Scratching my head over Google AdSense February 11, 2008
Posted by merujo in Google, Google AdSense, advertising, boobs, commerce, general weirdness, technology.4 comments
So, I’ve added Google AdSense to my page. It’s not exactly a bonanza of cash coming my way through the ads, but still, someone *did* apparently click on one of the ads today, which garnered me $0.67. (That’s not so bad for one click! Must have been one heck of an ad!)
But I’m still observing this phenomenon from a very curious academic standpoint. Last night I posted an entry titled “Hoot.” This discussed weather, high winds, a kid getting slammed into my car by said high winds, an owl on my balcony, and, briefly, the Grammy Awards. Yet, the ads that Google AdSense choice to feature with that entry were about supplies for a recently celebrated holiday that embraces just about every vice known to man. You’ll notice I did not name the holiday. I think if I use said holiday’s name (which rhymes with “tardy bra”) it may cause a whole new wave of outdated ads to pop up. But, all in all, I’m a little baffled here. Did Google AdSense see the word “hoot” and the big computer brain do a little twisted math magic like this:
hoot = hooters = boobies = tits = show us yer tits = that holiday associated with a level of debauchery usually only seen on “Girls Gone Wild” videos?
I just don’t know.
When I signed up, I checked the box for “no adult content” (although that would surely bring in more moolah) and the ads have been very clean. Squeaky, even. I’m not sure what this entry will generate in ads. I can only imagine what the adult ads would have been. Eeeek!
Rightfully so, the Sasquatch did point out to me that my blog isn’t exactly family friendly. While I’m not aiming to be lewd, crude, and rude, sometimes, it just happens. It is, apparently, just who I am: one part drunken sailor to two parts wanna-be artiste. But I try to do it all with a measure of humor and keep things work safe. I’ll hold onto my $0.67/day ad income. Eventually, the “tardy bra” ads have to fade out, right?
Another little housekeeping change here at the Church of the Big Sky February 3, 2008
Posted by merujo in advertising, bad dates, commerce, exercise, goals, health, life, love, romance, writing.3 comments
As an experiment (if my application is approved), I’ll be testing out Google AdSense on the blog. A couple of my friends have put these ads on their pages and have had modest success. We’ll see how it goes. There will be nothing inappropriate. Nothing tasteless. No “win a free iPod” BS. But, truth is, occasionally, mama does need a new pair of shoes. Really. If you saw the things I had on my feet today, you would have been appalled. (My podiatrist would have been even more appalled.) Here’s hoping this brings in a penny here and there!
In other news, I’m working hard on my campaign for healthy eating, and, while kinda sorta watching the last quarter of the Super Bowl, I made a big pile of trail mix to take to work tomorrow. I have a bad habit of getting focused on work and missing the lunch hour – this way, I’ll have something halfway decent to nosh at my desk without resorting to the crappy candy machine in the basement. It unfortunate that it’s right next to the water and ice dispenser. Angel on one shoulder, devil on the other.
I’ve had to be very careful about walking too much as the back heals, but I’m still trying to hobble my carcass down the street to St. Matthew’s Cathedral at least three times a week. I had decided a long time ago that I needed to incorporate a little mediation into my daily routine. There’s been so much stress around me for so long, I felt it was important to carve out some time to just be quiet and breathe and focus. Sure, I’m not even a cafeteria Catholic at this point, but the rituals of childhood – lighting candles, finding time in a solemn place to reflect on things – help to calm and direct the mind. St. Matthew’s is the church where President Kennedy’s funeral took place – the base of the steps to the cathedral is where the famous photo of John-John saluting his father’s casket was taken. There is something about the sense of our history that makes the cathedral an even more appropriate place for me to go and ponder life.
I’m looking to return to biking, as the back improves. My old 1980s Schwinn 10-speed is a road bike and was not designed to haul my current heft, so I have to save pennies to get enough together to buy a good, tough bike, but it’ll be great to get back to pedaling around. It’ll be quite a while before I can afford the bike, but that gives me time to get advice on what I need. Nothing fancy. I’m not the Sta-Puff Marshmallow Man version of Lance Armstrong; I just need something with wheels, upright handlebars, and a strong frame. (Ah likes mah men like I ah likes mah bicycles: upright with a strong frame – and preferably with a nice set of wheels. Heh.)
I bought a 2008 datebook on clearance at Barnes & Noble last week. It has the somewhat pretentious title of “A Writer’s Journal.” All that means is that it’s a datebook illustrated with arty black & white photos of great American writers, with quotes about the craft of writing. It was either that or the pink, rhinestone-encrusted, checkbook-sized calendario with “solo para chicas!” written on it in frilly script. (No, gracias!) I have a planner at work, but I wanted one of my own, to track my efforts to be a healthier human being and my efforts to be a more creative human being.
My goals: get published and get a date. Yes, a date. With a man. A single man. A single straight man. A single straight man who isn’t insane, disturbed or an utter fabulist.
Or channeling sailors from the Spanish Armada.
Here’s hoping…
Musical Pandering June 17, 2007
Posted by merujo in Shane McGowan's teeth, TV, advertising, music, pandering, the 80s.2 comments
First, let me say how disturbing I find it that Wendy’s chooses to advertise it’s fast food with the guitar riff from “Blister in the Sun.” Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s a very strange decision. I hear that riff and my mind floods with lyrics like “I stained my sheets”… and, well… that really doesn’t make me want to run out and get chili and a potato bathed in cheese.
But it’s indicative of the musical pandering directed at people my age, more or less. Advertisers are aiming for the big fat wallets of peeps of a certain age, and they are trying awfully hard to lure us with nostalgic music. Wendy’s went the wrong direction. A seriously wrong direction.
Just now, Ms. Insomnia saw another sad attempt to suck money out of 40-something pockets with a strange musical choice. This time, it was for, God help us, a Cadillac SUV. Perky rich couple (with ginormous house and nanny) and their school-uniformed perfect children ride through horsey country in their overpriced gas guzzler to the sounds of… The Pogues.
The Pogues?
I think The Pogues are the musical equivalent of the anti-Cadillac. They’re like a musical beater-mobile, with rust and dents and no a/c, but lots of character, and someone trying to get high by sniffing the leaded fuel through its broken gas cap. But a Cadillac?
I don’t even think that the 40-somethings that buy Cadillacs now listened to The Pogues back in the day. They probably spent all their time togged out in pastel Izods, madras shorts and Top Siders, white man dancing to “Rock Lobster.” The Pogues may have popped up on someone’s mix tape at the country club kids room, but that was likely long after Muffy and Chad passed out from all those G&Ts. Maybe some of it seeped into their subconscious minds. Who knows?
The Pogues played the spring dance at one of the University of London colleges while I was there. Holy moley, it was the most dangerous spring dance I’ve ever attended. Never before and never since have I seen so many broken bottles flying on the dance floor. Scary. Much like Shane McGowan’s teeth. Damn! Hell of a thing.
Maybe the royalties from the Caddy ad will cover dental work for Shane. We can only hope there is a higher purpose in this particular pander-fest.
If I see anyone riding through Bethesda in one of these behemoths with “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash” pouring out the windows, I’ll eat my hat.
(Frankly, I think my hat is pretty safe.)
