Jumping up on the pre set disposal bin Seifer sipped on a bottle of water as folks gathered around the meeting place, placing the bottle next to him on the bin he clears his throat and begins to speak…

So, ive asked a few young soldiers to disperse some invites to be here today, some might agree with what I have to say, others im sure will want a debate which is great. Im not looking to defend a point and am rather looking towards an insight some others might have on the topic(s).

Grabbing the bottle of the water he takes a swig and sets it back down where he then lights a cigarette and takes a good look amongst the crowd…

 So many fingers now a days being pointed in the leaders direction, which is perfectly understandable, they call the shots and determine the direction our world should be heading, surely they have a lot riding on there shoulders. At the same time I ask, with so much opportunity to join a city why is there so many defaulting recruits, surely that is something that can’t be placed sorely the leaders shoulders but everyone’s I feel.

Though today my question is not about the leaders, its about the new comers and the caliber of work they are really willing to bring to the table. I mean what can you really expect from a fella who is just new to our world. You can only really do your part in pointing them in the right direction and teach how to succeed in our world, yet so many take part for such a short time and are never to be seen again. Maybe it’s not the family for them, maybe they decide this is not the life for them, there are so many variables that come into play. Maybe it’s a lack of standard to how things are compared to the old country and organizations they had there? Or is it?

Taking the last puff of his cigarette he outs it along the wall behind him...

What is so different from our place then our past country, there is definitely more to do when it comes to criminal activity compared to where our forefathers made there name. In all honestly I feel we should be booming, yet its always mentioned we are missing something?

We are constantly in a battle to make our streets a better place, and I would agree with many that we have come a long way in rebuilding our streets, but still so many say its not up to par with what it used to be? Why?

Why are so many accustom to no longer making a presence like people used to, when for our ancestors it was not a question or a choice, it was a requirement to move forward?

Grabbing his water and taking another swig he holds the bottle in his hand and twists on the cap...

What else do you figure you can expect when coaching a new comer to our way of life?

Do you think the lack of street use is spoiling some of there experiences early?

Im really not looking to change the world or how things are done, im really just interested in the responses and new insights compared to my own.

Thank you everyone for your time, looking forward to seeing some responses. Good, or bad, lay em on me.

Jumping down off the Bin and leaning up against it he awaits a response and lights another cigarette…

Why are so many accustom to no longer making a presence like people used to, when for our ancestors it was not a question or a choice, it was a requirement to move forward?

I am curious when the last time somebody was promoted to a position of authority based on their street presence. This is a sincere question, not a jab. Because the last person I can think of off-hand who made a name for themselves in the streets that lead to prominence was the line of Lola Delaney, who I am unsure still walks among us.

When I wander the streets, penis firmly in hand, I do notice an effort being made to pump some juice into the streets. I make the same effort myself, (thus my penis in hand), but rarely notice the same effort from anyone donning a bold suit, unless it's an auth announcement. Cantona maybe being the obvious exception, although Cantona is no longer bold.

Since City Hall has started rating districts in the streets based on their participation, there has been a clamoring from the upper-structures of This Thing Of Ours for their respective members to up their street presence game, to put their districts in a higher standing. Several have risen to the occasion, none of whom have been the Godfathers or Crewleaders themselves. So why bother?

Maybe chalk it up to uninspiring times. My main incentive for purchasing timers is to read old street threads, back when people had interesting or inspiring things to talk about. The likes of Roman, Gwarble, Chuckles, Sat, The Flying Pig, even Premier as horribly-spoken as he was, all were present in the streets, and made for interesting listening. You know who the most most intriguing street-speaker is nowadays? And you're not gonna want to hear this, but the Kuklinski bloodline. Yep. The guy you all love to hate. I'd tune into his rhetoric any day before I engaged in a conversation as to whether or not Timon is a goddam meerkat or not. For chrissakes, the last conversation I involved myself in was from a person who may or may not have a penis and/or may or may not have a C for chrissakes!!!

