Wonderful Party...

There are times I look around and can't believe how lucky am. Often it's as simple as being grateful to live in New York City, or to have the life I have, but there are also times like last night where I'm overwhelmed by the kindness of my friends and family and moved by the importance of Public Defender work.

I had my book party last night, in a hip club on 21st street. The kind of place where indistrial light fixtures dangle from the ceiling and the furniture is all faux Phillipe Starke Actually, it was a book party for me and fundraiser for The Bronx Defenders--and it was wonderful. The room was filled with this great mix of people--PD's (the entire office was there) criminal defense lawyers and even one judge who had the courage to show up despite the apparent no-show judicial solidarity policy. The bar was open, the food was bountiful, and the place was, well, rockin.

And among the posse of do-gooders and true believers, there was this amazing contingent of friends and family all of whom were so loving and supportive and sweet it took my breath away. It was, I think, the first time I started to really enjoy the post-book release process, the first time I could get away from being nervous about all the reviews that weren't being written and the shows that didn't want to talk about the book. Obviously a few drinks helped, but the truth is, I was finally able to relax, and look around and feel like I'd done something worthwhile with this book, and to believe that it really had touched a few lives, fannned a few flames, and spoken truth to power.

Now if only this little hangover would behave.