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

February 05, 2008 in Uncategorized

My friends, I'm sorry to say that Katrine is... HD blind. That is, she can't see the difference between regular TV and HD. How sad.

Katrine was in the same room as the rest of us on Superbowl Sunday, watching the sparkling 42" LCD Vizio, but she couldn't see the same game. While we all freaked out during the big fourth quarter, Katrine sat idle. No one said anything, but we could all tell Katrine was... different.

I first realized Katrine was HD blind when I bought the HDTV a few months back. I suppose it hit me the same way a parent would realize his child is colorblind, but instead of, "Susan, what do you mean grass is purple?" I said, "Katrine, why are you watching the Sonics game with the black bars on the side of the screen?" I was mortified when I changed the game to HD and Katrine said she couldn't see the difference. Panicked, I tested her on different channels and different shows -- concerts, dramas, comedies. No dice. Katrine couldn't see the clear picture of HD.

I don't have the heart to try and show Katrine how cool Xbox 360 looks in HD.

Of course, I suffered from HD shock when we first got the HDTV. According to Urban Dictionary, HD shock is "The shock is caused due to the fact you now realize how crappy the same shows look without HD and you almost wish you bought the HDTV earlier." Imagine my shock when I realized that Katrine couldn't share my joy.

I still have hope. I often come home from work and walk in to Katrine watching a prime time network show in 480p. I smile. Perhaps ignorance is bliss. I walk over to the remote, change the resolution to HD, and turn to Katrine. Her expression remains the same. I hope, one day, that will change, and she'll be able to see TV like the rest of us, in HD.