First attempt at Pastrami

That sounds fantastic. Well done you for going out on a limb and trying something for the first time at an event. Slow, respectful clapping for you sir.
I'm assuming that Pastrami is similar to what we in Canada just call Smoked Meat. Which is really too general a term to use but hey, that's what we call it. Up here it's probably a little different but I don't know much about it. Served in delis on rye with a pickle. All I know is the sandwiches are awesome and the recipes are a closely guarded family secret.

Glad everything turned out well.

Looks excellent and glad it turned out well. Aint snagged a store bought corned beef in a while. The drunk Irishmen buy them all up around St. Paddy's Day.

Jay,

Do you have a steamer? Some of the "traditionalists" say steaming is the answer to the perfect Pastrami.

Never been blessed with a steamer but could see how it would be handy. It's real easy to make it head South at the last min. I had a brilliant idea to heat up some pastrami slices in beef broth one day..wrongo. Turned it into shoe leather right quick. Bumping it lightly in a closed container in the microwave for a short time is the best strategy I have found minus a steamer.