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

September 23, 2007 in Uncategorized

Paolo Does Europe - Aug. 31

I'm at the Eastern (called Ost) Interlaken train station waiting for a train to Grindelwald to head up into the Swiss Alps. Doesn't that sound badass and foreign?! I swung by my hostel and dropped off my backpack first. That fucker was feeling heavy in my travels here from Zurich.

I feel like this place is much more lively than Zurich, basically because Interlaken feels like one big ski lodge. My hostel, Balmer's, looks like a ton of fun and is supposedly one of the hottest night spots in town. We'll see. If the patrons look anything like the girls at the front desk, we'll be in business.

Oh Jesus! Asians everywhere. Seriously, a small army just sprang out onto the platform! I feel like I'm back in Federal Way. They've got to travel like that. I'm sure very few people here speak any Asian languages, so they're getting through their travels by sheer mass. A lot of folks here do speak English, so I feel like a lot less of an idiot today. That's a good feeling.

I think I'll party hard tonight and head to Milan in the morning. I really don't mind this pace of travel. The days feel slow anyhow. Hopefully that keeps up.

Later that day...

At Grindelwald now. Beautiful up here. I'm in the nosebleed section of the Alps. The scenery is dramatic. The mountains stare down upon this humble little town and we all stare back up in awe. It's touristy. There are a lot of walking sticks for sale. Could I use one? Sure. Am I too proud and cheap to get one? Yep.

The hardcore hikers are here. They're calloused and sunburnt, sporting worn gear. I'm not camouflaging myself well wearing Lucky jeans, spankin' new New Balance kicks and a Red Stripe beer fitted t-shirt.
I'm sitting at a cafe overlooking the melting mountains and am about to indulge in a melting espresso gelato. The Gummy Bears I've been eating all day weren't holding up. This is some tasty gelato. After this, I'm taking the train down to shower and catch a nap. Did I mention that I think everything in Harry Potter is shaped by Switzerland?