Daily Archive for November 10th, 2007

Sicilian Mafia’s 10 Commandments

I found this pretty interesting. Considering what shows like the Sopranos portray, this is a far cry from the adulterous nature of the Mafiosi in the Soprano family. While raiding a hideout of a known boss in the Sicilian Mafia, the police found the “10 Commandments” for members of La Cosa Nostra. For whatever reason, I sort of have a fascination with the Mafia. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in an Italian family with a grandfather who had a lot of people that did things as “favors” for him (and that no one was allowed to look in the trunk of his car or the crawl space in his basement). Now I find myself in Providence, home of the New England Mafia, the Patriarca family. Anyway, here’s the “10 Commandments” of La Cosa Nostra (the original in Sicily). Found this from kottke.org.

1. No one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.
2. Never look at the wives of friends.
3. Never be seen with cops.
4. Don’t go to pubs and clubs.
5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty – even if your wife’s about to give birth.
6. Appointments must absolutely be respected.
7. Wives must be treated with respect.
8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.
9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.
10. People who can’t be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn’t hold to moral values.

Tasting and Pre-Party

Tonight’s tasting at Nikki’s was Berkshire Brewing Co. from Western Mass (South Deerfield, to be exact, same town as Yankee Candle).  The beers were Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale (American Pale Ale), Oktoberfest Lager (Marzen/Oktoberfest), Lost Sailor India Pale Ale (English IPA), Shabadoo Black and Tan (Black & Tan), Drayman’s Porter, and Coffeehouse Porter (both American Porters).  My favorites were the Steel Rail and the Coffeehouse Porter.  The Steel Rail was a very light beer with a refreshing taste.  The porter was exactly as it says with a strong coffee flavor, but really good.  The others were good as well, but not as good as those 2.

I went to the GIBF pre-party at Track 84 in Warwick as well (after dinner at the Blue Grotto).  I had Kasteel (either Rouge or Kriek), Rodenbach Classic (a Flanders Red), and Blue Point’s Imperial Stout (a Russian Imperial Stout).  The Kasteel was my favorite with a nice cherry flavor and a nice mix of sweet and sour.  All of them were really good beers.  I wasn’t drinking to review, so I can’t really say much about the others, but I was very impressed by both.

I hope all who attend the GIBF tomorrow have a great time.  It looks to be a great event.  I really wish I could make it (I could’ve had free tickets had I not had other plans).  Drink some good ones for me!  Good night…