It started great: after the introductory speeches, we were encouraged to mingle for half an hour — playing to CFP's greatest strength: who attends.
And then my personal conference experience went downhill fast — not because CFP did anything wrong, but because I had to go to my hotel room to participate (via phone) in a key meeting of the UM Law faculty about the Dean Search. So I'm missing my favorite conference.
And four and half hours later it's still going….
Argh!
If I were hosting a big computer-related conference in my hotel, I sure wouldn't pick that day to change wireless providers.
While the staff here are being very nice about it, the wireless is useless in my room. But it works great in the bar, so all is not lost.
Today's plan:
Don't like those prop planes….
The University of Miami has two speakers at its commencement ceremony.
One is the “Advice to Graduates” given by someone with great experience of the legal system — usually but not always a senior lawyer or judge, sometimes a politician, once a reporter with extensive experience covering the Supreme Court.
The other is a student speaker, chosen from among self-selected applicants by a committee comprised of students, administrators, and the odd faculty member.
This year, the role of wise elder was played by Carolyn Lamm, one of our more distinguished alumni, who in addition to being a Partner at White & Case is also about to become the President-Elect of the ABA.
The student speaker this year was Christopher Lomax. He gave what is undoubtedly the best student speech I've heard in the 15 years I've been going to UM Law commencement exercises.
I've taken the liberty of reprinting it below. (As you might expect from a Moot Court champ, the delivery was excellent too.) You can also see the video — Mr. Lomax's speech is towards the end at 1:48 in the web cast.
The folks at The Real McCain have done another video. It's a doozy.
I am sitting at home, finishing up my wife's birthday Sunday brunch, we're about to move on to opening her presents before going off to the UM Law graduation ceremony this afternoon.
My cell phone rings. It's not a familiar number, and call ID says it's blocked.
Me: “Hello.”
Phone: [Silence]
Me: “Hello?”
Phone: [inaudible mumble … Michael … inaudible mumble]
Me: “This is Michael Froomkin. Who's this?”
Phone: “Hello, my name is [Redacted]. I got your name from the Internet and called your office, and got your cell number. I was wondering if you could tell me where I'm supposed to park for graduation?”
Me: “It depends on what sort of permit you have.”
Phone: “I don't have a permit. I'm just driving down to watch the ceremony. I was wondering if you could tell me where it's suggested we park.”
Me: “I'm a law professor, not a traffic warden. There is some parking, there might be signs, I don't know.”
Phone: [hangs up]
Jotwell Blenderlaw