This year’s hottest New Year’s Eve party may be happening online.  The Facebook app “Shaker” has hooked up with Dick Clark Productions to create a virtual loft party that will be THE place to be, before the start of the ABC show “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012.”

Haven’t received your invitation, yet?  Just head to Facebook, type “Shaker” into the search box, and then click on the RSVP button!  That’s all it takes to get into this hot-ticket pre-party, where you can dance, toss back a few virtual drinks, hang out with your friends, and catch some exclusive celebrity interviews.  Many of the performers scheduled to appear on the annual ABC show will be making appearances in the loft.  You can expect to see Fergie, Will.i.am, LMFAO, Blink 182, and more.

If you don’t want to commit until the last minute, that’s no problem at a Shaker function.  Virtual lofts can swell to hold as many people as needed, so you won’t be turned away at the door!  Check out the 3D virtual festivities anytime between 4PM – 8PM Eastern Time.  That’s right, the Shaker party ends when the show begins, which saves you from having to figure out the etiquette of virtual kissing at midnight.

What are your plans, tonight?

If you’re not sure, the answer could be as close as your Facebook page!  Everyone’s favorite social networking site is test running a new feature, designed to help you fill your social schedule.

It’s called “Suggested Events,” and it – well – suggests events that you may enjoy based on activities that you’ve taken part in previously.  For example – if you’ve been to a particular night club and have checked in using your Facebook account – then Facebook will notify you when the same venue has a new event coming up.  The idea is to create a profile based on each person’s tastes, preferences, and past excursions – making it easier to predict the type of upcoming events that one might be interested in.

Many critics of social networking say that people are spending more time online than they are socializing face-to-face with others.  Ironically, if Facebook’s latest feature takes off, it could encourage users to leave the comfortable glow of their computer screen and venture out into the real world.

The thing I’ve learned about suicide after having a close friend suffer from repeated bouts of depression is no one really listens until it’s too late – and then everyone stands around saying ” gosh why didn’t they say something sooner “.    The truth is, most people contemplating ending their own lives often will reach out for help – but in some cases will actually attempt to carry out their plan to kill themselves if there is no one around to stop them.