Lil' Rhody Lounge | Off-topic posting

[Garris]

Thanks to all for the kind words...

garris you seem to travel the most on this forum... do u have a favorite city?

and what do these business trips makes you think of prOVIDENCE... and changes in opinion?

Wow, I certainly don't consider myself a big travel person, and most people who know me wouldn't either . I also know multiple individuals who are far more travelled than myself. I think I may explore the cities I visit a bit more than some other people, who tend stick more to their hotels/destinations/convention centers. One factor in how travelled I am vs some people here might just be a function of being older than some others on the boards (early 30's).

A favorite city? Besides Providence? Well, New York City I guess... I mean, on almost any urban issue you want to examine, New York has it in abundant excess. Perhaps too much, which is why I wouldn't want to live there again, though... If I could choose one city in North America to live in besides Providence, it would be Vancouver, BC, which you have to visit to appreciate, as pictures of the city don't (and can't) do it justice. Portland, OR would be a close second right behind it.

What did I think of Providence after returning after almost 2 weeks (about as much as I can stand) away? A couple of impressions:

- TF Green is fantastically easy and convenient to have for a city our size...

- It would be nice if we could do something more dramatic entering the city on 95, although the new 195 bridge might change that. What about framing the triple deckers lining the highway with lights just like Boathouse Row in Philadelphia?

- Providence has tremendous character and flavor, which is all the more obvious being away and coming back. While we all like some dash of modern from time to time, it really is the older architecture (triple deckers, downcity designs, East Side charm, etc) that defines the city more than, say, the Textron Building. All that brick really does make an impression.

- Providence's density and accessability really is amazing. That infamous RI attitude of not wanting to drive more than 15 minutes for anything really has a basis in reality. I mean, how many cities can you start off in the center of town and, within an easy 15 minutes drive (more often than not) be at the beach (Oakland Beach), forest (Lincoln Woods), airport, major hospitals, major shopping (PP, Rt 2, Seekonk), major dining, a gaggle of universities, sports (McCoy, Dunk, almost Foxboro), culture, world-class parks (RW Park), exercise amenities (East Bay and other bike paths), etc.? We take it for granted, but it's actually quite rare.

- Our graffiti really is quite bad compared to other cities. Sure some other metros have it, but ours is everywhere...

- As has been discussed before, our infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, signage, etc) is subpar for major US urban spaces, which is especially obvious after being elsewhere. This should be, after public schools, Providence's #1 priority.

- In general, RI'ers are quite a nice, non-flashy, even-tempered, grounded, "down to earth" type of folk compared with people in other regions, which is something I'm increasingly appreciating.

- One big similarity between here and, say, lower NY State and the Philly suburbs is that all are supposedly booming regions with soaring home costs, lots of building, and supposedly high salaried younger professionals moving in, but the retail health doesn't feel like it's there in any of these communities. Providence, like the Hudson Valley and Philly, has lots of empty storefronts, high retail turnover, and a general feeling of retail fragility. This just isn't true in other booming places you visit, which just makes me wonder what the problem is... Is it the high costs of doing business, that a viable retail balance just hasn't been struck yet (downcity's problem I think), lack of imagination (I'm always impressed by the cool shops I see in other places), or all of the above? Does anyone here who owns a retail business want to comment on this?

- Garris

Edited June 1, 2006 by Garris

[runawayjim]

after having been to atlanta, philly, bradley, and o'hare, i have to say that PVD is one of the easiest airports to get in and out of. it's quite convenient to drive to and get cabs at (had to do that last time i was there, luckily, my car was 2 miles away at my aunt's house).

where is boathouse row in philly? i go to philly quite often as my fiancee is there for grad school, so i drive down on occasion (when i can't get a cheap southwest flight) and i'll be driving down in about a week. i drive in on 76 from jersey, so maybe i don't see it.

i turned into a "rhode islander" after moving here because everything is so easy to get to. my hometown in CT isn't like that. i have to drive farther for most things (although it was on the shoreline so the beach was 5 min away and there was some good hiking and stuff in town). it lacked a nice greenway, had to go to hamden for the nearest one, but here i have many options with east bay and blackstone river 15 min away. i don't think i've been anywhere were so much was within a 20 min drive like it is in RI.

and the one thing i never understand is how people like to say rhode islanders are rude, calling it rhude island or rogue's island. i just don't get it. i go to the grocery store and people are always nice. i go to the post office and people are always nice. i walk around on the street and people say hi as they walk by. the only rudeness i see is driving, but you know what? i see it worse elsewhere, especially jersey.

i think the superman building and the rest of the "big 3" of our skyline define the city, but the older architecture adds to the character. that's what i like about philly. the skyline really defines the city (the center city skyline is refined and classy with the city hall tower among it for some historical reference, while the outskirts have the gritty working class smoke stacks) but the older architecture in old city, society hill, and even much of the rest of the city (university city) adds to the character.

and finally, people here consider you to be well travelled probably because you've lived more places (i've only lived in branford, storrs, and providence) and because you're well spoken. all your descriptions are very subjective and you clearly explain what it is you like and dislike about the various places you've lived. and probably because you're older (i'm only 26).

