When the Ads say too Much

On-line advertising. Obviously, it is a huge marketing source, and will only get bigger as more and more of our lives move into the world of the internet. Here are the three ads sitting on right side of my Facebook page a couple weeks ago:

Get Fit to Teach

Even with the busy schedule of a
teacher, you can get in great shape
without the gym or lifting weights.
I'll show you how I did it.

Thirty Plus Local Singles

Meet and chat with successful beautiful
singles at Thirty Plus Singles. Sign up
today.

Looking for Love Over 30?



Do you every find it scary how much your ads know about you? Damn. Get off my back. I’ve been “over 30” for one month. Why you gotta go and rub it in already? Maybe with my teacher’s schedule I’m so overweight and unattractive from my lack of workouts girls under thirty don’t find me attractive anymore. I don’t really care that the advertisers know stuff about my life, but stop insulting me. You’re right I am thirty, and I’m not as active as I’d like to be. I know. I’m a teacher. I’m getting my Master’s. I just had surgery. Cut me some slack.

Thought of the Week: Tuesdays

When booking tickets for flights at sites like travelocity and expedia Tuesday is a good day to look. (Also, if you find the price you like don't assume it will still be there in the morning.)

If Thirsty...

A minimum.

The Roommate Switch

My friend Gio made an allusion to a Seinfeld episode. I hadn't seen it. Probably many of you have. But just in case you missed it. The Roommate Switch. TV writers have moments of brilliance, that non-TV guys like me, can simply laugh and appreciate.

Another Perk of Running my own Business

I used to paint houses in San Jose. I started my business in 2000. It was my main source of income for about a year. When I moved back to San Jose I painted houses occasionally until I moved in 2003. I haven’t painted a house or lived in San Jose since I started teaching full-time in the fall of ’03.

I recently received this letter:

Dear Kevin J Burrill,

You were recently chosen as a potential candidate to represent the professional and business community of San Jose, California in the Biltmore 2009 Honors Edition of Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals.

We are pleased to notify you that your candidacy was formally approved February twentieth, two thousand nine. Your confirmation will be validated within seven business days following our receipt of your enclosed Verification.

The Publishing Committee selected you as a potential candidate, based upon your current standing as well as criteria from executive and professional rosters. Given your background, the Publishing Director believes your profile would make a fitting addition to our Honors Edition publication.

Wow. That’s great. What an honor. This isn’t just based on my “current standing,” but also I met the “criteria from executive and professional rosters.” Who was on the committee that managed to find me so quickly by February twentieth, two thousand nine? And who spells out February twentieth, two thousand nine? Nice job Biltmore. Keep up the good work finding other top San Jose executives like myself.

Thought of the Week

"You can observe a lot just by watching."
--Yogi Berra

Those Selfish Bastards

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