Facebook and the humor of focused advertising

So, I am active on Facebook (click here if you want to befriend me there).  There are wonderful things about Facebook and irritating ones, as well.  Wonderful includes connecting with old friends from high school and previous co-workers and long-lost family members.  Irritating includes addictive games and focused advertising.

Facebook looks carefully at your profile and chooses ads that are most likely to appeal to you.  Sometimes with most effective results and sometimes with hilarious results.  Sometimes, Facebook could take a closer look at the profiles before choosing certain ads.

A case in point . . .

When this ad showed up on my Facebook page, I had to really laugh.  First of all, I’m married and listed as married.  Second of all, that picture . . . that’s my husband.  So, somehow, Facbook, in all it’s computer-generated wisdom, decided that I’d be interested in knowing that my husband is wanting to fix me up with some hot singles.  All I can say is, it seems a bit unlikely.  Just a bit, you know?

So, uh, gee, thanks, Honey but no thanks.  I’m good.  No need for hot singles here.

What about you?  Any funny Facebook ads showing up in your account?  Is your spouse trying to fix you up with a hot date for the weekend?  Do share.

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I AM A WINNER!

And, you could be too.  There is a beautiful blog called The Ardent Sparrow run by Rebecca Wagler.  She is giving away gift certificates to stores in Etsy.  And, yesterday, I won!

Turns out Rebecca and I have a lot in common.  We are both teachers.  We both have daughters.  And, we both — get ready — have dog’s named Ruby Tuesday!  Woot!

So, go check out her site and enter her blog!  It’s easy!  It’s fun!  And, you could be a WINNER!  (Like me!)

And, for goodness sake, go visit her Etsy store — she’s got some gorgeous jewelry! You might also visit the stores that I won certificates too — Mirieo and Nothing Elegant!

Beautiful Owl Necklace from The Ardent Sparrow!

Facebook Meme

Crazy Facebook Meme  – Thanks Miz S for the idea. As Miz S says, the rules say you must answer yes or no but rules are for sissies!  🙂

Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? Yes.   Going with “kiss” meaning more than a social air kiss  and more of a “hookin’ up” type kiss.  My husband and one other . . .

Been arrested? Nope.

Kissed someone you didn’t like? I’ve only kissed people I liked at the time — later I may have changed my mind!

Slept in until 5 PM? Only when ill.

Fallen asleep at work/school? Not QUITE . . . I’ve come close.

Held a snake? Yes! I love snakes!

Ran a red light?  No.  But, stop signs, yes.

Been suspended from school? No.

Experienced love at first sight? No. But, I knew WAY too early that I would be having Greg’s kids.

Totaled your car in an accident? No! But my husband has!

Been fired from a job? Fired, no.  But, I’ve been laid off more than once.

Fired somebody? Nope.

Sang karaoke? Nope.

Pointed a gun at someone? Nope.  Only targets.

Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? Yes. Too many times.

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes.

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes.

Kissed in the rain? Definitely.  And, in the snow and in a pool and the ocean and . . .

Had a close brush with death (your own)? Not that I know of.

Seen someone die? Just animals.

Sang in the shower? Yes. It would be more surprising if I didn’t sing in the shower.

Smoked a cigarette? Yes.

Sat on a rooftop? Yes.

Taken pictures of yourself naked? Nope. Never.  Not even in the age of digital.

Smuggled something into another country? Don’t think so.

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Sure.

Broken a bone? Yes.  Foot in 6th grade.  Thumb in 8th grade.  Left hand in 12th Grade.  Both big toes 3 years ago.

Sleepwalked? No.

Walked a moonlit beach? Yes, I’ve even slept on a moonlit beach.

Rode a motorcycle? Yes.

Dumped someone? Yes.  (Not the other person I kissed who is mentioned above!  🙂 )

Forgotten your anniversary? This very year.  Greg remembered and I wondered why there was a bouquet of flowers on my table.  Sigh.

Lied to avoid a ticket? No.  I always tell the truth and it never works.

Ridden on a helicopter? No. My life would have to be in danger!

Shaved your head? No.

Blacked out from drinking? Yes.

Played a prank on someone? Yes.

Hit a home run? Yea.  Right.  That’s a good one.

Felt like killing someone? As Miz S said, only in a hyperbolic sense!

Cross-dressed? No.

Been falling-down drunk? Yes.

Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? No.

Eaten snake?  Yes.  And, alligator.

Marched/Protested? No.

Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? As pets?  No but I did have them when I was kids.

Puked on amusement ride? No.  But, I’m pretty careful about which rides I go on.

Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? Not really.

