Amadeo Sogni

“Learning to dislike children at an early age saves a lot of expense and aggravation later in life.”
Robert Byrne

“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child!”
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), “King Lear”, Act 1 scene 4

“Never raise your hand to your children; it leaves your midsection unprotected.”
Robert Orben

I had to take some time from breaking down the various races to chime in on something in the media.

Calling your daughter a rude little pig is probably bad…I think. However, I’m having trouble with the uproar around dudes phone message. He didn’t say he was going to beat his daughter with a hammer or smack her with a puppy. So to quote Eric Cartman, “What’s the big fucking deal bitch?” I (and everyone I grew up with) has been spoken to in that tone and some of those phrases have been thrown in there as well. For some reason everyone thinks saying, “I’m coming to straighten your ass out” is a big deal. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve heard that exact phrase in that exact tone in my childhood. I plan to use it myself. On a side note the worst usage involves coming to your school…nothing worse then getting straightened out in front of other kids.

Let’s get something straight, what dude did is a fathers job. It’s the main part. A father is there to let you know that at any given time he will:
a) Monkey Stomp you
b) Destroy you then make some more kids that look just like you
c) Stomp a mudhole in your ass
d) Pop you if you don’t thank your mother

Now considering that the family is not together and dude apparrently has specific times to even call his daughter not to mention see her, I could imagine being hella pissed if she just was never there to take your call. I’d also be pissed at her mother who get’s to be around her as much as she wants for not looking out. Peep it out peoples: A daughter is the only woman (mothers rarely live long enough) that a man can lavish all of his love and attention upon without worrying about being taken for granted, used, and thrown away. Fathers raise their sons and love their daughters. It’s gotta hurt like hell when that person is leaving you out to dry. The father up in him just kicked into gear. Amazingly he never even threatened to kick anybody’s ass. If I felt disrespected in that way I might have to at least threaten an ass whooping. Hell where I’m from you at least get told that your ass would get whooped for doing stuff. See the point isn’t what you’re doing…it’s that you’re not doing what you were told to do. As a matter of fact I applaud dude for his initiative. Money was gonna hop on a coast to coast flight, set shorty straight and then go back home again. Hardbody fatherhood. I will come across the country for your ass! Plus when you think about who’s children she is and then watch a couple of episodes of My Super Sweet Sixteen. She needs that type of stuff. Otherwise she’ll be bitching cause he didn’t buy her a dress that costs more than my annual salary one day. Everything he said (with the exception of “rude little pig” at the end…which doesn’t sound that bad as I type it…he didn’t call her an asshole) was all good with me. I actually don’t think he should regret his words. Perhaps that they’re on display for all, but I hear much worse things said without any anger everyday…don’t even ask what I hear when people are angry…and I’m talking kids younger than 5. This is some American “New Parent” crap. Most of these people complaining are probably the same ones I see in supermarkets whose kids are cussing them out. You gotta let ‘em know young. Even Bill Cosby said it, “I brought you into this world and I will take you out.” These are the same people that when your kid kills someone or something say it’s because they weren’t disciplined at home. He was setting his daughter straight. There needs to be more of that in this world. Now, a message to my future kids:

“Hey this is your pops…don’t come here starting no shit cause I will set your asses straight! Aiight! I will beat you until you can’t grow anymore!!! I don’t have any problem bringing it to someone shorter than 4 ft. tall either!!! Don’t start no shit!!! Tell your mother the food is good!!!

“Nothing is worse than active ignorance.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

From the Majority to the next biggest group…my people! Some of them.

African Americans
These are the ones that part of America loves and part doesn’t believe exists (mostly cause they watch B.E.T. and M.T.V.). These folks are mostly college grads who make good money and speak King James english. Their kids aren’t street smart, though the parents probably are. See each generation has been able to earn more money. They know their kids are soft, they don’t care cause they ain’t poor either. Matter of fact despite levels of education this family gets more hardbody the farther you go back. The greatgrandfather might have been some kind of large criminal or person of ill repute. These people are familiar with the next group (having evolved from them), hate and fear the third and are wary of the fourth…especially if their children try to date them. This is the group most likely to produce conservatives and republicans.

Black Folk
Alot of us are or have been in this group. This is the largest group and the one from which all generate. These are the blue collar-live in the hood or close to it-you will get your ass whipped-black folks. They don’t have much money and the true goal is to provide for the kids and elevate them to the next plateau or beyond (meaning African Americans). This group has some relations with some money and some in jail. They know the drug dealers and the politicans by name. Their kids play with future and current thugs and people who’ll make six figure salaries. The most down to earth out of all of them. Hip-Hop comes from this group. Additionally these folks go to CHUCH!

