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

Dear Eliza, 17 Months Old

March 10, 2017

Dear Eliza,

You have the best little laugh. Your Mom and her mom are quiet chucklers, but you let it out loud like me. You proclaim your delight.

I'll paint you a picture from the other night. Your usual witching hour is 7 p.m., about 30 minutes before you go to bed. You get especially wild when you're just running around in a diaper before we put on pajamas. Your Mom was pretending to be a dog and crawl up and bark at you (don't ask), and it made you hysterical. Though you can say the words, you still signed "more please" as you wanted her to do it again and again. You shrieked with delight, followed by a gasping laugh. I soon took over, and it was more of the same. All the noise bothered Greta and caused her to rotate around the room looking for lower decibels. Her disgruntlement seemed to spur your delight.

More shrieking. More giggling. "More please."

You're achieving so many milestones that it's hard to keep track these days. For some reason I commit the more peculiar behaviors to memory. For example, I realized that you can thumb through book pages. You do this with ease and could probably bridge a deck of cards. You also like to put items over your head -- scarves, bandannas and especially dog harnesses -- and choose jackets to wear around the house. I didn't realize toddlers liked to pick out their clothes so soon.

When you have on the outfit and "necklace" of your choice, you walk over to the fireplace glass, which you use as a mirror, to look at yourself. You are always very animated as you evaluate your outfit. I don't know where you got this from because your Mom spends zero time in front of a mirror (natural beauty needs no prep time), and I'm cleaned up and ready for the day before you wake up. That's another way of saying I spend more time in front of the mirror than your Mom, but you don't know that just yet.

All of this makes me wonder if you'll be into fashion when you're older. I guess I work in retail so that's not too far off.

Here's a little life hint: Some people will like your style, but they'll fall in love with your laugh. Keep laughing out loud, kiddo.

Love always, Dad