Point of No Return

Webmaster

If anyone can pass it the first attempt it's you Mike!

I may call it an early night tonight since I've heard rumors of some sort of holiday that may give me 4 days straight days of uninterrupted study.

This reminds me of this topic...
Q. My NA seems overworked. What do I do?
A. Give him 4 days off for uninterrupted study.

mikej412

I wake up in 3 hours and 15 minutes..... nothing like an extra long weekend to catch up on study.

FedEX has mis-delivered my Cisco Press book order twice now. Maybe the 3rd time will be a charm today -- assuming they got the box back from whoever they delivered it to 2nd time. This is my 2nd order since CiscoPress.com changed to FedEX for shipping. The first time FedEx just didn't even attempt delivery for the first 3 days.... then they claimed my address was non-existent.

Webmaster

So I'm not the only one who had problems with FedEx... It's the only company I actually boycot, because of bad experiences and the terrible service. Even the regular snailmail is more reliable here.

Did you order a book for additional preparation for your secuirty lab exam?

MrD

I use FedEx at work and have not had a problem. Of course, we spend mucho denero with them so we might have a priority #

mikej412

Webmaster wrote:

So I'm not the only one who had problems with FedEx... It's the only company I actually boycot, because of bad experiences and the terrible service. Even the regular snailmail is more reliable here.

Did you order a book for additional preparation for your secuirty lab exam?

I hope not!! I got a couple of PIX/ASA books to read after my lab to come up to speed on that "new stuff." Hopefully I won't be using them to study for the Security Version 2 Lab. I also got some more of the new Cisco Press Voice books.

The funny thing with FedEX Ground -- they can find me and deliver the Dell Computers (2 laptops, and 3 PCs - since I don't have the time to build or upgrade computers right now). I guess the Dell Delivery Contract is important to them.... but any other ground package take a lot of phone calls to get. They either claim my address is wrong, ot "did not attempt delivery." I think it has to do with the consolidation of their Ground locations and increase in corporate profits.

I've got an Express office 10 minutes away that delivers without a problem. FedEX Home gets me my packages.... but they are now closer than the new consolidated Ground location.

DW [banned]

Thanks

mikej412

DarbyWeaver wrote:

I got those orange ones...

Ooooooh.... the orange ones are nice! And with the new purple ones, my sea of Cisco Green on the book shelves isn't as boring any more.

Too bad the books finally showed up yesterday.... they look good, but I doubt if I'll have much time to do more than page through them. I think I wasted more time on the phone with FedEX Ground then it would have taken to drive to Indianapolis and pick up the books at the warehouse. This was a replacement shipment that came FedEX Express after FedEX ground delivered twice to the wrong address.

Well -- the extended forcast shows nice weather for my trip to San Jose -- no snow (unlike today).

mikej412

Crunch Time

This is where having a home lab pays off -- every waking non-working non-cat hour this week will probably be spent on the hardware or the Doc CD.

If I have to choose between doing practice labs or topic reviews -- I'll **** a practice lab to pick up the time for the topic reviews. Hopefully the practice labs I do get done this week won't freak me out with more review topics.

mikej412

Thinking of calling it an early night.

I fly out next Sunday to San Jose for the Security Lab, and get back into Chicago at oh-dark-thirty (via LAX) in the morning on Tuesday the 12th.

It turns out that I get to study about 1/3 of the time that I think I should be able to... so I actually feel fine for that R&S Lab in February.... As for the Security Lab next Monday -- I still think I could pass, so "I'm go" for the full $2K+ for the Lab, Hotel, and Flight.

I'm planning to review what I think I already know -- and won't worry too much about learning anything new. I guess I'll be spending my time making sure I know where to find surprises in the Doc CD.

I should have time to get a haircut, but I probably won't have time to get new glasses. I'm driving my Neighbor to the train station for Christmas and picking her up at the Airport in January -- and she's going to take care of the barn cats while I'm in San Jose.... and then the house cats if I'm delayed by weather on the way home.

I've decided on my reading material for the trip, and the evening (and possibly the sleepless night) before the Lab Exam. I've got an SD memory card programmed with music for my old Rio Sport for the trip home.

I don't feel the pressure anymore -- I think I've slipped into that old Army Infantry "accomplish the mission" mindset. The game face is on.

The only annoying thing -- the techies seem to understand what I'm about to do, but those damn civilians do that "oh you're going to pass because you're so smart" thing. I've already declined several "victory" dinners. If I do pass I might drive 80 miles to meet an old co-worker for a long overdue "techie get-together." If I fail, I'm just going to drink for a few days (and work from home -- no one should notice, or care too much ).

If I pass the lab next Monday -- I'll probably drink less than if I fail the lab. I'm planning to "track my points" during the lab, so I'm pretty sure I'll know next Tuesday morning when I get home if I should be expecting a good result email.

I had considered the "layover" in Vegas, or the night in Vegas -- but getting home to the cats won out.

The only thing left to decide is whether to drive to the airport.... or take a taxi, or a limo.

If I drive to the airport, then I really can't drink on the way home.... If I taxi/limo to the Airport -- then I'm pretty sure I'll be drinking on my way home. So I'm not sure yet if I'll be posting next Tuesday morning when I get home.

The only question I still have -- how close to passing to request a "re-grade". Right now I'm thinking 3-6 points.

Waynoo

Good luck on your lab. Just relax and stay focused on the prize...and you should pass if you have prepared well!! If you know your stuff is the key to being relaxed and confident.
I know where the CCIE lab is held in San Jose as I work at Cisco. They have lockers for your valuables and a lobby/phone area for you along with a break room.

