An evening with the Sopranos
We’ve had a relaxing vacation so far. Well, the nights are a little bumpy with little miss thang waking up. She sleeps for 3 hr. stretches at a time though, so that’s pretty good. Last night I put David on the 3 am feed. He stayed up pretty much the whole night watching season 1 of the Sopranos. I watched two episodes but had to get some sleep. I know, we’re a bit late into the Soprano thing, with the series coming to an end and all.
I am amazed that East Coast Italian-Americans are still the last ethnic group that it’s ok to stereotype. Watching the episodes, I could relate to the accents, the food, the Catholic guilt, the Jersey refrences…so there is truth in stereotypes, but come on all Italians aren’t mobsters! or Catholic! Well, my family is Catholic. I have a cousin who just got married to a guy named Rocky. I am from New York. My great grandparents came over on “the boat” through Ellis Island. I am very serious about cooking sauce from scratch. I talk with my hands, and have a healthy intensity to my voice when I’m upset. What David calls yelling, my family calls normal conversation.
If you want a positive, fun look at Italians (with fun stereotypes) watch “Moonstruck.” Great film. My dad loved it. No mobsters in sight.
I suppose this is what it’s like watching movies about Latins in LA - they’re all shaved head gangbangers, or here illegally or machismo; or about African Americans - homeless, on drugs, in gangs, etc…; or about Asians - straight A students, successful, worried about pleasing their parents, if male - geeky (see the “She Bangs” guy from American Idol)
Where are all the Italians in LA? I’d love to get a homemade cannoli right now