If you are looking for a CAREER and not just “another job” than why not consider becoming a certified Cisco technician? The computer industry is MASSIVE and there are jobs everywhere in any state. Cisco is a company that is well known and provides its clients with everything from business solutions to internet security to huge networks of communication. You can receive your certification in many different areas including IP communications, network security, routing and switching and voice. There are three levels of certification so you can work your way up. In addition to general certifications, network professionals can enhance their core networking knowledge by achieving specialist certification in technologies such as security, IP telephony, and wireless.

Take my husband and I for instance – I am mostly into website design and marketing; he on the other hand is into hardware, software, setting up networks and internet security. He would love to eventually start his own business where I handle what I handle (I’m the artist of course!) and he will handle building computers and installing (for lack of a better word) home and business networks. A Cisco certification would be perfect for him and would teach him all the ins and outs of the trade.

Like I mentioned, this industry is massive and still growing. So many people in the United States (and abroad) own personal computers; and not everyone knows how to properly secure a network – or even just make sure their personal firewall is working. This is THE field to get into – and Cisco just made it a little bit easier for you. So get out there and get your certification! You could be well on your way to becoming the CEO of your very own company!

I’ve got two messages sitting in my inbox from different book sellers telling me some super cool news: JK Rowlings’ “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” is now available for pre-order! The book(s) will be available on December 4th - but you can pre-order either from Amazon.

The hardcover “standard” edition of Beedle the Bard is slated at costing $7.59 or you can get the gorgeous Collectors Edition (price listed at $100.00) which has a reproduction of J.K. Rowling’s handwritten introduction; 10 illustrations not featured in the Standard Edition or the original; metal skull, corners, and clasp; velvet bag embroidered with J.K. Rowling’s signature; replica gemstones; and tucked inside a case disguised as a wizarding textbook from the Hogwarts library. This amazing collectors edition will be printed in limited supply - according to Bloomsbury and various other press releases the print limit will be 100,000 copies.

Net proceeds from the Collector’s Edition and the Standard Edition support the Children’s High Level Group.

Where was “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” referenced in the Harry Potter books? Read below - but a warning .. the passage contains spoilers.

SPOILER ALERT:
Containing clues that were to prove crucial to Harry Potter’s final mission to destroy Lord Voldemort’s Horcruxes, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is the volume of five wizarding fairy tales left to Hermione Granger by Albus Dumbledore in the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Only one – The Tale of the Three Brothers – is recounted in the book. In The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the four remaining stories are revealed for the very first time.

Myspace has karaoke now … and guess what ladies and gents .. I have a MICROPHONE! Woot!! Now all of you in cyberland get to hear me attempt to sing various songs. It’s really sad just how bad I am now since I actually took voice (opera) in college. So, my first song was, of course, the Beatles - Come Together. I love that song … too bad I suck at rock.

Wanna hear it? Click here babes!

Anyone have any self storage that they can loan me or lock me up in? I shouldn’t be allowed on teh intarwebs any more.

This picture says everything I think I need to say about my life right now. In fact, I think I might get it printed on some digital signage and hang it up on my front door instead of the “No Soliciting” sign I made. Mind you the “No Soliciting” sign says stuff like “No Soliciting; No trying to sell me stuff, No steaks, No magazines, No nothing … I don’t have time to help you with your “school project” … I don’t own the house so you can’t sell me anything for it … etc, etc, etc.”

Of course they still come. Two teens with ‘tude came today to see if I could help them with a competition. NO! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I’m trying to play with my kid, blog, build a website, do the laundry, wash the dishes, vaccuum, pee, let the dog out, feed the cat, mow the lawn, make EVERYONE (except me) HAPPY!

*sits in corner stuttering*

I seriously, SERIOUSLY NEED A VACATION!

Or like … more wine or something. A social life would be nice also.

Thanks for listening!

I network, I make websites and blogs, I post in forums, I hit up social networks … Still I’m not making the same amount of money per month as I was back in November before my “Google Smack.” When I started “paid blogging” I thought - wow, this is it - this is what I seriously love doing and I can now make money doing it! (The blogging part - because I was already into web design). So, I put “design” on hold and threw myself into the blogging. No problem since I really LIKE blogging - but there was obviously more of an incentive before, lol …

So anyway, the commercial collection agencies are calling a little more often because honestly, I overshot. And since my brain is like, NOT functioning for some reason I always, ALWAYS forget at least one card each month. Great …

So, I’m trying to keep up with some blogging, but I also am trying to get my design company up and kicking again.

I am also working on a few home-make type things I am a glutton for punishment I guess.