This is not a jab at those who have stepped forward with stories, most of which go ignored. I applaud their efforts. But they could speak of a different tale every day and it will not boost their profile in our world. Speaking in the streets is a dead art form, with only a handful of people keeping what's left of it alive. Massive guns and an excess of bodyguards is what gets you ahead, so my advice to any up-and-comers would be to focus on that rather than street presence. It just doesn't matter anymore. I challenge anyone who thinks differently to change my mind. In fact, I'm hoping somebody does change it.

My main incentive for purchasing timers is to read old street threads, back when people had interesting or inspiring things to talk about.

Sorry, I meant street musings, not "threads", before somebody accuses me of being afflicted with the dreadfully-unfunny ailment term "OOC-itis"

I must agree with Sexecutioner. Now granted, people may find my street presence obnoxious and rather off the wall. Granted you may not like it, but that's the point. Sometimes you have to be creative these days, and regardless whether or not you feel it to be bollocks it  still grabbed your attention long enough to claim such. 

As far as being a leader and the lack of presence. That has been instinct for sometime now. Once upon a time it was rather difficult for someone to obtain the status without being outspoken. Or at least that's what the journals tell us. Things change and really the only people to blame are the community as a whole. Once it was allowed to happen it became the norm. You don't have to like something, but sometimes you have to go with the flow unless you take the reigns and push for a change. 

Take me for example, I can't even begin to explain my gender but at least I make an effort to please!

Since the world began, people have always complained that it used to be better. The times that people are now using as a reference point for how majestic everything was were actually riddled with claims of how much better it was in the past before then. Some people will never be happy, some people are only happy when they are on top and some people just like to moan. As a general rule, if someone starts by saying how much better things used to be, then you should take everything else they go on to say with a healthy pinch of salt.

With that said, salt shakers at the ready, there appears to be a disgusting lack of ambition around this place these days. Ol' Giles reckons there are far too many families and far too few actual characters. I don't know if this stems from a fear of repercussions from going against the grain or just everyone being out of ideas. Which ever it happens to be, there seems to be no real attempt to be innovative and as a result little to no real difference between any of the families. This isn't good for interest levels. I don't know why nobody is trying anything different, especially when so many of them have storied bloodlines and are in a position to try something else. If anyone is doing something different, tell us about it!

If I was seeking work today, I don't know why I would be better off with any one family or another. I don't know what the Dons stand for, I don't know what they think and I have little evidence to suggest they aren't a complete idiot. The streets is the primary vehicle for expressing yourself, your ideals and why people should want to be in your family. Evidently, this is not important to our leadership because only one of them speaks (either in their HQ or the streets) at least once per day and only three more at least every other day. To me, that is pretty shameful, but then I consider a presence important for leadership and it would seem our esteemed Godfathers do not.

If you're interested, here is the full list:

Given how low some of those rates are, I'm not surprised the leadership are coming in for criticism. Whether that affects the overall retention rate of new recruits is difficult to prove. What is clear is that having a presence is considerably further down on the list of desirable criteria for getting the nod to start your own family than having a strong firearm. 

I for one do not believe street presence is necessary towards good leadership. Building a family is a skill and we have seen street speakers who consider themselves to have more than guru status be absolute fuckwits at leading a family. I am talking being considered by their peers to be something akin to a court jester.

The Streets whilst being a building block in our world are also a curse, yes you heard me right, a curse. Why are they a curse simply because the streets are a level playing field in a world which is built on respect and rank. The streets at there prime will see people who have never obtained the trust to be considered a made man calling out and openly insulting people who have made their bones.

In essence the streets are fundamentally the most significant area which is the opposite to how a mafia family should be.

Hell we are without doubt a society which begs for secrets, because if we were open about ourselves then within moments we would be picked up and charged with a multitude of law violations.

So is the paradox that is "The Streets"