Marriage and relationships

The Power of Nothing

by Bill Brenner September 6, 2010 Marriage and relationships

I haven’t written anything new since Friday and don’t plan to today (well, except for this). Last time I took a break I got a bunch of e-mails from people asking if I was OK. I appreciate that, but no need to worry. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxytSH_piRQ&fs=1&hl=en_US] The last two days I re-posted a bunch of older entries. That was for newer readers who asked me to flag older posts that were important to the larger…  [Read More]

One of My Biggest Regrets

by Bill Brenner August 22, 2010 Communication Skills

Yesterday I saw many old friends from my Eagle-Tribune days at the retirement send-off for legendary editor Cheryl Rock. It was a great afternoon. But one of the people I saw there brought back the powerful memory of one of the worst things I ever did. I didn’t talk to Sally Gilman. I guess I felt too awkward and nervous. She didn’t say anything to me, either. She probably doesn’t remember me. But what I did…  [Read More]

The Trouble With Wanting It All

by Bill Brenner August 15, 2010 Addiction

Ever since I got over my fear and anxiety I’ve had a bottomless appetite to do it all. I want to travel everywhere. I want to see everything. And I want to participate in as many events as possible. Sometimes that gets me in trouble. Here’s an example. Mood music: “Serve the Servants” by Nirvana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aztw2s3PZzY Columbus Day Weekend there are two events I badly want to be a part of. One is something my security…  [Read More]

How the Recluse Became a Road Rat

by Bill Brenner August 6, 2010 For travelers

Since my OCD and anxiety used to make me deathly afraid of travel, it’s kind of weird that I do so much of it now without giving it much thought. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A47HVhzF6No&hl=en_US&fs=1] This time, me, the wife and kids are driving down to the D.C. area. Not a White House tour like we had a couple months ago, but good times all the same. The family will stay with relatives in southern Maryland for…  [Read More]

Riding The Blue Pill

by Bill Brenner August 2, 2010 Coping tools

Today an experiment begins. Though it’s still summer, I’m going back up an extra 20 MG on the Prozac. The goal: Avoid the deep slide into depression that usually comes just in time for the Christmas season. Mood music: “She Rides” by Danzig: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnizbRoqv84&hl=en_US&fs=1] I was at 60 MG for the winter and most of the spring, but dialed it back to 40 in May. The reason I’m going back up, though I feel fine,…  [Read More]

Learning to Fight Well

by Bill Brenner July 25, 2010 Communication Skills

In every marriage there are arguments. They can be good for you, but only if you learn to do it with skill. I’m working on it, but I’m not there yet. Mood music for this post: “Hysteria” by Def Leppard: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SluRyO4EA4&hl=en_US&fs=1] I’ve always steered clear of this topic because nobody likes to talk about arguments with a husband or wife. But there’s a lesson to be learned, so in I go. And since I’m one…  [Read More]

The Perils of Service, Part 2

by Bill Brenner July 18, 2010 Addiction

Volunteering can be a bitch, especially when you forget who you’re there to help. Mood music for this post: “My Way” by Limp Bizkit: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8Qi86i82s&hl=en_US&fs=1] Once a month, I spend a couple hours on a Saturday volunteering in the food pantry run by our church. It can be a frustrating endeavor. Part of the frustration is my own fault. I should be there more often, but I’m only there once a month because I’m spread…  [Read More]

Real Men (and Women) Ask for Help

by Bill Brenner July 3, 2010 Communication Skills

The author learns that sometimes he has to put his pride aside to do the right thing. Mood music for this post: “Ride On” by AC/DC: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZo12LIWqYw&hl=en_US&fs=1] One of the more unfortunate byproducts of my OCD is that I don’t like to ask for help when I need it. This flaw has taken me to the brink of a nervous breakdown many times. When you struggle with addiction and mental disorder, you cling hard to…  [Read More]

The Love Story Continues (Happy Birthday, Erin)

by Bill Brenner June 30, 2010 Love

Today is my wife’s 39th birthday. Without her, I would be nowhere. My recovery from mental illness and addiction was only possible because of her. So in honor of this day, I’ve dug up THE POST on the two of us: Mood music for this post: “An Easterly View” by Bear McCreary, because nothing says love like a sweeping piece of music from Battlestar Gallactica: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmvNJiylUa0&hl=en_US&fs=1&] The Freak and the Redhead: A Love Story I wasn’t looking…  [Read More]

Turning the Tables on Those Who Whine

by Bill Brenner June 26, 2010 Depression

The author has a low tolerance for those who bitch. But he’s about to do it anyway. Mood music for this post: “Thorn in My Pride” by The Black Crows: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d-xq6q72cA&hl=en_US&fs=1&] This post is about whining and hypocrisy. For much of my adult life, I’ve had a low tolerance for people who whine about every little thing. I say adult life, because as a teenager all I did was whine. Facebook has become a favorite…  [Read More]

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