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

I love my SwissGear backpack

August 09, 2009 in Uncategorized

swissgear My generation of professionals is a backpack generation. For awhile there, I thought I was in the minority of professionals rocking a backpack, but now that I'm a public transit commuter and among the masses, I notice that everyone has a backpack. The guys in suits have backpacks. Some women even leave their purses at home in lieu of a backpack. Backpackers unite!

Forget Gen Y or Millennials. We're Generation Backpack.

Most days I carry two laptops, one for work and one for personal use (nerd alert!). So a backpack isn't a luxury - it's essential. I've had a Targus backpack for the last year and it did OK, but it was hardly fashionable and you know I can't have that. Also, the zipper started to snag over the past couple months. It was time to upgrade. Since I got my Macbook Pro, I've been lusting over some of the Patagonia and Hurley backpacks at the Apple Store. However, the SwissGear backpacks caught my eye during my last Mac pilgrimage. The beauty of the Apple Store, of course, is that you have Internet access, so I just hopped online and found the same backpack $100 cheaper on Amazon. The next day I made the purchase. I wanted one for three reasons:

It was mad stylish, with Swiss Army-like branding.
It looked durable and spacey-enough for two laptops plus gadgets.
I trust the Swiss. I have no idea where the backpack is actually made, but I've been to Switzerland and they don't half-ass anything. (Have you tried their chocolate? Wow.)

My backpack (pictured above) arrived as scheduled last week. Like Ralphie grabbing his Red Ryder BB Gun, I grabbed my new red SwissGear backpack with glee. This must be the feeling women have when they get new shoes.

The backpack is stylish and totally comfortable to wear. The pockets are many and functional. I don't need 35 mini-compartments that only hold pens or pogs. I need five or six that are large enough to fit books.The weight distribution is much better.

Now that I have the backpack I notice that A LOT of people have SwissGear backpacks. It's no wonder why. This product of the Backpack Generation recommends SwissGear.