Bill Brenner

5 Reasons We Should Give Monica Lewinsky a Break

by Bill Brenner May 12, 2014 The stormy past

Monica Lewinsky is back in the news. Sixteen years after she became a household name for her relationship with then-President Bill Clinton, the former White House intern has decided to speak out in the latest issue of Vanity Fair. Mood music: You’ve heard about the blue dress, the oral sex in the Oval Office, the attempt by Republicans to impeach Clinton over the affair — specifically his attempts to cover it up. Lewinsky addresses those…  [Read More]

When Work Becomes Everything, This Happens

by Bill Brenner May 8, 2014 Uncategorized

As someone who takes work very seriously, an article on LinkedIn by Jeff Haden really hit home. The man in his story had a life in which the personal and professional were so tightly wound that he lost all hope when the business ran into trouble. For me, family and friends come first, and I know I’d have all the support in the world if I ever ran into trouble on the business side. But there…  [Read More]

10 Ways I Turned My Shitty Day Around

by Bill Brenner May 7, 2014 Dealing with life

The other day I wrote about having a bad morning, and how I was looking for a positive plot twist. The day did get better. How it did is a good case study in learning to roll with the punches. Mood music: Sequence of events: I wrote that post to vent my spleen. That simple action went a long way in helping me feel better. Once I committed my frustrations to paper, so to speak,…  [Read More]

Was Overweight News Anchor Bullied?

by Bill Brenner May 6, 2014 Job discrimination

Ever since I wrote that post on how people misuse the word bully I’ve been soul searching. I felt as though I had done the very thing I was being critical of, but couldn’t put my finger on exactly what. Then I found this post from 2012. I was angry that someone told an overweight news anchor she’s a bad role model for children. As someone who has had a lifelong struggle with weight, I seethed. I praised…  [Read More]

A Plot Twist to Cure a Bad Mood

by Bill Brenner May 5, 2014 Well-Being

This old bastard woke up angry this morning. For two hours, I’ve wanted to punch objects and shout at people. I’ve done neither, but I still suck to be around right now. The rest of the day need not be this way. I keep thinking of a post I wrote a while back about life’s plot twists and the lessons therein. When problems arise, embrace them, I said at the time. Roll with the punches. Catch…  [Read More]

Luke Skywalker Has OCD (May The 4th Be With You, Too)

by Bill Brenner May 4, 2014 Lighthearted

In honor of Star Wars Day, I share an observation about Luke Skywalker. The dude went through a lot in life, and I respected that. But there has always been something about him that gets on my fucking nerves. Was it the way he whined like a baby after Darth Vader introduced himself as Luke’s Daddy? Was it the way he utterly failed to stand up to Uncle Owen before the latter was blasted to a…  [Read More]

Zakk Wylde’s Fallen Heroes Tribute

by Bill Brenner May 1, 2014 Music therapy

Of all the great songs Black Label Society frontman Zakk Wylde has written, my favorite is “In This River.” Over time, it’s become a tribute to his close friend, Pantera guitarist Darrell Lance Abbott, more popularly known as Dimebag Darrell. Dimebag Darrell was gunned down nearly a decade ago while onstage with his post-Pantera band, Damageplan. Wylde was one of his best friends, and I can feel the depth of his loss whenever I listen to the song. Wylde…  [Read More]

Addicted to Accolades

by Bill Brenner April 30, 2014 Addiction

Last year, David McCullough Jr. — longtime Wellesley High School English teacher and son of one of my favorite authors — gave a commencement speech in which he told graduates the hard truth: They’re not special. Mood music: You can see the whole speech here, but here’s a key passage for me: In our unspoken but not so subtle Darwinian competition with one another — which springs, I think, from our fear of our own…  [Read More]

Account Theft: The Worst That Could Happen Wasn’t Much

by Bill Brenner April 29, 2014 stress

Because I’m a security writer by profession, one of my biggest fears is that online thieves will suck my bank account dry. I’ve seen it happen to friends and family, and I know how violated they felt. I’ve written too many articles about people I don’t know being victimized. So when it finally happened to me, I was surprised by my muted, almost calm response. Mood music: When I signed in to the family account, I was…  [Read More]

Bullied by the Word “Bully”

by Bill Brenner April 28, 2014 Communication Skills

Walk into any school these days and you’ll see anti-bullying posters everywhere. I’m happy to see it, because kids need to learn what it is and how to stand up for themselves. Unfortunately, they’re taking cues from grownups who don’t always know what they’re talking about. Mood music: I was reminded of this after reading a blog post from Brian Martin, A.K.A. Jericho, of attrition.org. Martin got into a protracted debate recently with Elizabeth Weidman, mother of security…  [Read More]

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