Niggers
These are the worst ones of all. People who listen to the radio think that all of these groups are this group (except for Oprah and Condelezza). Most of the other groups listed don’t really like this group. Black Folk, however, live right next to these guys. Some times black folks kids become these guys, especially when the parents work alot and can’t watch them. Within this group there are two divisions. There are some folks who are in the midst and would bounce if they could. The others are living it and loving it and don’t see the point in much else. Some of these guys are punks and some aren’t. This doesn’t matter they usually move in groups and they will hurt you. Unless you are from the previous group you probably can’t talk stuff out with them. Talking may just piss them off more. Black folks tend to be their cousins so they have a higher success ratio in dealing with them. Black folks are also their main victims since they’re all in the same place. Hip-Hop also comes from this group.

Blak (no c) People
This group is like the Neo-White group. Lot’s of beliefs and ideals. Some tree huggers. Protesters. Muslims. Pan-Africanists. Neo-Soul. People who use Swahili words and/or celebrate Kwanzaa. People who go to Poetry spots…alot. People who burn incense. You get the idea. Honestly I am included in this group as well as Black Folks…I’ve also had some nigger traits and friends. Some of these people join this group in college some just read books. Some stay on the internet (Yeah that’s right). The thing is some of these cats are cool. These some of my closest friends. However, some of these people have conversations that are topic laden. I know all about the plight of black people so I don’t need history lessons everytime I speak to you.

“Nothing is worse than active ignorance.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

This is something I’ve really wanted to write about for a while. I may have touched on it before, but I never broached the whole subject. This is what seperates us and pushes us apart. This is why someone came up with political correctness. I’d like to detail the various subgroups that make up America…or at least the ones I know. Today we deal with:
The Majority

White People-
This is what you really mean when you say “white people”. These are folks who know about poor people, but don’t really know any. Amongst this group going to Harvard or Princeton is something to be proud of, but it happens quite often. These are the people who’s families have traditions at schools. It’s one thing to get accepted into Yale…but when your family had been going since it’s founding that’s different. These are the folks that not only have no clue about black people…they have no clue about poor white people either. These are the ones that come with views that make you say, “WTF”. Alot of them like Rush Limbaugh.

White Folks
These are the ones that I like the best. They may have some money and some nice things, but there are plenty of poor people among them. One of the defining traits of this group is blue collar work. If not them than perhaps their parents. This lends to more understanding on certain topics. It also lends to more exposure. Especially when these folks live in large cities. Some people in the “heartland” may technically fit into this category, but the lack of minorities around them can change their views. These are the white people who may have served some time or know and love someone who has. They have friends who work jobs and ones that don’t. This is one of the largest cross-sections of American life. Their kids may get into college, but it was because they worked hard. There was no one to call, no names to drop. They are most likely to have a black friend who has been harrassed by the cops. If they lived in a small town, they might be the ones the cops watch. In inner cities these are the ones most likely to act black and not be faking…they don’t have money so they may live around a bunch of black folks. These are the ones that I make sure and watch cause one of them might try and pop you. They are also known to hang with some black people.

Rednecks
They pray the south will rise again. Pretty much all the other white people on this list don’t want to associate them. Any racists out of the other groups cringe when these folks come through and make them say things like, “They don’t not represent the mass of us.” These people can make a state red with no problem…these however are the ones that think George Bush is brilliant. The also say things like, “The Blacks” and “The Gays”. Those in this group that don’t own a gun are embarrassed by this fact. These people are scared of black folks in groups, but if the see a lone black person or some that number less than them they may tell them “they don’t like their kind around here” or where ever they currently are.

“Neo-White”
These cat’s (and they would dig that I called them cats) are composed of many different sub-sets. Goths, Hipsters, Surfers, Activists, Geeks and so on. Lots of them are cool. Most of them want a black friend. You can catch plenty of them in inner city areas. They are usually liberal and mostly easy to get along with. There are two many different groups to name so I won’t go into them. You’ve seen them and you know. These cats watch the Daily Show and own Rage Against the Machine Albums.

“These are mediocre times, people are starting to lose hope. It’s hard for many people to believe that there are extraordinary things inside themselves, as well as others. I hope you can keep an open mind.”
M.Night Shyamalan via Mr. Glass

Kujichagulia (Self Determination) - To define and name ourselves. To create and speak for ourselves, instead of having others defining, or determining our paths or selves.

