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

July 27, 2006 in Uncategorized

Greek Adventure, Part 7: A Tale of Two Cities

For Sergio's 16th birthday, we went to Star Beach Village in Hersonissos in the morning. It was a resort reminscent of an MTV Spring Break. Look at that picture. Sergio couldn't have seen more topless women if I took him to a dozen strip clubs in the States. I told my parents, "Just leave me here."

Admission was free and we got on all the slides for $10 a person. The place had a bangin' sound system and the DJ played contemporary hip hop. It was a step up from other places that played George Michaels all day. The women were all 20-somethings and plentiful. The pools were amazing. I can't say anymore. I'm still recovering, and I'm subject to post-traumatic Star Beach Village syndrome. Look for my "Unfair Greek Advantage" blog about the women on Crete later.

Despite my request, my parents wouldn't leave me at Star Beach Village, and we went up to a mountain village called Avdou in the evening. This was the old Greece you see in the postcards and National Geographic magazines. Men smoke at the cafe, fiddling with worry beads. Old women wear black dresses and shawls, carrying groceries with one hand and leaning on canes with the other. Of course, I didn't bring my nice camera to the most photogenic place on this whole trip. I intend to go back on Monday to take pictures.

My aunt and Emmanuel have a stone house in Avdou where his father and grandfather grew up. The house was tiny, but cozy. Some neighbor women competed with each other, giving us baked goods they made. One woman gave me some blessed bread, which is supposed to give me good luck for the next year. That's a good thing considering the year I've had.

In conclusion, the two destinations couldn't have been more different. I'm crossing my fingers that I can go back to Avdou with my camera. And next time I'm at Star Beach Village, just leave me there.