Adventures in writing

The Changing, Frightening Face Of Plagiarism

by Bill Brenner February 28, 2012 Adventures in writing

Plagiarism used to be such a simple thing: If you stole someone else’s work and passed it off as your own, you were a liar and a thief. But in the cyber world, it has become something much grayer, though no less sinister. Mood music: In the security community I write about for a living, sites such as Attrition.org have vast sections devoted to those who plagiarize. To be called out for such an act…  [Read More]

The Future Of THE OCD DIARIES

by Bill Brenner February 20, 2012 Adventures in writing

After lots of feedback, I’ve decided to change this blog rather than kill it. Erin is going to be my partner in crime in this endeavor. She’s my soul mate and has lived through much of what I’ve written about, so it makes perfect sense. We’re in the brainstorming stages, but here are some ideas we’re kicking around. Mood music: http://youtu.be/pAzyeA9-ib8 I kicked around the idea of changing the name, but most of you have…  [Read More]

Chain Smoking In Bickford’s Was The Best

by Bill Brenner February 17, 2012 Addiction

Though I no longer smoke or eat the kind of food they served, I’m feeling nostalgic about the days of old when you could sit in any of the dim, dank coffee shops in the local Bickford’s chain for hours, hanging out, chain smoking and drinking those awful, bottomless cups of black coffee. I blame The Doors for this trip down memory lane. I’ve been listening to their first album this morning and when “Soul…  [Read More]

Thanks, #RSAC, For Not Putting Us In The Dog House This Valentine’s Day

by Bill Brenner February 14, 2012 Adventures in writing

I couldn’t let this day go by without a little thank you to the organizers of the annual RSA Conference. Almost every year, they start the event on Valentine’s Day, which puts those of us with significant others in the dog house. Mood music: No one wants to be away from their loved ones on a holiday like this, but for those who work in the security world, RSA is not a conference you can…  [Read More]

Sorry, But You’re Wrong

by Bill Brenner February 9, 2012 Adventures in writing

I got a lot of response to yesterday’s post about possibly killing this blog (Thanks for all the support!). Everyone asked that I continue, but supported my idea of expanding the topics. I still have decisions to make, but y’all gave me some great ideas on how to take this forward. I did get one message to the contrary, though. And because I disagree with the writer’s point, I’m going to share it with you….  [Read More]

To Those Who Can’t Stop Trollin’

by Bill Brenner February 1, 2012 Adventures in writing

“Fact: Energy powered by asshole fumes is unsustainable.” — Bill Brenner I get self-righteous in how I look down on people for trolling — throwing cryptic statements on the social networks that beg for attention. But I’m guilty of it, too. Mood music:  I can’t help but think of the Stooges song “Trolling” — especially these lyrics: You can’t tell me this is not a suave thing to do You can’t tell me ’cause I know…  [Read More]

I’ve Been Called A Lot Of Things, But Never ‘Versatile’

by Bill Brenner January 24, 2012 Adventures in writing

My friend Linda White nominated this blog for a Versatile Blogger award. I’m honored. I’ve been called asshole, mentally disturbed, jerk and loudmouth. Versatile is a new one. Mood music: http://youtu.be/EucafWcPav4 Whenever someone honors me, I like to pay it forward, so let’s play along. Rules of the Versatile Blogger award… RULE #1: List 7 Random Facts About Yourself: 1. I recently learned that there’s more caffeine in lighter coffee roasts than the darker stuff I…  [Read More]

Traci Foust Talks OCD on NPR

by Bill Brenner January 5, 2012 Adventures in writing

Erin is playing me an NPR broadcast about OCD. I went looking for the link to include here and tripped over another good NPR segment. This one is an interview with Traci Foust, author of “Nowhere Near Normal: A Memoir of OCD.” I recently connected with Traci on Facebook and she’s a great resource for understanding the disorder. Do yourself a favor and listen to it HERE. While we’re on the topic, it’s also worth checking…  [Read More]

Because It’s Not All About Me

by Bill Brenner December 11, 2011 Adventures in writing

A friend nominated this blog for a Liebster Blog Award. I had no idea what it was until I looked it up, and it seems I may not qualify. But many others do, and I’m going to tell you about five of ’em. Mood music: First, a few words about this award: It’s meant for blogs with less than 200 followers that a fellow blogger feels deserves more attention. As part of getting nominated, you’re asked to pay…  [Read More]

THE OCD DIARIES, Two Years Later

by Bill Brenner December 7, 2011 Addiction

Two years ago today, in a moment of Christmas-induced depression, I started this blog. I meant for it to be a place where I could go and spill out the insanity in my head so I could carry on with life. In short order, it snowballed into much more than that. Mood music: http://youtu.be/IKpEoRlcHfA About a year into my recovery from serious mental illness and addiction — the most uncool, unglamorous addiction at that — I started…  [Read More]

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