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!

BestBuy has Sims2 Ikea Home Stuff on sale for $14.99 right now (I went in today and got my copy). I checked out WalMart and it was $19.98 and I figured it wasn’t “worth” that much since this stuff pack wasn’t getting the best reviews. I’ve been reading a lot that it’s just some furniture and a few objects - which most of the stuff packs come with artwork and clothing also. So now I own all the Expansions thus far (Sims2, University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Seasons, Bon Voyage, and Freetime) and a few of the stuff packs (Holiday, Teen Style, and Kitchen and Bath). Well, and now Ikea stuff since I’m in lust with all things Ikea. I figure if I can’t deck my house out in Ikea (it’s 4 hours away) then I might as well have my Sims have a nice decked out Ikea house!

Next Expansion pack, “Apartment Life” comes out in AUGUST!!! It will have magic (finally) and lots of new stuff so I am uber excited about it. With that I will not only be able to build myself some cheap hotels (courtesy of Bon Voyage), but also a Hogwarts school and a NYC Slum! WOOT!

Yeah, I’m a complete nerd …. what of it?

I had a very boring day - so I spent it playing on the internet looking up celebrity gossip (what else?). Here’s a few interesting tidbits:

Mario Lopez is “crowned” People Magazine’s Hottest Batchelor: Yes ladies and gents; the dimpled wonder once known as AC Slater is now this years hottest free dude. I can agree with that I think; although some people aren’t so happy because he (allegedly) cheated on his last girlfriend Katarina Smirnoff. Hey, just because he’s a player doesn’t mean he’s not hot you know.

Yet Another Remake: Seriously, can Hollywood come up with anything original? Now, according to the BBC Sienna Miller (that chick who was with Jude Law for awhile) will play Maid Marion in an upcoming remake of “Robin Hood” along with Russell Crow as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Wasn’t Robin Hood made only around 15 years or so ago with Kevin Costner? I can see “remaking” old movies, but movies made in the past decade should be off limits. Unless it’s a spoof - because you know; “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” rocked my socks.

Firefox 3 Breaks A Record (Hopefully): Internet browser Firefox 3 (that would be the third generation of Firefox) came out yesterday. They were trying to break the world record of downloads in one day and now they are just waiting for Guinness to give their results. More than 8-Million people downloaded the browser! I’ve been hearing nothing but awesome reviews for it - so get rid of your old buggy crappy IE and get yourself some Firefox

(Had to throw some “Geek” in you know!)

And there you have it!

I’m not making any money with AdSense. Isn’t that the statement of the year? LOL! Honestly, I’ve read a bunch of times now that AdSense performs much better on blogs that are more of the “niche” variety. I have had AdSense on my other blog, Starryskye for a few months now and have “earned” a total of $0.28. Nice huh? So, it’s going, going, GONE!

I’ve been watching some awesome videos regarding “Mommy Bloggers” on ABC News (you can catch one here!) and I’ve really decided that I’m seriously enjoying my “staying home - making money” with my blogs. I have had Starryskye.org since 2000 and my “design” company Starryskye Designs since, 1998. Designs in a little on hold right now, but it’s coming back because I really ENJOY designing websites. I seriously think that when I get the time to go back to college for my degree it will be in design and marketing. I’m learning SO much from the other bloggers I meet!

Some goals that I have for my websites include the following:

JustSayOohRah.com -

• Get more links into the Directory.
• Promo the blog/website more, really TARGET the military spouse community.
• Blog more - duh! (I’ve been doing way better lately!)
• Re-do the theme .. blah .. I love the header, but the text, headers and columns are way too small.
• Find a few more TARGET advertisers.
• Bring more “How-TO” stuff into the blog. Like, for instance, “How To REALLY Survive Deployments!” (like, what you REALLY need to know).

Christineisms -

• I’ve found the “direction” or “niche” for this blog finally. Everything internet - NOT just a “Blog about a blog” or “SEO” blog. No way can I just blog about crap I know ZILCH about (and neither should you if you know ZILCH about it!)
• I’m getting into modding computers with hubby - the cases at least. So, keep and eye out for when I start helping hubby build my kick-ass girly desktop.
• Blog more! Duh! LOL!
• Join the Blog-Her network and add WOMAN advertising to the blog.

Beautiful-Ambition.net -

• I need to blog more here, but I haven’t felt very “beautiful” lately. I need to delve more into myself before playing with this blog I think.

Starryskye -

• Move the blog back to the main page (eek!!!) or make a better “splash” page. OR
• Maybe park the Designs site on Starryskye.org?
• Get more VIEWERS! Since joining Entrecard my viewership has DOUBLED!

So, you see - I have a LOT of goals here! Hopefully, I can manage it all including re-opening my Designs and starting my HOME Real Life business in making things (I love sewing & crafting, seriously love it - but moving has put a real kink in that, just ask my friends Valerie, Julissa and Bianka whom I owe booty bags too!) Oh, and raising my kid, keeping hubby happy and keeping the house standing. heh heh.

My husband’s old laptop has seriously seen better days. The poor thing is rigged together and doesn’t currently charge the battery. Right now, it’s being used as a desk top computer for our (just shy of) 3 years old for his kiddy games. It has a keyboard, mouse and monitor hooked to it so that he doesn’t have to mess with the laptop itself.

At some point I would like to fix it a little better – hubby can do it, he’s my “local computer guru” but he just hasn’t messed with laptops yet. There is just something in there not connected correctly I think. Then, since the battery I have is well over 4 years old I will need to buy a new one. I am not sure what kind of battery it needs. The laptop is an HP/Compaq “Frankenstein”. Lord knows I know nothing about that sorta stuff.

