There's no reason not to like it.....I think they are wonderful plants. There's a good reason they are "run of the mill"; they have proven to be excellent plants, and well liked. Joe

For a positive id I think you need a better shot of the head where it isn't hidden behind the feeder. It does look like a female Purple Finch. I often have just the female show up around here...

I had the same thought. Probably seeded in there, perhaps via a bird on the fence. Invasive, Exotic Plants of the Southeast - Japanese Privet, Chinese Privet, and Common Privet https://projects.ncsu.edu/goingnative/howto/mapping/invexse/privets.html

My Aloe x spinosissima came from a local grower. I bought it at a plant fair at the Edison-Ford Estates, so I "hope" the name is correct. While the fair gives him some gravitas, he may still be wrong! Mine looks more blue-grey than your plant does. Sorry I don't have a suggestion for you. It's an attractive plant! I would have bought it, too.