Working in television is nice because you get summers off. I used my summers to help host dorky computer events such as Linux "install fests" and Internet how-to's at a local Independent bookstore. I teamed up with another volunteer at the bookstore in an effort to better coordinate our training sessions. One day my volunteer friend mentioned that he had an idea and some investment capitol. Before we knew it a full service Internet access provider had blossomed. My investor friend sold his shares but I continued to run the company. It was a hard job but it was addictive. I was always up at the ISP conferences and reading all the journals. We were one of the first companies to start offering DSL in the state. L A Bridge, as the company is still known, continues to offer DSL and most other common ISP services throughout California today.

I learned a lot about managing Cisco networking equipment and Unix server systems in my time as administrator with L A Bridge. There are plenty of great Unix admins out there so I've decided to narrow my focus down to networks. I attained CompTIA's "A+" (PC Technician) and Network+ certifications in summer 2007.  I'm almost done with an Associates Degree of Science in Computer Information Management (Cisco emphasis). I graduated Cisco Academy and passed the CCNA exam in January 2008. CCNP training is fully underway but Linux+ and Security+ certifications will probably come first.  This certification process has really filled in the holes in my knowledge that job experience missed.  

Well, thanks for reading and sorry so long!. As Mark Twain said: "If I'd had more time, I would have written you a shorter letter". Ciao!

--nia