Family

Why I Skipped #ShmooCon — Again

February 16, 2013 Family

Like last year, a lot of people have asked me why I’m not at the ShmooCon security conference in Washington D.C. After all, it is one of my favorite events. Mood music:  Stay FrostyVan HalenA Different Kind Of Truth Simply put, it’s too close to the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco the week after [...]

Read the full article →

Dad Update, Part 2

September 3, 2012 Family

Thanks for all your continued prayers and well wished for my father. I quick update: Though he does have cardiovascular disease — he has for years — that wasn’t the cause of his hospitalization after all. It turns out a stomach infection was the culprit behind his lungs filling with fluid. That’s the theory they’re [...]

Read the full article →

Update on Dad

August 28, 2012 Family

Thanks to everyone who left prayers for Dad on my Facebook page yesterday, and thanks to my sister-in-law Robin for dropping everything to watch the kids so Erin and I could go to the hospital last night. Mood music:  Pray For MeSixx: A.M.The Heroin Diaries Dad had emergency surgery last night for a malfunctioning heart. [...]

Read the full article →

A Bittersweet Birthday

August 27, 2012 Family

I felt very loved yesterday as we celebrated my 42nd birthday. Erin and the kids got me a guitar and practice amp, and we had an afternoon of grilling and enjoying the sun with some of my closest friends. My father was there too, but he wasn’t looking well. Mood music:  Immortality – 2011 RemasterPearl [...]

Read the full article →

What I Learned On My Summer Vacation

August 23, 2012 Family

The headline is a bit misleading. The kids had the summer off, but Erin and I were as busy with work as ever. Still, we did a lot of summery stuff and, with the kids back in school next week, I thought a recap of our experiences and what I learned from them might be [...]

Read the full article →

People Surprise Me Sometimes

June 11, 2012 Family

The wedding I wrote about a few days ago has come to pass, and it was a great night. Everyone got along, which isn’t always easy in this family, and it was great to see the newlyweds look so happy. It was also a night where a few people defied my expectations. Mood music:  Oh The [...]

Read the full article →

Four Survival Tips for Dysfunctional Family Events

June 5, 2012 Family

I’ll admit it: I’m something of a black sheep in my family. There’s a large chunk of family I have little to no communication with. But sometimes big events require us to be together in the same space, like a wedding this coming Saturday. What to do? Mood music:  ResolveFoo FightersIn Your Honor I’m thinking [...]

Read the full article →

Fatherhood Saved Ozzy, Eddie & Me

May 4, 2012 Addiction

Yesterday I watched the “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne” documentary, which focused heavily on how his addictions maimed him and his family over four decades. Though my addictive behavior pales by comparison, it still struck a chord. Mood music:  DreamerOzzy OsbourneThe Essential Ozzy Osbourne What hit me deepest is how Ozzy finally decided to get real [...]

Read the full article →

Strong Too Long, Or Weak Too Often?

April 23, 2012 Addiction

There’s a saying on Facebook that depression isn’t a sign of weakness, but simply the result of being strong for too long. Somewhat true — though weakness does feed the beast. Mood music: I’m feeling it this morning. I’ve always taken a certain level of satisfaction from my ability to stay standing in the face [...]

Read the full article →

The Wit And Wisdom Of Sean Brenner

April 21, 2012 Children's issues

Today is Sean’s 11th birthday, and we’re all very proud of him. In honor of this special day, I share with you some of my favorite Sean-isms. Mood music: –Heard in the bathroom: Sean singing to no one in particular, “Your butt’s too big to be real…” –Me: “I missed you Sean. I love you.” [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries