Based on a Sprue Story

Today I have a story for you about my spam filter.

I get a lot of email, so the little guy really gets put through his paces. (Yes, my spam filter is a little guy. He resides inside my Gmail apparatus, where he sorts desperately through the onslaught of slush, never recognized when he does something right but always excoriated for his errors…sort of like the stereotypical publishing intern.)

Photo © Jean Pierre Gallot | Flickr
Looks like someone’s little guy has been on vacation.

If you’re wondering why I get so many emails, it’s because:

1. I have a giveaway addiction. If you follow me on Twitter, you may already be aware of this. (If you don’t follow me on Twitter, join me! You’ll never miss a Kinnikinnick giveaway again.) This wouldn’t be a problem except that, to get extra entries, I sign up for all kinds of newsletters that I never have time to unsubscribe from, much less read.
2. I love deals. So I always sign up when Express wants to email me updates on their end-of-season sales, and I can’t bring myself to quit Groupon Goods or Blackboard Eats (someday they’ll post a passcode for Risotteria). Plus, I’ve joined all the gluten-free-specific deals sites now, too. So many delicious, edible goodies to completely ignore.
3. I’ve posted my email address on my site. Therefore, the bots are all over me.
4. I’m very, very important. Thus, I receive important correspondence. I’m sure you guessed this one already.

Given all of the above, I can’t possibly be expected to sort through my emails myself. Gmail’s new “promotions” tab helps somewhat, but my spam filter must do the rest. And, occasionally, out of spite or exhaustion, he flubs it. He shows me something I never wanted to see, or he hides something I really, really wanted to see…such as the email welcoming me to attend the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo in Secaucus, NJ, as a blogger this September 7th and 8th.

No, little guy, no! What’s wrong with you?

I’ll sort him out later. But because of his hyperactivity, I didn’t find out until just a couple days ago that I get to go to the Expo to see, to taste, to learn, and to report back to all of you.

Still, I’ve managed to pack several weeks’ worth of excitement into those days. I’ve never been to a gluten-free expo before, and this one looks like it’ll be a blast. They’ve got an awesome lineup of classes (I’m looking forward to the presentation on turning glutenful recipes gluten-free by Chef Richard Coppedge, Jr.), and I know all of the vendors will be distributing samples and swag. (See above re: love of deals and giveaways.)

I’m sure my mind, strained as it is by my mountains of email, will be even more boggled by the array of gluten- and allergy-free choices available today. I feel lucky (-ish) to have been diagnosed at a time when the gluten-free market is exploding. And I feel lucky (-er) to be able to go and check some of them out in a couple of weeks.

Do you want to feel lucky, too? You can get in for free by volunteering, or you can buy tickets here (including special “early bird” tickets if you want to beat the crowds). And if you don’t live in the area, you can check for another location near you—they’ll be in Dallas in October.

And, of course, if you happen to be as into giveaways as I am, you’d better believe I’ll be doing one. Check back next week to enter, and after the event I’ll send a bundle of Expo surprises your way.

Want to be sure you don’t miss it? Ignore everything I said about clogged inboxes and sign up to follow me by email below! (Or, if Facebook or Twitter float your boat, I’d also love to see you there.)

Photo © Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo | Flickr

Tell me your best stories of spam filters gone awry or bursting email inboxes. Will you be at the Expo, or have you been to a similar event? Which class looks best to you? Any vendors I should be absolutely sure to check out?