Bill Brenner

Let Gays Join the Boy Scouts

by Bill Brenner February 6, 2013 For misfits

As the father of two Boy Scouts, I’ve been following this one with great interest: A movement is afoot to pressure the Boy Scouts of America into abandoning its anti-gay policy. I say it’s time to drop this stupid ban. Mood music: [spotify:track:7iWYgEFFarAhSroaWK6oKA] In this discussion I see a lot of the same comments: Having gays sharing tents with straight kids would have a damaging effect on both parties. Gay kids lack the moral fiber…  [Read More]

Chris Christie’s Obesity Isn’t the Issue

by Bill Brenner February 5, 2013 Fitness

This morning I caught MSNBC’s Morning Joe, which was looking at N.J. governor Chris Christie’s obesity and whether it makes him unqualified to be president someday. Mood music: [spotify:track:7j0eQhCrpbOwucAolLJ0t8] I’ve struggled with obesity in the past. Some of the struggle was the result of being on Prednisone, which stretched my appetite to horrific levels. I would work out to try to control the weight gain, but it wouldn’t last long. I have friends who are…  [Read More]

To My New Nephew

by Bill Brenner February 4, 2013 Love

The family has been blessed with a new addition: Hunter Wild Anderson, born Saturday to my step-brother Brian and sister-in-law Sharane. Mood music: [spotify:track:7q36HE7sjosbeD8AHoOjRL] Hi, Hunter. I’m you’re Uncle Bill, the one who’s going to show affection by teasing you a lot. I’ll do my best not to go too far. I listen to really loud, offensive music. I can’t wait to expose you to that. Your cousins have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Sean and…  [Read More]

My Current State of Mind

by Bill Brenner February 1, 2013 Communication Skills

Please indulge me as I share my current state of mind with you. Oh, yes, I have all kinds of things floating around in this brain of mine this morning. Mood music: [spotify:track:0dzqA1tqLjh0jpakWZb505] I’ve often been asked if the anti-depressants I take have any unpleasant side effects. Not really, but I’ve discovered the hard way that if you don’t chase the pills down with enough liquid and they get stuck in your throat, the result…  [Read More]

My Crohn’s Disease Is Doing Push-Ups

by Bill Brenner January 31, 2013 Crohn's Disease

Recovering addicts have a saying: “My disease is doing push-ups in the parking lot.” The meaning is that you can be years into sobriety, but you’re never cured. The disease is ready to beat you down as soon as your guard slips. I’ve learned that Crohn’s Disease does the same thing. Mood music: [spotify:track:6nDqFWB9MtQ9rTjmm3gDAD] As violent and damaging as my childhood Crohn’s Disease was, I haven’t had a full-blown attack since 1986. It would be…  [Read More]

My Score on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale

by Bill Brenner January 30, 2013 OCD

The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is yet another of those quick self-tests to see if you have OCD. While I’m not medically trained, I do have OCD, so I see myself as a good subject for these types of tests. If the test matches my diagnosis, maybe it can shed some light on what’s going on in your head, too. Mood music: [spotify:track:4PSnQLK4uSmFfuZYEcXNUp] The scale rates the magnitude of symptoms in OCD patients based…  [Read More]

When We Can’t Hibernate, We Become Bears

by Bill Brenner January 29, 2013 Mental health

Erin recently noted that things tend to get ridiculously busy in January, during a period of winter when our bodies scream at us to slow down. On the work side we both have several big projects coming due. At school and in the Scouts, the kids’ schedules are crammed with one activity after the next. Mood music: [spotify:track:4n89Z82pA4kJYmctUeyCbt] In winter, we’re not all that different from animals that hibernate. It’s hard to get out of…  [Read More]

Cancer’s Silver Lining

by Bill Brenner January 28, 2013 Inspiration

These days it’s sobering for me to think of all the cancer patients I know personally. I’ve written about my aunt and one of my hometown friends. I’ve known others, as well. I’ve never had cancer, but it’s become a source of anxiety in my life.  Mood music: [spotify:track:2ql32BJPN3hnyboml4JfER] Along with knowing many who battle it, I’m at a higher risk of developing colon cancer one of these days, thanks to nearly a lifetime of…  [Read More]

Lessons From the Hemingway Curse

by Bill Brenner January 25, 2013 Depression

I’ve always been drawn to Ernest Hemingway and his family, not because of his writings or his antics, but because of the deep stain mental illness has left on the Hemingway legacy. Mood music: [spotify:track:3dqpehdO04w6T38WB97sOF] I remember an English teacher talking about Hemingway’s 1961 suicide. The teacher suggested Hemingway was an asshole, that he was too macho to accept that he was getting too old to seek out adventure and thus gave up. I accepted…  [Read More]

Bullet-proof Backpacks, Whiteboards: Logical Or Lunacy?

by Bill Brenner January 24, 2013 Fear and anxiety

After what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School, would you buy your child a bullet-proof backpack? If you’re a teacher, would you want to have a bullet-proof whiteboard? A couple companies think so. Mood music: [spotify:track:76dynyoXf52MiEsr3Pi06e] A friend who happens to be a teacher brought these to my attention yesterday, and my first reaction was to balk and say, “Here we go again with businesses trying to cash in on our fear.” After a few hours…  [Read More]

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