Speaking of which, I found this site called AllBatts.com that sells every type of battery you could ever dream of! Seriously! I saw phone batteries, ibm laptop batteries, camera batteries, and tons more. Be sure to check them out if you are in need of some battery replacement. Because, you know they do die after awhile; and no amount of recharging is gonna bring ‘em back!

If you bought a laptop then make sure that you have all the necessary computer software installed in it. The most important software is antivirus firewall software. It protects the computer from viruses which can enter and can harm the computer. One can install live chat software like msn, yahoo in order to remain in contact with friends and relatives. There different types of software scripts available for different purposes. Many schools and university use mathematics software for learning and teaching math.

I’m realizing that I know Wordpress - and that’s about it. Seriously, I am SO php stupid that I don’t even know where to begin. I’m running PHP Link Directory over on JustSayOohRah for my directory and I am so confused as to how to run it. So, now that I paid to have it, I’m trying to find another one I can use until I figure out how to use it.

I really need to learn some new things. And eat dinner, I’m starving here!!

The most up-to-date internet phone system is compatible with any host. You can have internet telephone service operational in no time at all. They provide voip software to every customer. This means that people can avail good quality voip calling service. No wonder why everybody is opting for skype phone. Now it is very difficult to meet customers demand and now there are many internet phones companies which are providing quality services to their customers. The internet phone provider like vonage ensures that the service is compliant with your site hosting services.

Okay, I finally signed this blog up for Entrecard (the ad block is there on the right!) I love it because it brings visitors in, but also finds me cool new blogs to read. I don’t have a lot of money for advertising my blogs, so I can do it through Entrecard by visiting blogs and dropping my “card” in the slot.

I’ve noticed in the few weeks I’ve been a member (with my other blog) that there are a lot of blogs with zero content. How annoying! You need to build your blog BEFORE you ask people to visit. You don’t want people to just visit once, you want repeat visitors. No content = No repeat visitors = No use.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people use the option to have Entrecard make a text-like graphic for your use. Those graphics are honestly not attractive and will not bring people to your website. Again, if you want repeat visitors and not just fly by night visitors put forth the effort to make a nice graphic for your advertising needs.

I’m willing to help you out if you need a 125×125 graphic for Entrecard. If you are an Entrecard member and would like for me to make you a graphic then just let me know in the comment. I will just “Charge” you 5 credits - seems nice to me no? Let me know, okay?

I have to point out a cool blog that requested advertising - it’s called “The Thin Red Line” and it’s all book reviews. What an awesome blog! Especially since I just got back into the whole “reading” thing, lol Yeah, I’m an illiterate little girl. Well, no, I’m really not, I just have zero time for anything more then a Cosmo. I’ve been MAKING time (usually while locked in the bathroom). Enough about me, check out the blog m’kay?

I’ve signed up for Entrecard (a neat blog “business card” dropping idea) on my Starryskye blog. I’ve been having a lot of fun with it and getting a lot of hits from it recently, so it’s been well worth my time clicking links to visit sites and dropping my “card” on them. I’m thinking of adding this website to it, but I worry that there really isn’t enough content on it yet. I don’t know  if I’ve necessarily found this blogs “niche” yet, you know? I’ve been lazy keeping up with all of the blogs I run lately due to the holidays. But, that’s not bad - I think everyone is taking a break.

Anyway, I guess that’s it - I was surfing around Entrecard and figured I’d blog it.

I’ve got a “tech” style rant here … I’ve been blogging for roughly 5-6 years now. I’ve had a couple different blogs, the most “popular” (for me and my readers I guess) has been Starryskye. That one is my baby, lol. Now, I’ve been doing paid posting through a couple sites on there for a few months now and I’ve learned a lot. One is Google’s idea of “Page Rank” (which a lot if not most advertisers rely on to determine whether they should use said blog to advertise on - is a sham. It isn’t based on hits/visitors (i.e. TRAFFIC) - it’s based on some sort of weird googly algorithm that only Google understands. So, when Google laid the smack down on all bloggers who do paid posts (mostly the company I work under, PayPerPost) we all seriously got hurt. My “PR” 4 (Starryskye) is now a 0. Why? Because Google doesn’t think that paid blogging is a good thing and wants to monopolize the industry (hello - AdSense?).

Another thing I’ve learned is that a lot of bloggers are really, really SNOBBY. They seem to think paid blogging hurts the “blogosphere.” Now, I personally only write about what appeals to me - or what I can share a funny story about. If I personally do not want it on my blog it isn’t getting blogged about. It really pisses me off when other people dictate what they think is good or bad and try and push it on others. Paid blogging IS NOT a bad thing when done correctly. People have been advertising for YEARS why can’t blogs be used? If you don’t like the blog content DON’T READ IT! It’s pretty simple people!

Don’t cut out my pagerank, therefore cutting out the extra money I use to pay my bills. That’s super wrong and nasty. And if you are one of those snobby bloggers you can just take your techno-bullshit and run with it. Trash talking other people is bad blog-karma. Not to mention rude.

I opened up an AAFES (Armed Forces) charge card to buy myself a brand new PINK Sony Vaio! The one I have linked is a smaller, cheaper version (I think) of the one that I bought. I have the VGN-CR115E model. It came with a cute pink carry case and matching pink mouse. The computer has 120G’s of space and a 15 inch monitor. It’s super light and only 1.3 inches thick. The memory is lacking a little bit, I think it’s 1G. It will play my Sims2 game with most of the expansion packs, but it takes awhile to load. So, this isn’t a “gamer” laptop, but I didn’t necessarily want one. So, the only thing I think I want to do is upgrade the memory. It came with Vista which kinda sucks but I’ve learned it. It refuses to talk to my printer on a regular basis though. It worked one day, and now it doesn’t want to. I have to have my hubby look at it when he gets home (he’s the real geek in the house). But, I love her I’ve always wanted my own laptop.