Never has one sentence in a newspaper generated so much calling and emailing

Actually, after a while it makes you feel rather pathetic. The world is saying “Wow! You got mentioned in the NYT (see post about it on September 29)! Great going!” but it is really telling you “Wow! Finally, mention of you somewhere, somewhere… It’s about time! Don’t you feel you’re wasting your life? You might as well hang up a sign saying ‘Don’t come knocking: I don’t do anything important ever. This is as big as it gets.’”

Today, my Berkeley mother finally reached me by phone. Excerpts from our conversation:

Mom: So, all my friends have been reading all about you! Wiry Polish-born law prof! You know, when I saw that, I thought – ‘wiry,’ is that an insult? Are you maybe a bit sharp and ornery?

nc: Mom, I took it as a compliment. You know: young and agile!

Mom: Well that’s what my friends told me: she’s probably thin and healthy.

nc: [My Mom’s friends are from the senior center where she lives] If your friends think I am more agile than them, I *guess* I should be pleased…

Mom: My old friend from NY called me to tell me she read the piece. You remember, she’s friends with (so-and-so) who had a son just your age. Did I tell you he died of a heart attack? No sign, no symptom, nothing!

nc: Thanks for that cheerful update. Anyway, I’m glad you liked the story.

Mom: You’re famous! I bought five copies of the paper! [Do I detect a rare moment of exuberance and pride?] What do you suppose I should do with them, by the way?

nc: Uh, I don’t know Mom. Send them to my father [He lives in Poland and they don’t communicate].