24,837

Every day one learns something new. If yesterday passed without me learning anything at all, then I must have been fast asleep. Today I learned that Google apparently sends out personalised birthday wishes as a 'Google Doodle' on the recipient's search page. Has any reader of this blog had (or noticed) this?

The Google Doodle. With mouse-over, the personal greeting pops up!

Another thought strikes me: I'm not a tech-sav --- I guess this feature has probably been around forever, and I've just been asleep, or I've never Googled anything on my birthday.Let me check this ...

Yep! I discover that it's been around since 2010.

The truth according to 'Google' reads:

Happy birthday! What do you mean, "We missed it"? Many happy returns for next year then. Google, for one, won't be missing your special day in future, surprising you with a personal birthday doodle.

Google recently turned 12 and is happily sharing a slice of the metaphorical birthday cake. When you visit the Google home page on your birthday, you'll see an achingly on-trend cupcake, alongside a present, party popper and ribbon that loosely spells the name of the search giant. So you're guaranteed at least one Internet monolith will remember your birthday, even if no-one does.

The doodle is an interesting example of companies rewarding you for sharing personal data. What's next? Share your address and Google will add a little picture of your face to your house on Street View?

Clicking the doodle takes you to a personal page that can be made visible and searchable if you want. You can enter your birthday details in your profile, and you can also link your blog, Facebook and other online activity there, if you've given up on the whole privacy thing and resigned yourself to the fact that Google knows everything about you anyway.

The title of this blog is not a random number: rather it is my calendar number -- today I celebrate (if that is the correct term - 'commemorate' may be more appropriate) my 24,837th day as a citizen of planet earth. Being of an arithmetic nature, I calculate that rather than paying any special attention to the 20th April, I should rather be looking at 30 September June 2015 (if, indeed, I manage to make it), which will surely be the most significant day of my whole life, as it will mark my 25,000th day! I would have to make it past my 82nd 'birthday' in 2033 (gulp!) to reach my 30,000th day... Hmm.

And, so we learn...

Birthday before bedtime-- Through the ages: with Brynn (10) and Tyler (17)

The old eyes see the small-print double, so Brynn's beady eyes are used to read card inscriptions.

Ready for championship games - Jeanette's present -- a fantastic new croquet mallet

My name in gold on the mallet head. Just like a pro!

Hiking boots from Bianca, Clayton, Tyler and Brynn -- Super quality for serious tramping!
I've never had such footwear. No excuses for not conquering new heights now.