Been in a band? I’ve sang on two albums — both my husband’s bands.

Knitted? Yes, but only easy stuff like scarves.

Been on TV? I don’t think so.

Shot a gun? Yes. Target practice. And, I was good at it!  🙂

Skinny-dipped? Oh puhlease . . . I’ve skinny dippped on the French Rivera.

Gave someone stitches? No.

Had stitches yourself (not from surgery)? Yes. Got a cut from sheet metal in 1998.

Eaten a whole habanero pepper?  Yup.

Ridden a surfboard? No.

Drank straight from a liquor bottle? Sure.  Dang, it was probably Southern Comfort (shudder!)

Had surgery? Yes. 2 children via c-section and all 4 wisdom teeth out

Streaked?  No, but I’ve watched friends do it.  Ahem.

Taken by ambulance to hospital? Thankfully, no.

Tripped on mushrooms?  Nope but I know those who have.

Passed out when not drinking?  Yup.  Still not sure what caused it.  Scary.

Peed on a bush? No, behind bushes but not on one.

Donated Blood? Many times.

Grabbed electric fence? No.   I’m smart and know that electricity can hurt.  I don’t need to check it out myself.

Eaten alligator meat? See above.  And, yes, it tasted like chicken.  🙂

Eaten cheesecake? Of course.

Eaten your kids’ Halloween candy? Of course.

Killed an animal when not hunting? Yea, hit a bird the other day in my car.  😦

Peed your pants in public? Nope.

Snuck into a movie without paying? Probably in high school.

Written graffiti? Yes.

Still love someone you shouldn’t? Nope.  I picked wisely, very wisely.

Sleep on a certain side of the bed?  Yes.

I know the Spring

I know the Spring
sweet scented air
dawn of song
brightest clearest softest blue

I know the Spring
cool nights
warm caressing sunlight
humming wisteria

I know the Spring
bright light clear light
singing from on highest height
abundance, promise
spilling forth
pouring out and over and through

I know the Spring for it fills me up to full.

I am honored to be featured today by the Nature Blog Network! I hope you’ll take a moment to visit their site and stay awhile. They do good work there, do Mike and Wren, and John, and N8. Thank you all, especially Wren who interviewed me so painlessly, making me sound much better than I had any business sounding!  I also want to thank my readers for keeping me on the front page of the birding list that the Nature Blog Network keeps.  Thank you!

All content written or photographed by Liza Lee Miller unless otherwise noted.
© 2009, Liza Lee Miller.

Meme for Lack of Inspiration

1. Do you like blue cheese? Very much.  It’s fantastic crumbled on salads.  I also love it alone with crackers.

2. Have you ever smoked? My sister smoked for 20 years.  I tried it a few times with her but as a lifelong asthmatic, I really always knew that I would never become a smoker.  Breathing is something I enjoy too much.  🙂

3. Do you own a gun? Yes.  We own a handgun and a rifle.

4. What flavor Kool Aid is your favorite? Don’t like Kool Aid in any flavor.  Blech.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes but I have an awesome doctor so the nerves are kept to a minimum — I just know I’m nervous because I put off calling her.  🙂

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love hot dogs.  YUM!

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Not sure I have one . . . I suppose The Grinch.  (NOT the Jim Carey version.)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Triple non-fat, no-whip Mocha.  Preferably homemade!

9. Can you do push-ups? Yes but I won’t do them willingly.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? The engagement ring and wedding band that my husband not only gave me but made for me.  He’s awesome.

11. Favorite hobby? I have too many hobbies. I enjoy reading, writing, birding, blogging, photography, quilting, etc.

12. Do you have A.D.D? Nope.  I am an accomplished multi-tasker but since I work with kids with ADD, I know that I don’t have it.  I have pretty good powers of concentration which allows me to accomplish things even when my children are around!

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Last year I had to start wearing reading glasses.

14. Middle name? Lee.

15. Name thoughts at this moment? Wondering why I am doing this meme when I’m not a fan of the meme.  Also wondering why my daughter is watching shows that are WAAAAAY younger than she is.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Coke, Wine, Water, Iced Tea.  🙂

17. Current worry? If I’ll have a job next year.

18. Current hate right now? Hate?   The governor and state legislators of California.  They are stupidly selfish and putting political gain ahead of the good of the people they are supposed to represent.  I think they should all be tossed in the slammer until they solve this budget problem.  It’s criminal.

19. Favorite place to be? Camping with my family.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Oh, we had a fun dinner party with friends and watched episodes from the Original Star Trek.

21. Where would you like to go? England, Scotland, France, Italy, . . . for starters.

22. Name three people who will complete this? Most of the likely candidates have already done it.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, two pairs.

