Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

Had a very good time at the OII, had an especially fun seminar with some of the students.

Now I'm back, wading through huge stacks of things that piled up while I was away. No bloggy substance till I make a dent in the piles.

I gave my Oxford-sponsored talk in London today; people said nice things after, so I guess it was OK. I had forgotten how much more US audiences indicate by noise and body language whether they like talks. A British audience is far more polite, but also far more reserved; words like “stoic” and “immobile” come to mind. There were interesting questions from the audience; I wish there had been time for more.

I'm going to be at the Oxford Internet Institute on Wednesday, then Thursday I head back home.

Let me just say that I am never checking a bag through CDG again.

I had a 1 hour 40 minute connection, which became a little over one hour connection when the plane was late.

I made it. The bag did not. The very very nice and cheerful man at LHR said he was sure it would be on one of the many later flights and I'd have it today. Things used to be slow when they were busy, but they don't have so many travelers this year, so things are quick. (Moral of the story: lose bags in recessions?) Then he gave me a toothbrush and some basic toiletries.

Odds are increasing, though, that he was an optimist. I just spoke to the very perky phone person at BA baggage services. The good news is that the bag has been located. The bad news is that — two more missed flights later — the bag is still in Paris. If it makes the 5pm flight, I just might get it today if UK Customs are fast. Ha. Otherwise, I get it tomorrow. (I hope I get it before I check out.)

Because I'll Be Speaking in London on Nov. 17, I need to be in London.

So I'm currently at MIA (memo to self: never, ever take the terminal D security line no mater how short it looks in order to get to terminal E — longest detour in airport history), “enjoying” free wifi from Google via Boingo. It is very very slow, dialup slow. And unsecured, which makes me unwilling to check my email.

I have to change planes in Paris, because direct flights cost more than I was willing to make my kind hosts, the Oxford Internet Institute, pay. As it is the ticket seems rather expensive by recent transatlantic standards, but it was the best I could do.

I had some hopes I might go to the theater in London on Monday night, but the show I really wanted to see — the Alan Bennett play at the National — has been sold out for more than a month, and I won't land in time to queue for non-student day tickets. The other choices are either plays I've seen a good production of, American, or musicals, which I usually avoid. Back when we lived in London we were real theater hounds, and I miss it. But maybe Monday night I'll be fine tuning my presentation instead.

Tuesday I've lined up a busy day of seeing people and then I sing for my supper.