My Dear Friend Brenda Diener

In November of 1999 I was going through an incredibly difficult period of my life. In an effort to meet new people I went to a myriad of events, seminars and yes even forced myself to attend a round of Speed Dating where I met an extraordinary person. Nope… not the man of my dreams but a magnificent women who would become one of my closest friends. Brenda was seated at the table to my left and the guys would go from my table to hers. I guess we bonded over a bit of sarcasm and snide remarks as she and I exchanged comments and opinions as each passed through. While neither of us found love we found each other and for that I will always be grateful.

On Saturday March 5th my dear friend Brenda died. A piece of me died too. You see she was my biggest cheerleader. Good friends acknowledge your accomplishments and attributes but great friends actually see them when you don’t and Brenda was always there to point mine out. She commiserated with me, disagreed with me, advised me, consoled me, encouraged me, challenged me, supported me and loved me. Brenda was one of the smartest, feistiest, courageous, lazer light focused, direct, committed, curious, sincere people I’ve ever known. I’m desperately trying to feel the joy of the preverbal cup half full for knowing her rather than the pain of the cup half empty that she’s gone. I know that in time the tears will stop flowing and the sadness will subside but the depth of how she has impacted my life is iindelibly inked into my soul forever.

Brenda actually did meet the love of her life shortly after we met but fortunately for me she still loved a night out at a bar and I served as her perfect wingman and she mine. We had lots of fun, shared many a cocktail….literally I had one, she had two and then I would order another that she would ultimately drink most of. I can picture us at almost every location of the bar at Bandera at one time or another as it was a perfect half way meeting spot for us. With a glance she could easily attract a group of guys to circle us like bees to honey and would flirt harmlessly on my behalf being that I was genuinely single. For her it was all innocent fun and although she enjoyed the attention (who wouldn’t) she really, really wanted me to meet my Mr. Right. Barely more than a week before she died she didn’t miss the chance to express her concern of me being single. I’m reminded of the time she turned to me and said “you know… you can date someone that doesn’t like Jon Stewart or Bill Maher” and I said “uh uh, nope, can’t do it”. Or when she said “you can date someone that voted for Bush, seriously you can’t eliminate half the men in the country” my response…”ok, if they voted for him the 1st time I’ll consider it, but no way if they voted for him twice!”

I think our relationships are a snapshot reflecting who we truly are at our core. A tribute to how amazing Brenda was, she leaves behind a life partner David who has been at her side through a decade long roller coaster ride until her last breath Saturday; Jennifer, a college friend turned business partner who together built a successful business and extended loving, connected family anyone would be envious of, two incredible boys Jordan and Ryan that were the greatest loves of her life, two brothers and a mother whose relationship was so fueled by love, respect & adoration I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes plus a bevy of friends that she touched in a way making each of us feel as if we were the only one and the most special.

I miss my friend Brenda so much and have no doubt she would tell me to stop crying and start a new chapter just like I did back in 1999 when we met. She would tell me to go out and have fun, drink and flirt shamelessly. I wish I could channel her devilish, light hearted, playful spirit and if I could I would raise a glass (of excellent tequila of course) to my dear, beautiful Brenda and say “Brenda, I love you and miss you so much!”

Kevin Spacey on Being Successful

Love this video! It's less than 2 minutes and incredibly inspiring!

Meet the press - Tim Russert Tribute

I wonder if he knew how extraordinary we thought he was? Thousands probably tens of thousands of strangers, acquaintances, colleagues and friends missing him, missing his perspectives. Somehow, although I never knew the man, I just think he would be surprised by the outpouring of emotion and tears from so many strangers...maybe even a bit embarrassed.


Watching Barack Obama speak in Berlin today I couldn't help but think of Tim and what he would have to say about it. Most of us would like to believe we will leave a positive imprint on the world. Few leave a hole so big it simply can't be filled. Tim did. No one can fill his shoes. Whoever gets recruited to carry on Meet the Press will have to put on a new pair and step out to pave a new path.


A short video of excerpts from a select few interviews as shown on Meet the Press the Sunday after he passed away.

Missing Tim Russert

I'm traveling and stuck in a hotel without MSNBC. The bed is great, the sheets are soft & I have a lovely view BUT NO MSNBC!! Thank God for the Internet and video! After a few laughs with Dan Abrams and Rachel Maddow I couldn't move on without checking in on Tim and was so happy to find these videos's from his memorial that I watched many times over and over again that weekend after he passed away. If you don't know already what an amazing man he was, you will after watching these.

Mike Barnicle


Brian Williams

This Date in History

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. John Lennon

I'm not going to change the way I look or the way I feel to conform to anything. I've always been a freak. So I've been a freak all my life and I have to live with that, you know. I'm one of those people. John Lennon

Sadie died last year and John Lennon was killed this day 27 years ago. He was killed 2 weeks after my father died and I knew my world as I knew it was over. 11/18/80, the night my father died was probably the worst night of my life followed by 12/8/80 and 12/8/06. It's hard to explain and I know most people don't and can't understand. When my father died I didn't quite grasp the magnitude of the event but I instinctively recognized everything would be different and not in a good way. Only many years later was I able to understand the significance and undeniable pivotal change that had occurred. When John Lennon was killed it was if the cloud surrounding me after my dad died disappeared. All of a sudden it became real. How could great men that only brought good things to this world be cut down and eliminated quicker than one could snap their finger. It seemed then and still seems now so surreal and unfair. But, as my father reminded me so often, life isn't fair. When my beloved Sadie died on 12/8 it somehow seemed appropriate she would leave me on that day. She was headstrong & independent, lovable & kind, spirited, devilish and courageous! She inspired me tremendously as did John Lennon. Although I would like to say that I could celebrate their lives today, instead I am sad. It's been a rough week but no need to go into details. Instead, tomorrow is a new day and who knows what unexpected surprises may be in store for me. Hopefully good things.