WORD IS BORN

I started this blog WAY back in 2007 as "Word Is Born." The spirit remains the same: my thoughts and photos, random as they are. Enjoy.

Latest Grams:

WE THREE ARE ITALIAN CITIZENS! 🇮🇹 🎉 (Note: Super weird to celebrate anything considering COVID-19 and Black injustice crises.) Twelve years ago -- way before I had kids, right before I met Amanda -- I started exploring dual citizenship. Perch&egra

WE THREE ARE ITALIAN CITIZENS! 🇮🇹 🎉 (Note: Super weird to celebrate anything considering COVID-19 and Black injustice crises.) Twelve years ago -- way before I had kids, right before I met Amanda -- I started exploring dual citizenship. Perchè no? I didn't know what the future would hold, but I knew opening more doors for education and work in my father's country and greater EU would be good for me and future generations. Oh, and the history, culture, landscapes, pride of lineage, etc. I wanted to power up from half Italian to full citizen. I set a first citizenship appointment in San Francisco in 2010, the same year Amanda and I married, but didn't get enough paperwork together time. I had some other stops and starts but thanks to some major legwork led by cousin @mikebaiocchi I finally set an appointment two years ago for a January 2020 appointment at the consulate in San Francisco. We made it a fun little family vacation. The appointment itself went well (after some fair shaming about my language progress). We came home and waited for confirmation but of course COVID-19 devastated Italy, and I didn't expect to hear anything soon. Well, the surprise came in the mail today 🙌🏻. Eliza and Matteo automatically gained citizenship. Amanda has a few more steps (notably a high level of language achievement) to gain citizenship through marriage, but I am super pumped to reach this longtime goal! Forza Italia! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

Took the family for a (peaceful protest) walk around the neighborhood. 👊🏻👊🏽👊🏿

Took the family for a (peaceful protest) walk around the neighborhood. 👊🏻👊🏽👊🏿

Last day in Kent HQ (but not my last at REI!). I've spent some of my best years here in the Kent valley.

I remember after leaving Eddie Bauer, my next stop had to be REI. They had a co-op model, big stores, real community events! I knocked on t

Last day in Kent HQ (but not my last at REI!). I've spent some of my best years here in the Kent valley. I remember after leaving Eddie Bauer, my next stop had to be REI. They had a co-op model, big stores, real community events! I knocked on these doors and many kind people responded. @nattyluna and @jordowilliams kindly met me for informational interviews. @lux2, after intense interrogation, finally conceded and offered me a job on the social media team to join @kelly_ann_walsh. Shout out to some of my other bosses over the years: @rowleycraig, @sarahjeanneisme @mrajet and @ph9er. Too many colleagues and teammates over the years to tag but so appreciative of the shared time. The work we did in this place will define my career and the brand for years to come. OptOutside, Force of Nature, etc. I’ve been able to pay it forward and meet people for informational interviews and hire some of them myself. I’ve met a lot of great people and forged a kit of friendship with people who were also willing to come to Kent. Because the location doesn’t matter so much as the mission. Shout out to those who literally drove with me and endured the I-5 commute that future generations won't comprehend: @jruckle @angelafgow @halleyrebecca @shelb_hall. Next stop, REI Tacoma (work at home) and a smattering of new Bellevue HQ. Onward.

I published monthly letters for these Puget Sound saltwater 🐟. Link in profile. #deareliza #dearmatteo

Good Intentions and McDonald's Dollars

August 30, 2005 in Uncategorized

Random notes:

Harry Potter is the greatest literary series of all-time.
I am working on a Yahoo system to post photos weekly again for all of you old Web site supporters. I'm not sure if I'll be able to host a Top 5 list.
I know that Bay Street Coffee (old Stuart's) is making a killing off of me because I'm here non-stop playing on the Internet. I'm starting to get strange looks.

Yesterday Scott and Courtney came over and relieved me of my of solitude in the basement. The night was a perfect example of how Scott functions.

First we went to Wal-Mart. I'll spare an analysis here. After we paid, Scott asked Courtney and I to stay behind while he scurried off to the internal McDonald's. After a couple minutes, we walked over to see what Scott was up to. We turned the corner and saw Scott standing frustrated, clearly aware of how much time this sidetrack was taking. He wanted to surprise us by getting a me an ice cream cone and Courtney a parfait.

Courtney asked, "Scott, what are you holding?" He tried hiding it from us, but we could see the strange rainbow-colored papers in his hand. Yes, he had McDonald's dollars.

This is the essence of Scott. He was trying to be a nice guy by getting us some treats, yet he used McDonald's dollars that his Mom hands out to bums at intersections to buy the treats. Good intentions, good intentions...

We ended the night in traditional fashion. Scott Netflixed (too embarrassed to actually rent the movie in a real store) "The Pacifier." The movie was horrible. Basically, Vin Diesel took a try at a "Kindergarten Cop"- esque flick that made Disney look like it lost a bet. I think I have seen every bad movie with Scott... some good, but most bad. That dude has a bad/weird taste in movies. I continue to watch them, too. What can I say? He's my best friend. "Dukes of Hazard" here I come.