Law Technology

Boston Musings

By Ross

Just heading home from a quick trip with Kodner1.html and Kodner2.html. I had the pleasure of speaking at the Rhode Island Bar’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Providence last Friday so I brought them along. We had a whirlwind four state tour of Rhode Island (Providence and Newport), Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine (ok not ALL of the sites in each, but enough to be interesting). Some noteworthy observations:

Rhode Island lawyers make for a great tech CLE audience – thanks especially to Pete Lacouture of the Tech Committee and Nancy Healy of RIBAr for coordinating.

I live-tweeted Richard Dreyfus’ fascinating, inspiring keynote last Friday about the need for civics education – powerful message.

Cape Cod – had never been there. We drove all the way out to Provincetown. If you look at it from a satellite map you start to feel kind of tippy – like you’re going to fall off into the Atlantic. Very cute town with its strong gay/hippy vibe. Lobster rolls at John’s were terrific.

NYLO boutique hotel in Warwick, RI – 2nd hotel from a new chain (is two a chain or just a couple of linked hotels) is SPECTACULAR – renovated 19th century industrial building – loftspace with concrete floors, cool bambook furniture, post-modern lobby and bathrooms. Highly recommended – other one is in Austin.

Great dinner in Providence at Al Forno with fellow Solosezzers Pat Joyce and Terri Robbins – thoroughly enjoyable conversation and impressive Italian fare.

Providence itself is a pleasant surprise – very different than the last time I had been there when my brother was a resident at Brown in ‘94. Downtown revitalization is impressive with lofts and other restored old buildings supporting a residential boom. The College Hill area around Brown and Thayer Street – what homes! Brown’s campus is beautiful. Had a great Greek dinner at Angelo’s on Thayer. Majestic capitol building downtown too.

Boston – a city of treasures – we spent almost a full day at the Boston Museum of Science on Father’s Day. One fascinating exhibit after another – and of course the Theater of Electricity with its massive Van De Graaf generator’s is a sight to behold. The original ENIGMA in the ComputerPlace exhibit, as well as the UNIVAC, Altair and other original systems obviously held our geeky attention.

Harvard Square is a hustling, bustling center of activity – made the obligatory Coop visit for Harvard gear, listened to a 50 something musician sing Simon & Garfunkel outside La Crema, ate an exceptional Indian dinner at Cafe of India at Story & Brattle, then took in Star Trek at the Loew’s on Church Street.

Thanks to my friend Lisa Martin for the dining tip that turned into our Sunday night meal: Ole Cafe on Springfield (Inman Square) in Cambridge. The hand-smashed guacamole was heavenly – avocadic perfection as were my char-grilled pork ribs Castillo and Jicama/Grapefruit/Mango/Pineapple salad. The kids loved theirs too – Jordan’s Pozole Verde and Hayley’s Quesadillo with stuffed peppers. My Herradura Silver margarita was “perfect.”

Then it was off to Portsmouth, New Hamster for one night with the primary objective being devouring lobsters at famous Warren Lobster House across the bridge on Route 1 in Kittery. Portsmouth is a charming colonial seaport, with Maine and Kittery’s outlet malls across the bridge. Jordan and I tore into three lobsters (twins were on special!) – Jordan’s first time dissecting his own lobster meal. Many photos document the flying claw pieces and the sound of cracked carapaces. Hayley watched on in horror, on the verge of calling the ASPCA while she ate her vegetarian  pesto linguine.

AND, while waiting in Terminal C for our flights, Jim Belushi is chowing down on what looks like cheese fries with either his wife (or ?) at Johnny Rocket’s!

Ready to head back to the real world… (sigh)

Full post as published by Ross Ipsa Loquitur on June 23, 2009 (boomark / email).