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| Aspirations | Started by: Gaara on Dec 06, '07 16:59 |
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You walk around the corner as you see Gaara ranting and raving like usual. You start to walk on but stop suddenly. You realise that for once, people are not laughing at Gaara, but are actually listening to the deep humm of Gaara's voice. You slowly walk towards the crowd. "We step off the boat and into a world full of opportunity, of promise and hope. A large majority of us will be able to make a life for ourselves and our family, an honest living. But there are some of us who can't seem to catch a break. Who aren't happy because we can't afford shoes for our children, and heating in the winter. So we look to other means of making money, stumbling across a different, darker world as we do so. A world of trafficking moonshine and narcotics. Where we carry guns and learn of things like respect and honour." "And yet, once our initial need for money, for the essentials required to live, are actually fulfilled. What then become of our aspirations? We're making money, we're protected. Do we then sit on our heels and enjoy a life protected by the ones we call brothers and sisters? Our 'Family'?" "What I'm out here to ask today is for each and every one of you, when you wake up in the morning, where do you hope your life will lead you? Do you aspire to be something greater, to have your own Family, or are you happier watching from the sidelines, helping the organisation you work for to grow bigger and become stronger?" "This life we lead can seem like a game sometimes. We win some, and in many cases, we lose more than we can afford. Is it better to risk everything for your name in lights, for that respect which many of us value above all else? Or better to let other, more ambitious people rise from the ranks around us?" "We're all in this life for a reason. For you personally, what is it you're working so hard for?" Thoughts start running through your head as people start shouting out answers. You turn swiftly and walk down the dark alley, whilst thinking of what the answer could be for you. |
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Johnny returns from the dark alley he wandered down for no reason in particular and addresses the speaker. I think many people dream of being asked to run a family; it is the ultimate honor--to have your boss recognize the hard-work you've put into your life and the family. It's important, though, to not become ambitious because of these hopes and dreams. There is no room for ambition in the Mafia. Every action you make and every word you speak is on behalf of a larger entity--the family--and it is one function of the crew leader to decide who is most worthy and suited to branch out on his or her own. Ambition often breeds resentment when an individual doesn't get what's "entitled" to him or her, and when you're too busy selfishly moaning about not receiving a promotion, a position, or a headquarters, you're not helping the family at all. Anyway, enough with my rambling. I'll answer your question. Personally, I don't seek the opportunity to run a family, as I am Mr McTavish's right hand and will always be loyal to him. Instead, my greatest hope is that the members of Badass Inc continue to grow closer to one another. This allows the family to work more effectively and creates the kind of working environment that I truly enjoy. As this happens, the family will be better able to make changes in Chicago and the community as a whole. |
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| Reply by: JohnnyAxe at Dec 06, '07 17:48 | |
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Listening quietly in the shadows until the speech is complete, ProphetOfDespair walks forward to join in the forum. "Gaara, my friend, I for one have always felt I have a higher calling. Even when my family first came to these shores, new to the ways of the mafioso, we've always had high aspirations. Some of this is due to knowing some of the great ones this world has had, and also for the fact that I live life for honor. There is no greater honor than having a family of your own, and yes, someday I will attain that honor for the glory of my lineage. When? When the time is right. When I have given my family enough honor and proven myself worthy to those who rule. I don't expect it to be anytime very soon, but someday. It is what many would dream for." Pulls out a cigar, lights and give a few puffs. "When it comes down to it, I think we all aspire to do something greater. Whether it is to lead or to council their leaders and help their family. We all have our ambitions. We do all have to realize though, that we are not entitled to what we seek. We must earn it, we must nourish the foundation of ourselves to fully realize our potential as whatever we ideally see ourselves doing in the future. We must support our leaders, families, wives, and children to the best possible degree and step forth little by little everyday to reach our full potential. To attain our ambitions, and realize our goals. And on the day that the goals are completed, we must all remember to assign ourselves new goals. For without our aspirations we can easily downslide. It is important to keep looking up and trot along." Steps down. "I hope I didn't sound too preachy there. I am sure I did, but I just wanted to address this as best I could. <smiling p="" sits="" down="" to="" listen="" in="" on="" others="" thoughts="" /> |
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| Reply by: ProphetOfDespair at Dec 06, '07 18:03 | |
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Cathy overhears the man talking just as receives a package from a bag boy. Handing the kid some money from within her trenchcoat then depositing the bundle in her purse, she wanders over to listen. When he's done talking, she begins to speak. "For me, I came into this life looking for an escape from a broken home and harsh hands. I didn't mean to get into it, it was never my intention. Up until a few months ago it had just been me and my fiance and a bottle of whiskey every night for 3 years. And then luck found me one night on the New York Jazz strip. "I wasn't looking for it, but I got a chance to restart myself and learn the meaning of respect for myself and for others. If it hadn't of been for my Family, I would've still been stuck in that too small apartment making sure I always wore a pant suit to cover up the bruises. "For that reason, I give my everything for my Family. I think if I'd have come into this life when I was younger, I would've wanted a shot at making a mark on this world. But now, after all that I've been through, I feel that there would be nothing I could ever do to repay my Family with the kindness and respect they have shown me. But I'll keep trying, keep kicking back those tributes. And I think it's better for me that way, I know not a single one of my relatives were ever good at running their own family and despite the lessons learned and the stories told as I was growing up. I don't think I'd be any good at it either." |
