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

January 26, 2007 in Uncategorized

I get to the gym 2-3 times per week. I need to turn this into a daily habit. I went to the doctor and learned that I am... overweight.

The doctor said I could stand to lose 10 lbs. because I'm weighing in a little high according to the Body Mass Index (BMI). At 5'11" and 190 lbs, my BMI is 26. This makes me overweight according to the scale:

Underweight = <18.5>
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

You can calculate your own BMI here if you're curious.

I also learned that I have nearly high-blood pressure. This was a greater concern to the doctor because it's a "silent killer." Although high-blood pressure can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, it is genetic, so even extremely healthy people can be affected it.

"Look, you can be a marathon runner, but if you don't monitor your blood pressure, you'll keel over at 50 anyway," said the doctor. "I wouldn't say you have that much to worry about now, but if you don't keep an eye on this, you could be that guy who unexpectedly has serious health issues at a young age." Nice.

Ways to lower blood pressure include:

Following a healthy eating pattern
Reducing salt and sodium in your diet
Maintaining a healthy weight
Being physically active
Limiting alcohol intake
Quitting smoking
Not being born into a family that has a history of high blood pressure

So, I'll be heading to the gym after work today, not to sculpt my body into a physique that makes women melt (I already tried that and it doesn't work -- damn myths), but to try to get this body to age 50. The doctor's tone was a bit, um, morbid, so I'll take this time to say it's been nice knowing you all, just in case.