No one has commented yet on my new favicon, and I can’t tell if that’s because a) no one has noticed b) no one cares or c) WTF is a favicon? For those of you who answered c), it’s that little paw next to my site’s URL in your search bar. Most sites have a customized favicon, but the default is a picture of the Earth (get it, as in WORLD Wide Web? duh), which is what mine looked like until about five days ago when I decided to make my own.
Yawn. No one cares. Moving on.
So, this is probably a breach of privacy or some such thing, but I feel the need to share the following: I got an email a few days ago (the same day I launched the all-too-exciting brand-new favicon that no one noticed) from a woman who claimed she had found my site via “random search.” In it, she effusively told me to treasure every moment I have with my dog, because time spent with our four-legged friends will “be in your soul for a lifetime.”
It was a kind and thoughtful email that, despite sounding somewhat akin to the text of a Hallmark greeting card, made me stop and remember how I really do need to cherish the time left I have with Chelsea. But it was nevertheless quite random and it got me wondering what she had searched to reach my blog, and thanks to my very convenient stat counter, I was able to trace her IP address and connect it to her search term, which was:
GUMBALLS FILLED WITH DOPE.
I was expecting “dog blog” or “old dog” or “dog is a woman’s best friend” or at least something vaguely canine-related. But candy filled with drugs? Now that sure is random.
PS: Advance apologies to the sender of the email, whose anonymity I promise to preserve.
EDIT!: Click here to see the search results for “gumballs filled with dope” (I’m currently on page two).
10 responses so far ↓
1 thinlizzy // Aug 2, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I actually did not know a) what a favicon was or b) that you can make one to go on your site (although I know that some sites have different ones). And now I want to search for “gumballs filled with dope” just for kicks.
2 Alan // Aug 2, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Thank you for telling me what that was called! My computer won’t show them and I’ve been trying to fix the computer, but without a name I couldn’t do it. You are an angel!
I’m also going to do a search for “gumballs filled with dope” so I can attract more hits to your site. he he
3 Boo // Aug 2, 2006 at 6:06 pm
I think it shows up on the bookmark too. Cute paw print. The search does sound weird and all of the ones from Tim’s tipsheet are odd as well. I used to check but after a real bout with EW! I decided not to look anymore.
However, the social worker at our school routinely does searches based upon information she gets as a part of a “drug awareness” organization and she has searched such things before. She sent us links to: pot candy, tobacco gum, and speed pop. I always thought that if her searches were tracked she would seem quite the drug enthusiast herself. After her last one we started making up silly searches for her such as “herion fruit rollups.” Well, sometimes you have to reach for the laugh during school.
4 Brandy // Aug 2, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Hi Laura!
I’m not sure how I ran across your Xanga, but I’ve been reading it ever since I did. I’m not very active on Xanga, I only have an account since so many of my friends insist on having one. So…I’m just a random reader
I will definitely change your link on my site, thanks for linking back to me, I feel honoured! btw I love your new favicon, it’s very cute.
5 TimsHead // Aug 2, 2006 at 9:52 pm
Maybe I didn’t notice? I’m clueless that way. Yes, I know what a favicon is, because the college is considering a custom one. Which is to say, it’s very hard to decide on one when you’re trying to represent an institution. Easy for a blogger.
That is a nice note for such a random visitor. Most of the people who get to me by searches for, say, photos of skanks (this week’s fave) don’t even leave comments, let alone send a nice message.
6 ARboiWundr23 // Aug 3, 2006 at 7:04 am
Gumballs filled with dope?!! Okay, is it just me or is the World Wide Web getting a little bit weirder by the second? The last time I checked, your blog is now on the first page of search results…congrats!! Of course, I’m congratulating you for being one of the most hit webpages concerning the doping of chewing gum…wooohhooo!!
7 amanda regier // Aug 3, 2006 at 8:29 am
8 fern // Aug 3, 2006 at 9:27 am
nice favicon, dude. LOL on the gumballs. it was a great moment in my morning to read this tale. i’ve never even heard of such a thing. shows how conventional my getting high skills are. hmmm…i haven’t seen any photos of skanks on tim’s site but i haven’t been to xanga in a while…still crawling out from underneath boxes in the new place. (and yeah, it’s union station and not whatever i have on my site.
)
9 fern // Aug 3, 2006 at 9:28 am
nice search btw…i’d be honored to be on the first page of that phrase. hahahahahaha
10 Corbow // Aug 3, 2006 at 11:10 am
Hmmmm…the favicon doesn’t show for me either. I was wondering what a favicon was after I saw it mentioned in your comment on Timshead’s site. Now I know. I’ve seen them before, so I don’t know why they don’t show anymore. Probably some proprietary Internet Explorer thing.