As an Italian-American, I’ve grown up with the traditional stereotypes anyone with a strange sounding last name would have to endure. From an early age I was exposed to the Italian traditions, tastes and attitude. In the end, those traits and values have greatly shaped the man who’s writing this article today.

I’ve heard all the mafia, Mussolini jabs. My friends messing with me over the years, making fun of my love for pasta and cannoli’s. Or perhaps my most favorite, the cut-away’s on Family Guy giving us a good laugh while poking fun at our stereotypes. I’m incredibly proud of my heritage and of my fellow Paisani who share those ‘funny sounding last names’. A few weeks ago, I got a message from a director from Roma wanting to “speak with me” about an article I had written on the Stadio della Roma dilemma. Naturally, this was before it was finally approved about a week ago.