The Kat House » the geek in me

Take Your Words to Live TV!

Tish — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:35:12 +0000

If you’re looking for a new way to reach out to the masses, BlogTV may be just the thing. The site is completely free and allows anyone with a webcam to create live video shows. You can showcase your talents, share your opinions, or just talk about the weather. The sky’s the limit, as long as you abide by the site’s terms of service. Viewers can share their thoughts through a live chat window beside the video feed.

I visited BlogTV for the first time a few nights ago. It was nearly 2 AM, but there was plenty of action. I was greeted with a featured live show as well as several screen shots from other shows that were being broadcast live. I clicked around and hopped from show to show. I finally settled on a drunk guy singing Poison songs. He was no Brett Michaels, but he was definitely amusing. Every time he had a little break in his song, he’d pull away from the mic and stare at the computer screen to see what everyone was saying about him. Then he’d say a few words to the viewers.

I browsed around for only a short while, but the thing I found most surprising was the friendliness of all the hosts. Each time I joined a new show, the host would say hello. And the topics of conversation were anything and everything!

I registered with the site, but I haven’t yet broadcast a show. Apparently you can even archive your shows for viewers to go back and watch at a later date. You can also embed your shows into a blog post. Maybe I’ll get a wild hair and give it a try one night. I do have a webcam, but the only time I use it is when I’m chatting with my best friend. Perhaps it’s time for the rest of the world to see Miss ChattieKat on internet TV!

Yes, I Can Install RAM!

Tish — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:57:51 +0000

You know what just chaps my behind? Men who think women are incapable of doing anything that requires a little technical know-how. I’ll admit that I can’t hook up a DVD player to save my own life, but when it comes to computers, I’m just as able as most guys – and more than some.

A couple of years ago, I decided to upgrade my computer memory. I went to Best Buy and asked an associate for assistance in finding what I needed. He gave me the RAM, I thanked him, and then I headed toward the checkout line. He called out after me, “Do you need help installing it?” Did I ask him for help installing it? No. Yet he felt the need to ask me anyway. I just told him that I was fully capable of handling it myself.

Keep in mind that I had never installed RAM before; but I took lots of computer classes in college and had a pretty good understanding of how they worked. That night at about 11:00, I decided to tackle the job. The computer I had at the time was a nightmare to work with, because it was very difficult to reach the motherboard. I practically had to take the entire thing apart just to install the memory. I finally did it, though, and proceeded to put the computer back together. Fired it up, and it worked! The new memory was recognized, and I was moving along at lightning speed.

I was quite proud of myself – so much so that I wanted to call everyone I knew and tell them about my accomplishment. Unfortunately, it was the middle of the night and I knew that no one else would share my enthusiasm. So what did I do? I just signed online and told everyone I could find!

Domaining Manifesto: The Ultimate Guide to Successful Domaining

Tish — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:52:21 +0000

My good friend John Motson of DNXpert.com has just released his new e-book, the Domaining Manifesto. In the book, John shares his secrets of successful domaining – “the business of buying, selling, developing, and monetizing Internet domain names.”

If you’re interested in building an impressive domain portfolio to generate a guaranteed steady stream of income, this book will teach you everything you need to know.

I am about halfway through the Domaining Manifesto myself, and I’m very impressed. The book is written in easy to understand language that is perfect for beginners as well as those more experienced in the business of domaining. It is well worth the investment.

For more information on the Domaining Manifesto, or to purchase the book, click here. By entering coupon code tish, you’ll receive a discount of $10 off the retail price of $57.

One Giant Leap…

Tish — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:43:21 +0000

I just made the move to paid hosting! Please be patient, as it may take me several days to get everything set up just the way I’d like. Many thanks to Mike for helping me get settled into my new digs!

Geek Girl

chattiekat — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:45:27 +0000

I just ordered two new books:

Beginning CSS: Cascading Style Sheets for Web Design

Podcasting for Dummies

I’m still studying for my PHR certification exam, to be taken on December 29th. As soon as that is finished, I’m doing a major overhaul on my blog and starting a podcast.

