Bill Brenner

Stupid Things People Say on Facebook

by Bill Brenner June 27, 2012 Communication Skills

On Facebook, I try to conduct myself just as I would in any other social situation. People who go on there to whine and throw around vitriol disgust me, and I confess to a sick enjoyment of sites that make fun of those posts. We Know What You’re Doing is a new site that documents how stupid people people can be on Facebook. Mood music: [spotify:track:6GulNC8embtfc0T8EyC7GB] I often fall victim to the Facebook Unfriend Syndrome: that…  [Read More]

Nikki Sixx, Michael Jackson and Pedophiles, Part 2

by Bill Brenner June 26, 2012 Crime and punishment

Last year, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx created a Twitter shitstorm when he opined about Michael Jackson being an alleged pedophile. At the time, I wrote a blog post about it being a fascinating case study in human nature. This week marks the third anniversary of Jackson’s death, and the case study has taken an interesting turn. Mood music: [spotify:track:1S3Bc6pVYOmzad7d1WiQO7] I knew something was up when my post from last year started getting a ton of…  [Read More]

It’s All Fun and Games Till Someone Breaks an Elbow

by Bill Brenner June 25, 2012 Parenting

Duncan is sporting a pink cast on his right arm again, the result of a tumble off my bed last week. He was horsing around with Sean and took a spill over the side, landing on his elbow and fracturing it. Mood music: [spotify:track:4A065x9kJt955eGVqf813g] Duncan went flying when Sean put up his hands to keep his brother from landing on top of him. Now every time someone asks what happened, Duncan points an accusing finger…  [Read More]

Former FNX DJs Get Second Chance on Boston.com

by Bill Brenner June 25, 2012 Music therapy

In a recent post about WFNX being sold and gutted by Clear Channel, I predicted that this would not be the end of the story. It turns out I was right. Boston.com announced this morning that it’s launching a live streaming radio station featuring alternative music and well-known personalities from WFNX-FM. Mood music: [spotify:track:6x7B9cDXyH4X7lCwH6B40o] In a Facebook exchange this morning, longtime DJ Henry Santoro told me: “All I can say right now is that they came…  [Read More]

Four Tips for Prepping for a Colonoscopy

by Bill Brenner June 21, 2012 Crohn's Disease

I wasn’t going to write about going for a colonoscopy. Not because I’m embarrassed or because I’m worried about grossing you out. But because it’s been done so many times by so many other people. What could I possibly add to the discussion? Mood music, in honor of my only nutrient for the next several hours: Since most of you will have to go for a colonoscopy at some point, let me help you make…  [Read More]

I’m Not a Guru, a Doctor or a Cult Leader

by Bill Brenner June 20, 2012 Communication Skills

I’ve been getting an increase in messages asking me for advice on how to deal with family challenges and addiction. Whenever that happens, I start to get a little scared. Not for me, but for you. Mood music: [spotify:track:5SLCI3OVaP4x2VWiMroDst] One of my relatives recently suggested I shouldn’t be telling people what to do, that I am not a doctor or a drug counselor. She’s right, but I was also a bit floored by that because…  [Read More]

Wakes Are for the Living, You Selfish Bastard

by Bill Brenner June 19, 2012 Grief management

My post “Death Etiquette: Pay Your Respects, Even If They Hate You” got a lot of response — all of it disagreeing with me. All who commented made good points, but some details require clarification. Mood music: [spotify:track:4hlPMJPtAZuwiDvkTNcBmX] My point in that post was that if someone you love dies and someone else tells you not to attend the memorial services, they are being selfish and you need to do what you feel is right…  [Read More]

Your Hollow “Personal Responsibility” Argument

by Bill Brenner June 18, 2012 Parenting

I agree we shouldn’t count on government institutions to take care of us, that we need to take personal responsibility for our lives. But sometimes people use that as an excuse not to right wrongs. Take the case of the Methuen, Mass., student with a nut allergy. Mood music: [spotify:track:0AHrBqr8zzwJgvyMlZC3fw] My local paper and former employer, The Eagle-Tribune, ran a story about the student in yesterday’s paper, and some of the comments were typical: So when some…  [Read More]

Death Etiquette: Pay Your Respects, Even If They Hate You

by Bill Brenner June 16, 2012 Grief management

Someone I know just learned that her ex’s maternal grandfather died. Though this man was like a grandfather to her, she’s getting pressure to stay away from the wake and funeral because her ex-mother-in-law doesn’t want her around. Some of you might say she should stay away, that her ex-mother-in-law’s wishes should come before other considerations. After all, it’s her father who died, and she needs all the comforting loved ones could give her. She…  [Read More]

How to Stop Screwing Your Patients in Four Simple Steps

by Bill Brenner June 15, 2012 Medicine

A colonoscopy I was supposed to have today was abruptly canceled over missing paperwork. Normally I wouldn’t complain about something like this because life happens. But I’m hearing a lot lately about medical offices screwing up and making the patient feel stupid instead of taking responsibility. Mood music: [spotify:track:79DVDD46pdqwjYucn91fny] I know people who get scared shitless when they have to go for a procedure. They worry for weeks and just want to get it over with, and…  [Read More]

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