Fierce, Funny, and Female

Marti MacGibbon

Description

A Nationally Award-winning Memoir:WINNER, 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in HumorWINNER, 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in Women's StudiesWINNER, 2017 National Indie Excellence Awards in Women's HealthWINNER, 2017 Beverly Hills Book Awards in Women's IssuesWINNER, 2018 Independent Press Award in HumorWINNER, 2018 Independent Press Award in Women's StudiesFINALIST, 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Memoir (Overcoming Adversity)FINALIST, 2017 National Indie Excellence Awards in HumorThis book is the celebrated prequel to the critically acclaimed, nationally award-winning and bestselling memoir, Never Give in to Fear. In her raw, vivid, and unabashed style, author Marti MacGibbon delivers a sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious, always engaging account of her passage through trauma, betrayal, and loss in adolescence and young adulthood to discover her inner badass self. As one of the first women to work as a laborer in the Texas oil field, she set off explosives and staked oil wells before realizing her childhood dream of becoming a successful standup comic. Marti introduces readers to a wide range of characters in her life: from sleazy authority figures, wannabe Sixties musicians and crazed Corn Belt cult leaders, to Texas oil billionaires and wildcatters, to wild-eyed redneck coworkers who robbed banks on their lunch hour-in the company truck. The book includes scenes with iconic comedians, Hollywood entertainment industry moguls, and a legendary bluesman, and offers insights into resiliency, courage, and self-empowerment.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Memoir
• Humour

Informations

• Publié par: Stay Strong Publishing
• Date de parution: 20 mars 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780986006746
• Langue: English

Extrait

Praise for Marti MacGibbon
...noted humorist and inspirational speaker MacGibbon now shares the story of her childhood and adolescence...through a sweeping series of anecdotal, coming-of-age sequences.
— Kirkus Reviews
Above all, MacGibbon celebrates her resilience and her willingness to keep laughing. She goes in swinging, and from the first vivid scene, it’s clear that she is a natural comedian and a wonderful storyteller. As she tackles her difficult adolescence and young adulthood, she seems to ask, “What else ya got?”
— Foreword Clarion Reviews
Being a huge fan of Marti MacGibbon’s first memoir, Never Give in to Fear , I am happy to say that the prequel, Fierce, Funny and Female , does not disappoint! It hits the ground running and never stops. Understanding where Marti came from is intense but her journey is so inspiring, with humor in exactly the right places so that you can't put the book down. The spirit of this book offers hope and encouragement to anyone who feels lost in the system…a story for anyone who wants equality for themselves, their daughters, wives or mothers.
—Karen Rontowski, comic, David Letterman and Comedy Central
Marti’s story is so strong and personal that it is impossible not to be enthralled. As she speaks and entertains, she moves around the room utilizing humor and reality in the perfect balance. Marti has the incredible ability to make both urban 9th graders and their mid-50s teachers laugh involuntarily and then moments later, think deeply about what is important for their respective future moving forward...she delivered a message that will not be forgotten.
—Brian W. Moore, Social Studies Teacher, Holmes High School, Covington, KY
Marti MacGibbon is a dynamic, motivating, and effective facilitator. She provides great insight, and her personality definitely is an asset and her energy resounds...Ms. MacGibbon has a unique ability to be entertaining, professional, humorous, motivational, and informative all in the same presentation.
—Jenny Felt, Department of Human Services, State of Iowa
Thank you for sharing your experiences and your humor with us. The entire room roared with laughter at some of your antics. You are such an enjoyable speaker. I do not believe I have ever seen our crowd give a standing ovation to anyone, yet at the end of your presentation, all were on their feet! I believe you could have had their attention for another hour!
—Donna Henry, RN, BSN, Senior Vice President of Residential and Clinical Services, Four County Counseling Center, Logansport, IN
Our goal was for staff to feel inspired, rejuvenated, to laugh a lot and enjoy the day. Marti was able to produce those results with her energy and humor. The audience was laughing out loud and even crying with laughter at times. Not only was she funny, but her story of how she overcame barriers in her life was inspirational.
—Shelly Todd, Staff Services Analyst, Health and Human Services Agency, Napa, California
Ms. MacGibbon provides exactly what she advertises, and does so with great authenticity and enthusiasm. I would highly recommend Marti MacGibbon as keynote speaker for other audiences of mental health professionals.
—Brittany Yates, MSN, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Kentucky
The presentation you gave was articulate, impassioned, well informed, and humorous but real world—it was an incredible testimony of hope and life...Rarely does our speaker get a standing ovation, which you were given spontaneously for several minutes!
—James Lemons, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine
The audience hung on her every word, both because her story was clearly so authentic, and also because she told it with such expert care. I would make this recommendation based on Marti’s storytelling ability alone. But perhaps most importantly, her story and the way she tells it is one of empowerment.
—Luke Blocher, Director of National Strategic Initiatives, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Thanks again Marti for your presentation and the work that you do. You are an inspiration of strength and courage. Shame and blame can easily take over one’s life and create a rock solid barrier to overcome, but with the work you do, others can see a way to break the trauma barriers.
—Peggy Surbey, MSW, Director/Regional Manager, Indiana Department of Child Services Marion County
Marti MacGibbon’s presentation deeply touched everyone on my staff: clinicians, disease intervention specialists, and support personnel at all levels. The combination of humor and tragedy motivated all of us to a higher awareness and a dedication to those entrapped in a world wrapped in pain.
—Janet N. Arno, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Director: Bell Flower Clinic
Marti MacGibbon is a speaker like no other! Her amazing story of hurtling great obstacles and moving into a life of prosperity and success is what makes Marti someone worth listening to. She uses humor (she is also a standup comic) and emotion to show others how they can change their professional and personal lives for the better. Your group will laugh, cry and make those positive changes in their lives.
—Pam Lontos, Consultant, Author of “I See Your Name Everywhere”, Pam Lontos Consulting, Orlando, Florida
Marti MacGibbon was one of the most fascinating guests we’ve ever had on the show...Even though we’re a sports talk station, I’m always looking for guests who are interesting—Marti is certainly that! Her stories are captivating; her delivery keeps the audience listening; and her positivity is nothing short of amazing. She’s an interview that will be remembered by our listeners for a long, long time!
—Marc Hochman, Host of “Hochman and Zaslow Morning Show” AM 790 and FM 104.3 The Ticket (ESPN Radio Affiliate), Miami
FIERCE, FUNNY, AND FEMALE
A JOURNEY THROUGH MIDDLE AMERICA, THE TEXAS OIL FIELD, AND STANDUP COMEDY
M ARTI M AC G IBBON
Stay Strong Publishing, All Rights Reserved
NOTE TO READERS: This book is a memoir, describing the author’s present recollections of her experiences over a number of years. Characters’ names have been changed, and some characters are composites. Names of some businesses, schools, and corporations have been changed. Dialogue and events have been retrieved from memory and condensed in some cases to impart the essence of what was said or took place.
Copyright © 2017, Marti MacGibbon ISBN: 978-0-9860067-3-9 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015906299
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Printed in the United States of America.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Prologue
C HAPTER 1
Bugs Bunny, the Corn Belt, and the Yellow Brick Road of Adolescence
C HAPTER 2
A Ticket on the Pharmaceutical Express
C HAPTER 3
A Suite at Seizure’s Palace, A Three-ring Circus, and The Big Question
C HAPTER 4
Heading Out and Breaking Away
C HAPTER 5
Southbound
C HAPTER 6
Dynamite, Disco, and Deer Blinds
C HAPTER 7
Huntsville, A Cold Creek Crossing, Deerflies, and Dreams
C HAPTER 8
Summer of Dreams and All Things Texan
C HAPTER 9
Chainsaws, Machetes, and Steel-toed Boots
C HAPTER 10
Boomtown and Payback
C HAPTER 11
Birds of a Feather
C HAPTER 12
Freedom Fighters
C HAPTER 13
Oil Field Trash and Proud of it
C HAPTER 14
Fortune Favors the Bold, and Other Sage Advice
Things I Learned Doing Standup That Can Help You Meet Any Challenge
Author’s Note
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Infinite thanks to my husband, Chris Fitzhugh: you are the love of my life, you’ve got the heart of a lion, and you’ve stood by me since we met in 1987. Thank you Yvonne Dauphin, for your insightful editing, and your wonderful sense of humor. Deepest respect and gratitude to all those who get back up when they get knocked down, rise to meet each challenge and setback, laugh in the face of adversity, and never, ever give up. You’re my kind of people!