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| Reply by: Cathy_Parks at Dec 06, '07 18:07 | |
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Gaara nods his head with the points being made, pausing only to take a long hit on his slightly crumpled cigar.He stands up from his rickety chair. He proceeds to the centre of the discussion as people start to quieten down. Gaara takes one last drag on his cigar and after exhaling, moves his lips... "It's refreshing to hear other peoples aspirations in this world. My family indeed spans back generations, much like yourselfs and have always lived by strict rules. These rules helped my former family members reach goals and feats that they never even dreamed of." "This doesn't just mean leading a family or having the honour of leading a small rabble of men yourself. But rather knowing that your actions and decisions can help a family prosper, and become a good influence on the surronding city and possibly further." "I think that these ideals leave people at times, and have been made unknown to the younger people of the society around us as Gangsters. Alas, this makes it all the more better when you see a young hotshot following the old regime." Gaara chuckles to himself and shakes his head. He looks at his cigar for a split second, takes his last drag and flicks it in the air. In one swift moment, Gaara turns and proceeds back to his rickety chair. |
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| Reply by: Gaara at Dec 06, '07 21:44 | |
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Smizz walks from a back alley where he was hiding out after robbing the 7-11 across the way. He overhears Gaara talking and decides to listen. After a few people have told her what they want to be Smizz finally plucks up enough courage to speak. "Hhm. Excuse me. Ahhh yes well I'm not very good at speaking publicly so I'll make this quick. I always dreamed of being the best jailbreaker there ever was. I would be remembered as the man that never failed. But thats just me." Feeling he had embarressed himself Smizz shuffles back into the alley from which he emerged. |
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| Reply by: smizz at Dec 06, '07 22:15 | |
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Stepping forward from those clustered together, Funk raises a single finger, nodding to Gaara as he raises his voice above the murmers that have rippled through the crowd after each person's testimony. While I wish I could take credit for the next quotation, it is actually Albert Einstein that has summed this up nicely for me: "Try not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of value." Pure inspiration. At least for myself. So often we immerse ourselves in a material world, hungry to add another few zeroes to our bank balances, stockpiling fortunes. If not that, it is trying to quench an insatiable thirst for power, intoxicated by the thrill of control and dominance. But, I ask you, why die with millions of dollars if there is no one to speak at your funeral? Why dictate where kindness would suffice? Funk paused for a moment before returning to his topic from an alternate angle. For another take on it, I believe it's better to be a solid gangster than a poor crew leader. I would rather be a well-seasoned soldier than an inexperienced Capo who ascended the ranks as quick as possible. Being a man of instant success may be nice for some, but it is stopping a moment along the journey that makes a man one of value. Funk nods once more to Gaara, inviting him to rejoin the conversation once more as he presides over it from his rocking chair. Any thoughts on that, Gaara? |
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| Reply by: Funk at Dec 06, '07 22:55 | |
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Steps out from his shadowy covers nodding profusely I agree with alot of whats being said here, everyone aspires to have lots and lots of money, to be in an amazing family or even to run there own. But is that really the only thing that's most important? Of course it is! An excellent family is what everyone coming over from the motherland wants. To be able to call yourself a man of honor and fully live la mala vite! As for me personally I am very content sitting beside Jay C down here in Philadelphia, and hopefully this can last for a long while. But I would very much love to be my own man and spread my "wings"(yay bad puns!) Hmmm and when I wake up in the morning I very much dream not to burn my bacon...Yum Oh yes back to the matter at hand my one goal of the day is always self-improvment and improving my Family as nothing is ever perfect so I try to find things that may be able to be redone much better or something I haven't even thought of yet! It's a new adventure every day of our life and the best advice I can give is live it to the max and do the best damn job you can do and be a positive impact on society. Shake Mr. Garra's hand congratulating him on an excellent speech I'm quite jealous I haven't thought of something like this great work :D |
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| Reply by: YouSucked at Dec 06, '07 22:55 | |
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A thick and chilling fog settles over all the onlookers of Garra's inspired speech as Hatter approaches clearing his throat to deliver his piece of mind Aspiration for me isn't just to reach a goal or a power point. It is how you should live you life always aspiring to greater and greater heights. If you don't push yourself just to do that extra thing or to go that extra mile then what is worth doing. I think everyone should aspire just to be aspired, live your life constantly reaching for new lofts and new goals. Never give up, Never surrender. A very wise man said that once and it is a good way to live you life. Always be focused on whats ahead, not past grudges, or future mishaps, just focus on the here and now. Hatter steps back into the blackness of an alleyway cloaked in a veil of fog and mist |