The world is hell. Denying it is pretty hard. Turmoil and suffering are everywhere. People are in pain. Even the places I find joy are surrounded by some insanity. This morning there was a “crazy dude” singing on Eutaw and Baltimore. You’ve seen these people…most of us avoid them. I couldn’t help but smile though. This cat could sing and it made me feel good. From a block away he was still louder than the music coming from the speakers of the Starbucks I stood in front of. People still avoided him, but I thought “Money can blow”. I was talking with the roomie the other night and mentioned how despite failures of the past I have to believe that there is something ahead. Many times I thought I had found what was mine…in various aspects of my life. But when things fell apart I despaired. Now I understand I did find something that was mine. It was my lesson. These are the things I’ll carry with me when I do move on. This is how I’ll know what not to do. Simply stated I’m too stubborn to fail or fade into obscurity. I can’t sit with mediocrity. In reality none of us should be willing too. Every thing in life can be boiled down to concentration and focus. Once my aim is sure everything else will fall into place. Rather I’ll put it into place. I never believed in things happening because it’s fate. I’m more of a “fate is a door” type of person…you gotta step through it and all that jazz. It is our inaction that leaves us in the hands of others. I know that many of us just aren’t sure which direction to turn to. I myself considered finding a priviledged, white sugar mommy to fund my materialistic instincts. But I wouldn’t be happy…my bills would just be paid. Johnny Cash once said, “Being rich means money is the only thing you don’t have to worry about.” It’s those other things that really bother me. That’s what I need to work on. I’ve witnessed extraordinary things and I will again. I’ve done some and as special as I think I am…I know you all have something in you as well. I see the extraordinary in you.

“We better stop, hey, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down”
Buffalo Springfield

I don’t post for a couple of days and the world is subject to go crazy. Some Korean kid went ape shit and pulled a scene from a John Woo movie at Virginia Tech. I thought those school shootings were phasing out until dude did them all one better…like me and my roomie said last night, one better is one worse in this case.

I’ll get back to you on the whole Imus thing. He lost his mind, but there’s a lot of things that bubble right under this and it’s worth looking at.

Sounds like a line from Full Metal Jacket, but most of the U.S. thinks the war is not winnable. I know this…I’m getting real tired of Bush trying to buck on the Senate and Congress. Even though this is true to his form. He’s one of those cat’s that probably says things like, “First you get along and then you go along.” His “fearless leader” complex is showing. Would someone please explain to him that the Senate and House are there for reasons like this…I know he had his way for a long time, but they don’t usually just push what ever you want through. Now he’s on some, “Just do what I want and then we can talk about what you want.” I’ll try that with my next girlfriend. “Just bring your two best friends to bed with us and then we can discuss marriage.” Lord knows that’ll work.

Don’t worry though all is not forsaken. The IRS will give you two extra days to file if you were hit by the recent storm. I bet you didn’t get them anything…did you?

So I’m wondering how much Astronauts get paid. Cause if you can go into space and run the Boston Marathon than count me in. Well I mean to say, if you can just do other stuff and get paid for it than I am qualified. Dig it, I wrote this post at work. This had nothing to do with my job. Searching for images to compliment my ravings is not in my job description. NASA please contact me. This blogging shit is big and with your crazy-diaper-lady episode, you could use some more positive press. Blogging in space. I won’t even mention the space orgies.

“Every hero becomes a bore at last.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)
So, yesterday was opening day or as I call it, massive-downtown-crowding-and-no-parking-spots-in-a-15-block-radius-day. I do not like the Orioles. First off if they would ever have a winning season then maybe I could try to get along with them. Let me go to the beginning. I went to a game in elementary school. This is back when all three of the Ripkens were with the team. Cal Sr. was a coach, Cal Jr. was rocking it and Billy…he was on the team. Anyway this was a night game late in the season and I didn’t realize certain things. 1) The cheap seats can get very cold. 2) Baseball is a long ass game…especially when your team is losing. 3) I was not that much of a fan. Anyway we were in the cheap seats, they lost (8-1) and Billy Ripken was the only one that scored. Sonsabitches. Ever since my relationship with the Orioles has not been the same. Now that I work near downtown it’s only worse. My job is in an area where people can find some good parking spaces so we fill up on game day. Because of the traffic getting out of here can take a while. Now I have to catch the bus downtown which is like trying swim upstream in monsoon season. An ambulance was behind us yesterday with the siren going for 10 mins. I’m glad I wasn’t dying yesterday. The worst part is the team has sucked since around that time. Everyonce in a while it looks like they’ll win, then, they flop. And signing Sammy Sosa…what the hell was that about? I detest the orioles. Since we have the Ravens I don’t even need their sports items when I want to rep the hometown. Where once there was magic there is now only traffic…and more people ordering Frappachinos at Starbucks. The birds suck.