Sunday Samplings #17

chattiekat — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 04:09:23 +0000

Complete Geek posted one of the most fascinating things I’ve seen in a long time. Check out Tesla Coils Playing the Super Mario Bros. Theme Song.
We recently welcomed Christine Senter to the amazing team of writers at BlogsWeLuv. Christine has posted her first review, Romance Tracker – A Blog We Luv.
My good friend Garry Conn just launched a new website. Money Listers dot Com gives you the resources to make money online by providing you with articles from hundreds on professional Internet marketing experts.
Byron Chesney stumbled across a NY Times article from 1913 regarding a Knoxville man who went missing in 1910. He has been unable to locate any further updates, so we are left to assume that after 97 years, Charles Fagan has never been found.
If you’re a fan of Kevin Smith, you’ll be happy to know that he just joined Facebook. Take a moment to stop by and add him to your friends list.

Sunday Samplings #16

chattiekat — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 04:43:24 +0000

Need an idea for next year’s jack-o-lantern? Check out these Geeky Carved Pumpkins.
Amy’s mother is very talented with plastic canvas needlepoint. This haunted house she made for Halloween is absolutely amazing!
Andrew, Barry, Tommy, and Taylor Blue have posted my Getting to Know Meme. If you know these guys, stop by and leave a comment! And if you haven’t left a comment on my meme, I’d love for you to.
BlogsWeLuv’s November Contest has just been announced. If you’d like to win a review of your blog, check it out.
You still have time to participate in National Novel Writing Month. There were more than 79,000 participants last year. The goal is to pen the first draft of a novel during the month of November.

Where the Geeks Are

chattiekat — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:25:38 +0000

We all know that the geeks hang out at Best Buy, but have you seen the geeks who huddle outside the door before the store opens? Sadly, this is what my life has come to.

I have a Saturday morning routine. I get up around 7:00, sometimes earlier, and begin my day. The first few hours of it consist of running various errands and shopping. I haul the garbage off to the county dump. I stop by the post office and drop off Netflix movies. I pick up dog food and meds from the vet. I go to the pharmacy. I do the grocery shopping. And when I have time and energy, I do the fun shopping, which often involves a visit to Best Buy.

Cruella insisted on waking me up at the crack of dawn this morning. I have no idea what the problem was, but she refused to let me sleep. She paced around and around the bed, barking and howling. I took her out for a walk around 5:00, and then crawled back into bed. The pacing, barking, and howling started again. So I got an earlier start than usual on the Saturday errands.

An earlier start meant an earlier finish. It wasn’t even 10:00 when I arrived at Best Buy to pick up a copy of Transformers on DVD. Apparently I’m not the only geek who doesn’t sleep. They were all hanging out in the parking lot, waiting for the store to open.

I did get my copy of Transformers. I had been anticipating this movie for months before it opened at the theater. My friend Jack and I went to see it on opening weekend, and I was blown away. I promised myself that I’d add it to my growing collection of geek films.

Speaking of geek films, I love superhero movies. I see most of them as soon as they are released. My movie collection is filled with Spiderman, Batman, Superman, and one of my very favorites – The Fantastic 4! So, from this day forward, Saturdays are not just Saturdays. I proclaim them Superhero Saturdays. And a superhero movie will be viewed on each one!

Bring on the popcorn!

Night at the Symphony

chattiekat — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:45:15 +0000

For the first time in my adult life, I spent an evening at the symphony! Thanks to the generosity of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, I attended the season’s opening concert last night. Local bloggers were given free tickets to the show and invited to a post-concert reception with the musicians.

I must admit that, like Byron Chesney, I had the pre-symphony jitters. I was fine until just a couple of days before the show. I am a big fan of theatre and attend plays on a regular basis, but I hadn’t been to the symphony since I was a kid. What if I wore the wrong outfit? What if I acted in an unacceptable manner?

