Security Certification Test

One reason I’m taking this class in Spokane is that I want to complete my MCSE:Security certification. I also want a better grasp of how to implement security in a Microsoft environment.

So far, the training is pretty good and filling in some gaps I have in my experience. In fact, I will likely be implementing some security changes in my home lab to increase security and enhance my learning and experience.

Soon, I will be taking the test. Wish me luck!

Spokane Update

This week, I’ve been spending a good amount of time on training in the Windows security area. I have to say that I’m liking the format of the class pretty well. They have it set up so that I can choose my own pace and break whenever I want. This way, I’m much less likely to fall asleep or lose interest. I can just pause the lecture, take a walk, get some coffee, etc. It’s quite nice.

On the non-work side of things, I really like this town even though it’s a bit small. Spokane is in a valley surrounded at a distance by mountains. And it is GREEN here. Lots of evergreens and other beautiful plants. Then, of course, there’s the lovely Pacific Northwest rain… lots of that, too.

There are even some really good restaurants, although it’s not quite a cheap little town – it’s somewhat expensive here.

Well, back to the class now. Just wanted to update you all.

And The Journey Begins…

We’re in the airport now – in Minneapolis. Half-way through, we’re about to go grab some food before our next leg.

The trip is going just fine, but I’m suffering from a swollen finger that I injured this morning in a softball game. It feels like it’s going to explode, it’s so tight. Well, I guess I’ll just have to survive. I can’t do anything about it. My whole finger tip is purple and it hurts to type – but, here I am… typing.

I guess it’s time for dinner now.

Dive Turkey 6 [Now Dive Turkey 2007]

After Dive Turkey 5 [or DTV], we have by remote consensus began using the year name in the description of the Dive Turkey event. So, if it happens this year, it will be called Dive Turkey 2007 Dive Turkey 6, or DTVI, is now in a conceptual planning stage.

For DTVI, we are thinking domestic – Florida: the SCUBA state. DT1 was held there on Islamorada with the founding members of the DT team and much diving and many good times were had by all. That was in November of 1999. Now, eight years later, we’re thinking of a return. There are many reasons but among them are:

  1. Ease of travel
  2. Cost of travel/accomodations [much cheaper than, say, Cayman or Hawaii or somewhere in the South Pacific]
  3. Nearness of neighbors [some of us have friends in Florida that can drop by if not for the whole time, for at least a portion]
  4. Laura has never been to the Keys

What are your thoughts? Like to go?

[UPDATE:] I guess we are sticking with the original naming convention. Shoulda asked first, I suppose…

Some More Pictures

 

Some of the best things in Vegas aren’t in Vegas. Take for instance the resort at Montelago Village a good distance east of town. We had heard of this place on TV, so we stopped in on our way back from Hoover Dam. I have to say that it is quite nice and were we to have to go back to Vegas, it would be an ideal place to be away from the Strip.

Take a look at the pictures and you’ll find a nice little Italian style village. Of course, it’s not really like a small Italian village, but it’s good enough for what it is: a peaceful oasis away from town.

The Great Outdoors

I’m sitting right now on my outdoor furnitire – the wonderful patio furniture we had shipped from Texas [since everything here was either too cheap or too expensive]. Laura and I [mostly Laura] have just finished up the yard work for the week – cleaning, pruning, cutting, mowing, etc. It all looks so nice now.

I have just finished booking our travel to Spokane and arranging our rooms for the week and weekend we will be there. The company pays for the weekdays, of course, while I get to pay for the cabin in the woods over the weekend.

I’m getting pretty excited about it, actually. It’s been a while since Laura and I just went out to the wilderness. It’s been since we had Thanksgiving at my sister’s in Wyoming since we’ve taken a few days to ourselves and nature like that.

Trip Alert: Spkane, WA

Looks like instead of going to sunny Florida for my training class, I’ll be headed to Spokane, Washington in a couple of weeks. Laura will be coming with me, of course.

Spokane itself is not very exciting, but its location is. Just a couple of hours away is Glacier National Park and the area is surrounded by national forests and mountains. We will be skipping out over the weekend to find a small cabin in the mountains. We will definitely be bringing cameras for this event.

Arranging flights for this was difficult, but it looks like we will be flying Northwest [a Continental partner] and actually be getting seats together. Gotta love those Membership Rewards.

Gallery

Some of you have pointed out some difficulties with my photo gallery and with good reason: it seems to be not performing very well at all. So, I’ve decided to migrate to Gallery 2. I’ve tried this before and didn’t like it, but I’ve had so much trouble with the old version that I’m ready to give it a try.

I’m currently in the process of importing the Gallery 1 albums into Gallery 2, so please be patient as performance on the site will be slow.

And, yes – once this is done, I will begin to post some of the pictures that I have been long in processing…