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)

Toujours et jamais. J’essaye de tenir un rêve dans ma main. Saisir une imagination. Je peux voir par la fenêtre, mais je ne peux l’ouvrir ou tirer rien dedans. Toujours et jamais. Je vous montrerais si vous me laissiez. Je vous ferais ma déesse et vous adorerais dans le lit. J’embrasserais chaque courbe et ligne. Je me situerais dans vos cheveux et les sentir sont perfum. Je m’offre en tant que votre oreiller. Je donne de me. Je suis ici à votre demande. Embrassez-moi. Toujours et jamais. Vous dansez autour de mes pensées. Vous dansez autour de moi. Pour toujours hors de mon extension. Pour toujours sur mon esprit. Je suis hypnotisé. Vous êtes la couleur dans un monde gris. Je boirais de vous. Je vous aurais. Je suis l’océan. Vous êtes sauvage comme vent. Vous êtes libre. Je ne vous apprivoiserais pas. Permettez-moi de vous goûter. Je suis à vous. Toujours et jamais.

“A misery is not to be measured from the nature of the evil, but from the temper of the sufferer.”
Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)

On monday I had two Martinis and played Sade. I told my roommate I was preparing for a crappy two weeks. Well, the festivities have begun! You ever have so much crap flying around at your job that even though it’s the beginning of April you start filling out vacation request for May? That’s where I am and I’m about to earn that time off. I don’t think Calgon alone could help me. I expected alot of this, what I didn’t expect was a Motivational Conference that would attract 15,000 people to downtown Baltimore. The entire purpose of me leaving the house when I do was negated as I spent the 20 minutes I usually chill at Starbucks on a bus traveling the distance of 5 blocks. Damn you all to hell. I would like to motivate them to get out of downtown before 5:00pm. I don’t even drive to simple events near downtown…why the hell wouldn’t some of these folks use the P.T.? I still have three and a half weeks of madness ahead of me. The hope vs. wish theory this week. As in some people say, “I hope nothing goes wrong” and other say “I wish you would…”. I also have much venom for express busses. Something is wrong when I see 4 express buses pass me by and 15 minutes later a regular one comes along. I’m sure the people who live on the far end of the line need to get to work, but so do I. Since the express bus doesn’t stop in “my area” I couldn’t catch it even if I wanted to pay the extra fare. Damn all of those catching the express bus. Damn the straight to hell.

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
J. R. R. Tolkien (1892 - 1973)

I like food. I don’t mean I just like to pig out, I mean I like various kinds of food. I enjoyed dating girls from various places so I could take their best recipes into my repertoire. I enjoy buying expensive things to cook with. Mind you in the last hellhole I called a home I stopped cooking as much…I felt like the kitchen was contaminated and I couldn’t work in those conditions. Now however I live somewhere that has various good smells throughout. Now I can begin to cook again. I went to Whole Foods recently and picked up a couple of things. On a side note: you do not go to Whole Foods to “make market”. I consider it the sexy market since people come there with their $50,000+ a year job clothes on. The last time I went I spent $50 and left with one paper bag that wasn’t even full. Of course I did spend $14 on a pound of Chilean Sea Bass. This stuff is fish-crack and it’s like buttah. If you never had it, find some. Anyway this week I plan to fix some Chicken Cutlets on a Baby Arugala Salad, it’s supposed to include marinated mushrooms, but I don’t feel like putting them joints in a jar for a week. Looked good when I saw it fixed and I’m going for it. I also have a tendency to watch cooking shows and retain the information very well. Therefore I have a plethora of recipes in my head. I refuse to go by the title “Foodie”. I will not be broken down into such a category. I’m just a man who likes gourmet eats…yes I just said gourmet eats. Seeing as how the kids in here have been loud and I’m having a long week…I will probably have two martinis when I get home tonight. Just holding the glass makes me feel better….sooo comforting. Anyway I’m planning what I’ll do with the Chilean Sea Bass (which is neither Chilean, nor Bass). Probably a pan searing or something of that nature. Share any ideas kids, I’m always open.