CISSP

For the past month or so, I have been studying for the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) exam. This is an extremely detailed test. I will be taking the test on May 17. The exam is 6 hours, 250 questions, and cost $500 to take. I plan to pass it the first time!

I took an on-line boot camp the first week of April. Luckily I found a 'study partner', who is a lot further along then I am, but he is taking the test this weekend. This is good for me, as he can give me some pointers as to exactly what is on the test. Since the bootcamp, I have been listening and watching a set of DVDs on the topic. I have also been taking a bunch of sample tests. I just hope that this works out.

Viva, Las Vegas!

I will be taking a trip to Vegas with my mother and sister, May 28-June 1. The World Series of Poker starts during this time, and my sister Cindy wants to enter one of the events. We’ll see how it goes, and I would say that I will give an update, but as you know, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
In preparation of Vegas, I am planning to play in a charity game in Annapolis on April 27, and a tourney on 5/17. The 5/17 tourney is the one that is held about 3 times a year. The tournament in Annapolis is a little more involved. The top prize a entry into the World Series of Poker, Main Event. Basically a $10,000 first prize! As always, I’ll see how it goes.
http://www.disabilityguide.org/charitypokertournament/index.html

Summer’s Here and the time is right…

Well it’s not here yet, but a few bands have announced tours and I got tickets. It seems June is filling in. Tom Petty on Sunday, 6/8 at the Nissan Pavilion in Virginia, then the following Saturday, 6/14, Rush in Philly, followed by Pearl Jam in DC on 6/22. I’ll probably take in the Springsteen show in Charlottesville, VA on 4/30. I think the Donk got us some tickets to see the Black Crows in August; the Virgin Fest will take place again in August. Maybe a Bruce show or two. Got to take in an O’s game or two, and probably want to get down the Nats at their new ballpark. The summer is filling up!

How does your garden grow...

Speaking of growing…
And we are preparing for the garden. I planted the root vegetables (onions, beets, radishes, carrots, and potatoes) in the garden. I have started the tomatoes and other veggies indoors. These are all coming along well. I think I’m on track for planting in the garden around the first of May. In preparing for things, we got two loads of manure in March. It was a pin to unload, but this is the best way to grow stuff.
I got some help planting the carrots.

This weekend the weather was great and I made more progress on getting things planted. I sprayed to get rid of some of the grass and weeds, and re tilled the whole garden. This week I will make the rows and probably start planting some things next weekend.

How about an update?

Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. But nothing major has been happening. Since I last posted. The baby is growing well. She has started eating food, and becoming more interactive. The summer concert season is filling in. I’ve planned a trip to Vegas and plan to play more poker to get warmed up. I’m studding for the CISSP security certification. And as always, looking to improve my career and life. I’ll post a few different posts on these various topics. Now for the details of these topics and many others.
Baby is growing
Rebecca is 5 months old, and she is making normal progress and seems to be coming along well. As you can see from the pictures, she is filling in. At the last doctor appointment (a month ago) she was in the 75 percentile in length, 25 percentile in weight and 25 percentile in head size. Not the worst proportions. Basically, long and lean.
We also got the daycare situation straightened out. We started with going to two different places, but after doing this for about 3 weeks, found a sole provider. The lady is very nice and works with us when we have any issues. I try to drop her off, but sometimes Teri has to when I’m running late. I don’t think this is a big deal, but Teri makes it out to be from time to time.
We took a short trip with Rebecca to visit Teri’s kin in North Carolina over the President’s Day weekend. This went pretty well. I got some good pictures out of this, in particular the one below with her and I sleeping. You’ll notice in the background the shotgun, just to prove we were in NC.

As I mentioned, Rebecca has started to eat food. We are sticking with veggies for now, but I am sure we will move on to other things soon. I think that things are going pretty well on this front.

And on the way to North Carolina, my van passed 100,000 miles!