This week is the quarterly Bloggy Giveaways, and, sadist that I am, I'm requiring those desirous of my $10 Starbucks gift card to actually read my blog in order to qualify. I know what it's like to enter all the bloggy giveaway contests, I entered 500 or so last fall (and won twelve! Woot!). So much winning made me feel guilty, so now, while I will continue to offer a prize every quarter, I won't be entering any contests myself.
It may not seem like such a big project at first, but hundreds of unwitting freebie seekers end up spending days rotting in front of their computers, guzzling caffeine and forgoing basic hygiene. A sort of madness takes hold, and you just! can't! stop! entering! From gift cards to devotionals to handmade sock monkeys, they're there for the taking, if only Mr. Random Number Generator would be your friend. You get into a routine, pasting prepared entries into the comment boxes. "What a great gift! Count me in!" And captcha boxes become the bane of your existence, especially the ones that that say "qgpbdgq" or "lijijijji". You begin to seriously consider purchasing a bot program to do the work for you.
And because I am evil, I change the rules. You blearily click on my link, scroll down, and spam the area that normally says "comments." But wait! What's wrong? OMG I'm actually going to have to read this post. Okay fine... OMG I have to read her blog??? Screw that! But wait... it is Starbucks... okay fine. But I hate her.
And so you click on my header and scroll down looking for a short post.
And you scroll.
And you scroll.
And you scroll some more.
So I've decided to take it a little easy on you poor souls. This week I'm making an especial effort to keep my posts short. Which I realize I've basically failed here, but this post doesn't count.
I've imposed upon myself a theme of "five things" for this week. Every day I will simply (or convolutedly as the case may be) jot down a list of five things. And how do I define "thing?"
So there you have it. Good luck to all you crazy contest entrants. May your eyes be bright, your coffee strong, and your mouse fingers dextrous. And most of all, may you win many prizes!
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28 Excellent Points:
500? Really? You are a nut. Am I supposed to use the word "Starbucks" in this comment? Or, haven't we started yet?
I have to list 5 things?
- socks
- glasses
- keyboard
- television
- book
Suburban- I'll post the official contest start tomorrow, but I'm easy, you can start anytime you like.
Ree- LOL no you don't have to list anything.
I plan to comment early and often.
I'm an early Starbucks gal.
But I always read your blog.
my first time to read your blog and i may never find it again so i guess i'm a big "NO" for winning your Starbucks contest.
que sera sera.
i will say, however, that you're a hoot.
fun-ny.
thanks for the laugh!
jan
*arms waving wildly*
You won TWELVE? Color me green girl! Is noon early? :O
I obviously didn't plan my blogging break that well....no blogging the week of the giveaway! Ah well....
Ready. Fingers on the keyboard. Let's go already!
The post is up now, but it's post-dated, so I don't know if subscribers will get it in their reader until the last day.
I think you are funny and VERY nice for passing out the STARBUCKS.
I'm game for anything that includes coffee. But, you don't have to bribe me to read your stuff!
Starbucks, Starbucks, Starbucks...
I've only entered like 4 contests and I've won 3 of them.
So far my loot includes:
A free blog header design
matching bracelet and earrings
A crafty supply prize pack
If only I could be a winner in real life like in my blog life. :(
Okay, you're making us comment on another post... but here's the post telling us how you're so sadistic, and all I can do is nod my head and smile. Last time through I entered most of the hundreds of contests, and I too turned bleary eyed and groggy trying to enter that just-one-more contest! So here I am, reading your funny posts, but at the same time thinking - all this for Starbucks? I mean, really! :)
I think you're very creative for doing it this way. Must've had your Starbucks that day!
LOL actually I think your idea was a great one! It IS much too easy to just post on the giveaway post and not take time to look at the rest of the blog. Though I also found some great blogs, that I now read regularly, through the last bloggy giveaway.
Ok, but requiring me to remember to write starbucks in every comment, now THAT part is cruel!!!
Five things you should not do regularly :):-
1. Tempting people with Starbucks
2. Being cruel intentionally
3. Confusing people with the comment rules
4. Having too much pink on your blog
5. Using God's name in vain (_osh is an euphemistic variation of God so please don't use OMG) By the way, I'm serious about this one.
Seriously cracking me up! :) I can't believe that you entered 500. I don't even come close but it's easy to start & not stop. Okay anyway Starbucks... I clearly need some bc I am rambling.
hahaha I love this post!. I may be a freebie seeker kind but this doesn't apply to me *coughmuchcough* I try to leave a personal comment on everyones blogs however I still love my starbucks! :-P
I am truly amazed at that quantity also. Surely you jest, but not... about... the STARBUCKS>
I know I'm a dork. Can't believe I'm pandering for (free) coffee in the wee hours.
Am wondering if back-posts count... so I'm merrily reading and reading your blog. Anything for a STARBUCKS!
And as for my thoughtful comment, I found the 'thing' definition interesting... my handy online merriam-webster resource states a thing as: a matter of concern; a product of work or activity. Funny, that's STILL not how I'd define 'thing'. Guess it's a tough one!
Happy carnivaling!
laurachilton {at} hotmail {dot} com
Fruitbearer- God's name isn't "God," so I think I'm safe on this one.
See. I actually think you're very clever. First, you give away the most popular prize (at least I think so... every blog I see that is giving away Starbucks has hundreds of comments already!)... but then you force us to have to actually read your blog to qualify!! And I think it's great! I've participated the last few times and I got really tired of those who only comment "Enter me!" without bothering to read even my one contest post.
In any case, I'd love to win a Starbucks card... but I'm happy to "read the instructions", too!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Ok, I'm such a virgin! I've never even herd of blog giveaways. I suppose I hang out at too many farm blogs, like my own. And farmers probably woulnd't give much away except maybe produce....and it's kind of tough to send someone eggs.
But I like the Five Things idea. I actually have two myself "Thing One and Thing Two" Yeppers, they are twins.
And they love popping into STARBUCKS with me on the rare occasion, because they love the STARBUCKS cookies!
What's your favorite yummy at STARBUCKS??
Ah you're so sweet, not entering anymore of these contests yourself but offering up a "Starbucks" card for the faithful who are actually reading your blog! And really for those people who are too young to remember the Addams Family, that number III definition is just real creepy. Lucky for you I'm that old, so I will continue reading some posts.
This post is hilarious. I think I remember your blog from last quarter. I commented on something about poop? (I'm going to have to go look now) Alas, though, I didn't iwn the starbucks card last time. Maybe I'll have better luck this time. I can't believe you won 12 prizes! that's awesome.
Thank you for the giggles. I love your posts and especially appreciate this one. Now that I'm registered to win your Starbuck's card, I'm off to enter more contests! I've never won anything, so hopefully this will be my year, and then I can be the one feeling guilty next year! ;)
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