I know that, kid. It just makes me laugh sometimes that the Italians who moved to the suburbs---and who can blame them?---seem to be the first people to lament the fact that the neighborhoods are gone. If it bothers them that much, then they should have stayed.

And you know I don't mean you or your family, or any of our friends here. You and I have discussed this ad nauseam in pms over the years. But if I didn't have so much business in Queens and the Bronx, we'd be long gone too.

I mean, who in their right mind would want to raise their kids in a five story cold-water walk up when they can afford to live in a nice suburban setting in Northern Westchester or Eastern Long Island or North Jersey?

Exactly no one, except for a few thickheaded holdouts like myself. And if I can accept the fact that the Bronx isn't remotely Italian anymore---and I still live here---it shouldn't be so difficult for the former residents to let go .

The smiley is for Carmela. She knows .