The author on why he became a writer and how it shaped his recovery from mental illness and addiction. People often ask me how the hell I do so much writing every week, between the three-to-four pieces I do for my employer, CSO Magazine, this blog and a book I’m writing on the side. They …
I used to post in this blog at least once a day. Now I struggle to write a couple times a week. What’s going on? Mood music: When I started this blog, I was writing one or more posts a day, almost every day. Then it was four times a week. Then it was three. …
Continue reading “When Life Changes, So Do Your Coping Tools”
I’ve been releasing posts as part of a project where I put my feelings to images created by artist and infosec pro Eddie Mize, more popularly known as EddieTheYeti. The project will continue indefinitely, but here’s a compilation of what’s been done so far. Think of it as chapter 1. Mood music: EddieTheYeti: Art as …
Continue reading “EddieTheYeti’s Images, My Words: Chapter 1”
Life’s like Sanskrit read to a pony I see you in my mind’s eye strangling on your tongue What good is knowing such devotion I’ve been around, I know what makes things run What’s good? Life’s good But not fair at all –Lou Reed When my addictive impulses were at their worst and I felt …
Continue reading “Lessons Lou Reed Taught Me About Life and Death”
The other day I wrote about having a bad morning, and how I was looking for a positive plot twist. The day did get better. How it did is a good case study in learning to roll with the punches. Mood music: Sequence of events: I wrote that post to vent my spleen. That simple …
Like many text-book OCD cases, I’ve been known to put massive effort into planning things before doing them — particularly writing. Somewhere along the way, I got more disorganized and started having more fun. Mood music: http://youtu.be/5dxEfs6HV1g I think my earlier affinity for over-planning goes back to childhood. I was a prolific drawer, always working …
Continue reading “Throwing Away The Blueprints Saved My Creativity”
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 …
A huge challenge of learning to live life in the middle lane is that much of my spiritual growth and sobriety-abstinence has come to revolve around the belief that like a shark, you either swim or you drown. Or, to earn my recovery and faith, I have to run for my life. MOOD MUSIC IS, …
When I first became a parent, I’m pretty sure I sucked at it. I had no patience for the things babies do because, back then, it was all about me. That’s how it is when you have OCD and out-of-control addictions. You’re too self absorbed to see the blessings around you. But my wife and …
A few weeks ago I described a day in the life of a compulsive binge eater. Here’s the sequel. Even in recovery, the demon is constantly breathing down your neck. But you don’t have to let him win. Mood music: “Starve” by the Henry Rollins Band: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLvsnkQtZLI&hl=en_US&fs=1] 4 a.m.: Wake up in a hotel room, …
