I have been using a Chromebook for the past week. For those of you that don’t know what a Chromebook is it is a computer that is like a laptop. The major difference to the user is that everything is done on the web or if you prefer in the cloud. There is very little storage on a Chromebook and a solid state hard drive so no moving parts. What this means to the end user is the computer is up and ready to work in less than 10 seconds.  It also means that the battery last more than eight hours. It runs on the Chrome browser and is simple to use. I got the Samsung model with the 3G connection.

One of the first things I ran into is I was not ready for it to start as soon as I lifted the lid. I thought I would have to turn it on. So the first time I tried to turn it on I actually turned it off. Through the week I checked e-mail, did Facebook, and almost anything I would normally do in a week with a computer.

I did have two things that did not work as smooth as I thought they should. QuickBooks Online gives a message saying it doesn’t like my browser and I should proceed at my own risk. So far, everything I do on QuickBooks works fine. The second I was surprised with is governments run website, it refused to work with the browser. I then tried the same site on my Unix(another operating system) machine and the government site would not work on that computer either. So I went to a Windows machine and the site worked. What surprised me about this is that a government site would force you to choose between an Apple computer and Microsoft computer no support for other operating systems. I thought the government did not like monopolies. However in this case you have to be main line Apple or Windows or no go. You may be asking, “What site was I not able to use?” It was www.fafsa.ed.gov .

I have been fighting internet connection problems off and on this week so the other thing that my Chromebook does that others do not is I can connect to the internet through the cell phone network at 3G speeds right from my Chromebook. This week especially with connection problems if I had been using a comparable laptop or netbook computer I would have been in the car looking for free WiFi. Instead I was sitting in my home and taking care of what I needed to do.

Can I survive with only a Chromebook? Probably not right now if the government has more sites that are limited to Apple or Windows machines. Is it a great addition and an advantage to have? I think so! I may visit this topic again after I have had more time with my Chromebook but after one week I am pleased with the Chromebook and as usual confused by our government.

Fathers day is almost here and many Facebook users are changing their profile picture to include their dad. I would probably join them if I could quickly find a digital picture of my dad and I. But fathers day is not about posting pictures but about thanking dads for lessons taught.

For me a a first born son in the sixties one of my earliest memories is being outside as my father built a block wall fence around the backyard. I could not help him but I was there and I remember the fence going in. As I became older I was my dads right hand man. If he was fixing the car or the plumbing or any number of things I was nearby watching, then handing him tools and finally having him hand me tools as I would do the work as he watched.

I also remember mowing lawns at one of my grandfathers. My brother and I would work for hours mowing and raking the yards as my grandfather watched and guided us so that the yard was done just right.

My other grandfather took me fishing and showed great patience as he untangled my line or helped me to get my line in the water. He was also a puzzle person. Rubics Cube and many other puzzles were made for people like him.

All three of these men stayed with their families in good times and bad. Working second jobs if needed to support their families. All three of these men had hobbies, stamp collecting, oil painting, fishing, genealogy, and geology come to mind.

My father would take the family on drives and we would ask, “Where are we going?” to which he would reply “We are going crazy”. This would not satisfy my brother and I but whether we wound up in Azusa Canyon, or Travel Town, the zoo, El Monte airport or a museum, we had fun.

So what did my father and grandfathers teach me?

• Family comes first - do what is needed for your family
• Be Patient - with your children and your spouse
• Have Fun - have a hobby, go do things with your family

And just in case you’re wondering these men were not perfect, there was yelling on occasion and yes it was the sixties so I had a spanking or two as I grew up. However I believe these three men would agree with the lessons I listed.

As for me I have already seen suggestions that my children may have learned these same lessons from me. And don’t let me take all the credit I believe my wife teaches the same lessons.  So as a son and a father I wish you all a happy fathers day and ask, What lessons did you learn from your father and or grandfathers?

Because of computer problems I am blogging a little later then I had wanted but here goes. We joined friends for camping at Vail Lake. The resort is meant for RV campers and some tent camping. Among other things the resort is dog friendly. You can take your dog camping for no additional charge, then you get to see your dogs reaction to other dogs, squirrels, rabbits and the howl of coyotes. The photos below are from a hike from our camp site to the lake (yes next time I need to clean the lens first). There is horse back ridding, a pond rich with frogs, and 3 pools. It is a niece place to camp. On our way home we wanted breakfast so we looked for a dog friendly restaurant that serves breakfast. We found Siggy's Restaurant and sat with our dog out on the patio food was good, service was fast. If you are so inclined and tired of camping there are many wineries to visit nearby. 

No not the movie, The Village at Big Bear Lake. It is time for Friday Nights in the Village for the next 14 weeks there are vendors, bands and entertainment in the Village at Big Bear Lake. The village consists of many shops and several restaurants. There are different activities depending on the which weekend you attend. 

Last night my wife, youngest son and I attended Friday Nights in the Village in our own ways. My youngest son took his fishing gear met up with a friend and fished. My Wife went shopping and just looking around to see what had closed and what was new. One of the most unique stores is  Stupididiotic, even if you don't need a gift for someone you really need to look through this store and put a grin on your face. One of the new stores my wife came across is Le Dolce Vita Tasting Room, yes, wine tasting in the village. We were all together for dinner and tried a place we had not been to before Jasper's Smokehouse and Steaks. We were all impressed with the food, the service was good and the cost about $70 for three dinners,


So if you live in Southern California head to Big Bear Lake on Friday Nights. It is 20 degrees cooler, there is outdoor music, shops, restaurants. There is a lot to do in The Village and around the lake. Have Fun!