The tangled interwebs

This seemed like such an easy thing, this teaching online from the road. And it was relatively easy when we were at home or at our parents or with friends who are up to speed with the internet age.

However, we hit a small snag when we reached Vidalia, LA. My grandmother does not have internet. I had already downloaded my student papers while in Oxford, MS so I had these on my computer and was able to grade and comment on these without having wireless. Once I went to actually post the grades for the papers and the final grades, it got tricky.

My other grandmother (in Clinton, MS) works at a visitor's center and mentioned that these will often have wifi access. Great! Except I got to the Vidalia, LA center 5 minutes before they closed for the day. Natchez across the River was the same. So, using my handy brain and smart little cell phone, I tracked down wifi spots. A coffee shop in Natchez, The Natchez Coffee Co., looked promising so I drove on over, arriving to a downtown that was dead, and a coffee shop that was closing at 6pm. I had 50 minutes.

I frantically began posting grades, trying to get as much done as I could at once. I made it halfway through the class (I had two classes) before it was time to move on. I asked at the counter where another spot might be and they had no idea. Awesome...

Back to the car with all my computer gear and back on the cell. The search revealed a bar with wifi but given the nature of the work I was doing I thought this might not be the best solution. I did, however, keep it open as an option.

What ended up happening was, although stressful, quite funny. For the first time in my life I wished there was a Starbucks around. What I ended up with, however, is Starbucks' evil other chain, McDonalds. Who knew McD's had wifi?!

I roll up into the McDonalds in Vidalia, drag out my computer bag, and stare at the place for a minute. Inwardly groaning at the plight of this, I marched in and to the counter.

Me: Hi!

Girl at counter: Hi. What can I get for you?

Me: Um....I guess a...frappe?

Girl: (laughs) You sure?

Me: Yeah, that works, I guess.

Girl: What flavor?

Me: Caramel?

Girl: (laughs)

Me: Do you have bottled water?

Girl: Yep.

Me:...I'll have one of those, too?

Girl rings me up for a total of $4.

Me: For the wifi, do I need a password or code or do I just pop open the computer and go?

Girl: (stares at me like I have two heads) um....I don't know. Maybe you just get on it.

I'm thinking this is not promising and try to calm myself down. I HAVE to get these grades posted today.

Another woman hands me my drink and she had on what looks to be a manager's shirt. I press my luck:

Me: Do you have plug-ins so I can power my computer while using the internet?

Woman: Yes, we have two. One is under that booth where those people are sitting and the other is over here. I'm not really sure if the internet is up and going yet. We haven't had anyone use it.

I groan inwardly, praying to the online gods that this works. She walks me over to a table that is is full Louisiana afternoon sun. I have no other choice.

Me: Thank you! This is great!

I open the computer, wait for the wireless to register and surprise, surprise, I have a connection that actually works!

I then hang out in McDonalds for two hours working, posting, sweating, drinking my overly-sweetened-not-really-coffee-frozen-sugar-frappe (whatever that really is) drink and water. I entertained the staff for a while. I would see someone peeking around the corner watching me, laughing at me. I felt like the circus freak come to town. But I got my work done and that was what was important.

So, for you road warriors and casual travelers, McDonalds has entered the wireless age. Bring your laptop, buy a coffee, and surf. Just a warning: you might be laughed at in some parts of the country.

For other odd and surprising wifi spots that we are discovering check out: KOA campsites, public libraries, visitor centers. If you have other ideas, please let us know!