Bill Brenner

Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century

by Bill Brenner July 15, 2013 Work-life balance

A friend noted the other day that he actually gets annoyed about holidays and mandatory paid time off because he simply loves his work and would rather keep at it each day. He’s not an all-work-no-play kind of guy, either. He’s a dedicated weight lifter, traveler, music lover and bee keeper, all things that require time away from the computer. I see some of myself in his outlook on life. I too love what I…  [Read More]

Amputee OT Shows Us How to Have Fun With Adversity

by Bill Brenner July 12, 2013 Coping tools

I found some information about Christina Stephens, the amputee who made herself a limb out of LEGOs. The video of her making the leg was inspiring on its own, but there’s more to this woman than becoming a YouTube sensation. It turns out she has made a series of videos about life as an amputee. Here’s footage of her the day after her amputation: Her YouTube channel has dozens of clips of her learning to…  [Read More]

A Super Analogy About Mental Health and Summer

by Bill Brenner July 11, 2013 Mental health

I’m in the middle of a campout as I write this, and though some of those around me are wilting in the 90-plus degree heat, I have to admit that I’m loving it. Mood music: It’s not that I enjoy the sweating and humidity-saturated clothing. What I enjoy is my mental state during long, sunny days. I’m always in better humor, more creative and more in the moment than I am in the dead of…  [Read More]

Perception or Reality?

by Bill Brenner July 10, 2013 Fear and anxiety

A couple friends who were at the 1992 Lollapalooza show I recently wrote about agreed with my general retelling of events but experienced something much different than I did. Said one: “I guess it’s true: Perception is reality.” Mood music: I couldn’t agree more. It reflects a point I’ve repeatedly tried to drive home: The events I describe in this blog are based on my own personal truths, the most accurate retellings I can offer….  [Read More]

Be The Blessing

by Bill Brenner July 9, 2013 Coping tools

This was originally written after the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Many tragic events have happened since then, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns, the resulting economic calamity and now race riots in cities across America after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being pinned down by a white officer. Now more than ever, we must put aside hate and be a force for good in the lives of…  [Read More]

Good Luck, Gretchen 2.0

by Bill Brenner July 2, 2013 Gratitude

A quick note that long-time friend and former boss Gretchen Putnam is leaving The Eagle-Tribune to pursue new creative opportunities. The news organization won a Pulitzer and many other awards under her leadership as metro editor and managing editor, and her dedication to the communities she covers has been inspiring to watch. Though I left the paper nearly a decade ago, I have memories of working with Gretchen that I’m forever grateful for. I was…  [Read More]

The Lady With The Lego Leg

by Bill Brenner July 2, 2013 Inspiration

I find this woman’s creativity share worthy.

Lollapalooza 1992: Case Study In Terror

by Bill Brenner July 1, 2013 Fear and anxiety

The other day I came across some YouTube videos of the Jim Rose Circus, a freak-show act popular among my crowd in the early 1990s. I first saw them live at Lollapalooza 1992, and watching the videos reminded me of what a terrified 20-something I was back then. Mood music: I was excited to go because the band line-up included the biggest rock acts of the day, including Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, The Red Hot Chili…  [Read More]

The Jokes About Aaron Hernandez Are Sad

by Bill Brenner June 27, 2013 News

Update April 15, 2015: Hernandez has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. A lot of jokes are making the rounds after the arrest of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on first-degree murder charges. It’s human nature to do this sort of thing. But it’s also sad. Mood music: One of the more popular jokes had to do with Hernandez switching from tight end…  [Read More]

Obsessing About Snowden Blinds Us From Bigger Truths

by Bill Brenner June 26, 2013 Crime and punishment

I’ve hestitated to write about Edward Snowden, the former technical contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA) who leaked details of top-secret mass surveillance programs to the press. People see him as either a hero or a traitor, but I’ve been conflicted. Mood music: I used to fear everything and wanted the government to do everything possible to keep me safe, even if it meant giving up some liberty. I eventually got past the fear and now believe we must live life…  [Read More]

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