.

Can post the timeline 4 chapter 2 yet? Looks like some people have skipped to the end of the book already.

NickiStarr said:

LBrent said:

Um. You're gonna have to decide for the 1st question .

I will say this about that...Mayte is way more woman than my NY azz woulda been given the circumstances. You'll see, but if she ever changes her mind about her decision to remain classy about it all, I'm just the b*tch to drive over to EB's house, hold her earrings and make sure she has an alibi afterwards. A good old fashioned mistress azz whoopin has no statute of limitations in my opinion.

Definitely for the 2nd question.

[Edited 4/5/17 20:24pm]

Ha ha!!! Girl yes! I will hold her earrings too! My problem with Mani is so complex. On one hand, Prince took the vows...the cheating husband is ALWAYS at fault. The mistress breaks girl code and for that I don't like her. I also don't like how she weasled her way into his life. So shady and I'm disappointed in P for not seeing through it. He was clever but not clever enough!

Yes! I agree. P had more to lose than M2 so it was up to him to uphold his vows, not M2, but that heffa definitely broke girl code. She needs to have her vagina and Woman's card revoked .for that ish

NickiStarr said:

RachB65 said:

Lovejunky said: [/b] You reall won't find any of those tricks in the book at all. Their sex life is only mentioned obliquely, no details

I was frustrated that there wasn't more sex dish but I guess she's a mother now so she had to keep it classy.

This is my personal opinion and I have no facts to back it up obviously, but I think P was simply a basic "meat & potatoes" kinda guy.

[Edited 4/6/17 17:46pm]

LBrent said:

Mayte was quite well travelled, even before she met Prince. She went 2 Egypt, Puerto Rico, Alabama, Maryland, Germany, Spain, and probably other places as well before she turned 18. Very cool!

LBrent said:

precioux said:

Just picked up the book again, trying to be patient and wait for others to catch up...I was wondering..Mayte always did her "wonder woman" turn in order to magically transform into her onstage persona. Being that Prince genuinely seemed to be so reserved off stage, I'm curious if he had a certain ritual he would do prior to transforming into his onstage presence

precioux said:

Just picked up the book again, trying to be patient and wait for others to catch up...I was wondering..Mayte always did her "wonder woman" turn in order to magically transform into her onstage persona. Being that Prince genuinely seemed to be so reserved off stage, I'm curious if he had a certain ritual he would do prior to transforming into his onstage presence

Yup...The Purple Harem!

annalizer said:

LBrent said:

This is my personal opinion and I have no facts to back it up obviously, but I think P was simply a basic "meat & potatoes" kinda guy.

Did anyone catch the beginning in the book where she quotes a tabloid about Prince being celibate for 8 years? He stated in a Rolling Stone interview in 2014 that he was. I was shocked he would be so candid.

Why?

We've seen him in his drawers.

Why, since he wasn't shy about the public seeing him being sexual, why would him being just as candid about not having sex?

Strawberrylova123 said:

LBrent said:

This is my personal opinion and I have no facts to back it up obviously, but I think P was simply a basic "meat & potatoes" kinda guy.

If you want sex dish, read devin devasquez book

Damn, I forgot I downloaded that to my Kindle!

I gotta get back to it.

Note: If it is too early for me to post this, please let me know and I will remove it (or a moderator can remove it). I don't want to spoil the book for anyone.

Chapter Two Timeline

Just to refresh everyone's memories, chapter 1 ends with this:

1984 – Jan, Nellie (Mama), and Mayte go to see the movie Purple Rain.

..

Now, onward to chapter two!

1984 – Jan and Mayte are instantly obsessed with all things Purple Rain. The music of Purple Rain defines the summer of 1984.

..

1985 – Mayte watches Prince’s MTV interview on a bootlegged MTV tape that Grandma Nelly sent her. MTV shot the interview while Prince was filming his video for “America” (from ATWIAD).

..

1985 – Mayte tells her mother that she is going to marry Prince or Luis Miguel.

..

1984-1985 – In the midst of the Purple Rain craze, Mayte’s parents divorce. Her transfers to Wiesbaden Army Airfield (WAAF) in Germany. Jan and Mayte move to Maryland to live with their mother and her boyfriend.

..

Around 1985-1986 – Mayte is 12 years old and Mama enrolls her in dance classes at the prestigious Washington School of Ballet (WSB) in Washington, DC.

..

Around 1985-1986 – Mayte has her first period. She has a rough time in school going through puberty and being on the receiving end of teasing.

..