[brick]

where is boathouse row in philly? i go to philly quite often as my fiancee is there for grad school, so i drive down on occasion (when i can't get a cheap southwest flight) and i'll be driving down in about a week. i drive in on 76 from jersey, so maybe i don't see it.

Boathouse row is behind the Art Museum going along the Schuylkill river. You can see it looking back across the Schuylkill as you come down I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway) right after the merge with I-676. The boathouses lie along the southeasternmost portion of Fairmount Park. There is a road that runs along the river that is not the highway (don't ask me the name) on the southern side, this is probably the best view. You can also see them if you drive through Fairmount park approaching the city along Kelly Drive. I used to rollerblade Kelly Drive back in the day.

Live Local View

Edited June 1, 2006 by brick

[runawayjim]

Boathouse row is behind the Art Museum going along the Schuylkill river. You can see it looking back across the Schuylkill as you come down I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway) right after the merge with I-676. The boathouses lie along the southeasternmost portion of Fairmount Park. There is a road that runs along the river that is not the highway (don't ask me the name) on the southern side, this is probably the best view. You can also see them if you drive through Fairmount park approaching the city.

Live Local View

i know that road along the river. i was thinking these were somewhere else, along 95 or 76 on the other side. that's why i've never noticed them. the only flashy light i see is the sign for some porn shop in SW philly.

[brick]

i know that road along the river. i was thinking these were somewhere else, along 95 or 76 on the other side. that's why i've never noticed them. the only flashy light i see is the sign for some porn shop in SW philly.

Have you gone by at night?

[runawayjim]

Have you gone by at night?

haven't gone west out of philly at night... that's really beautiful. something like that would look really nice along 95... i'm picturing that straight away right before the thurbers ave curve where there's all the triple deckers lined up along the road above the highway. that would almost make the "historic providence" sign on the highway almost mean something.

[matt]

A favorite city? Besides Providence? Well, New York City I guess... I mean, on almost any urban issue you want to examine, New York has it in abundant excess. Perhaps too much, which is why I wouldn't want to live there again, though... If I could choose one city in North America to live in besides Providence, it would be Vancouver, BC, which you have to visit to appreciate, as pictures of the city don't (and can't) do it justice. Portland, OR would be a close second right behind it.

I just returned from a trip to Vancouver, BC. I have a LOT of pictures that I intend to post soon, and hopefully a Garris-like review I also just traveled two weeks ago to San Antonio, TX, known specifically for its riverwalk. I have a bunch of pics to share from that trip as well. Hopefully, I'll get my stories and pictures lined up soon!

I'm armed with a new camera and I'm now keeping a tripod in my trunk, so I'm super motivated to take pix everywhere I go.

[Frankie811]

How would you like to live here?

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp...01.htm&sc=ustop

[runawayjim]

How would you like to live here?

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp...01.htm&sc=ustop

doesn't south kingstown have a similar law to help prevent college (URI) students from renting there?

[matt]

doesn't south kingstown have a similar law to help prevent college (URI) students from renting there?

I seem to remember hearing that you couldn't have more than 5 unrelated people in a house, but I'm not sure if that was true. It certainly wasn't enforced.

[runawayjim]

I seem to remember hearing that you couldn't have more than 5 unrelated people in a house, but I'm not sure if that was true. It certainly wasn't enforced.

i think it's 2 or 3, otherwise it woudln't matter, 4-5 is the standard number for most college rentals.

[jencoleslaw]

i think in Providence it is 3 unrelated persons per housing unit.

[runawayjim]

i think in Providence it is 3 unrelated persons per housing unit.

that's really a law in providence? that's weird because i know there's definitely off campus college students who have like 4 or 5 roommates... i guess they just don't really enforce it. they should repeal it.

[damus]

that's really a law in providence? that's weird because i know there's definitely off campus college students who have like 4 or 5 roommates... i guess they just don't really enforce it. they should repeal it.

They definately don't enforce that one.... I lived in an apartment with 4 other people all unrelated. The people downstairs, who happened to be a Puerto Rican fraternity, housed many more than the lease allowed.

[MichaelQ]

- It would be nice if we could do something more dramatic entering the city on 95, although the new 195 bridge might change that. What about framing the triple deckers lining the highway with lights just like Boathouse Row in Philadelphia?

Weird...as soon as I moved back here, that was my first thought - how cool it would be to light up those triple deckers on the left side of 95N going into Providence a la Boat House Row.

....Or do something utilizing the dramatic turn on 95N at Thurbers Ave. where the city is literally, suddenly, right in front of you. The simple idea is a "Welcome to Providence" sign or just a "Providence" sign next to or over the highway, but really, with that 1-2 mile length of highway right there, the possibilities are endless. As it is, the best landmark we've got is Cheater's on the right hand side. I mean, I love the new pink paint, but would enjoy something a little more sophisticated.

