Working on the Road (or Learning How to Nurse a Scone for Two Hours)
Jessica | March 24, 2011 2:54 pmUnlike most of my roadtrips in the past during this one, I’m working. During my next three months of travel I’ll also be doing a bit of work for KJazz, (my regular job) and in the first week of April classes for my masters degree will be starting up again. My next three months of classes need to be done online so I’m able to continue even while on the road.
As it turns out, working on the road is tricky. I didn’t have internet access the first couple days and was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by all that I had to do. Thanks to iHop, Denny’s, Starbucks, Peet’s, and their wireless internet I’ve been able sort of get caught up now. It will take some getting used to but I think I’m finding the flow of working on the road. Once class starts up again in April it might be another situation, but hopefully by then I’ll have things sorted out for the classes I’ll be teaching at the Shuttlebirds tatting conference.
Looks like during the next couple months I’ll be nursing lots of tea and pancakes just for the chance to use the internet for a couple hours at a time.
5 Responses to “Working on the Road (or Learning How to Nurse a Scone for Two Hours)”
Hi Jessica, Finding internet on the road can be a challenge. Libraries are a great place and only once did they have a charge – something like $5.00 for 30 minutes! I look forward to read of your experiences and especially to see you in Spokane. Karen
Hi Karen,
I like libraries too, but lately have been striking out. I don’t know if this is a new thing or if it’s just a coincidence, but the last couple libraries I’ve been to have required that you have a library card with them to use their wifi. So far, Starbucks has been the only sure thing I’ve found. Too bad I don’t like coffee and they don’t sell better food. :(
~Jessica
Hi Jessica,
What a great blog! I wish I would’ve discovered this sooner. I spend long stretches of my year traveling out of my van. Internet is always a problem. For me, McDonald’s is a life saver. One is never far away, they have free internet, cheap and decent coffee and I’ve never been pestered to leave. The seats are also uncomfortable enough that they help you stay focused.
The major drawback is that many McD’s don’t have electrical outlets readily available, so you have to work fast. Sometimes the outlets are on the ceiling. My power cord reaches and I’ve never been told to not use these outlets. Along the Interstates, more and more McD’s have special internet cafe type sections with outlets.
Avoiding the dollar menu can also be problematic, so I usually sneak a snack in with me.
Glad you’re enjoying the blog! I’m really not much of a fast food person so I have a tendency to forget McDonalds exists. Maybe when it starts getting warmer I’ll add it to my list and go there for milkshakes.
The comfy chains at Starbucks are pretty appealing, though.
Jess, have you considered an aircard? It’s a phone connection that you plug into your computer–phone signal = internet. So, like a cell phone bill, you’d pay monthly and get internet all over. My folks have one on a laptop and it works great for travel in the US.
Are you faring the AZ fires well?
Care to comment?