Around 1985-1986 – Mayte and her mother’s boyfriend have a confrontation when he tells her that her room is messy. He puts his hands on Mayte. Mayte calls her mother at work about this incident. Mayte never sees this boyfriend of her mother’s again. Within days, she and Jan fly to Germany. Mama joins them in Germany a week or 2 later. The family settles into life in the Hainerberg community in Weisbaden.

..

Around 1985-1986 to 1991-1992 – The newly reunited Garcia family lives together in Weisbaden for the next 6 years. Mayte’s parents have an unorthodox relationship.

~~~~~~~

Michelle’s note: I’m trying to be as objective and straightforward as possible with the timeline. That said, Mayte makes a point here (page 39) which I think is very significant, and I will paraphrase what she says. Regarding her parents’s unorthodox relationship, Mayte frames her parents’s unorthodox relationship as a second chance. A belief in second chances led her to believe that she and Prince would eventually remarry. Believing that she and Prince would remarry prevented her from feeling bitter toward him and prevented her from fully moving on with her life while he was alive.

~~~~~~~

Now back to the timeline....

Around 1986-1987 (The summer after moving back to Germany) – Jan and Mayte go to see their grandmothers in Puerto Rico. Their parents join them in Puerto Rico and announce that they have remarried.

..

Mid to late 1980s – Mayte has more than $100,000 in her checking account. (She didn’t spend much of the money she earned.)

..

Around 1988 – Mayte gets her learner’s permit at age 15. Jan starts college.

..

Late 1980s – Mayte recives an invitation to make a demo recording at a small record company based in Frankfurt. The company did not sign her.

..

Around 1988-1989 – Mayte and Mama travel to Cairo, Egypt. They go to Madame Abla’s shop in Cairo. Madame Abla makes tailor-made belly dancing outfits for Mayte. Mayte and Mama return to visit Madame Abla every 9 months or so. Mayte gains a lot of exposure to Egyptian culture and learns some Arabic on these trips.

..

November 1989 – Mayte turns 16 (for real this time). She and her parents take a trip to Egypt.

..

November 12, 1989 – On her birthday, Mayte dances onstage with Amr Diab --- who would go on to become the best-selling Middle Eastern recording artist of all time --- at an event at the Sheraton El Gezirah.

..

November 13, 1989 – Mayte auditions to dance at the Nubian Tent restaurant and the Heliopolis Sheraton, a magnificent hotel northeast of Cairo. The audition goes well, but Mayte and her parents fly back to Germany.

..

Late 1989 or 1990 – Mayte earns her driver’s license (in Germany).

..

1990 – Mayte and Mama are planning their summer trip to Egypt, when they learn some terrible news. First, George Abdo called Mama to tell her that Amir died of AIDS. Second, a terrible fire happens at the Heliopolis Sheraton, with people dying and the hotel sustaining damage.

..

Summer of 1990 – Instead of going to Egypt, the Garcia family takes a camping trip in Spain. The family has to choose between a Celia Cruz and Tito Puente concert or a Prince concert. Mama reads in the newspaper that Prince’s tour is called the Nude Tour, and decides that the family is going to see Prince.

LBrent said:

precioux said:

Just picked up the book again, trying to be patient and wait for others to catch up...I was wondering..Mayte always did her "wonder woman" turn in order to magically transform into her onstage persona. Being that Prince genuinely seemed to be so reserved off stage, I'm curious if he had a certain ritual he would do prior to transforming into his onstage presence

Yup...The Purple Harem!

LBrent said:

That stood out to me too -- from a young age, she was a pretty worldly person, and seemed quite comfortable hopping on a plane (or in an RV) and heading to a new country. And I didn't realize the intensity of her early dancing career.

-

On a separate note, her description of her parents did make me a little uneasy. They both seemed dazzled by the idea of Mayte spending time with Prince, in a way that went beyond just trying to capitalize on professional dance opportunities. As a 16-year-old, Mayte mentions spending all night (platonically) alone with Prince, and her mother seemed more than happy for that to happen. Her mom seemed like a big Prince fan (she was super-excited that Prince tour was called the Nude Tour), and there did appear to a be a living vicariously vibe going on. (Generally, her parents gave her a lot of freedom, it sounds like, whether to see R-rated movies like Flashdance when she was 10 years old, or flying internationally with just her sister.)

-

And someone mentioned above that her parents were comparable to parents of a competitive athlete or similar. I agree to a certain extent, but Mayte's specialty -- belly dancing -- attracts a certain sexual attention that a typical sport wouldn't. So there was something a bit uncomfortable for me reading about how her mom egged her career on.

206Michelle said:

Mayte was quite well travelled, even before she met Prince. She went 2 Egypt, Puerto Rico, Alabama, Maryland, Germany, Spain, and probably other places as well before she turned 18. Very cool!