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Occupy Wall Street Debate Distracts Us From A Big Truth

by Bill Brenner October 14, 2011 Uncategorized

I’m fascinated by the debate raging over this “Occupy” movement. There’s a lot of truth AND exaggeration coming from both sides. But to me the issue is a lot more basic than “laziness and entitlement” vs. “greed and bigotry.” Mood music: We always look for the big boogeyman, the personified evil we can shake our fist at and blame for everything that pisses us off. For some, it’s the corporate corner office. For others, it’s…  [Read More]

Jay Nickerson From The Point of Pines, Revere MA

by Bill Brenner September 1, 2011 Uncategorized

A few months back when I wrote “The Lost Generation of Revere,” I forgot to mention someone very important to the story; a kid who died six years ago: Jay Nickerson. Mood music: I don’t remember Jay doing what a lot of us kids were doing: smoking pot and drinking under the General Edwards Bridge that connects Revere to Lynn, fighting (or cowering from a fight); bullying or getting bullied. Jay always seemed to exist…  [Read More]

Earthquakes, Fear and Anxiety

by Bill Brenner August 23, 2011 Uncategorized

An earthquake centered in northern Virginia just rattled a huge part of the eastern seaboard. I think our building in Framingham, Mass. shook some, but I’m not sure. Mood music:  We’ve had quakes in New England. They happen often, in fact, but they are usually small. This was bigger than usual, but I wasn’t bothered. Like hurricanes and other natural hazards, the thought of earthquakes used to terrify me. When I made my first trip…  [Read More]

Lesson Of The Debt Debate: We’re All Selfish Bastards

by Bill Brenner August 3, 2011 Political discourse

Those of us with addictive personalities are selfish. You could say we’re the most self-centered people on the planet. It’s ALL about us. But I’m starting to realize we’re not the only ones who fail to consider the greater good. Mood music: I got to thinking about this stuff after reading the latest post in the “For Attribution” blog written by my friends Meredith Warren and Fred Van Magness. The post was about the vote…  [Read More]

Nikki Sixx, Michael Jackson and Pedophiles

by Bill Brenner July 14, 2011 Uncategorized

Motley Crue-Sixx A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx created a shitstorm yesterday when he opined about Michael Jackson being a pedophile. Since a childhood friend grew up to be one, I have a few thoughts on the matter. Mood music: It all started with Sixx sending off a few tweets about how Michael Jackson was a child rapist. A lot of angry comments on his Facebook page followed, with some suggesting Sixx was drinking and drugging again….  [Read More]

The Cop Who Pulled Me Over

by Bill Brenner May 16, 2011 Uncategorized

A couple years ago a plain-clothes cop in an unmarked car pulled me over for veering into the breakdown lane right before the 128 North exit to 93. A guy in my 12-Step study group looks just like him, and for months I’ve wanted to ask if he was the one. Mood music: If this was indeed the guy, I wanted to make amends. The thing is, I have a history of being a hothead…  [Read More]

Sarah Jones Memorial Service Cancelled

by Bill Brenner May 2, 2011 Uncategorized

Just got a text from Deb Jones informing me that the Thursday afternoon memorial service for her daughter, Sarah, has been canceled “because of the ongoing investigation” into her death. There’s no word as yet as to when the service will happen. This has to be a huge blow to the Jones family, and my heart goes out to them. Please keep them in your prayers. For those wondering just what this is all about:…  [Read More]

Sarah Jones Memorial Service

by Bill Brenner April 28, 2011 Uncategorized

Since writing about my old friends, the Jone family, and the death of their daughter Sarah, some readers have asked what I knew about a memorial service. This morning, Deb Jones posted some details on Facebook: We finally have a day and a location for Sarah’s memorial service. It will be Thursday, May 5th, @ Bisbee – Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus, MA, 01906. It is most likely going to be early evening,…  [Read More]

You Think No Flour-Sugar Is Hard? Try This

by Bill Brenner April 8, 2011 Uncategorized

This week at the CSO Perspectives conference in Naples, Fla., I gained a whole new level of respect for Akamai CSO Andy Ellis. Without meaning to, he reminded me that my abstinence from flour and sugar is pretty easy compared to how it could be. Mood music: Andy is allergic to dairy. Just a trace of it will make him sick. An Air Force veteran, he ties it to an anthrax vaccine shot he received…  [Read More]

New Facebook page

by Bill Brenner February 26, 2011 Uncategorized

As part of my effort to bring discipline to how this blog is distributed, I’ve created a new Facebook page. It’s not complete, but getting there. In addition to the latest posts I will include musical selections and random questions designed to generate some useful discussion. The page is HERE. Please go in and “Like” it. Thanks.

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