I met my friend Kevin in Market Square, and we then walked to the beautiful Tennessee Theatre. After having some champagne, we found our seats and prepared for a new experience. The first half of the show was by modern American composers. The first piece was Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Then soloist Jeffrey Biegel took the stage for Liebermann’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

In my usual theatre fashion, I had gone to the restroom immediately before the show, as I knew that it would be near impossible to fight the crowds during intermission. Instead, I spent the intermission scanning the room for other bloggers. I didn’t see anyone that I recognized, but Kevin quickly pointed out that you could tell who the bloggers were simply by hair color. In a sea of white hair, other colors easily stood out. Surely those colorful heads of hair must belong to youthful, technologically gifted bloggers!

The first half of the concert had been enjoyable, but the second half was my favorite. It consisted of Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Osbasso had predicted that I’d like Appalachian Spring, and he was right! Both pieces were fantastic.

After the show, we made our way to the Glenn Miller Room for the Bloggers’ Reception. The first person I met was KSO Communications Director Stephanie Burdette. I then recognized Byron Chesney of Knoxville Trivia Blog. I had a great time chatting with him and his wife.

Rich, Lissa Kay, and Doug were there as well. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with them before, but it was certainly nice to see them again. I also met Frank Murphy and Craig Thomas. Is it just me, or are bloggers the nicest people you’ll ever meet?

I met Maestro Lucas Richman as well as a few of the KSO musicians. They were all so nice and down to earth! I would have stayed at the reception longer, but I was wearing heels that will never be worn again. My feet hurt so bad as I left the show that I just took off my shoes and walked the several blocks to my car barefoot.

As I mentioned, I had been really nervous before the show, but I was pleasantly surprised. My outfit didn’t stick out like a sore thumb, and I think I behaved in an acceptable manner! Yippee! It was a wonderful night, and I look forward to attending another show in the future.

If you’re in the Knoxville area and would like to attend a show, check out the KSO’s website for all the juicy details. And as an added incentive, you can find a great KSO coupon in the School Coupon Book. Buy one ticket to the Family Concert and get a second ticket free!

Thanks to Kevin for taking these great photos.

Maestro Richman with Jeffrey Biegel (That’s the Maestro’s son in the background)

Rich, Lissa Kay, and Stephanie

Be sure to check out these concert reviews from other local bloggers.

I Had a Blast at the Orchestra! by Doug McCaughan

Bloggers’ Field Trip by Frank Murphy

Bloggers at the Symphony by Lissa Kay

KSO Blogger Night Review by Byron Chesney

Semi-Live Blogging the Symphony by Craig Thomas

Semi-Live Blogging the Symphony Part 2 by Craig Thomas

The Symphony by Noah Caldwell (9 years old!)

KSO and Bloggers Unite! by Krisha

Night at the KSO by Brian Arner

Tweet, Tweet to the Music by Jack Lail

If you know of any other reviews, please let me know so I can post a link!

Sunday Samplings #8

chattiekat — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:20:28 +0000

Do you spend entirely too much time online? Perhaps you’re suffering from Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). Health Hackers has posted an article explaining just what IAD is and how you can overcome it.
Bob of Bobbarama overheard a couple of very entertaining conversations while having dinner a few nights ago. I laughed through the entire post. I’m sure you will too.
K-IntheHouse has written a nice little review of Vision 20/20, a web-based service that uses a map to display important information about sex offenders in your area.
Ariela of Baking and Books is raising money for the 2007 Jewish Environmental Bike Ride. She has lots of great books up for grab through a virtual raffle. You can get a ticket for only $5. If you’re interested, hurry and stop by. The contest ends tomorrow.
Bucky of The WVb discusses how a good perfume can be a powerful thing. His wife can dab on her top secret perfume, and Bucky will do darn near anything.
Mike of Ordinary Folk has written a great post about the evolution of a comic strip and its characters. You will see just how Garfield has evolved since 1978. This is the first post in a series.