I swear, I’ve been researching cameras for what seems like an eternity now. I want a DSLR - but I can’t afford it right now; but yet - I can’t afford much of anything. I rely too heavily on my credit cards …

Anyway, I sorta decided that I want to spend less than $150 right now on my new camera. Honestly anything is better than the one I currently have which is only 2.5 pixels. My husband’s phone is 3.0 pixels!! So, I found a cute camera with 8 pixels, 3x zoom and some other neat things for only $99 at WalMart. It’s pink also; although I don’t think I want a pink camera. I think it came in silver also though. But, I really, really, really want a DSLR!! I want the Rebel!!! Grr.

Any one I pick though I will need a new memory stick for. My old Sony takes one kind, and all the new ones take anything from SD, to xD to mini SD! My phone takes the mini SD and I have a little plastic thingy (see how techy I am?) that converts the mini to a regular SD. BUT: the guy working the camera booth at the Exchange said that you can’t use those plastic converter thingies in cameras. Again, GRR.

I guess I will just get the stupid pink camera and start saving my penny’s for the Rebel. Maybe in 10 years I can afford it. Blah.

I will be changing the header graphic on this particular blog very soon. I decided that I’d rather use the graphic on my Starryskye blog instead and I’m pretty happy with the results! So, like I said - on my agenda is re-doing the header on this blog. Then, I need to finish my friends business website and get it online. THEN I need to finish the work that I began on my Designs site.

Then, I must craft. Like, without the internet. Amazing, right? I’ve got a plan!

I’ve also been planning for my Florida trip lately … I’m planning on heading up the beginning of September for business and pleasure … well, parents and friends - that’s not really “pleasure” right? I dunno …

AND - since I’m not pregnant I can pack my “Let’s Not Be Crazy” pills AND maybe even a diet pill or two!

File this under “I Learn Something New Each Day” and leave it at that! Okay, so, you hear the word “Halliburton” and what do you think? Iraq war controversy (war profiteering and charging $28 for a paper plate)? Close ties with Dick Chaney? A giant toxic cloud in New Mexico? What else? Luggage? No? Yeah, me either … But, apparently sometime in the 1930’s a guy named (what else) Erle P. Halliburton decided he wanted some kick-ass travel luggage and thus, Zero Halliburton was born. They have a laptop case that looks like it could survive a nuclear holocaust, and in turn, survive one of my hubby’s various (and often) “business trips.” In fact, why not pack up your laptop into one of these babies and deploy to Iraq? Kinda like a “come full circle” thing?

But seriously, I think one of these awesome suitcases would be great for my husband. He kicks the crap out of his bags. Just not the pink one, I grabbed a photo of that one because *I* liked it!

I’ve really got nothing tonight, lol … Nothing of substance at least. I am surfing sites on the ‘net and reading some “news” and this blog is just one huge mishmash of information I wanted to share!

First off … I’m sure you’ve heard now; (male) celebrity crackpot Andy Dick was arrested for (suspicion of) “drug use and sexual battery after the comedian allegedly pulled down a teenager’s top” (from ABC News). Somehow, with the way this guy has been acting lately I’m not really suprised. He obviously 1. needs attention and 2. has ISSUES … But, one thing I did notice eyeing his mugshot is that he looks really creepy .. like Robert DeNiro in “Cape Fear” creepy. Check it out:

On the left … Mr. Dick … on the right, Mr. DeNiro. Similar? I think so …  Also, I think Mr. Dick looks a little like my Uncle Tommy (who really isn’t my uncle). He’s kinda got that weird perv look to him also.

One of the things on my agenda for tomorrow now (as kindly reminded to me by my dear sweet hubby) is to make an eye appointment! My poor current glasses are literally super glued together in several places; I love them, but it’s time for a new pair. My current pair was purchased at my (Jacksonville) eye doctor and the total cost (lenses and frames) was around $85 – lower end, no name plastic glasses with no frills (yeah, I go for the “emo sexy librarian” look). I want to spend less please, since obviously I cannot keep a pair of glasses together (well, my KID likes to break them!) … so, yeah …

Fox News (on there “Deal or Dud” section) featured a company called ZenniOptical.com (click here to watch the video of Zenni on Fox). The mom on the bit was ordering glasses online for two of her kids and; which happy with the prices, was only happy with one of the pairs of glasses ordered – for the older child. The younger child (around 3 years I would say) had issues with his glasses such as wrong fit and wrong pupil to pupil measurements (he was being wiggly as the mom was trying to take the measurements). So, while Zenni Optical is a great deal – be wary about purchasing from them for younger children. For older kids and adults Zenni Optical is an AWESOME DEAL. We’re talking glasses for as low as $8 (you will also find glasses for $15 and $29). Zenni cuts the cost by making their own frames and shipping them out to the consumer. I personally have not yet tried the company; but I actually plan on trying them out with my next pair of glasses.