Eh, never fear. Do you have Ad-aware or Spybot for your pop-up problems? You might just have really bad spyware issues that are being overlooked by McAffee.

Anyway, fear not about the blog. I think my life has become so boring...waiting for another job, or at the very least, waiting for my security clearances to go through so I can work at the job I have...that I actually don't have any news to impart. Being at home and not in the same room as my computer also cut back on the time I have to read information on the web, ergo I can't post as much. Figure it par for the course...a little vacation for your computer. It's lovely, really....

Sweet, my name is mentioned in your blog!

Dear Karissa,

I realize that the summer has been rough on you. I have never been away from you for such a period of time that I have started to look for other things to do.

There isn't much out there in the world for blogs. No one will hire me for a part-time job. I can't play Yahoo Games because you haven't given me your password.

I have been keeping up on the CellarDwellers with Mike and his blog. Brian is out in the working world slaving away and apparently blogging away (though he sometimes has trouble making an actually point to his posts).

If the reason you haven't been talking to me much is computer problems with Internet Explorer, Julie and Brian have the right ideas with AdAware. I hear from other blogs out there that it works wonders.

Fear not about your skills because like any good parent, you could never do wrong in my eyes. Stop by when the pop-ups stop coming.

Faithfully,
SP

My dear Karissa,

Here are some helpful hints for your blog (so it won't be so mad at you for not writing much).

I am having this problem also, I have absolutely nothing to chat about on my blog.

So, about one hour ago I sat down, grabbed a notebook, and my favorite pen.... I then made a goal that I would have to write down at least 3 topics that I would blog about in the next week. Well, I reached my goal and I have 7 topics to write about!! THERE YOU GO! :-)

I understand about the computer scenario, we have to delete 10 things for the internet to work everytime we restart the computer. Our computer is a 97' Pionex and its a p.o.s. sometimes.

But honestly, I think everyone who is an almost everyday blogger is sucked into the blogging trap. No matter what (if we are extremely busy or have nothing to write about) we always have to maintain our blogs. Its like a pet fish, every once and while you have to check up on them, feeding them everyday and cleaning out there tank every so often. Blogs are there and when we have the chance, we'll write down a nice story that attracts many viewers, but we can never forget about our blogs (or fish).

By the way.... I sat down on my desk chair today (which is one of our old wooden kitchen chairs), and I ended up on the floor. I must sit too much at my computer that the leg broke off.

Hi Karissa! Firefighter Chica's advice about maintaining weblogs being like caring for a pet fish reminded me inquire about your "Yellow Fish" story. Have you written any more about Yellow Fish? If so, I would love to read it. Enjoy your summer!

Julie- thanks for the idea of a vacation from the computer. I might have to try that!

Mike- Of course I'd mention your giggle-riddled blog. It makes me remember why blogging is fun.

SP- thanks for the tip about Adware. I'll pass on the word to my local computer administrator (my 16 year-old brother :^)

Stef- thanks for the tip! I like that idea--the notebook is great, and that way I could even compose offline and post later...

Rosemary- I'll have to post the final draft of "Yellow Fish." I'm surprised you mentioned it! I turned in my final copy of the short story to our literary magazine at SHU and it was published in the spring edition, under the theme of tragedy. I'll try to find the disk and put it up for your reading pleasure. Thanks for asking :^D That made my day.

*phew!* longest comment ever? Could be...

Karissa, your problem with IE starting up with "searchanything.net" is called a browser hijacking. Some malicious program takes control, eithout your permission. I know I am sounding like a broken record, but given your problems, you might want to try using a different browser, like Mozilla or Firefox. Not only will your computer be more secure, but I think you will like it better. Take 10 minutes, download one of these fine browsers, and give it a try.