Photos of me during the time I worked in the Texas oil patch.
PROLOGUE
T HE W RONG S IDE OF THE F ENCE
I hit the dirt, facedown in the grassy pasture, bullets buzzing overhead. Whoa! Now I know what it feels like to be shot at... I turned my head to the left, a few yards downhill all five of my coworkers lay prone, heads down. Hearing even more ammo zinging by, I lifted my head just enough to catch a glimpse of two redneck farmers in the distance, silhouetted by the late afternoon sun, shouldering their rifles and taking aim.
“Marti, GIT YER HEAD DOWN AN’ KEEP IT DOWN!” Scott hollered. “These RANCHERS think we’re ESCAPED CONVICTS!”
Wow. We ARE pretty close to Huntsville. Scott’d told me about the Penitentiary. His brother was doing five-to-ten for possession.
Roger, the crew’s leader, weighed in, his hoarse bark emphatic. “JIMMY JOE, grab your GODDAM WALKIN’ STICK an’ TIE some flaggin’ on it AN’ WAVE THE SUMBITCH AROUND as high as you can without gettin’ y’ HAND blown off, so they can see we’re with the COMP’NY! We’re on the wrong side o’ the fence, remember?”
Jimmy Joe moved lightning-quick, like a cobra—amazing considering how stoned he was. Earlier that afternoon in the woods, he’d fashioned the walking stick from a tree branch in order to keep from staggering. In milliseconds, the fluorescent orange flagging was waving in the air like a neon Cheetos-brand flag of truce, and the rustic snipers momentarily ceased fire.
Suddenly, I tore off my baseball cap, shook out my long blond hair and jumped up, waving the cap frantically at the paused shooters. I threw off my jacket for good measure, hoping that, even though I was dressed in a work shirt, just like the guys, the hayseed infantry