f4f3: (Default)
f4f3 ([personal profile] f4f3) wrote2012-05-14 01:27 pm

Grumpy - First World Whine

Safely delivered to Newark, and I have a couple of hours before my flight to Providence (isn't that a fantastic name for a city?). 
I'm grumpy because the service I paid £93 to for unlimited talk and data in the States doesn't seem to want to let me dial the UK. This is LESS THAN IDEAL! So I'm paying wifi charges in Newark airport to try to sort it out. Shortly, I'll take my grump on to Providence 

I'm also a little bit sad not to be in the UK.

[identity profile] anthrokeight.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I love that it is called Providence because it was founded by Roger Williams, a puritan too puritan for Boston Plantation so they exiled him. But he believed in religious freedom for everyone, figuring damnation would take care of anyone's heresy so he didn't need to butt in. So very, very American, that trait.

Safe journeys, however the data plan works out.

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
And apparently he stopped paddling at Providence because a local called out "G'day, Mate" (or local equivalent) and he thought, that will do me.

[identity profile] anthrokeight.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"What cheer, Netop?" Or, indeed "how's it goin' friend?" A 16th c. English-Native mashup.

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Yup, first thing I read in my guidebook :) I think I'll go look at his monument this weekend.

[identity profile] nicnac.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I predict your sadness will last til you find a kickass steakhouse serving prime rib-eye, then you'll never want to leave (or was that just me? ;). You'll be back here soon enough, chill and enjoy the experience.

[identity profile] helianthas.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Agreed! :-)

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
So it was a Cuban place, and they were steak chimmy chungas, but you were right.

[identity profile] made-of-paradox.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Providence.  I didn't think of it being a cool name for a place until I'd been quite used to the idea that it was the name for that place.  And _then_ I realized it was wonderful.

Providence was one of the places we could pick up a TV signal for with our kick-ass rooftop antenna.  The TV signal had managed to get across an entire state to get to us.  (Picking up the Maine station was more impressive, but New Hampshire is right next to Maine, so it didn't _seem_ as impressive.)

I have been through there, I've been through Rhode Island, but I don't think I ever actually spent the night in Rhode Island.  (I've slept at least a week's worth of nights in each of the other New England states.  Well, maybe not Maine, unless you count sleeping on a boat in Kittery Harbor....)

I haven't seen Rhode Island since before I graduated high school.

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm liking it, so far. Though today I'm in Conneticut.

[identity profile] made-of-paradox.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I've spent a lot more time in Connecticut. Weeks, if you total it all up. Connecticut was where I spent a night in an unheated building under 7 quilts. Connecticut was where I first saw small whales up close. Connecticut was where I first met, albeit briefly, a guy I came to really like when he was working with my husband in Texas.

I like Connecticut, I hope you're enjoying it.

[identity profile] helianthas.livejournal.com 2012-05-14 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry about your phone. That's annoying. Can you get a prepaid doohickey for here and use Skype for outgoing Cal's to Europe? (and get your £95 charge refunded?)

Also, when might you be back in newark or NYC?

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
That's kind of my idea.
At the moment, plans are to be in NYC in June, weekend of the 8th to the 10th - will you be around?

[identity profile] amelia-eve.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome to the USA. I'm in Florida this week, but will look forward to seeing you when you get settled!

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2012-05-15 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
As above, planning to be in NYC for sure the weekend of the 8th to the 12th.

[identity profile] amelia-eve.livejournal.com 2012-05-16 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Most excellent!

[identity profile] mhaithaca.livejournal.com 2012-05-18 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
You know, I've been to Providence a dozen or more times, and hear about it constantly, and the meaning of the word never occurred to me.

I did really enjoy exploring the Brown campus on my last visit, as well as a couple of good meals. Brunch at Julian's was excellent.