More than one blog (Can’t use Categories)

Hi.

Like a previous topic, I too like what’s going on at The Pioneer Woman. Several blogs on one site.

I have also looked at the advice on how to copy it. First of all, I don’t think categories are going to work for me, for on each blog, although I’d like to use the same theme, I’d like them to have different background images.

As for WordPress Mu, I’m not sure even IT allows me to do what I’m looking for, or whether there’s a quick fix. And if it does what I’m looking for, is it as easy to install as WordPress?

Finally, I’m not proficient with php, and often get lost when reading the explanations of how to do things. However, I’m persevering, and will try to follow whatever you guys write.

I have made a diagram of my preferred architecture here:

http://www.undercoverny.com/architecture.gif

Essentially I’d like the navigation bar to show this:

Home | About | Billiards | Writing | Street Performance | Contact

With the Billiards, Writing, and Street Performance buttons scrolling down to offer “Blog,” “Media,” etc for their separate sections. The Home, About, and Contact Us pages would be regular pages (not blogs) which have the same background, but not the same background as the blogs. Make sense?

Thanks for your time,

Nick