A great speaking event… followed by an unpleasant surprise

A BIG thank you, to the Leisure Village West Genealogy Club!

I had a wonderful time yesterday speaking to the Leisure Village West Genealogy Club in Manchester, New Jersey. We had such fun Building a Family Through Circumstantial Evidence, using the Genealogical Proof Standard. What a great group!

This was my second time speaking to this particular club, and their questions are always wide-ranging and keep me on my toes. And it’s so nice to see so many people so enthusiastic about learning new things about genealogy. Thanks for inviting me back as a speaker, folks!

Followed by thanks for nothing, to the blog spammers…

But of course, no day is perfect, no matter how much we may want a perfect day.

When I got home last night, I discovered that the trickle of spam that affects any blog anywhere on the Internet had become a torrent. In one two-hour period, more than 400 spam comments were intercepted by the spam blocker I use.

I’ve been discovered, it seems, by an organized spamming operation out of Brazil.

Now you have to do a quick check of blocked comments just to be sure no real person has been trapped, and I found myself laughing at some of what was posted. And some of it is just too good not to share.

Spammer: Quite a few of your posts are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth

     • Me: I do to.

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     • Me: Absolutely! You tell ’em!

Spammer: This particular article can focus on the subject associated with “favorable items intended for women”.

     • Me: And “Citing Black’s Law Dictionary” favors women how?

Spammer: you might have an awesome blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?

     • Me: No.

Spammer (on a post about my grandparents): I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day!

     • Me: And we’re related exactly how again?

Spammer: What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge regarding unpredicted emotions.

     • Me: Is annoyance an unpredicted emotion?

Spammer: Is destined to be back frequently to check on up on new posts

     • Me: Uh oh…

Spammer: Thanks for the information, I rarely enjoy it.

     • Me: Come back again! Rarely!

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     • Me: Um… you’re welcome?

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     • Me: You got that impatience part right.

Spammer: You are my role models.

     • Me: You’re scaring me.

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     • Me: I wouldn’t mind if you worshiped in another temple. Really.

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     • Me: My brother wants to know where.

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     • Me: I’m sure She will.

Spammer: Another purpose youngsters ought to become proficient within the Chinese dialect

     • Me: Come on now. My writing isn’t THAT bad.

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     • Me: You’d better! They can sprout anywhere!

Spammer: I just couldn’t depart your web site before suggesting that I really loved the standard information an individual provide in your visitors? Is gonna be back incessantly in order to check up on new posts

     • Me: That’s what I was afraid of.

Spammer: thanks, i’ll need this information for my homework.

     • Me: Sure you will.

Spammer: thank you sir for providing us such a great knowledge and sharing of great piece of life living with us.

     • Me: Don’t call me sir.

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     • Me: Search term “preaching to the choir,” I presume?

Spammer: i harmonize with your conclusions

     • Me: Bass or tenor?

Spammer: This is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here!

     • Me: I think I’ve just been labeled a time sink.

Spammer: I wish to voice my personal understanding for your generosity for males and women that really need assistance using the subject.

     • Me: I gather those who are not males nor women are on their own?

Spammer: That is really attention-grabbing, You are an overly professional blogger. I have joined your feed and look ahead to looking for more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks

     • Me: I’m doomed.

Spammer: what do you think of talking about something more interesting.

     • Me: What do you think of finding another blog to spam?

Spammer: i’m an amateur blogger, and i appreciate your work a lot, any good tips for me?

     • Me: Don’t give up your day job.

What was that again about a time-sink?