Yeah, they started it before they had to, but with an eye toward needing more exchanges--I think because of cell phones and modems, but I can't remember. I think we used to just have 617 and 413 (western part of the state). Then we had 617, 413, and 508. 508 was weirdly split between the more northernly parts of the north shore, and the south shore. Then they added 781, and 978 to the mix, and that seemed to take over the northernly part of the 508 and formerly 617 areas.

I'm never sure when I need to dial "1" now, before regional (but not local) calls. When I'm calling Boston, it seems to work whether or not I do it. Well, I think I dial "1" there as a default, but still? Silly.

Burgers and beer is definitely a good thing.

and the beer went down oh so well. it's the first alcoholic drink I've had since christmas! It might be time for a martini night in the near future.

Happy Birthday Lysana and Laura!

Yeah, they started it before they had to, but with an eye toward needing more exchanges--I think because of cell phones and modems, but I can't remember.

Partly. The biggest problem was that due to the old fashioned way that telephone switching worked, the regional phone companies (like Verizon) could only allocate phone numbers in blocks of 10,000 at a time (i.e., one complete telephone exchange) when they started selling off those numbers to resellers and cell phone companies. That used up all the exchanges in the area code pretty quickly, so they wound up having to create new area codes.

Except in RI, because we're so teeny.

I've had two area codes, 201 and 401.

That used up all the exchanges in the area code pretty quickly, so they wound up having to create new area codes.

Yeah, but it used to be that if you were calling within an area code, you only had to dial seven digits. MA went to ten-digit dialing way early. Even when NYC started doing overlaid area codes, you didn't have to dial the area code every time.

We've had to dial area codes for local calls in Maryland for years. It feels weird not to have to do it when I go back to St. Louis.

Yeah, but it used to be that if you were calling within an area code, you only had to dial seven digits. MA went to ten-digit dialing way early. Even when NYC started doing overlaid area codes, you didn't have to dial the area code every time.

That was the most frustrating part. Although to be honest, I still have to think about my area code, because for my whole life, it was 617 for all the towns I've lived in which are now 781, and there's got to be a better way to say that, but I can't make my words work.

MA went to ten-digit dialing way early. Even when NYC started doing overlaid area codes, you didn't have to dial the area code every time.

RI did for awhile too, claiming, among other things, that it helped people recognize when they were dialing a non-local call, so they wouldn't be surprised by the charges. Fortunately, enough people complained that they stopped doing it.

Actually, up until about 15 years ago, I could make local calls just by dialing the last 5 digits of the number.

I can't remember the area code I had until I was 14, but since then it's 410, 301 and 703. Oh, my cell phone is 757.

Re GG: Logan is awesome, reminds me of a lot of my college crushes. (only, with much, much more money.) Not necessarily a great pick for the long haul for Rory, but for now? Mrow.

Also, request for hivemind car reassurance: My car is creaking sometimes when I brake, and making a weird squeaky grinding sound on curves if I hold the brake down. I called Patrick, and he says the guys at the car repair place said we had axel problems last time it was in, but not enough to replace it. That was only a few weeks ago.

Please tell me "axel problems" don't mean my wheel is going to suddenly fall off on a major road or force me out of control, dooming me to a firey death when all I'm trying to do is get home before Lost. I can't take the car to the shop until tomorrow.

My dad would still use the exchange name when telling you a number, "Cedarwood 3-5100" or "C-E 3-5100" instead of 233-5100.

Has anyone ever had a party line? My relatives in PEI (different nuclear families, in houses on the same stretch of road) had one for a long time. It was hard to remember to listen for the particular ring for each home.

Actually, up until about 15 years ago, I could make local calls just by dialing the last 5 digits of the number.

Yeah, my cousin had that where she grew up in MA. I thought that was so cool!