24. What color shirt are you wearing? white

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Nope.  Too slippy.

26. Can you whistle? I can whistle but not well.  Hard for me to hit the right notes.  Also, whistling from other people sets my nerves on edge.

27. Favorite Color? PINK!

28. What songs do you sing in the shower? Of course!

29. Would you be a pirate? Stealing KGMom’s answer — I like baths to much!

30. Favorite Girl’s Name? Grace (would have been my 2nd daughter’s name but I only have 1 daughter!)

31. Favorite boy’s name? Gage is a good one.  🙂

32. What’s in your pocket right now? I’m in jammies.  No pockets.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Oh, we watched some TiVO’d shows last night — The Daily Show, Colbert Report, and Jay Leno . . . which ever one of those we watched last gave me some big laughs.

34. What vehicle do you drive? Suzuki Grand Vitara.

35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Broken thumb.  Broke it practicing for Giant Slalom ski race.  I think it’s the worst one because I am now feeling it ache when bad weather is coming in.  I broke it when I was in 6th grade.

36. Do you love where you live? I do, yes.  My house isn’t the house I want to live in forever but I love the area we live in.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2.  They are both fairly old.  One is the tv I bought when I was in college.  I didn’t get the remote control feature because I couldn’t imagine being so lazy that I couldn’t get up and change the channels.  Oh well, at least I have small children who will adjust the volume for us if asked and we can still hook it up to the DVD player and satellite.  🙂

Blogging Year in Review

Jayne posted this “first lines” blog and it fit in nicely with something I wanted to do to finish up my wrap up of 2008.  It’s fascinating to look back at this project and see how it’s grown and developed this year.

First Lines by Month
December – December arriveth.
November – I may be insane but then again I may be merely crazy.
October – Hopeful, hopeful weather.
September – perched atop a tall dead tree | a black sleek raven | silhouetted with the moon
August – Look at this poor thing.
July – Ruby is a very good girl.
June – Wanderin’ Weeta is throwing a House Party — it’s a BYOBB* party.
May – My friend BEG posted a meme.
April – Ruby did not come on this camping trip with us.
March – Being at the Quilt Show got me thinking about bird art again.
February – Your Score: Linear B
January – Every family has their crazy aunt, right?

Blog Stats
1,400 posts total as of 12/31/2008
Views in 2008:  29,857
Best month:  June 2008, 3,068 views
Worst month:  November 2008, 2,124 views

Top 5 Search Terms on my site for 2008
tacoma narrows bridge                            856
stupid name generator                             352
ravens                                                           213
i hate home depot                                      210
difference between crows and ravens    187

Top 5 Posts on my site for 2008
gephyrophobia 2,762
The Differences Between Crows and Ravens 2,230
Chaos = 8 year old boy birthday party 1,255
Stupid Name Generator 630
Intrinsic rewards or extrinsic rewards? 500

Birds of the Winter Solstice

I did not get the chance to go birding this Solstice. I was bustling around getting ready for our annual Holiday Party (XmasEveEve).  But I did take time to refill my hummingbird feeders (still the only birds coming to my feeders) and was rewarded with a sweet little Anna’s Hummingbird girl.  The picture above is not the one I saw but you get the idea.  🙂

If you had a chance to go birding on the Winter Solstice, consider contributing to Birds of the Solstice, a project over at BirdStack!

6 Things

I’ve been tagged by Wren of Wrenaissance to share 6 random things about myself.

1. I was born in Montana, dead center, far northern part of the state.  Practically in Canada.
2. I’ve lived in two foreign countries (England and Germany).
3. I have lived in 6 different states.
4. I am a terrible slob.  Keeping my house clean is a huge bother.
5. When I meet people in person, I’m very shy until I know them well.  Then, look out.
6. I have another poem up at Winter Haiku.  Go see, please!

So, if you’d like to play along, consider yourself tagged.  If you don’t want to play, nevermind then.

A Sunday Meme

This is making the rounds and I have seen it so many places.

Things I have done are highlighted in bold.  Things I want to do will be in italics.  My own twist

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (actually hiked up a mountain)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables  (herbs – yes!, vegies – no!)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (started to but haven’t finished the job)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life — (more than one puppy when I was breeding dogs)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Made a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (wasp, yes!)
100. Gotten a speeding ticket

Color me amazed.

You have 5,004 total comments.

Somehow, this blog has encouraged more than 5,000 comments.  I find it very difficult to believe that my words have generated that sort of response.  But, thank you.  Thank you very much . . . times 5,000.