Dear Crabby, Why Do We Care When Someone Famous Dies?

Dear Crabby, I was looking through my Facebook memories and was shocked to see it’s been five years since Carrie Fisher and her mom Debbie Reynolds passed away. I still feel sad that they’re gone. Is that weird? It’s not like I knew them. What do you think?Thanks! Gwenie Tew Dear Gwenie Tew, Well, when you get to be my age, death becomes part of the daily narrative. I’m not being morbid, just stating a fact. Each morning I like to scan the obits in the newspaper to see if I recognize … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, Are Smart Homes a Good Idea?

  Dear Crabby, It seems everyone I know these days has one of those smart devices—Dot, Echo, etc. Some are even going as far to connect their entire homes to be ‘smart.’ But I wonder if it’s safe. What do you think? Thanks! Lance Luddite Dear Lance Luddite, Because I’m such a hip guy I know exactly what you’re talking about. And you’re right. Those smart devices have gone from the palm of our hands to taking over our homes. In fact, I just read that the number of smart homes … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, Should I Delete My Facebook Account?

Dear Crabby, I love staying connected to friends and family on my different social media channels. But I have to admit, this whole privacy breach with Cambridge Analytica and Facebook has me a little worried. Am I overreacting? Should I delete my Facebook account? Thanks! Paul P. Dear Paul P., Privacy is a funny thing. We all assume we have control over it, but in reality, we’ve been losing our grip on it a little bit at a time over the years. And so now we find ourselves having to … [Read more...]

Patterson Announces I-75 Upgrades at State of the County Address

The Modernization of Interstate 75 Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson, spoke for an hour Wednesday night delivering his 2016 State of the County speech to nearly 600 people in attendance at the Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac. Representatives from Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township were there - mayors, city council members, state reps, supervisors, and others - among hundreds of elected officials and invited guests from Oakland County. "Adding a lane north and … [Read more...]

Behind Closed Doors

"A place for everything and everything in its place." I love the concept of things being where they belong. At one point I thought I was actually good at this organizational philosophy, but the truth is I have my own adaptation of it that isn't quite so tidy. I have a style that leans more towards "A place for everything, and everything tossed haphazardly behind closed doors." And though it appears at first glance that I live in organized bliss, it's all a facade. Because I like our … [Read more...]

Only the lonely

Last week was rough. I had been pushed to my sanity limit by a list of constant demands and overwhelming busyness that was out of my control. I found myself retreating to Facebook and Pinterest in short intervals, in an attempt to find respite in the swirl of chaos happening around me. I thought if I could connect somehow to the outside world then I would survive the day. But that prolonged testing of my patience caused a pang in me in a way I hadn't expected or noticed in awhile. I … [Read more...]

Thumbs up! (w/video)

There's a powerful phrase constantly displayed on Facebook, and though you've read it, you've likely never thought about it. The phrase simply says, "Be the first person to like this.” Written under any new post or picture that pops up in your newsfeed, this short sentence can hold a lot of power in certain situations. Clicking this virtual "thumbs up" is a way of acknowledging that you agree with what is posted or that you just flat out like it. But if you are similar to me, you don't put much … [Read more...]

Online "swapping" sets up shop on Facebook

A new way to buy and sell Garage sales can be an unpredictable and complex experience. As a buyer, you have anticipation of the unknown find, the joy of unavoidable conversation with the seller, and the thrill of scoring an underpriced piece of tangible heaven. As a seller, you hopefully end the day with a bit more room in your house and extra change in your pocket—just by skillfully putting things you don"t want on display. Time spent on your feet selling or buying can really be fun and … [Read more...]

Facebook: A Love/Hate Tale

There's an old Chicago tune that sings the sentiment "You're a hard habit to break,” and to dear old Facebook, I sing this sentiment to you. Let me set the stage for you. I'm not addicted to Facebook, but it was a constant unconscious habit deep in my soul. It was a simple click-by-click habit. Check email, than check Facebook to see what's going on. It didn't take up much of my time. It didn't steal me away from real life interactions. It was just the order in which I passed my time. I … [Read more...]

Facebook helps Donate Life America befriend Michigan organ donors

All too often social media are accused of creating a divide in human contact and interaction. But Donate Life America—the national organ, eye and tissue donor alliance nonprofit—has found a way that online communities like Facebook can help connect lives in very big ways. Last spring, Facebook teamed with Donate Life America and ABC News to debut a profile add-on allowing users to publicize their organ, eye or tissue donor status. This week we catch up with our local group—Gift of Life … [Read more...]