[Garris]

Here are the rest of my L.A. photos!

More of the Disney Concert Hall...

The entrance...

An interesting sculpture hangs in a building's entrance...

More shots of the L.A. skyline as jets streak through the sky...

L.A. facades...

That's it for now!

- Garris

[EPBOY]

OK... this is very OFF TOPIC but there's no place else to ask...

At the end of the month I'm going to Madison Wisconsin for 4 days to visit my brother. So, I went to look up the Madison WI thread here on UP to find out would I might get to see while I was out there. Guess what? No Madison thread.... In FACT no Wisconsin thread at all!! What is up with that? Does no one in Wisconsin have any interest in archetechture or civic development?

Anyway, I don't mean to bash on Wisconsin, but since I'm going and there is no WI forum here, I thought I would aks my RI UP friends if they have any recommendations?

Thanks for any ideas you have.

[Recchia]

I think Garris has some good photos of Madison and often compares it to Providence.

[damus]

Anyway, I don't mean to bash on Wisconsin, but since I'm going and there is no WI forum here, I thought I would aks my RI UP friends if they have any recommendations?

No real recommendation, I'll just try and defend Wisconsin. Urban Planet is pretty new, and not every area has been well represented. Boston and New York don't get anything close to the traffic that Rhode Island's forums do. If you were to go by the traffic on this site, you'd believe Charlotte is the biggest boomtown in the country. If you have any friends/family in Wisconsin or know anyone who has good knowledge of Wisconsin, then you should encourage them to join. Once you get a Cotuit type (RI actually has several of these) who posts religously in their city's forums, you'll find that more lurkers who would have otherwise not joined will come on board.

[Cotuit]

No real recommendation, I'll just try and defend Wisconsin. Urban Planet is pretty new, and not every area has been well represented. Boston and New York don't get anything close to the traffic that Rhode Island's forums do. If you were to go by the traffic on this site, you'd believe Charlotte is the biggest boomtown in the country. If you have any friends/family in Wisconsin or know anyone who has good knowledge of Wisconsin, then you should encourage them to join. Once you get a Cotuit type (RI actually has several of these) who posts religously in their city's forums, you'll find that more lurkers who would have otherwise not joined will come on board.

Exactly, we create new sections when we see a demand or get a request. Rarely we'll deny the request as being too unrealistic to drive traffic, but if there's any hope that a new subforum may fly, we usually create it.

[damus]

Exactly, we create new sections when we see a demand or get a request. Rarely we'll deny the request as being too unrealistic to drive traffic, but if there's any hope that a new subforum may fly, we usually create it.

I'm getting off topic in the off topic forum, but with the Utopia project a go I'd assume Eastern CT will be seeing enough projects in the coming years to warrant its own subforum..

[dgreco]

I was just wondering if anyone is using the new Windows 7 beta 2 browser, and if so do they like it and how do they feel about it? I have been using firefox for over a year now, and it is still just to slow, but it is so much more secure and just has a lot of the options I want, I see w7b2 has some of the new stuff, but I looknig for an opinion, before I update. thanks.

[damus]

I was just wondering if anyone is using the new Windows 7 beta 2 browser, and if so do they like it and how do they feel about it? I have been using firefox for over a year now, and it is still just to slow, but it is so much more secure and just has a lot of the options I want, I see w7b2 has some of the new stuff, but I looknig for an opinion, before I update. thanks.

I try to stay away from using straight IE... IE 6 was a security nightmare. I use Maxthon browser, which is basically IE 6 with extra security features and tabbed browsing. I used to use netscape when they were one of the first to come out with tabbed browsing...

[dgreco]

I try to stay away from using straight IE... IE 6 was a security nightmare. I use Maxthon browser, which is basically IE 6 with extra security features and tabbed browsing. I used to use netscape when they were one of the first to come out with tabbed browsing...

Thats one thing that I love about firefox is the tabbed browsing, except it is just so slow and uses way to many resources, and when I have anything big open like ps, or something the browser just kills me, how does maxthon run as far as resources and its overall speed?

[damus]

Thats one thing that I love about firefox is the tabbed browsing, except it is just so slow and uses way to many resources, and when I have anything big open like ps, or something the browser just kills me, how does maxthon run as far as resources and its overall speed?

You gotta play with the settings now and then. For example, I need to turn off the security filters in order to view certain websites. The thing I like about it is you get the ubiquity of IE with some stuff Microsoft wasn't ambitious enough to add to the final product. All the old IE controls are still there, you just get more. Maxthon doesn't seem to be much of a resource hog... I didn't notice any difference between it and IE. Right now it's taking up 7500k of memory according to task manager...

One thing I love about Maxthon that you don't get with other tabbed browsers is the mouse functions. If I simply hold the right mouse button and then pull down and then to the right the tab closes, and when I click and drag a link I have it set to open up as a tab but with the original window still as the active tab.