Acer Netbook

For some time now I have been looking for an internet/photo storage device to take with me on a cross country bicycle trip. I will be taking pictures as I go and wanted to back them up and to connect to the internet when I find a hot spot so I can update my TransAm Blog. I thought a netbook would be perfect for this. Small, lightweight, inexpensive and would do the job. Every sales person I talked to in every store I went to said no the processor would not handle the photos, then tried to upgrade me to a full size laptop at twice the size and weight and three time the price. I think stores do not want to sell the cheaper netbooks. I then Googled netbooks and photography and found several photo sites that use netbooks just as I intended to and they are very happy with them. They are not sufficient for photo editing: sluggish and small screen. I purchased this Acer Aspire One and am very pleased with the performance. I am writing and posting this blog using it. I think all the brands are about the same. This one has an 8 hour battery life, and wi-fi two important things to me. I will be able to use it for photo backups, connecting to the internet and updating my blog, writing a daily journal, and checking email. I'm sure I'll find other things to use it for, but I'm happy with this.

BetterBill

Dutch Windmill

Today, Tuesday 3-30, I was working in west central Iowa and took a side trip to Elk Horn, Iowa. Elk Horn is a Danish community 6 miles north of I80. There I snapped these pictures of an old windmill and an old settlers home.

Signs of Spring At Last

Today was a beautiful day: all over sunshine, little wind and 55 degrees. I went for a bike ride looking for signs of spring and did not have to look far. The trail was bustling with people of all ages and activities.

Cool Car

Today I had breakfast in Hannibal, MO. Afterwards I spotted this car in the parcking lot and thought it was pretty cool. A 1960 (?) Ford. Hope you enjoy it.

Fiddlin' Around and Havin' a Beer

This past weekend I visited KC Strings, a music store in Mirriam, Kansas that is devoted to stringed instruments. I was there with my brother Bob, he dropped off a violin bow for restringing while we were on our way to the Home and Lawn and Garden Show at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. I only had my little Olympus point and shoot camera with me, but I liked all the violins hanging down in neat rows.

I have been staying in Jefferson City, MO this past week and found this great brew pub called Prison Brews. As you might guess it has a prison decor and all the brews have a prison themed name. The one I am getting ready to enjoy is called "I've Gone A-Rye Pale Ale. If you are in the vicinity of Jeff. City, you should try it. Great atmosphere, great beer and great food - my kind of place!

BetterBill

Signs of Spring?

Took my camera to Shawnee Mission Park this afternoon desperately looking for signs of Spring. It started snowing big huge flakes. No signs of Spring yet, winter still has its icy grip on us. Along with the snow I did see some paddle boats stored for the winter encrusted in ice and snow and plenty of deer. I put the pink roses together from a dozen of them that some nice man bought for my wife.

Pray for Spring,

BetterBill

Food Show Event Photos

This weekend was the Affiliated Foods Midwest Spring Food Show at the Quest Center in Omaha. Attached are some photos I took at the event. Hope you enjoy them. The Tea Cup with Roses is the creation of Lisa Fokken - nice work Lisa.