Bill Brenner

Axl Rose: Still A Jackass

by Bill Brenner October 10, 2011 Communication Skills

Guns n Roses singer Axl Rose is still a jackass after all these years. Consider the following: Mood music: From the metal news site Blabbermouth.net: GUNS N’ ROSES‘ continual tardiness is making things rough for concert promoters and fans alike, with long waits for Axl Rose just as much a definite at a the band’s concert as hearing “Paradise City” or “Welcome To The Jungle”. At the Rock In Rio concert on October 2, GUNS N’ ROSES came onstage two hours late despite having…  [Read More]

Happy Birthday, Old Friend

by Bill Brenner October 7, 2011 Depression

It just dawned on me that today would have been Sean Marley’s 45th birthday. You’ve seen much here about how his life and death shaped me. But right now I just want to point out all that was cool about him. Mood music: –He was a gifted guitarist. He could learn to play just about anything, and could write great musical bits when he wanted to. He gave me my first guitar for Christmas in…  [Read More]

God Hates Gays? Dummy

by Bill Brenner October 7, 2011 Communication Skills

This is a semi-sequel to the last post. This is a picture that says so much, and it appeals to my Revere sensibilities: To all the idiots who keep telling us that God hates certain people, including gays, I refer you to the following posts… Gay Haters Or Just Idiots?   Racists AND Idiots   Depression and Being Gay   One More Thing About Being Depressed and Gay… Now put your stupid signs away and go home.

A Facebook Fad I Can Embrace

by Bill Brenner October 7, 2011 Communication Skills

There have been a lot of groan-inducing Facebook fads along the way. The “25 Things About Me” is one example. The “only some of you will have the guts to repost this” is another. But the latest fad is one I can actually embrace. Ever since the redesign everyone complained about, amusing posters have popped up everywhere. I suspect the ability to play images bigger was the prime motivator. A lot of them are pretty…  [Read More]

Lessons Steve Jobs Taught Us About Life

by Bill Brenner October 6, 2011 Communication Skills

The news is full of analysis this morning about all the ways Apple’s Steve Jobs changed the world. Rightfully so. But he was also an interesting case study in human nature, and we can learn from what was good and maybe not so good. Mood music: Let’s put aside talk of the iPhone, iPad etc., and talk about the man. I’ll admit that I’ve always been hard in my judgement of Jobs. Sure I have…  [Read More]

Faith: An Excuse To Duck Personal Responsibility?

by Bill Brenner October 5, 2011 Communication Skills

A friend and reader is unconvinced when it comes to my posts about surrendering to a higher power as part of recovery from addiction. Here’s what she said: “Bill while I agree with a lot of what you say in this article. I fail to see the “surrender to a higher power model.” In fact, that is one of the many flaws I find in AA styled groups. I have no addictions (well maybe caffeine),…  [Read More]

Mentally Ill Behind Bars

by Bill Brenner October 4, 2011 Communication Skills

Came across a disturbing report by Steve Visser in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that clearly illustrates how far we have to go in getting the mentally ill the help they need. Mood music: The headline: Mentally ill inmates languish in local jails From the article: Detention Officer Terroyanne Harris considers the inmates she oversees on 3 North as much patient as prisoner. They suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress and other mental illnesses. Some walk aimlessly around…  [Read More]

People Who Die And The Mid-Lifers They Leave Behind

by Bill Brenner October 4, 2011 Coping tools

As we walked into the funeral home for the wake of our old friend Al Marley, Mary Anastasio stopped, looked at me and said, “We’re adults now.” That’s how it is when you hit middle age. Your parents’ generation starts dying at an accelerated pace. Then comes the crisis that isn’t really a crisis if you stop and think about it. Mood music: http://youtu.be/9mcloY9BlOU A lot of my contemporaries are starting to go through the mid-life…  [Read More]

To Family And Friends Of Gene Schultz, Jr.

by Bill Brenner October 4, 2011 Grief management

The death of information security luminary Earl Eugene Schultz, Jr. this past weekend is something I’m covering as a news item. But I feel the need to come on here and say a few personal words. First, a song I think is appropriate: To Gene’s friends and family, I want to extend my deepest condolences for your loss. I didn’t know him as well as you did, but he was kind and helpful to me the…  [Read More]

Be Yourself, Even If People Hate You For It

by Bill Brenner October 3, 2011 Communication Skills

The more I talk to fellow recovering addicts and emotional defects, the more I realize we have one big thing in common: We want to please everyone and be loved for it. Unfortunately, it’s an impossible goal that can lead to crushing disappointment. Mood music: It’s an especially stinging problem in the age of social networking, where some people have learned to measure their worth by how many “friends” and “followers” they have. Facebook in…  [Read More]

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