Adventures in writing

41 Years

by Bill Brenner August 26, 2011 Addiction

Some people get depressed on their birthday. Not me. The fact that I turn 41 today is a freak of nature. But a year into my forties, I know I have more cleaning up to do. Mood music: Item: When I was sick with the Crohn’s Disease as a kid, I lost a lot of blood and developed several side ailments. I’m told by my parents that the doctor’s were going to remove the colon more than…  [Read More]

You Can’t Be Everyone’s Friend

by Bill Brenner August 24, 2011 Adventures in writing

I once wrote about an obsession with the Facebook friend count. I worried about offending people who de-friended me. Lately I realize it’s ok if I can’t be everyone’s friend. I’m even warming to the idea. Mood music: I’ve always had this stupid idea that I needed to be everyone’s friend. Even when I was bullying someone, I’d turn around and try to be their friend. I always wanted everyone in my family to like…  [Read More]

I Pet My Peeves Until They Become Triggers

by Bill Brenner August 21, 2011 Addiction

I really hate all those pre-written, self-righteous Facebook posts. I told Erin I was going to write a post flaming all those stupid sayings. Mood music: “Tell me what that has to do with OCD?” she asked, giving me that stare she gives me when she’s certain that I’m full of shit. “It’s a trigger,” I said, not really meaning it. “It’s not a trigger. It’s a peeve. You going to go pet it now?”…  [Read More]

‘The Real Supermum’ blog worth a look

by Bill Brenner August 17, 2011 Adventures in writing

I’ve been quite taken with a blog called “The Real Supermum: Parenting Behind Closed Doors, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.” Any parent will find it interesting. It’s written by Emma White, mother of 6. She writes extensively about the ups and downs of parenting and, to make things even more interesting and challenging, the author suffers from bipolar disorder.  Have a look.

I Thought I Was Perfect. I Was Just Stupid

by Bill Brenner July 26, 2011 Addiction

Let me tell you about the time I wanted to be perfect, how the urge nearly ruined me and how I learned to accept — if not embrace — my flaws. One of the great delusions an OCD sufferer labors under is the notion that he/she can achieve absolute perfection. Maybe the goal is to be the perfect employee. Maybe it’s to be the perfect parent and spouse. In some cases, the goal can even…  [Read More]

A Lesson About Life From Roy Blount

by Bill Brenner July 8, 2011 Adventures in writing

I went with Erin to Concord, N.H. last night to hear a talk from writer and humorist Roy Blount Jr. Some of you might recognize the name from the NPR news/comedy quiz show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!  Mood music: Truth be told, Erin is a bigger fan than I am. But I enjoyed his talk. Especially when he offered advice to a guy in the audience who sought advice for his son, an aspiring writer. Blount’s advice went…  [Read More]

Marital Differences in Style, Part 2

by Bill Brenner June 16, 2011 Adventures in writing

Last week, my wife Erin and I shared some dirty laundry about our differences in writing styles. We’re back for round two. This week isn’t as removed from my usual subject matter as last week, because my approach to writing today is far different from the days when my OCD ran out of control. See Erin’s full post on her blog, “The Writing Resource.” Mood music (“Right Write Now,” Van Halen): Like last week, I’m pulling out…  [Read More]

Marital Differences in Style

by Bill Brenner June 9, 2011 Adventures in writing

I interrupt the usual theme of this blog for a little discussion on writing style and technique. To make things more interesting, my wife, Erin, is coming along for the ride. Mood music (“You Know You’re Right Write” by Nirvana): It’s appropriate that we do this now, because it’s been a year since I wrote about why writing is so important to my sanity and survival. Now, Erin and I have our differences like every couple. One…  [Read More]

Mark Twain And The Brenner ‘Curse’

by Bill Brenner May 30, 2011 Adventures in writing

My father had a minor stroke Sunday while Erin and I were off exploring the home of Mark Twain. The two seemingly unrelated events have me thinking strange things. Mood music: http://youtu.be/RFsOwnZkIm8 I’ve always wondered if there’s a curse over my family, given our tendency to embrace our destructive impulses and pay the consequences. At the end of the day, I know it’s not a curse. We choose to behave a certain way and we…  [Read More]

You’ll Bitterly Disagree With Me Sometimes

by Bill Brenner May 26, 2011 Adventures in writing

A couple days ago, in the security blog I write as part of my day job, I did a post about folks in the security community who consider themselves curmudgeons. As expected, some folks passionately disagree. Mood music: I knew when I wrote it some people were going to be pissed off. That’s how it is when you write an opinion piece: You’re inevitably pissing in someone’s bowl of Wheaties. I don’t do it to…  [Read More]

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