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| Reply by: Hatter-Madigan at Dec 06, '07 23:06 | |
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Gaara, you're correct that many of the younger bloodlines may have different ideals or priorities than someone whose bloodline stems back generations. From my own family line's time in this organization, I can attest that there has always been a deep-rooted desire for power within the Mafia--no surprise there. Fortunately, we've had a period of stability now, but it was not long ago when leaders would come and go on a daily basis. Because of that time of instability, there are grudges and vendettas passed down through bloodlines that will take several more generations before they are forgotten. I hope that once this happens, there will be a return to the values of which you speak. Yes, there are many people around that still have their heads on straight, but with all of the rogues, scheming, and ulterior motives, it's often hard to see this. I can think of no better way to teach the principles to the younger Mafiosi than to continue living by them. We could talk from here to eternity about loyalty, but unless people put forth an effort to make it a value they live by, it will continually lose its worth. Is there a better or more effective way to have those that are relatively new to these shores devote themselves to this way of life? |
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| Reply by: JohnnyAxe at Dec 06, '07 23:09 | |
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Gaara opens his mouth in hope that Smizz is somewhere nearby to hear this. "Sometimes the more simpler goals in life are the best. Alas, you think it is embarressing but in achieveing this feat you will be freeing thousands of people from jail, and you can't say that this is a bad thing. And perhaps with good answers like that you should speak in public more often." As the funkadelic one makes himself known to the crowd, Gaara smiles and nods his head slightly "It's times like these that we turn to the people we admire the most, although I highly doubt that good ol' Albert is your idol, but a good choice nevertheless." "It's true that nowadays people seem to be more bothered with adding another zero to the bank or going to the troubles of employing another BodyGuard to ease thier insecurities. I don't know about most people but I remember the day when it was just myself and my trusty revolver, but enough of my ramblings." "It's a mystery why people would want to make so much money without giving any away to ease the tension in the community. I have always thought that it was one of the worst things to be alienated with a good thing (money). Yes, I called money a good thing. In this material world we need all the money we can get our hands on but is it worth having more then having friends? For me....no, I think I would need my friends to keep functioning in this society." "Yes it's good to be a solid gangster rather than a poor crew leader, but is being alone, having more money then the bank can handle the definition of a solid gangster? Couldn't a solid gangster be seen as a person who can show compassion, can offer thier services out for free, and can offer the new generations a roof over thier heads? Ofcourse that's just MY opinion, not anyone elses. This also means people definition of success varies too Funk. Some definitions would be more fitting, so being a success can be classed as that moment when you stop in your journey to help another." "Unfortunately I'm going to restrict myself to a short answer, thanks to Mr Funk and his speech." Gaara smirks and pats Funk on the shoulder. "The short answer and probably the most simple solution is that we carry on the ways we have been brought up with. To not slide down in the newer way of things, and if we are lucky enough to be granted a HeadQuarters of your own, then we use this to promote our life values and ideals. Use the power of speech, rather than a lead bullet." Gaara scratches his head and remembers to add some people to his Christmas card list. |
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| Reply by: Gaara at Dec 07, '07 06:55 | |
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Lethal Bizzle sits and listens to a few members of the crowd speak and then decides to come forward. "Some interesting stories been told here today. But like Funk, I would rather be a solid gangster than a poor Leader. Lethal B takes a breathe and lights up a cigarette to calm his nerves. My aspirations in this world is to be classed as a hard worker. Someone they can trust. Obviously power would be nice but I am not interested in being in a nice bold suit. I do not think I could handle being my own Boss, I need to be told what to do.. keeps me straight. Anyhooooo I like to keep what I say to a minimal Lethal Bizzle stops speaking and starts to Walk off into the distance... |
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| Reply by: Lethal_Bizzle at Dec 07, '07 11:37 | |
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Well, I do have some ambitions and I think everyone should have one, disagreeing with some points of view around here. However it should be ambitions towards the good of the community and the family. I myself would be really proud and I really look foward in doing more work to the crew, helping them in many other different ways than I usually do. Of course that this is something that depends in other people approval, the spots open (both things I'll not discuss here becuase there are crowds arguing about it in other 3 or 4 corners of the city) and I must first earn their respect. So earning their respect becomes one of mine ambitious. It is selfish? Not in the way I see it, since I do not plan in earning only because my pretty blue eyes nor want it for my personal interests. I want to be more involved in the community, not for the fame or gain, but for what I could learn with it and what I could improve and teach the community. the exchange of experiences is the great deal around here. And what experience could be greater than working side by side with your family members and heads? |
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| Reply by: BloodyFaster at Dec 07, '07 12:31 | |
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