First Step Consultation – Brian Farr M.S. in Ed., C.A.S.A.C.

In an effort to get in better shape and to save some gasoline, I have been riding my bike to work on nice days.  The distance is four miles each way, and the route is fairly flat with a wide, generous bike lane for most of the way.  It takes me about 15 to 20 […]

  October 14, 2001 was a pivotal day in my life, even though I had no idea of the real significance at that time.  On that crisp fall day, I stood before a National Guard recruiter and expressed my desire to sign up for the Guard.  The recruiter looked to be about my age, although […]

My life today is precious and priceless and nearly perfect.  I am not looking to trade my life in for another, and I have faith that all will be well in the end if I continue to keep moving forward and do my best in the roles that have been assigned to me.  People sometimes […]

  Some weeks I despise writing this blog.  Especially when the topic is about something I would rather ignore.  This was the case last week, when I felt compelled to shine some light into the dark corner I had been sitting in while stuffing my face with unhealthy, sugar laden treats.  Despite my refusal to […]

I like muffins.  And I must admit that when I first heard the slang term “muffin top” used to describe the puffy layer of fat-filled skin that oozes over one’s waist line and overhangs the waistline of one’s clothing, I knew that my appreciation and taste for muffins would be forever altered.  I don’t think […]

My two girls were both in school plays this year, and both shone like the bright stars they are in this father’s humble opinion.  One was Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the other was The Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical. The pose and talent and joy that my […]

In my experience, the term “harmless drug” is an oxymoron, an expression meant to convince someone that the use of a certain substance is perfectly acceptable because of the low possibility of damage the drug may cause to one’s body or mind.  The problem with this line of thinking is that most drugs are considered […]

I know how the Colonel feels.  Starting this fall, “Professor” Farr will begin a full time position at Hudson Valley Community College teaching and supervising future substance abuse counselors.  And although I did not use any explosives, machine guns, or covert means to knock Bosco Albert “B.A.” Baracus out and get him on the plane, […]

My mom is a great lady, but you don’t want to get on her bad side.  The term “Hurricane Rosy” was coined about the time I was entering adolescence and had the misfortune of joining my mother on a trip to an electronics store with a radio that my sister had received as a gift […]

  In case you missed it, time stopped briefly on April 7th of this year.  You may not have noticed, or it may have only happened to me, but I know for sure that it happened.  I had just gotten into my car after buying some last minute Easter supplies at the pharmacy.  I glanced […]