All the lonely people

Over the last nineteen years, the Internet has changed my life in ways great and small. I've learned things I wouldn't have known.  I've met wonderful people from all over the world. I've enjoyed newsgroups and chat. And I've enjoyed reading thoughtfully-written blogs and fondly recall the days of Geocities websites.

I can't say the same about "social" media, particularly Facebook.

Recently, a friend of fifty years told me that he isn't interested in my friendship unless I join the Facebook. That would be stunning, except he isn't alone. Do I need his friendship and that of his ilk? What am I missing out on?

I've elected not to join the Facebook for several reasons:

• First, generally speaking, it is a ridiculous waste of time. 
• Second, Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook are not trustworthy. This is why the USMC and others have banned Facebook. Too many times the Facebook Company has disclosed confidential information by altering privacy settings without warning. It's put them at odds with privacy commissioners in several countries, including Canada. Such a venue is inappropriate for personal messages, and it is inappropriate to publish a list of one's acquaintances. (I think we all know the story of Barack Obama and Bill Ayers.) 
• Third, Facebook (and others) are, simply put, in the business of gossip. My private life should be my private life. So should yours, including whether (or not) you choose to read my postings!

I publish two blogs and a website. Anything I publish over the Internet (other than a private email or similar message) is free for everyone to read. You don't have to register to read my sites; why should I have to register to read about your pets, children, science fair projects or toilet habits?

If you want to publish something for the whole world, publish it on a site like this or start a web page! It isn't at all difficult.  If you want a select audience, use email and send to multiple recipients, if appropriate.

If you're just lonely, make someone happy and be a real friend: Call them up, send a text, an email, Christmas or birthday card!

House Hunting

The ground breaking Glessner House (1885) on Prairie Avenue was one of Henry Hobson Richardson's last projects. It had very few street-facing windows and is built around a central courtyard. The house very much influenced the work of Burnham, Sullivan, Adler, and later, Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Emil Bach House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as a Rogers Park vacation home with a view of Lake Michigan. Rogers Park is now part of Chicago and the city has grown up around the house. The home is Prairie Style, but one of the first to exhibit the later cubist and oriental forms favored by Wright in later designs.

Inglenook, Emil Bach House.

That toddlin' town

The Green Mill is a legendary Chicago jazz joint where Al Capone hung out.

Remodeling

Regular readers of this blog will notice a few changes. After nearly three years, I am giving this and my sister blog, Beyond Form 1040, a facelift. The tax blog now has a search feature allowing you to type in a topic and see if I've already answered your question.

The new colors and format match my websites.  Enjoy.

Considering the conversation

A fortnight ago, a colleague invited me to attend a film at Rockford's ornate Coronado Theatre. The film is entitled "Consider the Conversation" and focuses on the end of life. The Southeast Wisconsin filmmakers stress not just funeral arrangements, living wills or powers of attorney, but the importance of making one's wishes for spending one's final days known.

Recalling the 1970s cliche, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," it made me think that we all should consider how we want to spend not just the end but the rest of our lives.