I know, everyone is already tweeting and twittering, but I still prefer Facebook, which allows me to communicate with people I don't get to see or talk to much during our busy lives. And we can do it in more than a sentence.
But what I really love is the way Facebook allows me to bond with strangers who share the same interests.
Last night, for example, I found this group ...
"Put Felix Millan in the New York Mets Hall of Fame"
Now, I am among 23 elite humans that agree that the high-chokin' second baseman deserves some props in Queens.
Although I didn't join "John Oates Mustache Project," I admit it's undoubtedly improving the lives of its 54 members, who are encouraged to post photos of themselves with soup strainers resembling that of the much-maligned Hall & Oates' guitarist.
And how else would I have known about Blind Esparagus, which claims to be the first heavy metal band formed on Facebook. However, since the blurb says that the group still "needs songs, drummers, bassists, guitarists, etc.," I assume there isn't really a band as much as a concept. Much like the early days of the Sex Pistols.
Thanks to groups and pages started by others, Facebook allows me to publicly boast about my passion for the rainbow cookies my mom makes at Christmas, jazz musician Andrew Hill, standard poodles, my Moka coffee pot and Rickenbacker guitars.
So, when OnMilwaukee.com asked recently if Facebook is a waste of time, I thought, "no!" and, well, honestly, "yes."
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