Good luck!

mikej412

Waynoo wrote:

lockers for your valuables

Can I fit one of those wheelie carry on bags in a locker... or should I go for a "gym bag" and a couple of notebooks with my "review notes?" Other than my cell phone, wallet, keys (if I drive to the airport), and watch.... I'm willing to throw out anything else I bring with me out

Now this is GREAT information!!

Trailerisf

MIke, when you do ultimately pass... You'll need to shorten your certs to WoW

keenon

Trailerisf wrote:

MIke, when you do ultimately pass... You'll need to shorten your certs to WoW

yep then he could say "Majority of all the Cisco certs"

Humper

keenon wrote:

Trailerisf wrote:

MIke, when you do ultimately pass... You'll need to shorten your certs to WoW

yep then he could say "Majority of all the Cisco certs"

or

"I own Cisco"

or

"Cisco ain't got nothin on me!"

PCHoldmann

Maybe just something like:

Working on - CCIE SP, Voice, SAN
Have - everything else

remyforbes777

or just
Certifications: You'll get tongue-tied.

mikej412

I already shortened my Certification List -- I noticed the Certification Tracking Website has changed the abbreviations for the "Cisco Qualified Specialist" certs down to "Cisco Specialist." Did I miss a memo?

I'm thinking I need a nap.

I didn't get a haircut today -- but I did get the bulk kitty kibble and water dispensers for the house/guest cats. The barn cats and their feral buddy will be in the barn and one of my neighbors will give them fresh water and their daily canned food. They already have the all-you-can-eat Kibble dispenser and all the mice they can catch.

The weather in Chicago looks good for the trip out and back..... I might get wet when I get to San Jose.... but it doesn't sound like anything major. I should be on the way home before the Tuesday rain.

Fell asleep in my desk chair yesterday (in the middle of the day, and I wasn't even on a conference call) -- and had a lab dream, or more likely, a hallucination -- hopefully it was prophetic.

I may just read through the Security Practice Labs I still have left to do. I'm thinking my time may be better spent going through the Security V1 Lab Blueprint and making sure I know where everything is in the Documentation. And then review the annoying R&S stuff that could still be on the Security Lab Exam.

I'm hopefully not going to waste time reading the docs during the exam.... but jumping to the configuration examples might keep me from going too far astray if I start freaking out and forgetting commands. It is easy under pressure to forget something stupid with all those security devices....

Webmaster

mikej412 wrote:

]I noticed the Certification Tracking Website has changed the abbreviations for the "Cisco Qualified Specialist" certs down to "Cisco Specialist."

I guess that means "Qualified" is now implied.

Sounds like your cats will be fine, ours drinks from the water dispenser like it's a beer fountain. Do you have one with a bowl upside down?

I can't even imagine what it's like to be days before the CCIE lab, but spending some extra time on becoming familiar with the Docs, rather than going over stuff you should probably know at this point, sounds like a good plan.

mikej412 wrote:

The only thing left to decide is whether to drive to the airport.... or take a taxi, or a limo.

If I drive to the airport, then I really can't drink on the way home.... If I taxi/limo to the Airport -- then I'm pretty sure I'll be drinking on my way home.

Any CCIE lab candidate deserves a drink in a limo on the way home, it should be included free of charge.

mikej412

No pre-lab jitters yet... maybe its the Guinness.

I'm done studying.

The ultimate result probably has already been determined at least a week ago -- I just don't know what it is yet.

keatron

You'll be fine man!! It's a shame we're both heading to San Jose the same day and didn't get the same flights. Maybe I'll be going for the security lab when you go for your next lab and we can hook up then!!!!

PCHoldmann

Good luck (and skill) on Monday, Mike!

mtbcyclist

Knock em dead!!! You will do fine! Good luck and let us know how you did!

mikej412

keatron wrote:

It's a shame we're both heading to San Jose the same day and didn't get the same flights.

Isn't there a "no multiple moderators on the same flight rule" in the moderators disaster recovery and forum continuity guide?

If I oversleep I could still wind up on your flight..... but its not likely. One of the alarm cats has been going off at 5:30am and I haven't found the off button.

Time for a pre-lab haircut -- can't have the hair falling in the eyes during router/pix/concentrator/ids/switch configuration.

Still no pre-lab jitters. No pre-lab excitement. And since I'm not bringing a laptop, no major pre-flight apprehension.

Ho hum.... what to do for dinner? If I hurry, I'll have time for a post-haircut and pre-dinner nap.

LukeQuake

Best of luck mike! Just stay focused and make sure you eat!

tibul

good luck mike!

Trailerisf

You'll be fine... Just remember to get some sleep before the exam.

No need to lie there and wait for the sun to come up like Darby. I'm sure this time he's going to staple his eye lids closed.

Webmaster

Have fun Mike and have a good flight!

Humper

Good luck Mike!!!!!

mikej412

Thanks All!

I'll be home Tuesday morning.

keatron

mikej412 wrote:

keatron wrote:

It's a shame we're both heading to San Jose the same day and didn't get the same flights.

Isn't there a "no multiple moderators on the same flight rule" in the moderators disaster recovery and forum continuity guide?

If I oversleep I could still wind up on your flight..... but its not likely. One of the alarm cats has been going off at 5:30am and I haven't found the off button.

Time for a pre-lab haircut -- can't have the hair falling in the eyes during router/pix/concentrator/ids/switch configuration.

Still no pre-lab jitters. No pre-lab excitement. And since I'm not bringing a laptop, no major pre-flight apprehension.

Ho hum.... what to do for dinner? If I hurry, I'll have time for a post-haircut and pre-dinner nap.

I'm sure we've already violated that rule. Me, you and Mark were within 30 miles of each other a few months back (when Mike and I went to dinner). Scary. Johan might penalize us for such a dangerous stunt.