Bill Brenner

Songs to Knock You Back on Your Feet

by Bill Brenner July 17, 2010 Coping tools

When life seems overbearing and unmanageable, the following songs help me regain my footing. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDRopoYh144&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErvgV4P6Fzc&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7eRiAnZt24&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFG820EwvUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVXIK1xCRpY&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rer-B4g6TPc&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_sHy9cVH0&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks8xhbNQw4g&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByR0wVIYkU&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIP1okixlfE&hl=en_US&fs=1]

Summers of Love and Hate

by Bill Brenner July 16, 2010 The stormy past

One would think Revere Beach was the perfect place to spend summers growing up. The ocean was right across the street from our house, after all. But the truth is that summer has always been a time of dangerously fluctuating moods for me, and a lot of it played out in that setting. Mood music for this post: Summertime Rolls, by Jane’s Addiction: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU1fK7uViBg&hl=en_US&fs=1] Let’s start with the beach itself. Today Revere Beach is a…  [Read More]

One Happy Head Case

by Bill Brenner July 14, 2010 Gratitude

The author on how to be happy despite yourself. Or, at least, how he attempts it. Mood music for this post: “In My Life” by Ozzy (covering The Beatles): [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByB7Id67v3c&hl=en_US&fs=1] When anyone writes about their journey from addiction and mental illness to recovery, it’s easy to focus on the darker things. But the truth is, I’m a pretty happy head case. I may be financially strapped and tired, but my head is in a better…  [Read More]

Fear of Fat People

by Bill Brenner July 14, 2010 Addiction

What do you tell someone who says they’re afraid of fat people because they might “catch the disease” if they get too close? Read on and discuss. Mood music for this post: “Afraid” by Motley Crue: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU-rtOouPOA&hl=en_US&fs=1] Someone in program told me that she’s afraid of fat people. Being in the same room with obesity fills her with terror. She’s worried that if she shakes a fat person’s hand, she’ll “catch the disease.” I couldn’t…  [Read More]

Coping With Tired: Tools of a Reformed Addict and OCD Case

by Bill Brenner July 13, 2010 Coping tools

Several writings about how the author copes with exhaustion. Mood music for this post: “I’m So Tired,” from The Beatles White Album: Someone who saw my “songs to play when tired” post asked what I do about being tied besides music and coffee. People with addictions and mental disorders are often tired — even when in recovery. These writings cover how I keep exhaustion at bay: Rest Re-defined The author finds that he gets the…  [Read More]

You Can Learn a Lot from a Dummy

by Bill Brenner July 12, 2010 Family

Sometimes, addicts look and talk like dummies. But they can teach you some surprising things about yourself. Mood music for this post: “Dumb” by Nirvana: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CYC8w-qstc&hl=en_US&fs=1] When you first walk into a 12-Step meeting, everyone in the room seems strange. People may be off the food, drugs and alcohol, but their speech may still be slurred. You dismiss them as dummies, failing to see you’re the same as them. They can teach you more than…  [Read More]

Songs to Play When Tired

by Bill Brenner July 11, 2010 Coping tools

They’re songs I PLAY when tired, anyway. Usually around 3 p.m., when my brain drips out the left ear and slithers off in search of coffee, these tunes give me my second wind. Treat this post like a music player. Velvet Revolver: She Builds Quick Machines: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcN93sj17DU&hl=en_US&fs=1] Pixies: Bone Machine: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKHsSz1dAac&hl=en_US&fs=1] The Doors: The End: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoBFhdeR9PE&hl=en_US&fs=1] Metallica: So What: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XoyDqFy5pU&hl=en_US&fs=1] Phineas and Ferb theme song: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoV2adaRBWU&hl=en_US&fs=1] Dead Kennedys: Holidays in Cambodia: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KTsXHXMkJA&hl=en_US&fs=1] Korn: Coming Undone:…  [Read More]

America’s Confusion Over OCD

by Bill Brenner July 10, 2010 Communication Skills

A new friend from East Africa offers a new perspective on obsessive-compulsive disorder. Mood music for this post: “Three Days” by Jane’s Addiction: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmvG2GZ3S7o&hl=en_US&fs=1] A reader of this blog recently friended me on Facebook and, Thursday, pinged me using the FB chat feature. He’s from Uganda in East Africa. He has OCD. The conversation was mostly him asking me questions about my own treatment for the disorder, how understood it is in American culture and…  [Read More]

Where My Head Is At Today

by Bill Brenner July 9, 2010 Depression

The author turns a corner after a messy couple of weeks. Mood music for this post: “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” by Velvet Revolver: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L374AQko1sY&hl=en_US&fs=1] As the reader knows, I’ve had a choppy couple weeks. Money troubles. Back troubles. Multiple mood swings. Depression. The addiction demon calling to me. But I’m turning the corner. I knew I would. I’ve done what I had to do to set things right. I tightened up my…  [Read More]

A Back-Breaking Attitude Adjustment

by Bill Brenner July 8, 2010 Fitness

Sometimes, you have to damage your back to realize how lucky you are. Mood music for this post: “Hell Hole” from Spinal Tap: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4cQMI2Lnxo&hl=en_US&fs=1] No, I didn’t break my back. But I did jolt my spine somewhere to the left of where it’s supposed to be. It hurts like hell. And yet I’m in a much better mood than I’ve been in recently. This injury may be the thing I needed to get over myself….  [Read More]

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