Bill Brenner

Thank You

by Bill Brenner November 24, 2010 Gratitude

I still go through the day like a punk sometimes. I get wrapped up in my own selfish impulses and forget everyone else around me. I’m excellent at making it all about me. But I know the truth. I have a beautiful life despite myself. And I have many to thank. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_OrWLGPQbg&fs=1&hl=en_US] I’m thankful to God for taking a chance on a rat like me and for sending me the grace to help…  [Read More]

Pounding the Reset Button

by Bill Brenner November 24, 2010 Mental disorders

I mentioned Monday that I’ve hit a wall in my recovery program. Last night I decided some changes are in order. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F8QM3tjkTE&fs=1&hl=en_US] Making changes is a bitch. It’s almost like admitting failure. I haven’t failed on the big things. I’ve held on to my abstinence and sobriety. But in a lot of areas I’ve gotten sloppy. A collection of tiny failures can add up. I’ve gotten bored with my current plan, and as…  [Read More]

Read This…

by Bill Brenner November 24, 2010 Coping tools

My good friend Jennifer Leggio has started a new personal blog that chronicles, among other things, her battle with the weight demon. I know that demon well. More of us do than we care to admit. Jen took a bold, somewhat controversial step to slay the demon and went under the knife. If you want to see courage — and the excellent writing — check it out. Now.

Fear and Loathing in the TSA Line

by Bill Brenner November 23, 2010 Communication Skills

It’s rare that I connect the things I write on CSOonline.com with this blog. The two are separate entities dealing with different subjects. But once in a great while, the two intersect. The uproar over the TSA’s more “invasive” security tactics is a good example. Last time the two intersected was over the summer when I got hassled by the U.S. Secret Service (the cops on bikes, specifically). I look at this TSA controversy and…  [Read More]

Mr. Danny

by Bill Brenner November 23, 2010 Gratitude

Just got the sad news that the mom of my friend Danny Goodwin passed away yesterday. No doubt he could use some bucking up right now, so here’s my contribution… Mood music: “Creep” by Korn I periodically write about friends who have helped me heal and deal over the years and Danny is one of them. It didn’t seem that way at first, because when we first met I was busy trying to be someone…  [Read More]

The Snow-White Mind That Drifted

by Bill Brenner November 22, 2010 Uncategorized

I’m like a proud papa every time I read the “Crazy Love” blog from former Eagle-Tribune colleague Grace Rubenstein. She focuses on a topic near and dear to me, and despite the torment she surely suffered when I was her night editor, she honored me early on by asking for my feedback. Her latest post is particularly good, and I have thoughts about it. Mood music: “Driftaway” by Motley Crue… She writes about how a…  [Read More]

My Program at the Crossroads

by Bill Brenner November 22, 2010 Addiction

My mood was all over the place yesterday, but I couldn’t figure out why. I chalked it up to the usual things: too much to do, too tired and not enough down time. On the drive to work this morning, I started to realize what the real problem is. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqHv3L7e8-U&fs=1&hl=en_US] Now, yesterday wasn’t all bad. Mass was good, I got up and did a reading without incident, and Duncan and I marched in…  [Read More]

Saturday Punk Songs

by Bill Brenner November 20, 2010 Music therapy

This Saturday, I share some of my favorite punk songs. Some of it may not be punk from a technical standpoint, but to me it’s all about the vibe. NOTE: I’ve noticed a crackdown on what you can embed from YouTube, so for now just click the “watch on YouTube” link and the music will play in a separate tab while you read. I’m trying to select videos that are in the clear, but at…  [Read More]

How Marriage Saved Me

by Bill Brenner November 19, 2010 Love

A couple days ago I compiled some of my posts on how being a Dad helped me move beyond addiction and depression. My marriage to Erin changed me for the better in similar fashion. These posts are about her. The Freak and the Redhead: A Love Story http://www.theocddiaries.com/2009/12/17/the-freak-and-the-redhead-a-love-story/ I wasn’t looking for a soul mate when I met her. It was the summer of 1993 and I was doing just fine on my own. I was…  [Read More]

Facebook Follow Friday: Penny

by Bill Brenner November 19, 2010 Gratitude

Welcome to week four of this new tradition of mine: Giving the nod to some of my Facebook friends for giving my spirits a lift and teaching me new things. A reminder on what this is about: There’s a thing we do on Twitter called Follow Friday, where we list people we follow and suggest others do the same. I figured Facebook should have something similar, so here it is. There’s a lot of crap on Facebook….  [Read More]

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