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 12, 2007 in Uncategorized

Harry's got a beard and Hermoine's got boobs: A "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" movie review

This movie was a pleasure to see in theatres and audiences agreed. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" broke records making $44 million in its debut yesterday.

New director David Yates takes this story darker than the movie series' past three directors and utilizes various close up shots and sudden sound affects that make this film feel more like a fun Halloween movie than a children's film. In fact, the audience I sat with on opening day yesterday were mostly 20-somethings (which made me feel better). I saw only a couple children under the age of 10.

This movie deserves its PG-13 rating and makes Chris Columbus' first two movies look like episodes of "Full House." No heartwarming hugs in this movie -- just Harry's first kiss, which was surprising long and one he describes as "wet."

Like fine wine, Harry Potter movies get better as the actors age. Daniel Radcliffe takes his character, Harry Potter, to very dark, challenging places and convincingly turns Potter into the social outcast that he's supposed to be. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who play Harry Potter's best friends, (Hermoine Granger and Ronald Weasley, repectively) won't be up for any Oscars, but they too showed maturity in their characters.

Class is over. These characters are all business -- quite literally. Contrary to this series' past films, the characters are often out of the classroom and in street clothes as Yates moves this plot's various storylines quickly over just 2 hours and 18 minutes.

New characters shine in this movie. Evanna Lynch plays an odd, loveable Luna Lovegood, and Imelda Staunton creates a villain in Delores Umbridge nearly equal to the series' primary antagonist, Lord Voldemort (aka He Who Must Not Be Named aka Tom Riddle aka T.Riddy).

The fight scenes are epic and the movie does exactly what it's supposed to do: makes you want to be be wizard or witch. This is one fun ride that leaves you craving for the next installment. Go see this movie.